Oakes Republican., December 09, 1898, Image 2

About Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906

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(Oaken §)cpuMican.
En. A. SMITH.
OAKKS Dickey County, N.. DAK.
1
A good L.lr.lT 13 often more effective
than a bad act.
Cupid uses nothing but 'sniokclcc3
powder in his warfare.
It is easier fot- some men to sins a
bymn than speafij the truth.
Some people ri^ake .the'beet thing of
everything—and others talfe it."'
The best some people can do is to
express somebody else's opinions.
The oftener a man fails the more he
Is addicted to the advice-giving habit.
The title often sells the book—and
Invariably catches the American heir
ess.
The kangaroo -is a healthy looking
animal, but it is nearly always on its
last legs.
The trouble with the man who
knows it all is that he is unable to
keep it to himself.
No man ever did. a designed injury
to another but at the same time he
did a greater to h'imself.
It's a wise man who can conjecture
what a woman is going to say—and
it's a foolish one wlio wants to.
Even though she refuses him, a wo
man always admires the good judg
ment of the man who proposes.
Wisest schemes by statesmen spun,
time has seen them one by one like the
leaves of autumn fall—a little song
outlives them all.
A scientist recently asserted that a
man could double his circulation by
bathing his feet in tepid water, and
now some rural editors are having
tanks fitted to their office stoves.
No man or woman of the humblest
sort can really be strong, gentle and
pure and good, without the world be
ing better for it, without somebody be
ing helped and comforted by the very
existence of that goodness.
The proportion of genius to the vul
gar is like one to a million but genius
without tyranny, without pretension,
that judges the weak with equity, the
superior with humanity, and equals
with justice, is like one to ten million.
Felix Mendelssh'qn, in the first half
of this century, thought to spare his
Bister's feelings by publishing her
songs under his name. In the closing
fears of the nineteenth century Pro
fessors Ayrton and Welldon proudly
acknowledge that for a large part of
tihe interesting facts in science they
have recently presented to the British
Association they are indebted to the
assiduous labors of their respective
wives.
A Chicago junk dealer has been us
ing his 6-year-old boy as a cart horse.
The boy was hitched to a small wagon
by means of a strap, performing the
labors of the noble equine while his
father went along and gathered up old
rags and iron. On the day that a po
liceman arrested the father the little
fellow had traveled many miles
through muddy alleys, and had a look
of weary resignation on his face just
like a tired horse. His father was fin
ed 325.
One of the results of the late war be
tween the United States and Spain
will most likely be the abolition ol
that form of naval piracy which finds
its justification in prize courts. In the
military service of the civilized world
the principle of looting conquered ter
ritory has long since been abandoned.
Yet, through that strange contradiction
which has not reformed the navy in
the same ratio in "which the army has
been brought under civilizing influ
ences, not only did the merchant ves
sels carrying contraband goods fall a
prey, but a valuation of the warships
destroyed is bound to go to officers and
sailors of the ships engaged In th«
fight.
The race problem, in dealing with
Puerto Rico, is quite certain to be a
difficult one but the religious problem
•will be still more perplexing. The in
habitants of the island are—substan
tially without exception—Roman Cath
olics. Although there are millions ol
Americans of the same faith, the new
citizens of our country will naturally
regard us as a Protestant people. They
are accustomed to a religion establish
ed by law and supported by the state.
There will be nothing of the sort here
after. The Puerto Ricans will hav«
perfect freedom in religion, but thej
must support their own institutions,
or rely upon Roman Catholics here and
In other countries tc provide the*funds
Ts
A^KpiZ-
MESSAGE OF
THE PRESIDENT
COXGIIESS RKCEIVES AX IMPOR­
TANT DOCIJ1EXT.
