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About Heppner gazette. (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1898)
ANNUAL MESSAGE Important Features of the President's Address. OUR LATE WAR A FEATURE Suggestions Made Retarding the Government of Our New Territories Foreign Relations Generally Satis factory Hawaiian Annexation. To the Senate and House of Representa tives: 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 largest volume of business ever recorded. Every manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have . yielded abundant returns, labor in the fields of Industry Is better rewarded, rev enue legislation passed by the present congress has Increased he treasury's re ceipts 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 currency has been maintained at the world's highest standard. Military serv ice under a common flag and for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds be tween every section of the country. A review of the relations of the United States to other powers, always appropri ate, is this year of primary Importance, In view of the momentous Issues which have risen, demanding in one Instance the ultimate determination by arms and In volving far-reaching consequences which will require the earnest attention of the congress. In my last annual message, very full consideration was given to the question of the duty of the government of the United States toward Spain and the Cu ban Insurrection, as being by far the most Important problem with which we were called upon to deal. The considera tions then advanced, and the exposition of the views therein expressed, disclosed my aense of the extreme gravity of the situation. Setting aside, as logically unfounded or practically inadmissible, recogni tion of the Cuban insurgents as belliger ents, recognition of the Independence of Cuba, neutral Intervention to end the war by Imposing a rational compromise between the contestants, intervention in favor of one or the other party and the forcible annexation of the island, I con eluded It was honestly due to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expectations of reform to wmcn sne nuu become Irrevocably committed. Within a few weeks previously she bad announced comprehensive plans which It was confidently asserted would be efficacious to remedy the evils so deeply affecting our own country, so in jurious to- the trua Interests of the mother country, as well as to those of Cuba, and so repugnant to the universal entlment of humanity. Destruction of the Mnlne. At this juncture, on the loth of Febru ary last, occurred the destruction of the battle-ehlp Maine, while rightfully lying In the harbor of Havana on a mission of International courtesy and good will, a catastrophe the suspicious nature and horror of which stirred the nation's heart profoundly. It Is a striking evidence of lhA nnlse and sturdy good sense dlstin gulshlng our national character that this hocking blow, falling ufon a generous people already deeply touched by pre ceding events in Cuba, did not move them to desperate resolve to tolerate.no longer the existence of a condition or danger ana disorder at our doors that made possible such a 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 gubma rine mine, and only halted, through lack of positive testimony, to fix the responsl billty of its authorship. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. Congress' Appropriation of Fifty Mil lions for National Defense. All those things carried conviction to the most thoughtful, even before the finding of the naval court, that a crisis in our relations with Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. 8- ttrong was this belief that it needed but a brief execu tive suggestion to congress to receive im mediate answer to the duty of making instant provision for the possible and per haps spetdily probable emergency of war, and the remarkable, almost unique, spec tacle was presented of a unanimous vote of both houses on the 9th of March ap propriating 150,000,000 "for the national de fens and for ech and every purpose con nected therewith, to be expended at the discretion of the president." That this act of provision came none too soon was disclosed when the applica tion of the fund was undertaken. Our porta were practically undefended; our navy needed large provision for Increased ammunition and supplies, and even num bers to cope with any sudden attack from the navy of Spain, which comprised mod ern vessels of the highest type of conti nental perfection. Our army also re quired enlargement of men and muni tions. The details of the hurried prepa rations for the decided contingency Is told In the reports of the secretaries of war and of the navy, and need not be repeated here. . It Is sufficient to say that the outbreak Of war, when It did come, found our na tion not unprepared to meet the conflict, nor was the apprehension of coming strife confined to our own country. It was felt by the continental powers, which, on April I, through their ambassadors and envoys, addressed to the executive an expression of hope that humanity and moderation might mark the course of th's govern ment and people, and that further nego tiations would lead to an attempt, which, while securing the maintenance of peace, would affirm all necessary guarantees for the re-establlshment of order In Cuba. Proposal of mm Aranlatlre. Still animated by the hope of a peace ful solution and obeying the dictates of duty, no effort was relsxed to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle, Negotiations to this effect continued actively with the government of Spain looking to the Immediate conclusion of a lx months' armistice In Cuba with a view to effect the recognition of her peo ple's right to Independence. Bilde this, the Instant revocation of the order of re concentration was asked, so that the suf ferers, returning to their hom and aided by united Amerlrsn and Hpanlah effort, might be put In a wsy to support themselves, and by orderly resumption of the well-nigh destroyed productive ener gies of the Inland contribute to the res toration of Its tranquillity and well-being. Aaibarlty to Intervene. Grieved and disappointed at this hrrrn Outcome of my slncrre endesvors to Trai n practicable solution, I fait It my duty to remit the whole question to congress. In the nmm of April II, 1IM, I announced that with this last overture In the d; ruc tion of Immediate peace In Cuba and Its disappointing reception by "pain the ef fort of the executive wss