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About Western news-Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1898-1900 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1898)
To the Senate and House of Representa tives : Notwithstanding the added burdens ren dered necessary by the war , our people re joice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree of prosperity evidenced "by the largest volume ot business ever re corded. Manufacture has been produc tive , agricultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns , labor in the fields of Industry is better rewarded , revenue legis lation passed by the present Congress has 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 it has been maintained at the world's highest standard. Military service under a common for righteous cause has mon Hag and a strengthened the national spirit and served closely than ever tne ed to cement more fraternal bonds between every section of review of the relations of the c < .mitry. A * the T.lit oil Slates to other powers , always appropriate , is this year of primary impor tance , in view of the momentous issues demanding in oiu instance which have arisen , determination by arms stance the ultimate and involving far-reaching consequences which will require the earnest attention of the Congress. Failure of Autonomy in Cuba. In my last annual message very full con sideration was given to the question of the duty of the Government of the United Stales toward Spain and the Cuban insur rection as being by far the most important problem with which we were then called upon to deal. I concluded it was honestly 'due to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chances to realize her expectations of re form ID which she had become irrevocably committed. The ensuing mouth brought little sign of real progress toward the pacification of Cuba by the autonomous administration. . No tangible relief was afforded the vast numbers of unhappy reconcentrados , and by the end of December the mortality amour/ them had frightfully increased. "With die acquiescence of the Spanish au thorities a scheme was adopted for relief by charitable contributions raised in this country. Thousands of lives were thus caved , but the war continued on the old footing without comprehensive plan. No nlternative save physical exhaustion of Cither combatant and therewithal the practical ruin of the island lay in sight. Pestruclion of the Maine. At this juncture , on the loth of Febru ary last , occurred the destruction of the battleship Maine , while rightfully lying ill the harbor of Havana a catastrophe , the suspicious nature and horror of which stirred the nation's heart profoundly. Yet the instinct of justice prevailed and the nation anxiously awaited the result of the gearching investigation at once set on foot. Tfco 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 positive testi mony to fix the responsibility of its author ship. ship.All All these things carried conviction to the most thoughtful , even before the find ings of the naval court , that a crisis in our relations with Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. So strong was this belief that it needed but a brief executive sug gestion to the Congress to receive immedi ate answer to the duty of making instant provision for the possible and perhaps speedily probable emergency of war. The details of the hurried preparation for the dreaded contingency is told in the reports of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy. It is sufficient to say that the out break of war , when it did come , found our nation not unprepared to meet the conflict. Negotiations with Spain. Still , animated by the hope of a peaceful solution and obeying the dictates of duty , no effort was relaxed to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Ne gotiations to this object continued active ly with the Government of Spain , looking to the immediate conclusion of a six mouths' armistice in Cuba , with a view to effect the recognition of her people's right to Independence. Negotiations continued for some little time at Madrid , resulting in offers by the Spanish Government which could not but be regarded as inade quate. Grieved and disappointed at this barren outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach a practical solution , I felt it my duty to remit the whole question to the Congress. In the message of April 13. ISOS , I reviewed the alternative course of action which I had proposed , concluding that the only one consonant with interna tional policy and compatible with our firm- Vet historical traditions was intervention as a neutral to stop the war and check the hopeless sacrifice of life. In view of all this , the Congress was asked to authorize and empower the Pres ident to take measures to secure a full atid final termination of hostilities be tween Spain and the people of Cuba , and to secure in the island the establishment of a stable government. Congress Declares "War. The response of the Congress , after nine days of earnest deliberation , during which the almost unanimous sentiment of your body was developed on every point save as to the expediency of coupling the proposed action with a formal recogni tion of the Republic of Cuba as the true and lawful government of that island a proposition which failed of adoption the Congress , after conference , April 19. by a vote of 42 to 35 in the Senate and 311 to G in the House of Representatives , passed the memorable joint resolution , de claring war. This resolution was approved by the executive on the next day , April 20. A copy was at once communicated to the Spanish