Decatur Democrat, Volume 42, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 8 December 1898 — Page 8

HEREVIEWSTHEWAR, But Has Nothing to Say Regardw ing the Policy as to Our New Acquisitions. MESSAGE OF THE NATION S HEAD Declares That the Island of Cuba Is To Be a Free and Independent Nation. Defer* Discussion of the Government of I’orto Rico and the Philippine*. Which Are To He Held for a Time Under Military Rule—Make* Some Recommendation* of a Financial Character —Call* lor a Standing Army of 100.000 Men, and Approve* Long's Proposed Increase of the Navy. Following is given the salient points t>t the president's message in congress: To the senate and house of representatives: Notwithstanding the added burdens necessary by the war our people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree cf prosperity evidenced by the largest volume of business ever recorded. Manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns, labor in the fields of industry is better rewarded, revenue legislation 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, v.’hi.e its currency has been maintained at the world’s highest standard. Military service under a common flag and for a righteou cause has strenthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country. A review of the relation of the United States to other powers, always appropr ate, is this year of primary importance in view of the momentous issues which have arisen, demand ng in one instance the ultimate determination by a.ms and involving 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 Cuban insurrection as be ng by far the most important prob.em with which we were then called upon to deal. The considerations then advanced, and the exposition of the views the rein expressed, disclosed my sense of the extreme gravity of the s tuition. Setting aside as logically unfounded or practically inadmissible the recognition of the Cuban insurgents as belligerents, the recognition of the independence of Cuba, neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between tne contestants, intervention in favor of one or the other party, an J forcible annexation of the island. I concluded 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 which she had become irrevocably committed. Within a few weeks previously she had announced comprehensive plans which it was confidently asserted would be etficac A :< to remedy the evils so deeply affect.ns our own country, so injurious to the true interests of the mother country as well as to those of Cuba, and so repugnant to the universal sentiment if humar’ty. The ensuing month 1 r< ught I ttle sign of real progress toward pacification of Cuba. The autonomous admiristrat'on set up in the cap tai a.-d some of the princ pal cities appeared not to gam the favor of the inhabitants nor to be able to extend their influence to the large extent <f territory held by the insurgents, while the military arm. obviously unable to cope with the still active rebellion, continued many of the most objectionable and offensive policies of the government that had preceded it. No tangible relief was afforded the vast numbers of unhappy reconcentrados despite the re’terated profess ons made in that regard and the amount appropriated by Spain ’o that end. DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE. Convinced the Most Thoughtful That a Crisis Was Near at Hand. The proffered expedient of zones of cultivation proved illusory; indeed, no less practical nor more delusive promises of succor could well have been tendered to the exhausted and destitute people, stripped of all that made life and home dear and herded in a strange region among unsympathetic strangers hardly less necessitous than themselves. By the end of December the mortality among them had frightfully increased. Conservative estimates from Spanish sources placed the deaths among these distressed people at over 40 per cent, from the time General Weyler’s decree of reconcentration was enforced. With the acquiesence of the Spanish authorities a scheme was adopted for relief by charitable contributions raised in this country, and distributed under the direction of the consul general and the several consuls and by noble and earnest individual effort through the organized agencies of the American Red Cross. Thousands of lives were thus saved, but many thousands more were inaccessible to such forms of aid. The war continued on the old footing. without comprehensive plan, developing only the same spasmodic encounters barren of strategic result that had marked the course of the earlier ten years' rebellion as well as the present insurercticn from its start. No alternative save exhaustion of either combatant. and therewithal the practical ruin of the island, lay in sight, but howfar distant no one could venture to conjecture. At this juncture, on the 15th of February last, occurred the destruction of <he battleship 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 the poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing our national character that this shocking blow, failing upon a generous people already deeply touched by preceding events in Cuba, did not move them to an instant, desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the existence of a condition of danger and 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 submarine mine, and only halted through lack of positive testimony to fix the responsibility of Its authorship. All these things carried conviction to the most thoughtful—even before the finding of the nav-