brought to sa and. I again reviewed the alternative eouree of action which 1 had prepared, concluding that the only course eonwnn with International policy and eomi'Stlbe with our firmly set historical traditions was Intervention as a neutral to stop the war and check the hopls serin. of life, even though that resort Involved 'hoastlle constraint upon both parties to the contest, at well to enforce a truce a to provide for eventual settlement." In view of all this congress wss asked to authorise and empower the president to lake measure to secure a fuJ and Boat termination of hostilities between Spain and the people of Cuba and to secure to ismim me establishment of a etabe government, capable of maintaining or. uer ana oDwrving its International obli gations, in securing peace and tranquil lity and the security of ita citizens as well as our own, and for the accomplish ment of those ends to use the military and naval forces of the United States as might be necessary, with added authority to continue generous relief to the starv ing peop'.e of Cuba. The response of congress, after nine day 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 recognition of the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful government of that Island a proposition wnicn tailed or adopt on the conercas. after a conference on the 19th of April, by a vote of 42 to 34 In the senate and 311 to 6 in the house, passed the memorable Joint resolution declaring: First That the oeODle of the Island of Cuba are, and ,by right ought to be, free and Independent. "'Second-That It is the duty of the United States and the government of the United States hereby demands that the govern ment of Spain at once relinquish Its au thority In the island of Cuba and with draw Its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. "Third That the president of the United States be and Is hereby directed and em powered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States and the militia of the several states to such extent as may be necessary to carry these resolu tions Into effect. "Fourth That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or Intention to exercise sovereignty, Jurledlctlon or con trol over said Island, except for the pacifi cation thereof, and asserts Its determina tion, when that Is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the Island to Its people." - Rapture of Negotiations. This resolution was approved by the ex ecutive 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 impos sible, and asked for his passports, whloh were given him. He thereupon withdrew from Washington, leaving the protection of Spanish Interests in the United States to the French ambassador and the Aus-tro-Hungarian minister. Simultaneously with Its communication to the Spanish minister, General Wood ford, the American minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of the text of the Joint resolution and directed to communicate It to the government of Spain with the formal demand that It at once relinquish its authority and govern ment In the Island of Cuba, and withdraw Its forces therefrom, coupling this demand with announcements of the Intentions of this government as to the future of the Island, In conformity with the fourth clause of the resolution, and giving Spain until noon of April 23 to reply. Spain, having thus denied the demand of the United States, and initiated that com. plete form of rupture of relations which attends a state of war, the executive pow- 1 or. ntwi,.i u.. .u. ... w.- , i..t icsu.ui.uu wcitj uau. ; by me to meet the enlarged contingency of actual war between Spain and the United States. On April 22 I proclaimed a blockade of the northern coast of Cuba, Including ports on said coast between Cardenas and Bahla Honda and the port of Clenfuegos, on the south coast of Cuba; and on the 23d I called for volunteers to execute the pur pose of the resolution. - The Declaration of War. By my message of April 25, congress was informed of the situation, and I recom mended formal declaration of the exist ence of a state of war between the United States and Spain, Congress accordingly voted on the same day the act approved April 25, 1898, declaring 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 all 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 maintained relations, In order that their neutrality might be as sured during the war. The various govern ments responded with proclamations of neutrality, each after Its own method. It Is not among the least gratifying Incidents of the struggle that the obligations of neutrality were Impartially discharged by all, often under delicate and difficult cir cumstances. In further fulfillment of International duty, I Issued, April 26, a proclamation an nouncing the treatment proposed to be ac corded to vessels and their cargoes as to blockade, contraband, the exercise of the right of subjects and the Immunity of neu tral flags and neutral goods .under the enemy's flag. A similar proclamation was made by the Spanish government. In the conduct of hostilities, the rules of the declaration of Paris, including abstention from resort to privateering, have accord ingly been observed by both belligerents, although neither was a party to that dec laration. The national defense fund of 150,000,000 was expended In large part by the army and the navy, and the objects for which It was used are fully shown In the reports of the several secretaries. It was a most timely appropriation, enabling the government to strengthen its defenses and to make preparations greatly needed In case of war. This fund being Inadequate to the requirements of equipment and for the conduct of the war, the patriotism of congress provided the means In the war revenue act of June U by authorising a I per cent popular loan, not to exceed $100,000,000, and by levying additional Im posts and taxes. Of the authorized loan, $200,000,0(10 was offered and promptly taken, the subscriptions so far exceeding the call as to cover It many times over. While preference was given to the small er bids, no single allotment exceeded $o000. This was a most encouraging and significant result, showing the vast re sources of the nation and the determina tion of the people to uphold their coun try's honor. PROGRESS OF TUB CONFLICT. Brilliant Series of Victories American Arms. for It Is not within the province of this message to narrate the history of the extraordinary war that followed the Spanish declaration vf April tl but a brief recital of Its more salient features