President McKlnley Reviews Inci­
dent* Leading to the War and
Denis With the Conflict and its
Resultn Peace Negotiations are
"Touched on and the Early Con­
clusion of it Treaty ot Peace
Promised— Xo Kiseuussion as to
the Future of our New Posses­
sions—Must uiu and Direct Cubans
in Establishing Their Oiru Gov­
ernment—Importance of Xicarau-
san Canal Gratifying Treasury
Conditions.
Washington, Dec. C.—Tlio president's
message was delivered to congress yes
terday, and is one of the most important
doeumeius coming from an executive in
recent years:
To the Senate and House of Represen
tatives:
"Notwithstanding' the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war. our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily
increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced
by the larger.t volume of business ever
recorded. Manufacture lias been pro
ductive, agricultural pursuits have yield
ed abundant returns, labor in all fields of
industry is better rewarded revenue leg
islation passed by the present congress
lias increased the treasury's receipts to
the amount estimated by Its authors the
finances of the government have been
successfully administered and its credit
advanced to the first rank: while its cur
rency has been maa.taimd at the world's
highest standard. Military service under
a common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spiiit and
served to cement ir.ore eloseiy than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
»1 the country."
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, tue president
takes up the thread of narrative where it
terminated in his last annual message.
He concluded: "It was honestly due to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
shoulel be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform to
which she had become irrevocably com
mitted."
It became evident, however, that the
proposed plans were barren of good re
sults. No tangible relief -vas afforded the
reconcentrados. among whom the rate of
mortality frightfully increased the prof
ferred expedient of zones of cultivation
proved illusory and it was apparent that
nothing savo the physical exhaustion of
Spain or the Cubans and the practical
ruin of the island of Cuba could result
from the struggle then in progress.
At this critical jur.ctiirfi the destruction
of che battleship "Maine"' occurred. Con
cerning it, the president says:
"It is a. striking evidence of the iioise
and sturdy good sense distinugtiishing our
national character, that this unlooked-for
blow, falling upon a generous people, al
ready deeply touched by preceding' events
in Cuba, did not move them to an in
stant, desperate resolve to tolerate 110
longer the existence of a condition of dan
ger arid disorder at our doors that made
possible such a deed, by whomsoever
wrought."
Resuming tho war narrative, the presi
dent directs attention to the measures, in
cluding the $50,000,1)00 appropriation for
national defense, taken to place the coun
try on a war footing, and adds: "It is
sufficient to say that the outbreak of war,
when it did come, found our nation not
unprepared to meet the conflict."
Reference is made to the apprehension
of coming strife by the Continental pow
ers, voiced in the address to tho president
through their ambassadors and envoys,
and to the president's reply thereto. Still
animated, however, by the hope of a
peaceful solution of the difficulty, and
obeying the dictates of duty, the president
relaxed no eort to bring about a speedy
ending of the Cuban struggle. Negotia
tions with the Madrid government proved
futile, so far as practical results were
concerned, and when the president pre
sented the question to congress, saving:
"In the name of humanity, in the name
of civilization, in behalf of endangered
American interests, which give us the
right and duty to speak, and to act, the
war in Cuba must stop."
The Declaration of War.
The result of this statement of the case
was the adoption of the memorable joint
resolution by congress, declaring the pur.
pose of the Uniteel States to intervene be
tween the Spanish and Cubans. Follow
ing swiftly upon the enactment of the res
olution came tho severance of diplomatic
relations between the two countries, the
proclamation of a blockade of Cuban
ports, the calling for volunteers and the
formal declaration of the existence of a
stale of war. All other governments
were immediately notified of the existence
of war, and each proclaimed neutrality.
"It Is not among the least gratifying in
cidents of the struggle, that the obliga
tions of neutrality were impartially dis
chargee. by all. often under most delicate
and difficult circumstances."
The president reviews at length the
work of preparation for referring
particularly to the enlistment of the vol
unteers to the material increase of the
navy in beith men and .ships and to the
precautionary miasiues taken for tile
protection of tho seaboard coast and the
cities.
"The aggregate number of mines placed
was 1,5:15, in the principal harbors, from
Maine- to California."