minister at this capital , who forthwith announced that his continuance ' in "Washington had thereby become imposI I T sible , and asked for his passports , which | t were given him. lie thereupon withdrew ' o from Washington , leaving the protection s of Spanish interests in the United Stated to the French ambassador and the A us- tro-Hungarian minister. Simultaneously with its communication to the Spanish minister , Gen. Woodford , the American minister at Madrid , was telegraphed con firmation of the text of the joint resolu tion and directed to communicate it to the Government of Spain , with the formal demand that it at once relinquish its au thority and government in the Island of Cuba and withdraw its forces therefrom. coupling this demand with announcements ot the intentions of this Government as to the future of the island , in conformity with the fourth clause of the resolution , and giving Sp.iin until noon of April 23 to reply. The demand , although , as above shown , officially made known to the Spanish en voy here , was not delivered at Madrid. After the instruction reached Gen. Wood- ford on the morning of April 21 , but be fore he could present it , the Spanish min ister of state notified him that upon the President's approval of the joint resolu tion the Madrid Government , regarding the act as "equivalent to an evident dec laration of war , " had ordered its minis ter in Washington to withdraw , thereby breaking off diplomatic relations between the twontries , and ceasing all official comn : : if ton lu-tvei-n their respective rejires-ntativc-s. Gen. Woodford there upon di'n a ! ' bis psports > and quitted Ma-'rid l ! - - dy. , * . . ; n j , , : , _ _ f'i .v denied the demand of t1V - , ! - atis ami initiated that co ! ] I t" . ' . < ii rupture of relations which jut' < - ji state of war. the exem- tive powis authorized by the resolution were at once used by me to meet the en larged contingency of actual war between Spain and the United States. April 22 I proclaimed a blockade of the northern coast of Cuba , and on the 23d 1 called for volunteers to execute the purpose of the resolution. By my message of April 23 the Congress was informed of the situa tion , and I recommended formal declara tion of the existence of a state of war be tween the United States and Spain. The Congress accordingly voted on the same day that act approved April 25 , IS'JS , de claring the existence of such war. from and including the 21st day of April , and re-enacted the provision of the resolution of April 20 , directing the President to use r.ll the armed forces of the nation to carry that act into effect. Due notification of the existence of war as aforesaid was given April 25 by tele graph to all the governments with which the United States maintains relations. In further fulfillment of international duty I issued April 20 a proclamation an nouncing the treatment proposed to be accorded to vessels and their cargoes as to blockade , contraband , the exercise of the right of subjects and the immunity uf neutral flags and neutral goods under enemy's flag. A similar proclamation was made by the Spanish Government. Pr parations for the War. Our country thus after an interval of lialf a century of peace with all nations found itself engaged in deadly conflict with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was strained to meet the emergency. The response to the initial call for 125,000 vol unteers was instant and complete , as was also the result of the second call of May 25 for 75,000 additional volunteers. The ranks of the regular army were increas ed to the limits provided by the act o A.pril 20. The enlisted force of the navy DII the 15th of August , when it reached ts maximum , numbered 24,123 men and ipprentices. One hundred and three ves sels were added to the navy by purchase , me was presented to the Government , me leased and the four vessels of the In ternational Navigation Company the St. Paul , St. Louis , New York and Paris , vere chartered. In addition to these the evenue cutters and lighthouse tenders ivere turned over to the Navy Depart- "nt and became temporarily a part of auxiliary navy. Much alarm was felt along our entire Atlantic seaboard lest some attack might > e made by the enemy. Every precau- iou was taken to prevent possible injury 0 our great cities lying along the coast. Dhe auxiliary navy patrolled the coast ind performed the duty of a second arm if defense. Under the direction of the hief of engineers submarine mines were > laced at the most exposed points. The igcregat-j number of mines placed was . .535 , at the principal harbors from Jaiue to California. The Si aal Corps was promptly organ- zed and performed service of most diffi- ult and important character. Its opera- ions during the war covered the clectri- al connection of all coast fortifications , lie osUjhJishment of telephonic and tele- iraphic facilities for the camps at Man- la. Santiago and in Porto Rico. There rere constructed 300 mile' ; of line at ten ; reat camps , thus facilitating military lovements from those points in a manner .eretofore unknown in military adminis- ration. With a total force of over 1,300 lie loss was , by disease in camp and eld , officers and men included , only five. The national defense ? 