Is appropriate. The first encounter of the war In point of data took place April 27, when a detachment of the blockading squndron made a reconnolssnnce In force at Maiansas. shelhd the harbor fortifica tions and demolished several new works In construction. Dewey Manila. The next engsgsment was destined to mnrk a memorahls eio. In maritime war fare. The Pacific flest, under Commo doreGeorge Dewey, had Iain for some weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial proclamation of neutrality being Issued and the customary 24 hours' notice being given. It repaired to Mlrs bay, near Hong Kong, whence It proceeded to the Philip pine islands under telegraphic orders to cspture or destroy the formidable Span ish fleet thn assembled at Manila. Al daybreak n May 1 the American force entered Manila bay, and after a few hours' engsgrment effected the total destruction of the Spanish fleet, consisting of 10 war ships and a transport, besides capturing the nsvsl station and forts al Cavlte, thus annihilating the Hpanlxh nsvsl power in the I'si llle ocean and completely control ling the bay of Manila, with the ability to take the rlty at will. Not a Ufa wss lost on our ships, the wounded number ing only B'ven, while not a Vessel was materially Injured. For this gallant achievement congress, upon my rerorn- mrndstkin. fitly bestowed upon the actois preferment and substantial rrwsrd. ft 1)1144 t la-lory. Only reluctsnce to cause asedlesg ls of life and property prevented the erly so.rm.rg ana capture or tne city, and therewith the absolute military occupation of le whole group. The Insurgents, mesnwhil. had resumed the active hoa tll.tim swapnl4 by lb uncompleted truce of lomber. 17. Their forces In vested Msnlla on the northern and east ern side, but were conetrstned by Admiral Jyewt and Oeoerai Uemtt from attempt- Inr "an assault. It wss fitting that what ever was to be done In the way of de way of de- c sive operations In that quarter should be accomplished by the strong arm of the L nited -States alone. Obeying the stern precept of war, which enjoins the overcoming of the adversary and the extinction of his power wherever assailable as the speedy and sure means to win a peace, divided victory was not permissible, for no partition of the rights and responsibilities attending the enforce ment of a Just and advantageous peace could be thought of. Following the adoption of a comprehen sive scheme of general attack, powerful forces were assembled at various points ou our coast to Invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile, naval demonstrations were made at several exposed points. May 11 the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo-boat Wlnslow were unsuccessful in an attempt to silence the batteries at Cardenas, In Matanzas, Ensign Worth Bagley and four seamen falling. These grievous fatalities were strangely enough among the 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 Cer vera, which had assembled at the Crpb Verde Islands before the beginning of hos tilities, had crossed the Atlantic ocean and 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 and Marietta, then nearlng home after their long voyage from San Francisco of over 15,000 miles, might be surprised by Admiral Cervera's fleet, but their fortunate arrival dispelled the apprehensions and lent much needed reinforcements. Not until 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 Antlllean possessions of Spain. Several demonstrations occurred on the .coast of Cuba and Porto Rico In prepara tion for the larger event. On May 13 the North Atlantic 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. It was evident that well-ordered land opera tions were Indispensable to achieve a de cided advantage. Hobaon's Heroism. 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 Hob son, aided by seven devoted volunteers, blocked the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking the collier Merrlmac In the channel under a fierce fire from the chore batteries, escaping with their lives as by a miracle, but falling into the hands of the Spaniards. It Is a most grat ifying Incident of the war that the brav ery of this little band of heroes was cor dially appreciated by the Spaniards, who sent a flag of truce to notify Admiral Sampson of their safety and to compli ment them upon their daring act. They were subsequently exchanged. Julv i. By June 7 the cutting of the last Cuban cable Isolated the Island. Thereafter the vsn'" WJ " v's orous Iy Prosecuted. June 7"" "'. a Ins force of 600 marines from the Oreeon. M ,,rhl-hd . v.,,! ...? Guantanamo bay, where It had been de termined to establish a cable station. This Important and essential port was taken from the enemy after severe fighting by the marines, who were the first organized force of the United States to land in Cuba. The position so won was held, despite the desperate attempts to dlslodgje our foroes. By June 16 additional forces we,re landed ana strongly intrenched June 22 the advance of the Invading army under Major-General Shatter landed at Daiquiri, about 15 miles east of Santl ago. This was accomplished under great difficulties, but with marvelous dispatch. On June 23 the movement against Santiago was Degun. On the 24th the first serious engagement took place in which the First and Tenth cavalry and the First 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 Increased On July 1 a severe battle took place, our forces gplnlng the outer works of Santiago. and El Caney and San Juan were taken after a desperate charge and the Invest ment of the city was completed. The navy co-operated by shelling the town and the coast forts. Destruction of the Armnda. 