Referring to "the fficr.lt .-nd important
character" of the work performed by the
signal corps, the president says:
"This service was invaluable to tho ex
ecutive in directing the operations of *ho
army and navy. With a total force of
over I,:i00, the loss was by disease, in
camp and field, officers and men included
only live."
As to the authorized loan of $200,000,000,
which was taken entirely by small bid
ders, the- president says:
"This was a most encouraging and sig
nificant suit, r-'li nving tt vast resources
of the nation a el the determination of the
people to uph'ilu 11 ir country's honor."
Jt is I'.r.t ui• 1.ii• the province of this
message- t« ri ic tin- history of the ex
traordinary war a llowd the Spanish
declaration of Apr I 21st, but a brief re
cital of 11s trior.- ~:i ieut features is ap
propriate-. The first encounter of the war
in point ol date took place April 27 h,
when a detachment of the blockading
squadron made a reeonnolssance in force
at Matanzas, shelled tho harbor forts and
demolished several new works in con
struction.
The next engagement was destined to
mark a memorable epoch in maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commodore
George Dowe.v had lain fcr some weeks at
Heng Kong. Upon the col 111 al pr elama
tion of neutia'ity being issued and the
customary twenty-four hours' notice be
ing given it lepaltc-d to Mirs Bay, near
Hong Kong, whence it proceeded to the
Philippine islands under telegraphed or
ders to capture or destroy the formidable
Spanish fleet then assembled at nlla.
At daybreak on the 1st of May the
American forces entered Manila bay, and
aftct a few hours' .viwamineat U'f-ctcd
the destruction of the Mpanisn flfcet.
consisting of ten warships and a trans
port, besides '-aptming tho naval station
and lorts at Cavite. thus annihilating the
Sn.'nsh vuivttl powor in the- Pacific oQoan.
and completely co-itro'lt (he Hay of
Manila, with the ability to take the city
at will. Not a life was lost 011 eiur ships,
tho wounded only numbering seven, while,
not a vessel was materially injured. For
this eallint aehieveine- t. -o-vr s« upon
inv rer-onime"'1:-!ion fitlv bestow unon
the actors proferment'and substantial
recognition.
The result of this remarkable victory
upon tho spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instantan
eous. A prestige of invincibility tliereby
att^e'liPd *to our arms, wliiclh continued
throughout the struggle. Reinforcements
were started to Manila under tno com
mand of Maj. Gen. Merritt and firmly
established within sight of tho capital
which lay helpless before our guns. On
the 7th da.y of May tho government was
advisei* officially of tho victory at Manila,
and at once inquired of the commander
of our fleet what troops woulel be reeiuir
ed. The information was received on the
15th day of May and the lirst army ex
pedition sailed May 25 and arriveel off
Manila June 30. Other expeditio
11s soon
followed the total force, consisting of (ill
officers and 25,058 men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming md capture of the city, and
therewith the absolute military occupancy
of the whole, group. The insurgents,
menmvlhile, had resumeei active hostilities
ouspenaed by the uncompleted truce of
December, 1S!)7. Their forces invested
Manila from the northern and eastern
sides, but were constrained by Admiral
Dewey and Gen. Merritt from attempt
ing an assault. It was fitting that what
ever was done, in .the way of elocisive
operations in that quarter should be ac
complished by the strong arm of the
United States tSone. Obeying the stern
precept of war, which enjoins the over
coming ot the adversary and the extinc
tion of his power wherever assailable as
the speedy anel sure means to win a
peace, divided victory was not permissi
ble, for no partition of the rights and re
sponsibilities attending the enforcement
of a just anel advantageous peace could
be thought of.