al court—that a crisis In our relations with Spain and toward Cuba was at ■ hand. So strong was this belief that it I needed but a brief executive suggestion to the congress to receive immediate answer to the duty of making instant provision for the possible and perhaps speedily probable emergency of war, and the remarkable —almost unique—spectacle was presented of a unanimous vote of botn houses on the Sth of March appropriating $50,000,060 "for the national defense and for each and every purposes connected therewith, to be expended at the discretion of the president." That this act of provision came none too soon was disclosed when the application of the fund was undertaken. Our forts were practically undefended. Our navy needed large provision for increased ammunition and supplies, and even numbers to cope with any sudden attack from the navy of Spain which comprised modern vessels of the highest type of continental perfection. Our army also required enlargement of men and munitions. The details of the hurried preparation for the dreaded 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 the war, when it did come, found our nation not unprepared to meet the conflict. [The president then recounts the visit of the foreign ambassadors to him to plead for peace; the attempt to obtain a six-months' armistice in Cuba; the inadequate response from Spain.] MATTER REFERRED TO CONGRESS. Which Body Responded with a Demand on the Spanish Government. Grieved and disappointed at this barren outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach a praticable solution, I fe.t it my duty to remit the whole question to the congress. • • » The response of the congress, after nine days of earnest deliberation, during which the almost unanimous sentiment of your body was developed cn every’ po'nt save as to the expediency cf coup.ing th" proposed action with a formal recognition of the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful government of that island —a proposition which failed of adoption—the congress. after conference, on the 19th of April, by a vote of 42 to 35 in the senate ai d fill to 6 in the house of representatives, passed the memorable joint resolution, declaring: "First. That the people of the island of Cuba are. and of right ought to be, free and independent. "Second. That it is the duty of the United States to demand and the government of the United States does hereby demand, the government of Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the island of Cuba and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. "Third. That the president of the United tSates be. and he hereby is directed ard empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States, a-d to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the serveral states, to such extent as may’ be necessary to carry these resolutions into effect.

"Fourth. That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said island except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination when that is accomplished to leave the government and control of the island to its people. ’ This resolution was approved by the executive on the next day, April 20. A copy was at cnce communicated to the Spanish minister s’ thi= capital, who forthwith announced that his continuance in Washington had thereby become impossible, and asked for his passports. which were given him. He thereupon withdrew from Washington. leaving the protection of Spanish interests in the United S’ates to tbe French ambassador and the Austro-Hungarian minister. Simultaneously with its communication to the Spanish minister. General Woodford, the American minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of the text of the joint resolution and directed to communicate it to the government cf Spain. « » • STATE OF V.’AF. IS DECLARED. Spain Break* OP. Diplomatic Negotiation* and the Fight Is On. After the instruction reached General Woodford on the morning of April 21. but before he could present it, the Spanish minister of state notified him that upon the president's approval of the joint resolution the Madrid government. regarding the act as “equivalent to an evident declaration of war,” had ordered its minister in Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking off diplomatic relations between the two countries and ceasing all official communication between their respective representatives. General Woodford thereupon demanded his passports and quitted Madrid same day. • • • On April 22 I proclaimed a blockade of the northern coast of Cuba. • • • By my message of April 25 the congress was informed of the situation and I recommended formal declaration of the existence of a state of war between the United States and Spain. The congress accordingly voted on the same day the act approved April 25, 189 S, declaring the existence of such war. from and inc luding the 21st day of April, and re-en-acted 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. • » • [President McKinley then announced to foreign nations the state of affairs and they ail responded with neutarality proclamations, which were fully enforced. He then recounts the mobilization of the United States military and naval forces, giving their strength,etc., precautions against attack on our seacoast. including the war loan authorized by congress: tells of the progress of the war and gives a brief account cf it from beginning to end, all of which is familiar to newspaper readers, and gives the following statement of the war casualties: Army—Officers killed. 23: enlisted men killed. 257; total. 280: officers wounded, 113; enlisted men wounded. 1,464; total, 1.577. Navy— Killed. 17: wounded. 67; died as result of wounds. 1: invalided from service. 