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 ot Commo dore Sampson. In less than three hours all the Spanish ships were destroyed. Two torpedo-boats were sunk and the Ma ria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon were driven ashore. The Spanish admiral and over 1300 men were taken prisoners. While the enemy's loss of life was deplorably large, some 200 perishing, on our side but one man was killed and one man seriously wound, d. Although our ships were repeatedly struck, not one was seriously Injured. The men also conspicuously distinguished them selves, from the commanders to the gun ners and the unnamed heroes In the boiler-rooms, each and all contributing toward the achievement of this astound ing victory, for which neither ancient nor modern history affords a parallel in the completeness of the event and the marvel, ous disproportion of casualties. It would be Invidious to single out any for special honor. Deserved promotion has rewarded the mere conspicuous actors the nation's profoundest gratitude Is due to all of those brave men who by their skill and devo tion In a few short hours crushed the sea power of Spain and wrought a triumph whose decisiveness and far-reaching ef fects can scarcely be measured. Nor can we be unmindful of the achievements of our builders, mechanics and artisans for their skill In the construction of our war ships. With the catastrophe of Bantlsgo, Spain's effort upon the ocean virtually ceased. A spsjrmodto effort toward the end of June to send her Mediterranean fleet, under Admiral Camara, to relievo Manila was ahsndoned, the expedition be. Ing recalled after It had passed through the Sues csnal. Surrender of San tin bo. The capitulation of Santiago followed. The city wss closely besieged by land, while the entrance of our ships Into the harbor cut off all relief on that side. After a truce to allow of the removal of the noncombatants, protracted negotiation! Continued from July t until July 16, when, under menace of Immediate assault, the preliminaries of surrender were agreed upon. On the 17th General Shatter occu pied the city. The capitulation embraced the entire eastern end of Cubs. The num ber of Spanish soldiers aurrendj-red was 22,0110, all of whom were subsequently con veyed to flpaln at the charge of the United States. The story of this success. ful campaign is told In the report of the secretary of war which will be laid be fore you. Invasion of Porto Rico. With the fall of Santiago, the occupa tion of Porto Illco became the next strat egic necessity. General Miles had pre viously been assigned to organise an ex pedition for that purpose. Fortunately, he was alreudy at Bantlugo, where he had arrlwd on the 11th o' July with reinforce munla for General Hnafter's army. With these troops, consisting of 1415 Infantry and artillery, two companies of engineers and one comixny of the signal corps. Gen eral Mllis left Guantanamo July 21, hav ing nine transports convoyed by the nv t under Captain lllsglnson. with the Mna sschusetts fflaghlp), iJlile Gloucester, Columbia and Tale, the Iwo latter carry- Ing troope. The expedition Isndrd at Guanba. July 8, whkh port wss entrred wlth little opposition. Hr the fV'-t was Joined by the Annapolis and Wsp, while , ,h, i.uriten ,d Amphltrlte went 'to Pan Juan and Joined the New Orleans, whb h was enasg'd In blocksdlng that port. The msjor-genersl commanding wss subse quently reinforced by General HVhwsnn's brlgsde of the Third army corps, by Oen- j ,t Wilson with a pert of his division. and also by General llrooks. with a part of his rorpe. numbering In all I VT1 omrs and m-n. On July tl he entered I'once, one nf the moat Imtxirtsnt points In tha Island, from whteh he thrsfr directed opralons for the cepture of ths leland. A a potnt infiuonce inward pac. the outcome of the Porto ftlcan etpodltloa Ie flu le these wbe participated U II Last Battle of the War. The last scene of the war was enacted at Manila, Its starting place. On August 15. after a brief assault upon the works by the land forces, in which the squadron assisted, the capital surrendered uncondi tionally. The casualties were compara tively few. By this conquest of the Phil ippine islands, virtually accomplished when the Spanish capacity for resistance was destroyed by Admiral Dewey's vic tory of the first of May, the result of the war was formally sealed. To General Merritt, his officers and men, for their un complaining and devoted services, for their gallantry In action, the nation Is sincerely grateful. Their long voyage was made with singular success, and the soldierly conduct of the men, of whom many were without previous experience In the mili tary service, deserves unmeasured praise. Total Casualties. The- total casualties In killed and wound ed In the army during the war was as fol lows: Officers killed, 23; enlisted men killed. 257; total, 280; officers wounded, 113: en listed men wounded, 1464; total, 1577. Of the navy, killed, 17; wounded. 67: died as result of wounds, 1; Invalided from service, 6; total, 91. It will be observed that while our navv was engaged in two great battles and In numerous perilous undertakings In the blockades and bombardments, and more than 50,000 of our troops were transported 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 1668 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 Merrl mac, not a soldier or sailor was taken prisoner. On August 7, 46 days from the date of landing of General Shafter's army In Cuba, and 21 days from the surrender of Santiago, tho United States troops com menced embarkation for home, and our entire force was returned to the United States as early as August 24. They were absent from the United States only two months. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Spain's Overtures for a Cessation of Hostilities. 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 hopeless ness of continuing a struggle now becom ing wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace through the French ambassador, who, with the assent of his government, had acted as the friendly (representative of Spain's Interests during the war. On the 26th of July, M. Cambon presented a communication, signed by the Duke of Almodovar, the Spanish minister of Btata, inviting the United States to state the terms upon which It would be willing to .v 1 . - T . . i -A 1 - , ... man.? yoauo. uijf OU, uy & Communication addressed to the Duke of Almodovar, and handed by M. Cambon, the terms of this government were announced substantially in the protocol, afterwards signed. On August 10, the Spanish reply dated August 7 was handed by M. Cambon to the sec retary of state. It accepted uncondi tionally the terms Imposed as to Cuba, Porto Rico, and an Island of the Ladrone group, but appeared to seek to Introduce Inadmissible reservations In regard to our demand as to the Philippines. Conceiving that discussion on this pjslpt could neither be practicable nor profitable, . I directed that, In order to avoid mis understanding, the matter should be forthwith closed by proposing the em- i bodlment In a formal protocol of the terms In which the negotiations for peace j were undertaken. The vague and inex plicit suggestions of the Spanish note could not be accepted, the only reply be ing to present as a virtual ultimatum a draft of the protocol, embodying the pre cise terms tendered to Spain in our note of July 