Operations Off Cuba.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack, powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
invn Cuba anel Porto Rico. Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were made at sev
eral exposeel points. On Mhy 11, the
cruiser Wilmington, and torpedo boat
AVinslow were unsuccessful in an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas
against Matanzas, AVc-rtli Bagley and
tour seamen falling. These grcvious
fatalities were strangely enough among
{he very few which occurred during our
naval operations in this extraordinary
conflict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara
tions had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful squadron, under Admiral
Cervera, which hsel assembled at Cape
Arerde islands before the outbreak of
hostilities, crosseei the ocean, anel by its
erratic movements in the Caribbean sea,
delayed our military operations while
baffling the pursuit of our fleets. For a
time, fears were felt lest the Oregon anel
Marietta, then nearing home, after their
lot voyage- from San Francisco of over
15,000 miles, might bo surprised by Ad
miral Cervera's fleet, but their fortunate
arrival dispelled these apprehensions anel
lent much needed reinforcement. Not un
til Admiral Cervera took refuge in the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba, about May
9, was it practicable to plan a systematic
military attack upon the Antillean posses
sions of Spain.
Several demonstrations occured on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico, in
preparation for the larger event. On May
ly .lie North Atlantic squadron shelled
San Juan de Porlo Rico.
On May :i0 Commodore Schley's squad
ron bombarded tho forts guarding the
mouth of Santiago harbor. Neither at
tack had any material result. 'It wag evi
dent that wall-ordered land, operations
were indispensable to achieve a decided
advantage.
Hobson's Heroic Aet.
Tho next act in the war thrilled- not
on ly tho hearts of our countrymen, but
tho world, by its exceptional heroism. On
the night of June 7 Lieut. Hobson, aided
by seven devoted volunteers, blockaded
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor
by pinking l.ho collier Merrimac in the
channel, under a fierce fire from the shore
batteries, escaping with their lives, as by
a miracle, but far-ins? into the hands of
tho Spaniards. It is a. most gratifying in
cident of the war that the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially appre
ciated by the Spaniards, who sent a flag
of truce to liotfify Admiral Samp-son of
their safety and to comiplimier.it them upon
their daring act. They were subsequently
exchanged. July 7.
By June 7 the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolateel tho island. Thereafter the
invasion/ was vigorously prosecuted-. On
June 10, uiieler a. heavy protecting fire, a
laneling of GOO marines from the Oregon,
Marblehoad and Yankee was effected in
Guaiiitania.mo bay, where it had been de
termined to establish a naval station.
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines, who were the first or.
ganized force of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The Santiago Campaign.
The positicv. so won was held despite at
tempts to dislodge our forces. By June 10
additional forces were landed aind strong
ly intrenche:d. On June 22 -the advance
of the -invading army, under Maj. Gen.
Shafter, landed at Daiquiri, about fifteen
miles east of Santiago. Tiii was accoia
plislicd under great difficulties but with
marvelous dispatch. O11 June--23 the move
ment against Santiago was begurr. On
June 24 tho first serious engagement took
place, in which the First and Tenth cav
alry and the First United States volunteer
cavalry, Gen. Young's brigade of Gen.
AVheoler's division, participated, losing
heavily. By nightfall, however, ground
within live miles of Santiago was won.
The advantage was steadily increased.
Om July 1 a severe battle took place, our
forcew gaining the outworks of Sam'tiago
on July 2 K1 Caney and San Juan were
taken utter a eie..-,jj.ratu e-narg. anel trie
investm-c-nt of the
evVy
was eoni-pleted.
Tiie: navy co-op rated by stifling the town
and til-j coas't torts.
On. the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forc.es, July 3,
occurred tho decisive naval battle of t!he
war. The Spanish fleet, attempting to
le-avo the harbor, was met by the Ameri
can squadron under commamd of Commo
dore Sampson, in than three hours
all the Spanish ships were destroyed, t'he
two torpedo boats being sunk and the
Mario Teresa, Almirante Oquemlo, Viz
eaya and Cristobol Colem driven asnore.