6: total, 91.] It is fitting that I should hear testimony to the patriotism and devotion of that large portion of our army which, although eager to be ordered to the post of greatest exposure, fortunately was rot required outside of the United States. They did their whole duty, and like their comrades at the front have earned the gratitude of the- nation. In like manner the officers and men of the army and of the navy who remained in their departments and stations of the navy, perform'ng most important duties connected with tbe war. and whose requests for assignment in the field and at sea was competed to refuse because then services was indispensable here, are entitled to tile highest commendation. • • ” SPAIN GIYES UP THE STRUGGLE. Her ReverM* on lutnd and Sea Bring Har to Term*. The anrihi’ali n of Admiral Cervera’* fleet, fohow’d by the < apituiat'.on ol Santiago, !; .v r.g brought to the Span-

esh government » realizing sense of the hopelessness of continuing „ W now becoming 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 Spanish interests during the war. On the 26th of July M. Cambon presented a communication signed by the Duke of Almodovar, the Spanish minister of state, inviting the United States to state the terms upon which it would be willing to make peace. On July 30. by a communication addressed to the Duke of Almodovar and handed to M. Cambon. the terms of this government were announced, substantially as in the protocol afterwards signed. On Aug. 10, the Spanish r<Tf>ly, datel Aug. 7, was handed by’ M. Cambon to the secretary of state. It accepted unconditionally the terms imposed as to Cuba, Porto Rico and an island of the Ladror.es group, but appeared to seek to introduce inadmissible reservations in regard to aur demand as to the Philippines. Conceivirg that discussion on this point could neither be practicable I directed that in order to avoid misunderstandirg the matter should be forthwith closed by proposing the embodiment In a forma! pr toco! of the .terms in -which the negotiations for peace were to be undertaken. The vague and inexplicit suggestions of the Span ish note could not be accepted, the only reply being to present as a virtual ultimatum a draft of protocol embodying the precise terms tendered to Spain in our note of July 30. with added stipulations of detail as to the appointment cf commissioners to arrange for the evacuation of the Spanish Antilles On Aug. 12. M. Cambon announced h’s receipt of full powers to sign the protocol so submitted. Accordingly, cn the afternoon of Aug. 12, M. Cambon, as the plenipotentiary of the United States, signed a protocol. • • • [The protocol as heretofore printed is here introduced in substance. Its signature resulted in the suspension of hostilities and on Aug. 18 the muster out of 100,600 men was ordered. On Dec. 1. 101,165 had been mustered out. The appointment of evacuation commissions for Cuba and Porto Rico and of the peace commission now sitting at Paris is here recounted.] WEIGHTY DISCUSSION DEFERRED. Future Course In New Territory Shelved — Cuba To Bo Independent. The negotiations have made hopeful progress, so far that I trust soon to be able to lay a definitive treaty of peace before the senate, with a review of the steps leading to its signature. I do not discuss at this time the government ci the futune of the new possessions whir ! will come to us as the nesult of the war with Spain. Such discussion will be appropriate after the treaty cf peacshall be ratified. In the meantime and until the congress has legislated etherwise, it will be my duty to continue tb< military governments which have ex isted since our occupation and govern, ment of the people secunity in life an. pnopenty and encouragement under • just and beneficial rule. As soon as we are in possession <• Cuba and have pacified the islands will necessary to give aid and dire, tion to its people to form a governn-cr for themselves. This should be under taken at the earliest moment consist ent with safety and assured success I is important that our relations with these people shall be of the most friendly character, and our commercial relations close and reciprocal. It should be our duty to assist in every proper way to build up the waste places of the island, encourage the industry of the people. and assist them to form a government which shall be free and independent—thus realizing the best aspirations of the Cuban people. Spanish rule must be replaced by a just, benevolent and humane government created by the people of Cuba, capable of performing all international obligations and which shall encourage thrift, industry and prosperity and promote peace and good will among al! of the inhabitants, whatever may have been their relations in the past. Neithet revenge nor passion should have a place in the new government. Until there is complete tranquillity in the island and a stable government inaugurated military occupation will be continued. 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 necessarilyarise in the complex relations of sovereign states and honorable solution by amicable agreement. [Here follows the usual gist of information regard ng our foreign relations, status of disputes with foreign nations as to personal rights of citizens, etc..inculding the claims of Austria for her subjects who were killed or wounded in the Lattimer (Pa.) labor conflict, which is expected to be satisfactorily settled. He also relates the various little civil wars in Latin America and the formation of the United States of Central America and its recent collapse.] CANAL ACROSS THE ISTHMUS. Definite Action Urged oy Congee** at Once -Chinese Open Door.