80, which added stipulations of details as to the appointment of com missioners to arrange for the evacuation of the Spanish Antilles. On August 12, M. Cambon announced his receipt of full powers to sign the protocol as submitted. Terms of the Protocol, Accordingly, on the afternoon of August 12, M. Cambon as the plenipotentiary ot Spain and the secretary of state, as the ' plenipotentiary of the United Btates, signed the protocol providing: I "Article 1. Spain will relinquish all claim of soverelanty over and title to""' Cuba. I "Article 2. Spain will cede to the United States the Island of Porto Rico and other Islands now under Spanish sovorelgnty In the West Indies, and also an Island In the Ladrones to be selected by the United States. "Article S. The United States will occu py and hold the city, bay and harbor of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace, which shall determine the con trol, disposition and government of the Philippines." The fourth article provided for the ap pointment of Joint commissions on the part of the United States and Spala to meet In Havana and San Juan, respective- ' ly, for the purpose of arranging and car rying out the details of the stipulated evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish Islands In the West Indies. The fifth article provided for the ap pointment of not more than five commls- ( sloners on each side to meet at Paris not later than October 1, and to proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty of oeace. sublect to ratification ac- 1 cording to the respective constitutional forms of the two countries. The sixth and last article provides that upon the signing of the protocol, hostili ties between the two countries shall be suspended, and that notice to mat encct should be given as soon as possible by each government to the commanuers oi Its naval forces. , , Immedlately upon the conclusion of the nrntneol. I Issued the proclamation Of Au- gust 12, suspending hoctllltles on the part of the United mines, ine necesrjr calla for control by this government, ders to that end were at once given by lei- Br propositions which I doubt not con egreph. The blockade of the ports of Cu- Rrel- wlj duy ippreclate and wisely act ba ana or nan juan oe runw m; like manner rsisen. un August u, m muster-out of 100,000 volunteers, or ss near that number as was found to be practica ble, was ordered. On December 1, 101,655 of flcera and men had been mustered out and discharged from the service; loo! more will be mustered out by the loth of the month; also a corresponding number of generals and genersl staff officers hsve been hon orshly discharged from the service. The military commissions to superintend the evscustlon of Cubs, Porto Klco and the adjacent Islands were forthwith ap pointed: For Cuba Major-Genersl James F. Wsde, Itcar-Admlrnl William T. Sampson, Majcir-Genersl Matthew C. Duller. For Porto hlco Major-General John C. Brooke, Rear-Admiral Wlnlteld Scott fcVhley, Brigadier-General W. Gordon. They soon afterwards met the Spanish commissioners st Hsvana and Ban Juan, respectively. The Porto Illco Joint commis sion speedily accomplished Its tssk, snl by October IS tho evscustlon of the Inland was completed. The United Rials flag wss rained over the is'snd at noon that day. The admlnlatrstlon of Its affairs has been provisionally Intrustrd to a mllltsry governor until congress shall otherwise provide. The Cuban Joint high oommls. slon has not yet terminated Its labors. Ow ing lo the difficulties m th wsy of remov. Ing the large number of Spanish troope 1111 In Cuba, the evscustlon cannot be completed before the 1st of Jsnusry next, the Pears Commlaaloa. Pursuant to the fifth article of the pro tocol, I appointed Wi.llam It. Inr, lately aecrrtsry of stste; Cushman K. Davis, WllllsmP. Fry snd George Grsy, senators of the United f4ut, snd Whltelaw Held, lo lie peace commissioner on the psrt of i the f'nlted "tstes. Proceeding In due ' ssson to Psrts, they Inert met, on the lt of fw!obr, five commlnnlonrrs slm- llsrly appointed on the psrt of Hpsln. The ! negoltstlrs hsve msde tioprful progress, an thai I trust soon to b able to lay definite treaty of pesee before the aenate, with a review of the steps baling to Its Isnsture. 1 do not discuss at this time Ihe govern ment or the future of ths new p'xaMions which will come to us ss the result of ths sr with Hpsln. Huch a discussion wal be spproprlste after ths treaty of peace shsll be ratified. In the mntlm, anl until eongree hss legislated otherwise. It win be my fluty to continue the mllltsry the two rountrles to their mutual sd government which hss eilsted s nee our . vantsae. Negotiation with other sovrrn- orcupstion an give thlr people security ln n property sod neour(ratat "' ac kensOesnt rule. Ill FOKEJIGN RELATIONS. Aside From Spain We Hare Had No Serious DlnVrrnrrs Willi Other Nations. With the exception of the rupture with Spain, the Intercourse of the Unlled States with the great family of nations has been marked with cordiality, and tht close of the eventful year finds most of the Issues that'neccssarily arise In the complex rela tions of sovereign states adjusted or pre senting no serious obstacles to adjust ment and honorable solution by amicable agreement. A long-unsettled dispute as to the ex tended boundary between the Argentine republic and Chile, stretching along the Andean crests, from the southern bor der of the Ataeama desert to the Magel lan straits, nearly a third of the length of the South American continent, as sumed an acute stage in the early part of the year and afforded this government occasion to express the hope that the re sort to arbitration, already contemplated by existing conventions between the par ties, might prevail, despite the grave diffi culties arising In Its application. I am happy to say that arrangements to this end have been perfected, the questions of fact upon which the respective commis sioners were unable to agree being in course of reference to her Britannic ma jesty for determination. A residual dif ference, touching the northern boundary line across the Ataeama desert, for which existing treaties provided no adequate ad justment, bids fair to be settled in liko manner by a Joint commission, upon which the United States minister at Buenos Ayres has been Invited to serve as um pire in the last resort. International Cable Agreement. I have found occasion to approach the Argentine government with , a view to re moving 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 passing from and to the