Tho Spanish admiral a.nd over i.IiOO men
were taken prisojiei-s, while the enemy's
loss of life was deplejra:bly large, some six
hundred perishing. On our side but one
man was killed, on the Brooklyn, and one
man seriously wounded. Although our
ships were repeatedly ©truck not ane was
seriously Injured.
"Where all so conspicuously dlBtlru
guls.ied themselves, from the commanders
to the gunnel's and the unnamed heroes
in the boiler rooms, each and all contrib
uting toward the achievement of this as
tounding victory, for .which neither an
cient nor modern history affords a par
allel in the completeness of the event and
the marvelous disproportion of casualties,
it would be Invidious to single out any
one for special honor."
In this connection the president says:
"Nor can we be unmindful of the achlev
rneil us of our builders. nieeh:i.nii:s and
artisans ror mi-ir part in tnc construction
of our war ships."
As to the success gained by tho arms
of ,.ie Uniteel States in Cuba, the presi
dent says that the earnest and lasting
gratitude of the nation i.s unsparingly mu\
"Nor .should we altcne rcmembci- the gal
lantry of tho living the dead claim our
tears, and our losses by battle and disease
must cloud any exultation at the result
and tench us the awful cost of war. how
ever righteous the cause or signal the
v!" nrv."
AA ith the fall of Santiago, the occupa
tion of Porto Rico became ther next stra
tegic necessity. Gen. Miles, had previous
ly been assigned to orga»ize an expedi
tion for that purpos Fortuna'o li was
already at Santiago, where lie had ar
rived on the 11th of July with reinforce
ments for Gen. Shafter's army.
Willi these troops, consisting of (,415 in
fantry anel artillery, two companies of
engineers and one ccmpany of the signal
corps, Gen. Miles left Guantanamo on
July 21, having nine transoorts convoyed
by the fleet under Capt. Higginson with
the Massachusetts (flagship), Dixie,
Gloucester, Columbia anel Yale, the two
latter carrying troops. The c-xnedition
Uinded at Guanica on July 25, which port
was entoreel with little opposition. Here
the fleet was joined by the Annapolis and
the AVasp, while the Puritan and Amphrf
trito went to San Juan and joined the
New Orleans, which was engaged in
blockading that port. The major general
commanding was subsequently reinforced
by Gen. Schwan's brigade, of the third
army corps and by Gen. AVilson with a
part of his corps, numbering in all 16,973
orncers and men. On July 27 he entered
Ponce, one of the most important ports
in the island, from which he thereafter
directed operations for the capture of the
island.
With the exception of encounters with
the eneany at Guayama, Hormigueres,
Coamo anel Yauco, and an attack on a
force landed at Cape San Juan there was
no serious resistance. The campaign was
prosecuted with great vigor, and by the
12th of August most of the island was in
our possession, and the acquisition of the
remainder was only a matter of a short
time.
At most of tlho points in the island our
troons were enthusiasticaly welcomed.
Protestations of loyalty to the flag and
gratitude for delivery from Spanish rule
met our commanders at every point. As
a potent iniiuence toward ijeac.?, the out
come of the Porto Rican expedition was
of great cci..sequence anel generous com
mendation is due to those who partici
pated in it.
Tiie last scene of the war was enacted
at Manila, its starling place. O11 August
15. after a brief assault upon the works
by the land forces, in which the
squadron assisted, the capital surrendered
unconditionally. Tihe casualties were
comparatively few. By this conquest ot
the Philippine islands, virtually accom
plislieel when tho Spanish capacity for re
sistance was destroyed by Admiral
Dewey's victory of the first of May, the
fate of the islands was formally scaled.
To Gen. Merritt, his officers and men, for
their uncomplaining and devolcel services
and for tiheir gallantry in act-ion, the na
tion is sincerely grateful. Their long voy
age was mad? with singular success and
tho soldierly conduct of the men, most of
whom were wi.: out previous experience
in the military service, deserves unmeas
ured praise.