50,000,000 fund ras expended in large part by the army nd navy , and the objects for which it as used are fully shown in the reports i. the several secretaries. This fund , be- ig inadequate to the requirements of ( luipment and for the conduct of the ; ar , the patriotism of the Congress pro- id ed the means in the war revenue act f June 13 by authorizing a 3 per cent , opular loan not to exceed $400.000,000 , lid by levying additional imposts and ixes. Salient Features of the War It is not within the province of this lessage to narrate the history of the cx- raordinary war that followed the Span- ih declaration of April 21 , but a brief ? eital of its more salient features is ap- ropriate. The first encounter of the war 1 point of date took place April 27 , when detachment of the blockading squadron lade a reconnaissance in force at Matan- us. shelled the harbor and forts and de- lolished several new works in construe- on. The next engagement was destined to lark a memorable epoch in maritime arfare. The Pacific fleet , under Com- lodore George Dewey , had lain for some 'eeks a : Hong Kong. Upon the colonial reclamation of neutrality being issued nd the customary twenty-four hours' no- ce being given , it repaired to Mirs Bay , ear Hong Kong , whence it proceeded ) the Philippine Islands under tele- raphed orders to capture or destroy the jrmidable Spanish fleet then assembled t Manila. At daybreak on the 1st of lay the American force entered Manila > ay , and after a few hours' engagement [ reeled the total destruction of the Span- ill fleet , consisting of ten warships and transport , besides capturing the naval Fation and forts at Cavite. thus annihil- ting the Spanish naval power in the Pa- ilic Ocean and completely controlling the lay of Manila , with the ability to take ic city rtvill. . Not a life was lost on ur ships the wounded only numbering : yen , wlile ! not a vessel was materially ijured. Tiie effect of ( his remarkable victory [ ) on the spirit of our people and upon 10 fortunes of the war was instant. A restfgo of invincibility thereby attached i our arms , which continued throughout le struggle. Re-enforcements were hur- ed to Manila under the command of [ ajor General Merritt and firmly estab- shed within sight of the capital , which y helpless before our guns. Only reluctance to cause needless loss i ! life and property prevented the early 1 orini g and capture of the city , and therewiththeabsolutc military occupancy of the whole group. The insurgents mean while had resumed the active hostilities suspended by the uncompleted truce of December , 1897. Their , forces invested Manila from the northern and easteni side , but were constrained by Admiral Dewey and General Merritt from at tempting an assault. It was fitting that whatever was to be done in the way of ! decisive operations in that quarter should be accomplished by the strong arm of the United States alone. i Following the co'mprehensivc scheme of general attack , powerful forces were assembled - semblod at various points on our coast ! to invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean while naval demonstrations were made at several exposed points. May 11 the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslowwere unsuccessful in an attempt to silence the batteries at Cardenas and Matanzas , Worth , Bagley and four sea men falling. Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara tions had been pushed with great vigor. A powerful squadron under Admiral Cer- vera , which had assembled at the Cape Verde Islands before the outbreak of hostilities , had crossed the ocean , and by its erratic movements in the Caribbean Sea delayed our military operations while baiiiing the pursuit of our fleets. Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba about May 0 was it practicable to plan a systematic military attack upon the Autillean pos sessions of Spain. Several demonstrations occurred on the coast of Cuba am' Porto Rico in prepara tion for the larger event. On May 13 the North Atlanic squadron shelled San Juan de Porto Rico. On May 30 Commodore Schley's squadron bombarded the forts guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor. Neither attack had any material result. HoIjBMj's i arintr Act. The next act in the war thrilled not alone the hearts of our countrymen , but the world , by its exceptional heroism. On the night of June 3 Lieutenant Hobson , aided by seven devoted volunteers , block ed the narrow outlet from Santiago har bor by sinking the collier Merrimae in the channel , under a fierce fire from the shore batteries , escaping with their lives as by a miracle , but falling into the hands of the Spaniards. They were sub sequently exchanged July 7. By June 7 the cutting of the last Cuban cable isolated the island. Thereafter the invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On June 10 , under a heavy protecting fire , a landing of 00 marines from the Oregon , Marblehead and Yankee , was effected in Guantanamo Bay , where it had been de termined to establish a naval station. This important and csesntial 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 position so won was held despite desperate a tempts to dis lodge our forces. By June 10 additional forces were landed and strongly intrench ed. On June 22 , the advance of the in vading army under Major General Shaft- er landed at Baiquiri , about fifteen miles east of Santiago. This was accomplished under great difficulties , but with marvel ous dispatch. On June 23 the movement against { Santiago was begun. On the 24th the first serious engagement took place , in which , the First and Tenth Cavalry and the First United States Volunteer Cavalry , General Young's brigade of General Wheeler's division , participated , losing heavily. By nightfall , however , ground within five miles of Santiago was won. The advantage was steadily in " creased. On July 1 a severe battle" look place , our forces gaining the outwork of Santiago ; on the 2d El Caney and San Juau were taken after a desperate charge , and the investment of the city was completed. The navy co-operated by shelling the town and coast forts. Destruction of Cervera's Fleet. On the day following this brilliant achievement of our land forces , July 3 , occurred the decisive naval combat of the war. The Spanish fleet , attempting to leave the harbor , was met by the Ameri can squadron , under command of Com modore Sampson. In less than three hours all the Spanish ships were destroy ed , the two torpedo boats being sunk and the JMaria Teresa , Almirante Oqueudo , Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven ashore. The Spanish admiral and over thirteen hundred men were taken prison ers , while the enemy's loss of life was de plorably large , some GOO perishing. On our side but one man. was killed , on the Brooklyn , and one man seriously wound ed. Although our ships were repeatedly struck , not one was seriously injured. Where all so conspicuously distinguish ed themselves , from the commanders to the guaners and the unnamed heroes in the boiler-rooms , each and all contribut ing 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 for JspecSal honor. Deserved promotion has rewarded the more conspicuous actors Hie nation's profoundest gratitude is due Lo all of those brave men who by their ; kill and devotion in a few short hours crushed the sea power of Spain and wrought a triumph whose decisiveness ind far-reaching consequences can scarcely be measured. Nor can we be un- 'Miidful of the achievements of our build- .rs , mechanics and artisans for their skill n the construction of our warships. With the catastrophe of Santiago Spain's effort upon the ocean virtually ; eased. A spasmodic effort toward the Mid of June to send her Mediterranean leet under Admiral Camara to. relieve Manila was abandoned , the expedition > eing recalled after it had passed through he Suez Canal. Capitulation of Faiitiajjo. The capitulation of Santiago followed. Che city was closely besieged by land , vlulo the entrance of our ships into the uirbor cut off all relief on that side. Vfter a truce to allow of the removal of ion-combatants , protracted negotiations continued from July 3 until July 15 , vhen , under menace of immediate as- lault , the preliminaries of surrender were igreed upon. On the 17th General Shafer - er occupied the city. The capitulation unbraced the entire eastern end of Cuba. Due number of Spanish soldiers surresn- lered was 22,000 , all of whom were sub- icquently conveyed to Spain at the harge of the United States. The story f this successful campaign is told in the eport of the Secretary of War , which vill be laid before you. The individual valor of officers and sol- liers was never more strikingly shown ban in the several engagements leading o the surrender of Santiago , while the rompt movements and successive victor- PS won instant and universal applause , [ "o those who gained this complete tri- imph , which established tine ascendency if the United States upon land , as the ight off Santiago had fixed our Ruprem- icy on the seas , the earnest and lasting jriitilude of the nation is unsparingly [ tie. Nor should we alone remember the rallantry of the living ; the dead claim ur tears , and our losses by battle and lisease must cloud any exultation at the esult and teach us to weigh the awful est of war , however rightful the cause r signal the victory. Occupation of Porto Rico. With the fall of Santiago , the occupa- ion of Porto Rico became the next strat- gic necessity. General Miles had pre- iously been assigned to organize an ex- edition for that purpose. Fortunately , ie was already at Santiago , where he had rrived the llth of July , with re-enforce- iients for General Shafter's army. With hese troops , consisting of 3.415 infantry nd artillery , two companies of engineers and one company of the signal corps General Miles left Guantanamo July 21 having nine transports convoyed by th fleet under Captain Higginson , with th Massachusetts ( flagship ) , Dixie , Glouces ter , Columbia and Yale , the- two la.tte carrying troops. The expedition lande at Guanica July 25 , which port was en tered with little opposition. The Majo General commanding was subseqiientl. re-enforced .by General Schwann's bri gade of the Third Army Corps , by Gener i al Wilson , with a part of his division , am also by General Brooke , with a part o his corps , numbering in all 10,973 officer and men. July 27 he entered Ponce , one of thi most important ports of the island , fron which he thereafter directed operation for the capture of the island. With the exceirtion of encounters wit ! the enemy at Guayama , Ilermigueres Con mo and Yauco , and an attack on j force landed at Cape San Juan , then was no serious resistance. The eampaigi was prosecuted with great vigor , and b : the 12th of August much of the islaiu was in our possession , and the acquisitioi of the remainder was only a matter of ! short time. The last scene of the war was enacted at Manila , its starting place. Aug. 15 after a brief assault upon the works bj the land forces , in which the pquadroi assisted , the capital surrendered uncon ditionally. The casualties were compara lively few. By this conquest of the Phil ippine Islands , virtually accomplished when the Spanish capacity for resistanci \vas destroyed by Admiral Dcwey's vie lory of the 1st of May , victory was for mally sealed. To General Merritt , his of ficers and men , for their uncomplaining and devoted services , for their gallantry in action , the nation is sincerely grateful , Their long voyage was made with singu lar success , and the soldierly conduct of the men , most of whom were without previous experience in the military serv ice , deserves unmeasured praise. Total Casualties of the War. The total casualties in killed and wounded in the army during the war was as follows : Officers killed , 23 ; enlisted men killed. 