The Nicaragua canal commission under the chairmanship of Rear Admiral John G. Walker, appointed July 24, 1897, under the authority of a provision in the sundry civil act of June 4 of that year, has nearly completed its labors, and the results of its exhaustive inquiry into the proper route, tie feasibility, and the cost of construction of an inter-oceanic canal by a Nicaragua: route will be laid before you. • • • In view of overtures made to the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other parties for a new canal c n cession predicated on the assumed approaching lapse cf the contiacts of the Maritime Canal company with those states I have not hesitated to express my conviction that cons.derations of expediency and international policy as between the several governments interested in tbe construction and control of an inter-oceanic canal by this route require the maintenance of the status quo until the canal commission shall have reported and the United State* congress sha 1 have had the opp.rtunlty to pass finally upon the whole matter during the present session. Nevertheless it appears that the government of Nicaragua, as one of its last sovereign acts before mergirg ts powers in th. se of the newly formed United States of C n.ra! Amcr.ca has granted an optional concession to an;t. er association, to become effective or. the expiration of the present grant. * • • All these circumstances suggest the urgency of some definite ac tion by the congress at this session of the labc T s of the last are to be utilized and the linking of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by a practical waterway is to t-e realized. That the construction of such a maritime highway is now more than ever indispensable to that Intimate and ready intrr-crmmu: IcatKrti between our eastern ar.d western seatmards demanded b; the annexation of the Hawaiian islands and the prospective expansion of our influence and commerce to Pacific ar.d that our rational pol cy now more imperatively than ever calls for its control by tills government, ar;

•ropos:tint s which I doubt not the congress will duly appreciate and wisely * States has not been an Indifferent spectator of the extraordinary events transpiring in the Chinese empire, whereby portions o. 'tS maritime provinces are passing under the control of various European pow»rs' but the prospect that the vast commerce which the energy of our citizens and the necessity of our staple productions for Chinese uses has built up in those regions may not be I :re -> u^' c . e " through and exclusive treatment by i the new occupants has obviated the need of our country becoming an actor ! Ir the scene. i [Rut he is closely watching the treatment of American citizens in China. The president refers to negotiations with France and Cbe-maiy for the relie of our trade with those countries and I expresses the hope of their success.] FRIENDSHIP OF GREAT BRITAIN. President Hope* tor the Succes* of the Anglo-American Commission. Our relations with Great Britain have continued on the most friendly footing. Assenting to our request, the protection lof Americans and their interests in I Spanish jurisdiction was assumed by ' the diplomatic ard consular represen- : tatives of Great Britain, who fulfilled i their delicate and arduous trust with ; tact and zeal, eliciting high commendai tion. I may be allowed to make fitting ! allusion to the instance of Mr. Ramsi den. her majesty's consul at Santiago Ide Cuba, whose untimely death after ' distinguished service and untiring efi fort during the siege of that city was sincerely lamented. In the early part of April last, pursuant to a request made at the instance of the secretary of state by the British ambassador at this capital, the Canadian government granted facilities for the passage of four United States revenue cutters from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic ccast byway of the Canai dian canal and the St. Lawrence river. I The vessels had reached Lake Ontario and were there awaiting the opening of I navigation when war was declared between the United States and Spain. Her majesty's government thereupon, by a communication of the latter part of April, stated that the permission granted before the outbreak of hostilities would not be withdrawn provided the United States government gave assurance that the vessels in question would proceed direct to a United States port without engaging in any hostile operation. This government promptly agreed to the stipulated condition, it being understood that the vessels would not be prohibited from resisting any hostile attack.

