Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-12-07
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
NO POLICY IS DEFINED IN IT
The Chief Executive Reviews the
War with Spain-He Says He VIII
Not Discuss the Government or
Future of the New Possessions of
the United States-Cuba Should be
independent.
To the Senate and the House OF Repre-
aantatiyaa


sentatives
Notwithstanding the added burdens rem
dered necessary by the war, our peopie
rejoice in very satisfactory and steadiiy
increasing degree OF prosperity, evidenced
by the largest volume OF business ever
recorded. Every manufacture has been
productive, agricultural pursuits have
Welded abundant returns, labor in the
fields of industry is better rewarded, rev.
enue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasurys re-
ceipts to the amount estimated by its au-
thorities, the finances of the government
have been successfully administered and
its credit advanced to the first rank, while
its currency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard. Military serv-
ice under a common fag'a for right
eous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and served to cement more closely
than ever the fraternal bonds between
every section of the country.
A General Review.
A review is submitted of the relations
of the United States to other powers, al
ways appropriate, in this year OF primary
importance in view Of the momentous Is
sues which have arisen, demanding in one
instance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving far-reaching conse-
auences which will require the earnest
attention of the congress.
In my last annual message very fuli
consideration was given to the question OF
the duty of the government OF the United
States toward Spain and the Cuban lnsur-
reetion, as being by far the most import,
ant problem with which we were called
upon to deal The considerations then ad-
yanced and the exposition of the views
therein expressed disclosed my sense OF
the extreme gravity OF the situation. Set
ting aside as logically unfounded, or prac-
tically inadmissible, the recognition oil the
Cuban insurgents as belligerents, the rec
ognition of the independence OF Cuba, neu-
trail intervention to end the war by I'M
posing a rational compromise between the
contestants, intervention in favor OF one
or the other party and the forciDie an
nexation of the island, concluded that
it was honestly due to our friendly reia-
tions with Spain that she should be given
A reasonable chance to realize her expecta-
tions of reform, to which she had De-
come irrevocably committed. Witnn
few weeks previously she had announced
comprehensive plans, which it was conh-
IDENTIFY asserted would be eflicacious to
remedy the evils SO deeply affecting our
own country, so injurious to the true IN
terests of the mother country, as well as
those of Cuba, and so repugnant to the
universal sentiment OF humanity.
The Explosion of the Maine.
On the 18th of February last, occurred
the destruction of the battleship Maine
while rightfully lying in the harbor oil
Havana on mission of mterna-
tional courtesy and goodwill, ca
tastrophe the suspicious nature and nor
ror of which stirred the nations heart
profoundly. 1t is a striking evidence oil
the poise and good sense distinguishing
our national character that this shocking
blow, falling upon generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to desperate
resolve to tolerate no longer the exist
enCe OF u cOHultlou VI u"hSSi
order at our doors that made possible
such deed by whomsoever wrought. YET
the instinct of justice prevailed, and the
nation anxiously awaited the result OF the
searching investigation at once set on
foot. The finding of the naval board OF
inquiry established that the origin OF the
explosion was external by a submarine
mine and only halted through lack OF pos
tive testimony to fix the responsibility
OF its authorship.
AL those things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful, even before the find
ing of the naval court, that crisis IN
our relations with Spain and toward Cuba
was at hand. So strong was this belief
that it needed but brief executive sug-
gestion to congress to receive immediate
answer to the duty Of making instant
provision for the possible and perhaps
probable emergency Of war, and the re-
markable, almost unique, spectacle was
presented of unanimous vote OF both
houses on the 9th of March, appropriating
$4,000, 900 "for the national defense and
for each and every purpose connected
Herewith, 10 be expended at the disere'
ton of the president"
soon was disclosed when the application
Of the fund was undertaken. Our forts
were practically undefendsd. Our navy
needed large provision for increased am
munition and supplies, and even numbers
to cope with any sudden attack from the
navy of Spain, which comprised modern