257 ; total , 280 ; officers wounded , 113 ; enlisted men wounded , 1.404 ; total , 1,577. Of the navy : Killed , 17 ; wounded , 07 ; died as result of wounds , 1 ; invalided from service , G ; total , 91. It will be observed that while our navy was engaged in two great battles and in numerous perilous undertakings in block ades and bombardment , and more than fifty thousand of our troops were trans ported to distant lands and engaged in assault and siege and battle and many skirmishes in unfamiliar territory , we lost in both arms of the service a total of 1.008 killed and wounded ; and in the entire - tire campaign by laud and sea we did not lose a gun or a flag or a transport ship , and with the exception of the crew of the Merrimae not a soldier or sailor was taken prisoner. Aug. 7 , forty-six days from the date of the landing of General Shafter's army in Cuba , and twenty-one days from the sur render of Santiago , the United States troops commenced embarkation for home , and our entire force was returned to the United States as early as Aug. 24. They were absent from the United States only two months. It is fitting that I should bear testi mony to the patriotism and devotion of that large portion of our army which , al though eager to be ordered to tlie post of greatest exposure , was not required out side of the United State ? . They did their whole duty and earned the gratitude of the nation. It is my regret that there seems to be no provision for their suitable recognition. In this connection it is a pleasure for me to mention in terms of cordial appre ciation the timely ai-d useful work of the American National ile-1 Cross , both in re lief measures preparatory to tlie cam paigns , in sanitary assistance at several of the camps of assemblage , and later , under the able and experienced leader ship of the President of the society , Miss Clara Barton , on the fields of battle and in the hospitals at the front in Cuba. In tracing these events we are con stantly reminded of our obligations to the Divine Master for His watchful care over us and His safe guidance , for which the nation makes reverent acknowledg ment and offers humble prayer for the continuance of His -favor. The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's fleet , followed by the capitulation of San tiago , having brought to the Spanish Gov ernment a realizing sense of the hope lessness of continuing a struggle now be coming wholly unequal , it made overtures of peace through the French ambassador. On the 26th of July M. Cambon present ed a communication signed by tlie Duke of Almodoyar , the Spanish minister of state , inviting the United States to state the terms upon whidh it would be willing to make ipeace. July 30 the temis of this government were announced , substantial ly as in the protocol afterward signed. Aug. 10 the Spanish reply , dated Aug. 7. was lianded by M. Cambon to the Secre tary of State. It accepted uncondition ally the terms imposed as to Cuba , Porto Rico and an island of the Ladrones group , but appeared to seek to introduce inadmissible reservations in regard to our demand as to the Philippines. Sijziiinc of the Protocol. Conceiving that discussion on this point could neither be practicable nor profit able , I directed that in order to avoid mis understanding the matter should be forthwith closed by proposing the embodi ment in a formal protocol of the terms in which the negotiations for peace were lo be undertaken. The vague and inex plicit suggestions of the Spanish note fould uc t be accepted , the only reply be ing to present as a virtual ultimatum a ilraft of the protocol embodying the pre cise terms tendered to Spain In our note sf July HO , with added stipulations of letail as to the appointment of commis sioners to arrange for the evacuation of the Spanish Antilles. On the afternoon ) f Aug. 12 M. Cambon , as the plenipoten tiary of Spain , and the Secretary of State , as the plenipotentiary of the Uni ted States , signed a protocol. Immediately upon the conclusion of the > rotocol I issued a proclamation on Aug. L2 , suspending hostilities on the part of rtie United States. Aug. IS the muster > ut of 100,000 volunteers , or as near that number as was found to be practicable , , vas ordered. Dec. 1 , 101,105 officers and nen had been mustered out and discharg ed from the service ; 9.002 more will bo mistered out by the 10th of the mouth. The military committees to superintend : he evacuation . - Cuba , Porto Rico and : he adjacent islands were forthwith ap- ) ointed. For Cuba , Major General Jas. p. Wade , Rear Admiral William T. vimpson and Major General Matthew C. Butler : for Porto Rico. Major General Fohn C. Brooke , Rear Admiral Winfield > . Sehley and Brigadier General George iV. Gordon , who soon afterward met the Spanish commissioners at Havana and au Juan respectively. The Porto Rican ioint commission speedily accomplished ts task , and by Oct. 18 the evacuation > f the island was completed. The United Stijtes flag was raised over the island at icon on that day. The administration > f its affairs has been provisionally in- rrsted to a military governor until the Congress shall otherwise provide. The buban joint high commission has not yet eruiinated its labors. Owing to the difli- ulties in the way of removing the large lumbers of Spanish troops still in Cuba , he evacuation cannot be completed be- ; ore tlie 1st of January. Pursuant to the fifth article