United States. Although the matter is complicated by exclusive concessions by Uruguay and Brazil to foreign companies, there Is a strong hope that a good understanding will be reached and that the important channels of com mercial communication between the United States and the Atlantic cities of South America may be freed from an al most prohibitory discrimination. Forelirn Exhibitions. Despite the brief time allotted for prep aration, the exhibits of this country at the universal exposition at Brussels in 1897 enjoyed the singular d'stlnctlon of a larger proportion of awards, havtne: re gard to the number and classes of articles emereu, man tnose oi otner countries. The worth of such a result In making known our national capacity to supply the world's maritets is obvious. The NIenrngua Cnnol. The Nicaragua canal commission, under T Alml-nl Tu- c ttr t, . . . ?u?v t under thYa.f?I; aPp'n,ted f und" the, 1ttuth."rliyT of a "Tw I" the undry c vU act f Ju . an"t.h" ."f?'1? ,1m Inquiry Into the proper route, the feasibil ity ana tne cost or construction of an in teroceanlc canal by the Nicaragua route, will be laid before you. In the perform ance of Its work the commission received all possible courtesy and assistance from the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which thus testified their apprecia tion of the Importance of giving a speedy and practical outcome of the project that has for so many years engrossed the at tention of the respective countries. As the scope of recent Inquiry embraced the whole subject with the aim of making plans and surveys for a canal by the most convenient route, It necessarily included a review of the results of previous sur veys and plans, and In particular those adopted by the Maritime Canal Company under Its existing concessions from Nica ragua and Costa Rica, bo that to this ex tent these grants necessarily held an es sential part in the deliberations and con clusions of the canal commission as they have held and must needs hold In the dis cussion of the matter by congress. Un der these circumstances, and In view of overtures made to the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other par ties for a new canal concession predicated on the assumed approaching lapse of the contracts of the Maritime Canal Company with those states, I have not hesitated to express my convictions that considerations of expediency and International pollcv between the eeveral governments Inter ested In the construction and control of an lnteroceanlo canal by this route re quire the maintenance of the status quo until the canal commission Bhal) have re ported and the United States congress shall have had the opportunity to pass finally upon the whole matter during the present session without prejudice by rea son of any change in the existing condi tions. Nevertheless, It appears that the gov ernment of Nicaragua, as one of Its last sovereign acts before merging Its pow ers In those of tne newly formed United States of Central America, has granted an optional concession to anothir association to become effective on the expiration of the pren-nt grant. It dots not appear that surveys have been made or what route Is proposed under this conceadon so that an examination of tne feasibility of its plans Is necessarily not embraced In the report of the canal commission. All these circumstances suggest the ur. gency of some definite action by congress at this session If the labors of the pant are to he utilized and th linking of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by a practical waterway ki to be reallz'd. That the construction of such a maritime highway Is now more than ever Indispensable to that Intimate and ready Interc -irrmuni cation between our eastern and western sv-aboards demanded by the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands and the prospee- tlv, ex,,anslon of our Influence and oom. mi.rr to th I'aclnn. nd thai nur nollnnnl pilry now more Imperatively than ever upon A convention providing for the revival of the late United States and Chilean claims commission and the consideration of claims whlfh were duly presented to the late communion, but not considered I HuRfl iii rxiifaiiiin in ine lime lim . , . U - . , I . - . . I ., ited for the duration of the commission was signed Msy U, 1KU7. snd has remslned unacted upon by the senate. The term therein fixed for effecting the exchange of ratifications having elnrwrd, the con vention falls unless the time be extended by amendment, which I am endeavoring to bring about, with the frbrtdly con currence of the Chilean government. The Paris Ksposltloa. There Is now every prospect that the partlclpstlon of the United States In the universal exposition to lie held In Paris In lle will be on a scsls commnrisiirate with the sdvsnced position held by our products and Industries In the worlds chief marts. The preliminary report of Moses P. Ilsridy, who, under the act approved July l. 1W7, was appointed Il commltmlonr with a view of ss. curing all attaliislils Information neces sary to a full and complete understanding by congress tn r gsrd to the participation by this government In the I'srls exposl tlon. whs Isld before you by my mersngs of Ie.emtr , 1W7. and shws the hue oporiuiiltles to muke known our national progress In art, silence and mnniifac. tur-s, as Will as the urgent need of itn med'.ats and ade'iunte provision lo enable due advantnga thenof to be tsken. Mr. Dandy's death soon afterward rendered It necessary for another to take up snd complete his unfinished work, and Janu ary U last, Mr. Thomas W. I'rhller, third BsxIniMnt seiretsry of stale, was deslg. nat'd tn fulfill thst luelt. Ills report was laid before you by my meniige of June It, ln with the gratifying result of awakening renewed Inlurcsl tn the pro- u,1 o1'!'1 Tend Relatione Wllk Krssrs and larrmaay, The commercial arriingementa msde with Km me on Msy Us, Km. under the provlnlotis of section , of the tariff act of V1. wenl Into effect on June I follow. Ing. It hss relieved a portion of our ti port trade from srlnus embarrassment. Kurt her negot at inns era now pending ur di-r section 4 of Ihe uma ad, with a view lo the Inrrrsse of trade between mnts. In part Interrupted by the war wit a gpaln, are In progress under both ec'twaa ef the unit aU I hope to be able to announce some of the results of these negotiations during the present ses sion of congress. ANNEXATION OF HAWAII. Existing; tana In Force Pending Ac tion by Congress. Pending the consideration by the senate of the treaty