It will give me special satisfaction if I shall be authorized to communicate to you a favorable conclusion of the pending negotiations with Great Britain in respect to the Dominion of Canada. It is the earnest wish of this government to remove all sources of discord and irritation in our relations with the neighboring Dominion. The trade between the two countries is constantly increasing nnd it is important to both countries that all reasonable facilities should he granted for its development. [The annexation of Hawaii is here mentioned and the facts related as they are well known to the neading public, it bang stated thattheCullcmcommission will lay before congress, a plan for the government of the islands, without stating the plan.] REACHES THE NATIONAL FINANCES. Country’s Income ami Outgo and Currency Per Hoad of Population. The secretary of the treasury reports that the receipts of the government from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1898, including $84,751,223 received from sale of Pacific railroads, amounted to $405 3’21,335, and its expend ; tures to $441,368,582. There was collected from customs $149,575,062 and from interna! revenue $170,900,641. Our dutiable imports amounted to $324,735.479, a decrease of SSS 156,690 over the preceding year and importations free of duty amounted to $291,414,175, a decrease from the preceding year of $90,524,068. Internal revenue receipts exceeded those of the preceding year by $24,212,(68. The total tax collected on distilled spirits was $92,546.99 , on manufactured tobacco $36,230,522, and on fermented liquors $39,515,421. We exported merchandise during the year amounting to $1,231,482,330, an Increase of $150,488,774 from the preceding year. It is estimated upon the basis cf present revenue laws that the receipts of the government for the year ending June 30. 1899, will be $577,874 607 and its expenditures $689,8.4 617, resulting in a deficiency of $112,000,0(41. On the Ist of December. 1898, there was held in the treasury gold coin amounting to $l3B- - geld bullion amounting to $138,502.545, silver bullion amount.ng to $93,359 250 and other forms of money amounting to $451,968,981. On the same date the amount of money of all kinds in circulation, or not included in treasury holdings, was $1,836,879,504. an increase for the year of $165,794,966. Estimating our population at 75.104 000 at the time mentioned the per capita circulation was $25 09. On the same date there was in the treasury gold bullion amounting to $138,502,545. The provisions made for strengthening the resources of the treasury in connection with the war has given increased confidence in the purpose and power of the government to maintain the present standard, and has established more firmly than ever the national credit at home and abroad. A mgrked evidence cf this is found in the inflow of gold to the treasury. Its net gold holdings on Nov. 1. 1898. were $239.585 160, as compared with $153,573,117 on Nov. 1, 1897. and an increase of net cash of $207,756,100 on Nov. 1, 1897, to $300,238,275 rn Nov. 1, 1898. The present ratio cf net treasury g> Id to outstanding government liabilities, including United States treasury notes of 1890, silver certificates, currency certificates, standard silver dollars and fractional silver coin, Nov. 1, 1898, was 25.35 per cent., as compared with 16.96 per cent Nov. 1, 1897. LEGISLATION HE RECOMMENDS, Note* Redeemed In Gold Should Be Exchanged Again Only for Gold. I renew so much of recommendation of December. 1897, as follows: “That when any of the United States notes are presented for redemption in gold, and are redeemed in gold, such notes shall be kept and set apart and only paid out in exchange for gold. This is an obvious duty. If the holder of the United States note prefers the gold and gets It from the government he should not receive back from the government a United States note without paying gold In exchange for it. The reason for this is made ail the more apparent when the government issues an inter-est-bearing debt to provide gold for the redemption of United States notes —a non-interes’-bearmg debt. Surely it should not pay them out again except on demand and for gold. If they are put out in any other way they may return again to be followed by another bond issue to redeem them— another In-terest-bearing debt to redeem a non-interest-bearing deb;." This recommendation was made in lhe belief that such provisions of aw would insure to a greater degree the

safety of the present •‘ anda and b (er protect our currency from the oan genfm which it Is subjected from a disturbance in the general business conditions of the country. In my judgment the present condition of the treasury amply justifies the immediate enactment of the legis ation recommended one y ** ftr which a portion of the gold holdings should be placed in a trust fund from which greenbacks should be redeemed upon presentation, but when once reddened should not thereafter be paid out except for gold. -.halt is not to be inferred that other legislation relating to our currency s not required; on the contrary there is an obvious demand for it The importance of adequate provision which will insure to our future a money standard related as our money standard now is to that of our commercial rivals is generally recognized. The companion proposition that our domestic paper currency shall be kept safe and yet be so related to the needs of our industries and internal commerce as to be adequate and responsive to such needs is a proposition scarcely less Important. The subject in all its parts is commended to the wise consideration of the congress. FAVORS INCREASE OF THE ARMY Think* 100,000 Men Not a Man Too Many -Pension Affair*. Under the act of congress approved April 26. 