of the pro- ocol. I appointed William R. Day , lately secretary of State : Cushman K. Davis. iVHliam P. Frye and George Gray. Sena- era of the United States , and Whitelaw , Reid to be the peace commissioners or , I the part of the United States. Prqccedinfi > in due season fo Paris , they there met > on the 1st of October five commissioners , similarly appointed by Spain. The negotiations - tiations have made hopeful progress , so [ that 1 trust soon to be able to lay a definite - . inite treaty of peace before the Senate , [ with a review of the steps leading to its signature. I do not discuss at tiiis time the govern ment or tlie future of the new posses sions which will con < ; to us as the result of the war with Spain. Until the Con gress has legislated otheiwise , it will be my duty to continue the military govern ments which have existed since our occu- j pation and government of the people , se curity in life and property , and encour agement under a just and beneficent rule. As soon as we are in possession of Cuba and have pacilicd the island , it will be necessary to give aid , and direction to its people to form a government for them selves. This should be undertaken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured success. Until there is com plete tranquillity in the island and a sta ble government inaugurated military oc cupation will be continued. . Relations with Other Countries. With the exception of the rupture with Spain , the intercourse of the United States with the great family of nations has been marked with cordiality and the close of the eventful year finds most of the issues that necessarily arise in the complex relations of sovereign states ad justed or presenting no serious obstacle to a just and honorable solution by ami cable agreement. A long unsettled dispute as to the ex tended boundary between the Argentine Republic and Chili assumed an acute stage in the early part of the year , and afforded to this government occasion to express the hope that tine resort to arbi tration , already contemplated by existing conventions between the parties , might prevail despite the grave difficulties aris ing in its application. I am happy to say that arrangements to this end have been perfected. I have found occasion to approach the Argentine Government with a view to removing differences of rate charges im posed upon the cables of an American corporation in the transmission between Buenos Ayres and the cities of Uruguay and Brazil of through messages passingg from and to the United States. Although the matter is complicated by exclusive concessions by Uruguay and Brazil to foreign companies , there is strong hope thata good understanding will be reached. In this relation I may be permitted to express my sense of the fitness of an in ternational agreement whereby tlie inter change of messages over connecting c : bles may be regulated on a fair basis of uniformity. The sympathy of the American people has justly been offered to the ruler and the people of Austria-Hungary by reason of the affliction that has lately befallen them in the assassination of the Em- press-Qncen of that historic realm. The Lattimer Affair. On the 10th of September , 1897 , a con flict took place at Ivattimor , Pa. , between a body of striking miners and the sheriff of Luzerne County and his deputies , in which twenty-two miners were killed and forty-four wounded , of whom ten of the killed and twelve of the wounded were Austrian aud Hungarian subjects. This deplorable event naturally aroused the so licitude of the Ausiro Hungarian Govern ment , which , on the assumption that the killing and wounding involved the unjus tifiable misuse of authority , claimed rep aration for the sufferers. Apart from the searching investigation and the peremp tory action of the authorities of Pennsyl vania , the Federal Executive took appro priate steps to learn the merits of the case , in order to be in a position to meet the urgent complaint of a friendly pow er. The sheriff and his deputies , having been indicted for murder , were tried and .acquitted after protracted proceedings. A representative of the department of justice attended the trials and reported its course fully. With all the facts in its possession , this Government expects to reach a harmonious understanding on the subject with that of Austria-Hungary. Despite the brief time allotted for prep aration , the exhibits of this country at the Universal Exposition at Brusels in 1897 enjoyed the singular distinction of a larger proportion of awards , having re gard to the number and classes of articles entered , than those of other countries. Hardly a year passes that this Gov- ernnient is not invited to national partici pation at some important foreign center , but often on too short notice to permit of recourse to Congress for the power and means to do so. My predecessors have suggested the advisability of pro viding by a general enactment and a standing appropriation for accepting such invitations and for representation of this country by a commission. This plan has my cordial approval. J trust the Belgian restriction on the importations of cattle from the United States , originally adopted as a sanitary precaution , will at an early date be satis fied as to their present and future of hardship and discrimination so as to ad mit Jive cattle under due regulation of their slaughter after landing. I am hope ful , too , of a favorable change in the Belgian treatment of our preserved and salted meats. The year's events in Central America deserve more than passing mention. A menacing rupture between Costa Rica and Nicaragua was happily composed by the signature