signed June 16, 1897, by the plenipotentiaries of the United States and of the republic of Hawaii, providing for the annexation of the island, a joint reso lution to accomplish the same purpose by accepting the offered cession and Incor porating the ceded territory Into the Union was adopted by congress and ap proved July 7, 1898. I thereupon directed the United States steamer Philadelphia to convey Rear-Admiral Miller to Hono lulu and entrusted to his hands this Im portant legislative act to be delivered to the president of the republic of Hawaii, with whom the admiral and the United States minister were authorized to make appropriate arrangements for transfer ring the sovereignty of the islands to the United States. This was simply but im pressively accomplished on August 12 last, by the delivery of a certified copy of the resolution to President Dole, who thereupon yielded up to the representa tive of the government of the United States the sovereignty and public prop, erty of the Hawaiian Islands. Pursuant to the terms of the Joint resolution and In exercise of authority thereby con ferred upon me, I directed that the civil. Judicial and military powers heretofore exercised by the officers of the govern ment of the republic of Hawaii should continue to be exercised by those officers until congress should provide a govern ment lor the Incorporated territory, sub ject to my power to remove such officers and to fill vacancies. The present offi cers and troops of the republic thereup on took the oath of allegiance to the United States, thus providing for the un interrupted contlnuanoe of all the admin istrative and municipal functions of the anjiexed territory until congress shall oth erwise enact. Following the further provision of the Joint resolution, I appointed the Honor- ables Shelby M. Cullom. of Illinois: John T. Morgan, of Alabama; Robert R. Hltt, of Illinois; Sanford B. Dole, of Hawaii, and Walter F. Grier, of Hawaii, as com missioners to confer and recommend to congress such legislation concerning the Hawaiian Islands as they Bhould deem necessary or proper. Recommendations of the Commission. The commissioners having fulfilled the mission confided to them, their report will be laid before you at an early day. ii is Deuevea mat their recommenda tions will have the earnest consideration due to the magnitude of the responsibility resting upon you to give such shape to the relationship of those mld-Paclflc lands to our home union as will benefit both in the highest degree, realizing the aspira tions of the community that has cast its lot with us ard elected to share our po litical heritage, while, at the same time. Justifying the foresight of thoBe who for three-quarters of a century have looked to the assimilation of Hawaii as a natural and inevitable consummation In harmony with our needs and in fulfillment of our cherished traditions. The questions heretofore pending be tween Hawaii and Japan, growing out of the alleged mistreatment of Japanese treaty Immigrants, were, I am pleased to say, adjusted before the act of trans fer by the payment of a reasonable in demnity to the government of Japan. Under the provisions of the Joint resolu tion, the existing customs relations of the Hawaiian islands with the United States anu with other countries remain ,un changed until legislation shall otherwise provide. The consuls of Hawaii, here and in foreign countries, continue to fulfill their commercial agencies, while the United States consulate at Honolulu Is maintained for all proper services per taining to trade and the revenue. It would be desirable that all foreign con suls In the Hawaiian Islands should re ceive new exequaturs from this govern ment. New Maritime Policy. The annexation of Hawaii and the changed relations of the United States to Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phillnnlnes re. suiting from the war, compel the prompt auopuun or a maritime policy by frequent .UttdetheTmerTcrfia with the newly acquired Islands. Spain furnished to Its colonies, at an annual cost of about $2.000,XX), steamship lines com - mTta'a. LZl'ZS the home government. The United Btates will not undertuke to do less. It Is our duty to furnish the people of Hawaii with facilities, under national control, for their export and Import trade. It will be con ceded that the present situation calls for legislation which alia 11 be prompt, dur able and liberal. ARMY UEXJIIGA.MZATIOIV. Stand In ax Korce of 100,000 Men Needed Under Present Conditions. Under the act of congress approved April 2, 18'J8, authorizing the president In hla discretion, upon a declaration of war by congress or a declaration by congress that war exists, I directed the Increase of the regular army to the maximum of 12,000, authorized In, said act. There are now In the regular army 67,. 8a otltcers and men. In said act It was provided: "That at the end of any war la which the United Stutes may become Hi. volved, the army shall be reduced to a pence hauls by transfer In the same arm of the service or absorption, by pro motion or honorable dlecharge, under such regulation as the secretary may es tablish, of supernumerary command offi cers and the honorable discharge or trans, fer of supernumerary enlisted men, and nothing contained in this act shall be construed ss authorizing the permanent Increase of the command of enlisted force of the regular army beyond that now pro vided by the law In force prior to the passage of this act except, as to the In crease of 28 majors provided for in section 1 hereof." The Importance of legislation for the permanent Increase of the army Is 'here, fore manifest, and the recommendation of the secretsry of war for that purpose hss my unqualified approval. There can be no question that at this time and proh. ably for some time In the future 100,000 men will be none too many to meet the necessities of the situation. At all events, whether that number shall be required permanently or not, the power should be given to the president to enlist that force If In his discretion It should be necea. sary, and the further duo-rctlon should lie given hltn to recruit wllhln the shove limit from the Inhabitants of the Inlands mm iiiv ajuwi iiiiibiii ui wnit ii we sre charged. '!. ..r. in ii. a.. ,, It Is my purpose to muster out the tn. t ,niri'TO ,w iiiupii-r uui ma rii tire volunteer army as soon as congress hall provlds for the Increase of (he regit. inr estatiiietiment. 