The total casualties in killed and wound
ed in the army during the war with
Spain were: Officers killed, 2.'? enlisted
men killed, 257 total. 280. Officers wound
ed, 113 enlisted men wounded, 1,464 to
tal, 1,577. Of the navy: Ki led, 17 wound
ed, C7 died as result of wounds, 1 inval
ided from service, total, 01.
"It will be observed that while our navy
was engaged in two great battles and in
numerous perilous undertakings in block
ade and bombardment, and more than
50,000 of our tioops were transported to
distant lands and were engaged in assault
and siege and brittle and many skr
mishes in unfamiliar territory, we lost in
both arms of the service a total of 1 GfiS
killed and wounded, and in the entire
campaign, by land and sea, we did not
lose a gun or a flag or a transport or a
ship, and with the exception of the crew
of the Merrimac, not a soldier or sailor
was taken prisoner."
The president bears testimony and pays
fitting tribute "to the patriotism and de
votio-n of that large portion of our army,
which, although eager to bo r.r-iered to
the post of greatest exposure, fortunately
was not required oulside of the United
States." They did their whole duty and
earned the gratitude of the nation. The
president then says:
"In tracing those events we are con
stantly reminded of our obligations to
the Divine Master for his watchful care
over us, anel his safe guidance, for which
the nation makes reverent acknowledg
ment and offers humble prayer for the
continuance of his favors."
The peace negotiations which fol'oweel
soon after the capitulation of Santiago,
anel the preparation and signing of tho
protocol are discussed at length. Refer
ring to the work of the peace commission
ers in Paris the president says:
"These negotiations have made hopeful
progress, so that I trust soon to be a! le to
lay a definite treaty before the senate,
with a review of the steps leading to its
signature."
Our Xcw Possessions.
"I elo not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or tenure* of the new possessions
which will come to us rs the result of
the war with Spain. Such discussion will
be appropriate alter the treaty of peace
shall be ratified. In the meantime and un
til the congress has legislated otherwise,
it will be my duty to continue the mil
itary governments which have existed
since our occupation, and give to the peo
ple security in life and property, and en
couragement under a just and beneficient
rule.
"As coon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacified the island it will
be necessary to give aid and direction to
its people to form a government for
themselves. This should be undertaken
at the earliest moment consistent with
safety, and assured success. It is im
portant that our relations with this peo
ple should be of the most friendly char
acter, anel our commercial relations close
and reciprocal. It should be our duty to
assist in every proper way to build up the
waste places of the island, encourage the
industry of tho people and assist them to
form a government which shall be free
anel independent, thus realizing the best
aspirations of the Cuban people.
"Spanish rule must be replaced by a
just, benevolent and humane government,
created by the people of Cuba, capable of
performing all international obligations
and which shall encourage thrift, industry
and prosperity, and promote peace and
gocd will among all of the inhabitants,
whatever may have been their relations in
the past. Neither revenge nor passion
sh uld have a place- in the new govern
ment. Until thero is complete tranquillity
in the island and a stable government
erected, military occupation will be con
tinued."
The prefiident says tl at with the one
instant---' of the interruption eH' intercourse
with Spain, the relations of the United
Slates with the family of nations during
the past year has been characterized by
cordiality. Concerning negotiations with
the Argentina government with a view
to removing differences in cable rate
charges imposed against messages passing
from and to tae United States, the presi
dent expresses his sincere hope of an
international agrec-.nent whereby inter
change of messages over connecting lines
may be regulated on a fair basis of uni
formity, and adds:
"it would be strange were the nations
not in time brought to realize that mod
ern civilization, which owes so much ot
Its progress to the annihilation of time by
the electrical force demands that this all
important means of communication be a
heritage of peoples, to be administered and
regulated in their common behalf."
Referring to the killing and wounding
of striking miners in Luzerne county,
Pa., which! aroused the solicitude of the
Austro-Hungarliun government, many ot
tho miners being subjects of that govern
ment, the president exacts to reach a
harmonious understanding 011 the subject
with Austro-Hungary.