of a convention between the parties , with the concurrence of rhe Guatemalan representative as a media tor , the act being negotiated and signed on board the United States steamer Alert , then lying in Central American waters. United States of Central America. In my last annual message the situation was presented with respect to the diplo matic representation of this Government In Central America , created by the association of Nicaragua , Honduras and Salvador under the title of the Greater Republic of Central America , and the delegation of their inter nal functions to the diet thereof. While the representative character of the diet was recognized by mj' predecessor and has been confirmed during my administration by re ceiving Its accredited envoy and granting exequaturs to consuls commissioned under Its authority , that recognition was qualified bv the distinct understanding that the re sponsibility of each of the competent sovereign eign republics toward the United States re mained wholly unaffected. A convention of delegates framed for them a federal consti tution under the name of the United States of Central America and provided for a cen tral federal government and legislature. Upon ratification by the constituent States , the 1st of November last was fixed for the new system to go into operation. Within a few w'eeks thereafter the plan was severely tested by revolutionary movements arising , with a consequent domnid for unity of ac tion on the part cf the military power of the Federal S'.ates to suppress them. Und- thl.s strain ihe new union seems to ha\e b-M-n weakened through the withdrawal of its more Important members. The Nicaragua Canal Commission , under the championship of Rear Admiral John G. Walker , has nearly completed its labors , and the results of its exhaustive inquiry into the proper route , the feasibility and the cost of construction of an interoceaulc canal by n Nicaragua : ! route will be laid before you. The Government of Nicaragua as one of its last sovereign acts before merging Its powers ill the : > e of the newly formed United States of CentKvFrAmerica has granted an optional concession to another association , to become effective on the expiration of the present grant. These circumstances suggest the urgency of some definite action by the L'ongress at this session If the labors of the nast are to bo utilized ami the linking of y the Atlantic and Pacific Oceajis bya prac tical waterway is to be realized. A convention providing for the revival or the late United States and Chilian oten M. commission and- the consideration t claims. . 1 which were duly presented to th < late com mission but not considered , was sl ? ? l May 24 , 3S97. and has remained unacted upon uy. the Senate. The term therein tixe-1 for ef fecting the exchange of ratllk-ations having I elapsed , the convent.on fails unions thetime - be extended by amendment , wbiHi I am e - ' with the frit-is-liy deavoring to bring about , I concurrence of the Chilian Government. Atneric-M fiitercs a in tlie Orient. j The United States has not been an Indif ferent spectator of the extraordinary' cveit * ' transpiring in tl'e Chinese empire , whereby portions of its maritime provinces are pass ing under the control ot various Kuronc : n. I powers ; but the prospect that the vi t com merce which the energy of our citizens ami. the necessity of onr staple prndin-Mons foi Chinese uses has built up in the < e regions- may not be prejudiced through any exclu sive treatment by the new occupants has- obviated the need of our country becoming an actor in the scene. In this relation I refer to the communica tion addressed to the Speaker of the I louse- of Representatives by the Secretary of the Treasury on the 14th of last June , recom mending an appropriation for a commission to study the commercial and industrial con ditions in the Chinese empire and report as- V to the opportunities for and ob lado. < to the : enlargement of markets in China for thih- raw products and manufactures of the Uni ted States. I cord.ally urge that the recom mendation receive at your hands the con sideration which Its importance and timeli ness merit. Meanwhile , there may he just prouinl for disqu.etude in view ot" the unrest and revival of the old sentiment of opposition and preju dice to alien people winch pervades ct-rtniii of the Chinese provinces. As in tloasr > * oC' the- attacks upon our citizen" in Sci-i-huau and at Kutieu in 1SS5 , the United SMtes. minister has been Instructed to sccu/c the- fullest- measure of protection , both lora ! ami imperial , for any menaced American inier- ests , and to demand , in case of lawless InJury - Jury to person or property , instant repara tion appropriate to the case. Participation in tlie Paris Kxpositiosi. There is now every prospect that the par ticipation of the United States in the uni versal exposition to be held in Paris in 1UOO r will be on a scale commensurate with the advanced position held by our products and Industries in the world's chief mart . Hy a provision in the sundry civil appropriation act of July 1 , 1SJJ8. a sum not to exceed $ GoO,000 was allotted for the organization of a commission to care for the proper prep aration and installation of American ex hibits , and for the display of suitable exhib its by the several executive departHi'-afs ? , particularly by the Department of Agricul ture , the l'"lsh Commission and the Smith sonian Institution , in the representation of the Government of the United Stafr . Pur suant to that enactment I appointed Ferdi nand W. Peck , of Chicago , ComniNsioner General , with an assistant eonimh-I'mer. general and secretary. Mr. Peck