1 his will be only sn act of Justice, and will be much sppre. claled by the brave men who lift their homes and employments to help ths coun. try In It emergency. Capital Centennial, 111 III. fUP 1'llrfl M.III n...... Ik. ' nlal anniversary of Ihs founding of the1 clty of Washington for tha permsni rit ' capital of the government of the I'ultid Mtatra by authority of an act of run. rress approved July l, IVSs). In Msy, lM'l, the archives and general offices of the federal guvi mini nt were removed to this place. On the 17th of November, IWO, the national congress met here for tha fir! time and assumed exclualve control of the fi d. rsl district and city. This Inter estlng event assumes all the more slgnlfl. . .. .. . .....ir.iiin-isn.eaj attending the choos ng of the site, the naming of the c.plt.l m honor of 1 father of his country, and the Interest taken by him In the adoption of plans for na lui.ir urvpiupnirni on a mugniriceni ugh! scale. ii' R. iirKi.iK. n mni ri v n... wpiiii.ni , out with a ronsiiint progress and a si. fiat aiit'ceas sven tievunit anvltili.a tl.alai ' framers had foreseen. I Departmental Heporle. I The several depart me-ntal reports wilt b laid before you. Thsy give In great d tall the conduit of the afTnlrs of the government during the past year, arid die I cuse many questions upon which con 1 (reea Die be called upon to art. W1LUAU U KINLXr. PACIFIC COAST TRADE. Seattle Markets. Tora:itoe8, 6i)g85cper box. Onions, 85(u;y0o per 100 poundg. Potatoes, $1012. Beets, per sack, $1. Turnipa, per eack, 6065c. Carrots, per sack, 65c. Parsnips, per sack, $1. Beans, green, 2b'e, Cauliflower, 5075o per doz. Celery. 4050o. Cabbage, native and California tl.OOOJ 1.50 per 100 pounds. Apples, 60cfioc per box. Pears, 75c(Sl per box. Prunes, 60c per box. Peaches, 75c Plums, 50c. Butter- Creamery, 27o .per pound; dairy and ranch, 18 20c per pound. Eu'gs, 85c. Cheese Native, 12 12 ?c. Poultry Old liens, 15c per pound; spring chickens, 15c; turkeys, 16c. Fresh meats Choice dressed beef Bteers, prime, 67c; cows, prime, ec; mutton, 7c; pork, 67o; veal, 68o. Wheat Feed wheat, $21. Oats Choice, per ton, $23. Hay Puget Sound mixed, $9.50 10; choice Eastern Washington tim othy, $12. Corn Whole. $23.50; cracked, $24; feed meal, $23.50. Barley Rolled or ground, per ton, $2425; whole, $22. Flour Patent, per barrel, $3.60; etraiehts, $3.25; California brrnds, $3.25; buckwheat flour, $3.75; graham, per barrel, $3.70; whole wheat flour, $3.75; rye flour, $4. Millatuffs Bran, per ton, CU; shorts, per ton, $16. Feed Chopped feed, $1721 per ton; middlings, pei ton, $17; oil cake meal, per ton, $35. Portland Market. Wheat Walla Walla, 58 60c; Val ley and BlueBtem, 63o per bushel. Flour Best grades, $3.80; graham, $2.6v; superfine, $2.25 per barrel. Oats Choice white, 4243c; choice gray, 4041c per buBhel. Barley Feed barley, $22 23; brew ing, $24 per ton. Millstuffs Bran, $16 per ton; mid dlings, $21; shorts, $16; chop, $15.50 per ton. Hay Timothy, $910; clover, $7 8; Oregon wild hay, 6$ per ton. Butter Fancy creamery, 5055o; sccoikIb, 4550o; dairy, 8545o Btore, 2782o. Cheese Oregon full cream, ll13o; Young America, 15o; new oheese, 10c per pound. Poultry Chickens, mixed, $3.753 per dozen; hens, $3.504.00; springs, $1.253; geese, $5.006.00 for old, $4.605 for young; ducks, $4.00 6.00 per dozen; turkeys, live, 11 12c per pound. Potatoes 5060c per Back; sweets, 2c per pound. Vegetables Beets, 90c; turnips, 75o per suck; garlic, 7o per pound; cab bage, $1 1.25 per 100 pounds; cauli flower, 75o per dozen; parsnips, 75o per Back; beans, 8o per pound; celery, 70 75c per dozen; cucumbers, 50c per box; peas, 83o per pound. Onions Oregon, 76c$l per sack Hops 15 18o; 1897 crop, 46o. Wool Valley, 1012o per pound; Eastern Oreuon. ' 80112c: mohair. 25c per pound. Mutton-Gross, best sheep, wether, aml ewei' 8'o; dro88ed mutton. 7c; spring lambs, 7Jc per lb. 1 Hogs Gross, ohoice heavy, $4.75; , j'Kht and fueders, $3.004.00; dressed, 5-60b60 per 100 poundg. Beef Gross, top steers, 8.(i0f3.75; cows, $2. 60 3. 00; dressed beef, . 66)s'c per pound. Veal Large, 66c; small, 8 7)c per pound. Ban Francisco Market. Wool Spring Nevada, 1012o per pound; Oregon, hasteni, 1012o; Val ley, 1517c; Noithern, 9llo. Millstuffs Middlings, $19 21. 00; bran, $14.60 15.60 per ton. Onions Ki I verskin, 60 00c per lack. Butter Fancy creamery, 20o; do seconds, 2224c; fancy dairy, 21 22c; do seconds, 17(ft21o per pound. Kkk Store, 1822o; fancy ranch, 8537o. Citrus Fruit Oranges, Valencia, $3 (32.60; Mexican 1 illicit, $00.60; Culi, fornia lemons, $2. 00. 800; do choioe $3. 60 4. 50; per box. Marble Cut by Diamonds. Many of the ttonecutten formerly at work at the shops of the Pat is exposi tion, between the Champs Klysees and the Heine, have lost their join. Not, perhaps, on account of a strike or the lack of work, for both the Grand Palais and the new Bridge Alexander HI ie quire an immense amount of bewn stone, but because of a new stone taw, constructed by a mechanical engineer. Felix Fromholt, ot Pans. It is the lurgcst diamond flaw ever built on tint continent, and the diamonds are set into the metal in a novel manner, af ter the Inventor carefully studied the effect of high temperature upon tho crystallized and the powdered diamond. The taw is of the circular kind, even feet six inches in diameter, and set with 200 diiiinninls let into tha IIM.tH disposed ol in such a way .i . , . , i , . "0 stones are set into the points of the saw teeth, 80 more Into the of l,,u t,'Ht1' ,m" l"'l ''! i 40 mora into the side of the teeth. The saw rotates at the late ot 300 revo lutions per minute; its tangentiul speed Is of 120 feet per second, and it outa into the stone at the late of a foot per minute for the hard face stones; for Soft building stone the saw makes but Vi "volutions per inlnuli), advanciti,; 40 inches into the ftimo during that time. The stones are mounted on chariot, the movement of which can ha icgulaled to mit the adavnee of the raw. Blocks up to ilx feet high hf four feet aide ran be out with tit i monster law just like o much wood. - I T,l '' be,,n opeialion fur some little time, and lias given xtrfect ll(tlSiatStlon. 1 lie ll llOt OtllT ClttM. . i . . . . . ! ' llt ali trlri.i roilgh fttOed .tones, and its use represents a great (aving to the , exposition company for the nipple j reason that while they bad to pay workmen to smooth the big block (J I per njtmie metre, the same orfiice Is now prepared by machine at an expense of about 25 cent. The smallest flower known to the botaniit I said to be that of the yeast plant. It la miaroscopiu In aise and la laid to be only lOUth of a inUliuiuter ie) diameter.