Tlr.-.hcice ig xtire-s.sed that Lhe .resy.ic-
ttons impose™ ny neigium on tno impofta
tio-n of American cattle will at an early
day be relaxed, so as to admit live Amer
ican cattle under proper regulations.
NicnraK'uait C'anal.
Tho Nicaraguan. canal commission, un
dor tlio championship ot' Rear Admiral
John G. Walker, appointed Ju-ly 24, IS!)"/,
u.ml-er Uiic authority of a provision in the
sundry civil service act of July 4 of that
year has nearly completed its labors, and.
tho results of its exhaustive inquiry into
the proper route, the -feasibility and tho
cost of construction of am initerroceanfic.
canal by a Nicaraguan route will be laid
beforo you. In. the performance of its
task tho commission received all possible
courtesy and assistance from the govern
ments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
which thus testified their appreciation, of
the importance of giving a speedy ».n«l
practical ou-tcomo to the -great iro.iect
that has for so many years engroissetl the
attention, of tho respective countries.
As t'he scope of recent inquiry embraced:
the whoio siulbject, with the aim of mak
ing plans ai:d surveys- for a canal by the
Oft cowveniont route, it Mcce-nsairily in
cluded a review of tho results- of previous
surveys anel plaros, and particularly those
adopted by the Maritime Canal company,
under Its existing ccr.cepstous from Nic
aragua and Costa Rica, so that, to this
extent, t'hes-o grants nece«sarily lwSid ani
essential part in the deliberations and
conclusions o-f -the canal commission, as
they have held, and must needs hold, in
tho discussion of the matter by conigTess.
Under these circumstances, and in view
of overtures made by the governments of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other par
ties for a new canal concession, -predicat
ed on the presum-ed approaching lapse of
the contracts of the Maratime Canal com
pany with those states, I have -not hesi
tated to express my conviction that con
siderations of expediency and internation
al policy as between the several govern
mWHts interested In the construction and
control of an. interoceanic canal by this
route, require the rma.inteina.rice of the
statu quo until this carnal commission
shall have reported and the United States
congress shall have had the opportunity
•to pass finally upon the whole matter
during t'he present session without preju-.
dice by reason of any change in the ev
icting conditions.
Nevertheless, it appears that the gov
ernment of Nicaragua, as one of its last
sovereign acts before merging its powers
in those of the newly formed United
Stales of Central America, has granted an
optional concession to another associa
fcion^ to bc-como effective on the cxp.rat.on
of the present grant. It does not appear
what surveys have been made or what
route is proposed under this contingent
grant, so that an examination of the
leasioility of its plans is necessarily not
embraced, in the report of the canal com
mission. All those circumstances suggest
the urgency of some deflnite action by
the congress at this session, if the labors
of the past are to be utilized, and the
linking of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
by a practical waterway is to be realized.
That iiio construction of such a mari
time highway is nov more than ever in
dispensable to that ntimate anel ready
inter-communication between our eastern
and western seaboards, is demanded by
the annexation of the Hawaiian islands
anel the prospective expansion of our in
fluences and commerce to the Pacific, and
that our national policy now more im
peratively than ever calls for its control
b5r this government are propositions
which. I cloubt not, the congress will duly
appreciate and wisely act upon.
Concerning the extraordinary events
transpiring in the Chinese empire, the
president says that our position amor.g
nations gives the equitable cia.m to con
sideration and friendly treatment in this
re-card, and that it will be his aim to
subserve our large interests in the Orient
by all means appropriate to the constant
policy of our government.
Reference is made to several claims of
citizens of tho United States pending
against other nations, and to the settle
ment of other claims during the past
year.
After reviewing the work of the Paris
exposition commissioner, the preseident
recommends that an appropriation for the
exhibit of the UnitcU States at the i'aris
exposition be increased to !jl,i.KJU.Ul)0.