at once proceeded to Paris , where hi-- Micros ? in en larging the scope and variety of the United States' exhibit has been uio. t ratifying. Kmbarcoes on American Products. Negotiations to the same end with Ger many have been set on foot. Meanwhile no effort has been relaxed to convince the Im perial Government of the thorotiKhiu s ot our Inspection of pork products for exporta tion , -and It Is trusted that the eflMent ad ministration of this measure ' y the Pryart- ment of Agriculture will be recognized as a guaranty of the healthfulne s of th" food staples we send abroad to countrr- < where their use Is large aud necessary. I transmitted to the Senate Feb. 10 last information touching the prohibition aji.iinst the importation of fresh fruits from this country , wfcicli had then recently been de creed by Germany on the ground of danger of disseminating the San Jose cale insect. This precautionary measure wa ; justified by Germany on the score of the drn tlo steps taken In several States of the Union against the spread of the pest. Later the. prohibi tion was extended to dried fruit" of every kind , but was relaxed so as to apply only to unpeeled fruit and fruit waste. A waa to be expected , the alarm reached to other countries , aud Switzerland has adopted a similar Inhibition. Efforts are In progress to Induce the German and Swisg Govern ments to relax the prohibition In favor of dried fruits shown to have been cured under circumstances rendering the existence of animal life Impossible. Friendly Relations with Great Britain Our relations with Great Britain have con tinued on the most friendly footing. As senting to our request , the protection of Americans and their lntore < N In Spanish" jurisdiction was assumed by the diplomatic and consular representatives of Great IJrlt- alu , who fulfilled their delicate and arduous trust with tact and zeal , elicit ing Iiijrii com mendation. The long-standing claim of IJornard ( "amp- bell for damages for Injuries sustained from a violent assault committed against him l y , military authorities In the Island of llayt ! , has been settled by the agreement of that republic to-pay him ? 10ijOJ in American Annexation of Hawaiian Islands. Pending the consideration by the Senate if the treaty signed June 10 , lsj > 7. by the plenipotentiaries of the United State and jf the republic of Hawaii , providing for the- uinexation of the Islands , a joint rcsulu- : ion to accomplish the same purpose by ac.- -epting the offered cossron and Incorporating : he ceded territory Into the Union w.is idopted by the Congress and approved July u IS'JS. I thereupon directed the United states steamer Philadelphia , to convey Rear \dmiral Miller to Honolulu , and intrusted o his hands this important legisl.itIve act : o be delivered to the President of the ro- lublle of Hawaii , with whom the Adm'ral ind the United States minister were author- zed to make appropriate arraumeiits for Tunsferring the sovereignty ot the islands o the United Srates. This w.simplr. . but mprcssively , accomplished on the l th of lugiifet last , by the delivery of : ; certified ropy of the resolutions to President Dole , vho thereupon yielded up to tiie repre- ; entatives of the Government of the United States the sovereignty and public property if the Hawaiian Islands. ' Following the further provision . .f the ilnt resolution , I appointed Shclbv M. Cull om of Illinois , Johu T. Morgan of Alabama toliert R. Ilitt of Illinois , San ford U. Dole- \1 \ Hawaii and Waiter I-\ Greatof Hawaii ; s commissioners to confer and recomnit'ud o Congress such legislation concerning the Jaw.iiian Islands as they should deem ncc- ssary or proper. The commissioners having ulfilled the mission confidc'l to them , their eport will be laid before you at an "nrly iay. iay.The The questions heretofore pending between lawaii aid Japan growing out of the al- eged mistreatment of Japanese treaty im- aigrants were , I am pleased to .say , niijust- d before the act of transfer by the payment f a reasonable indemnity to the Govern- nent of Japan. Under the provisions of the joint resiiu- lon the existing customs relations of the- lawaiian Islands with the United States- ? nd with other countries remain unchanged ntil legislation shall otherwise provide. Controversies with Mexico The Interpretation of certain pnnisloi.s of he extradition convention of Dec. 11 , 18G1 , as been at various times the occasion of ontroversy with the Government of Mex- ? o. An acute difference arose In the case f the Mexican demand for the delivery of esus Gucrrera , who , having led a maraud- ! ig expedition near the border with the reclaimed purpose of Initiating an insurrec- ion against President Diaz , escaped into 'exas. Extradition was refused on the round that the alleged otTetiso ; ; < poiiti- al In its character , and therefore c.uue- ithln the treaty proviso of non-surrender. The Government of Peru has given the rescribed .lotification of Its Intention tojb - og.ite the treaty of friendship , commerce nd im Ijr-.tion concluded with this coun- ry Aug. 31 , 18S7. I have Invited sugses- ious by Peru as to the particular provisions : is desired to annul. In the hope of rcach- ig stn arrangement where'iy the remaining- rticles may be provisionnlly saved. His Majesty , the I'zar , bavins annon--eil Is purpose to raise the imperial Russian irssion at this capital to the rank of an mbassy , I responded , under the authority nnfcrred by the act of March H , 1SD3 , by ommlsslouing and accrediting the actual jpresentatlves at St. Petersburg in "the npacity of ambassador extraordinary aud leuipotentiary. The proposal of the Czar for a general re- t
