Mrs. Nancy A. McKinley, the aged mother of President McKinley, died at Canton December 12. She was buried in the President’s family plot at Canton, where McKinley’s two daughters lie buried. 1898 was an eventful year in McKinley’s administration owing to the outbreak of the Spanish war. In Europe it will be best remembered because of deaths of Gladstone and Bismarck. The insurrection in Cuba had reached a stage when humanitarian efforts on the part of this country seemed necessary owing to the reconcentrado methods introduced by Weyler. The battleship Maine was sent to Havana, arriving there January 25. No demonstration was made, but it was hoped the moral effect of the presence of a warship would lead to good results. The Maine was blown up by a submarine mine February 15. The events of the Spanish war will follow chronologically. February 8—Letter was published written by Minister De Lome disparaging President McKinley. After publication of the letter De Lome asked the Spanish government to accept his resignation. February 15—Battleship Maine blown up. February 17—United States government appointed a naval court to inquire into the cause of the destruction of the Maine. March 5—General Fitzhugh Lee’s recall requested by the Spanish government and promptly refused by the United States. March 7—Bill introduced in the House appropriating $50,000,000 for national defense. Passed the House March 7 and the Senate March 8, and was signed by the President. March 12—Battleship Oregon sailed from San Francisco to meet the Atlantic squadron. March 12—Spain offered armistice to the Cuban insurgents. March 25—Report of the Maine Court of Inquiry delivered to the President and transmitted to Congress, reaching there March 28. April 5—United States consuls in Cuba recalled. April 11—President McKinley sends message to Congress on the Cuban situation, in which he advises intervention without recognition of the Cuban government. April 19—Congress recognizes independence of Cuba and authorizes the use of United States forces in intervention. April 20—President issues ultimatum to Spain. April 21—An infernal machine was sent President McKinley, but the White House detectives grew suspicious of the peculiar package and it was investigated. It was filled with a powerful explosive. April 22—Proclamation announcing war issued by President McKinley. April 23—President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers. April 24—War against the United States formally declared by Spain. May 1—Spanish fleet at Manila entirely destroyed by Dewey’s fleet. May 8—Miss Helen Gould sent the government a check for $100,000 to add to the war fund.