1898. authorizing the president “in his 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 62,000, authorized in said act. There are now in the regular army 57,862 officers and men. In said act it was provided "that at the end of any war in which the United States may become involved the army shall be reduced to a peace basis by the transfer in the same army of the service, or absorption by promotion, or honorable discharge under such regulations as the secretary of war may establish, of supernumerary ccmmiss oned officers and the honorable discharge or transfer of supernumerary enlisted men; and nothing contained in this act shall be construed as authorizing the permanent increase of the commissioned or enlisted force of the regular army beyond that now provided by the law in force prior to the passage of this act, except as to ihe increase of twenty-five majors pruv’ded for in section 1 hereof. The importance of legislation for the permanent increase of the army is therefore manifest, and the recommendation of the secretary of war for that purpose has my unqualified approval. There can be no question that at this time, and probably for sometime 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 necessary, and the further discretion should be given him to recruit within the above limit from the inhabitants of the islands with the government of which we are charged. It is my purpose to muster out the entire volunteer army as soon as the congress shall provide for the increase of the regular establishment. This will be only an act of justice and will be much appreciated by the brave men who left their homes and employments to help the country in its emergency. There were cn the pension rolls on June 30. 1898. 993,714 names, an increase of nearly 18,000 over the number on the rolls or the same day of the preceding year. The amount appropriated by the act of Dec. 22. 1596. for the payment of pensions for the fiscal year 1898 was 5140 000,000. E'ght million seventy thousand eight hundred and seventy-two do’lars and forty-six cents was appropriated by the act of March 31, 1898, to cover deficiencies in army pensions and repayments in the sum of $12,020.33, making a total of $148,082,982.79 available for the payment of pensions during the fiscal year 1898. The amount disbursed from that sum wa55144,651,879.80, leaving a balance of $3,431,012.99 unexpended or the 3Cth of June. 1898. which was covered into the treasury. There were 389 names added to the rolls during the year by special acts j asset at the second session of the fifty-fifth congress, making a total of 6.486 pensioners by congressional enactments since 1861. ' AGRICULTURAL OFFICE IS BUSY. Gathering Facts of Use to the Farmer — Alien Contract Labor. The department of agriculture has been active in the past year. Explorers have been sent to many of the countries of the eastern and western hemisphere for seeds and plants that may be useful to the United States, and with the further view of opening up markets for our surplus products. The forestry division of the department is giving special attention to the treeless regions of our country and is introducing species specially adapted to semiarid regions. Forest fires which seriously interfere with production, especially in irrigated regions, are being studied that the losses from this cause may be avoided. The department is inquiring into the use and abuse of water in many states of the west, and collecting information regarding the laws of the states, the decisions of the courts and the customs of the people in this regard, so that uniformity may be secured. Experiment stations are becoming more effective every year. The annual appropriation of $720 0(0 by congress is supplemented by $400,000 from the states. Nation-wide experiments have been conducted to ascertain.the suitableness as to soil and climate iirthe states for growing sugar beets. The number of sugar factories has been doubled in the past two years, and the ability of the United States to produce its own sugar from this source has been clearly demonstrated. At the closar of the ye* thirty forest reservations, not including those of the Afognae forest and the ’ fish . culture reserve in Alaska, had been created by executive proclamations under section 24 of the act of March 3, 1891. embracing an estimated area of 40,719.474 acres. The department of the interior has inaugurated a forest system made possible by the act of July, 1898. for a graded force of officers in control of the reserves. This system has only l»en in full operation since August. but good results have already been secured in many sections. The reports received Indicate that the system of ratrol has not only prevented destructive fires from gaining headway, but has diminished the number of fires. The alien contract law is shown by experience to need some amendment: a measure providing better protection for seamen is proposed: the rightful application of the eight-hour law for the benefit of labor and of the principle of arbitration are suggested for consideration, and I commend these subjects to the careful attention of the ccngress. MARITIME POLICY ADVOCATED. Steamship Line* Should Be Encouraged Nationally—Postal Service. The annexation of Hawaii and the changed relations cf the United States to Cuba. Porto Rko a~d the Phil p-