Relations with. Great Kritaiu.
Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly looting.
Assenting 10 our request the. protection
of Americans and their interests in Hi an
ish .Hi'-jseiictibn was assumed o,- tins diplo
mat.0 and to.-iiuiar Icpre=e..tu ive.s it'
Great liiiiain, who fulfilled uieir uenoiit^
anel araiiOus trust vitu tact and aoal
eiicithcg high commendation. 1 ».uy be
ano..eu to niaito fitting a.lus.on to the
instance of Mr. Ramsuen, lier .najesty«
cousi.1 at Santiago eie- cuba, \\iioji? un
timely eleatn, ane-r disunguisned service
anet untiring el'tort eiur.ng the &iego of
tilde ciL.v, was sincerely lamented.
In the early part of Apr.l 1..1, pursuant
to the request made at 1110 instance of tlio
secretary 01 state by tho Jantisn enuxis
sauor at this capiu.l, tne ~aimdia.ii gov
ernment gianted facilities for the. passage
of lour United (states- revenue* cutters
from t'he great lakes to the Atlantic coast
by way ot the Canadian canal and the St.
Lawrence river. Une vesseis haei reached
Lake Oiita.iio and were the: awaiting
the opening of navigation when war was
declared between ti.e United States and
Spain. He-r majesty govern men,, there
upon, by a communication of tne latter
part of April, stated that the permission
granted betoro the outbreak of hosch.ties
would not be withdrawn, provided tno
United States gave assuiance t.i.ut the
vessels in question would proceed direct
to a United States port without engaging
in any hostile operation. This government
promptly agreed 10 tne stipuialea
dition, it being understood that tho ves
sels
would not be prohibited from resist
ing any i.Ootiie attack.
It will give me especial satisfaction if
shad be authorized 10 communicate to
you a favorable conclusion of the pending
negotiations with Great Br1ta.11 in tvsuect
to the Dominion of Canada. It is the "ear
nest isn ut
Lhis
con­
Pursuant to the term of the joint reso
lution, and in exercise of the. authority
thereby conferred upon mo, I directed
that the civil, judicial and military pow
ers theretofore exercised by the ofll
ers of the government of the Republic of
Hawaii should continue to be exerplsed
•by those officers until congress shall pro
vider a government for the incorporated
territory subject to my power to remove
sui-h officers and to fill vacancics. The
president, officers and troops of the* re
public thereupon took the oath of atle
giance to the United States, thus providing
for the uninterrupted continuance of all
the iulministnative and municipal func
tions of tbe. annoxted territory until con-
UHtiiimpUl'
1:
government to remove
ail sources of discord and irritation in our
relations with the neighboring liominie.n.
'1 ho trade between the two ci.iiiKi-i-.js is
constantly increasing, and it is impoitant
to both countries that all reasonable ia
cllities should be granted for its develop
ment.
Pending the consideration by tho senate
of the treaty signed June 10, 18'.)7, by the
plenipotentiaries of the United States and
of the Republic of Hawaii, pioviel ng for
the annexation of the islands, a jo.nt 1
evo
lution to accomplish tho same purpose
by tho accenting the offered cession and
incorporating the ceded territory into the
Union was adopted by the congress anel
approveel July 7,1808. I thereupon direct?
ed the Uniteel States steamer Pmlaeie- ph,a
to convey Rear Admiral Miller to Hono
lulu, and entrusted to his hands this im
portant legislative act, to be delivered to
tho president of t'ho Republic of Hawaii,
with whom tho admiral and the (Jnitecl
States minister were authorised to make
appropriate arrangements for transfer
ring the sovereignty of the islands to the
United States. This was simple, but Im
pressively acocmplished on the 12th day
of Ausrust last, by the elelivery of a cer
tified copy of the resolution to President
Dole, who thereupon yielded up to the
representative of tho government of the
United States the sovereignty and public
property of tho Hawaiian islands.