pines resulting from the war eornnsi the prompt adoption of a martini icy by the United States. There should be established regular and frequent steamship communication, encouraged by the United States under the Amer lean flag, with the newly acquired isi' ands. Spain furnished to Its colonies at an annua! cost of about $2 000 000 steamship lines communicating with portion of the world's markets as w*n as with trade centers of the home gov ernment. The United States will no » undertake 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 b e conceded that the present situation calls for legislation which shall be promnt durable and liberal. pl ' The part which American merchant vessels and their seamen performed in the war with Spain demonstrates that this service, furnishing both pickets and the second line of defense, is a national necessity and should be encouraged in every constitutional way. Details and methods for the accomplishment of this purpose are discussed In the report of the secretary of the treasury, to which the attention of congress is respectfully invited. The postal service of the country advances with extraordinary growth Within twenty years both the revenues and the expenditures of the postoffice department have multiplied threefold In the last ten years they have nearly doubled. Our postal business grows much more rapidly than our population It now Involves ar. expenditure of $100,2 000 000 a year, r umbers 7.3 000 postoffices and enrolls 200,000 employes. This remarkable extension of a service which is an accurate index of the public conditions presents gratifying evidence of the advancement of education, of the increase of communication and business activity and of the improvement of mail facilities leading to their constantly augmenting use. [The president then tel’s how the postal service “fo’lowed the flag" in Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippines.] In my last annual message I recommended that congress authorize the appointment of a commission for the purpose of makifig systematic investigations with reference to the cause and prevention of yellow fever. This matter has acquired an increased importance as a result of the military occupation of the islard of Cuba and the commercial intercourse between this island and the United States which we have every reason to expect. The sanitary problems connected with our new relations with the island of Cuba and the acquisition of Porto Rico are no less important than those relating to finance, commerce and administration. It is my earnest desire that these problems may be considered by competent experts, and that everyth'ng may be done which the most recent advances in sanitary science can offer for the protection of the health of our soldiers in those islands and of our citizens who are exposed to the dangers of infection from the importation of yellow fever. • • • SUBJECTS OF Y’ARIED MOMENT. Washington City Centennial Anniversary —Czar’* Peace Proposal. In the year 1960 will occur the centennial anniversary of the founding of the city of Washington for the permanent capital of the government of the United states by authority of an act of congress approved July 16. 1790. In May, 1800, the archives and general offices of the federal government were removed to this place. On the 17th of November. 1800, the national government met here for the first time and assumed exclusive control of the federal district end city. * • • The people of the country are justly proud of the distinctive beauty and government of the capital and of the rare instruments of science and education which here find their natural home. A movement has lately been inaugurated by the citizens to have the anniversary celebrated with fitting ceremonies. • • ♦ I recommend to the congress the granting of an appropriation for this purpose and the appointment of a committee from its respective bodies. The proposal of the czar for a general reduction of the vast military establishments tl.it weigh so heavily upon many peoples in time of peace was communicated to this government with an earnest invitation to be represented in the conference which it is contemplated to assemble with a view to discussing the means of accomplishing so desirable a result. His majesty was at once informed of the cordial sympathy of this government with the principle involved in his exalted P r ?p°? a * a ". of the readiness of the United State* to take part in the conference. The claims of owners of American sealing vessels for seizure by Russian cruisers in Bering sea are being press*, to a settlement. The equities o> cases justifies the expectation that: a measure of reparation even ‘".* » be accorded in harmony with preceden and in the light of the Pr°'' e “ The important question of the cl • of Switzerland to the P er P e,pa ‘ ca "' f tonal allegiance of American citizen. Swiss origin has not mate hopel “‘ progress toward a solution, and troversies in this regard st. tinue. ,b» Th" newly accredited envoy of United States to the Ottoman carries instructions looking to .'with posal of matters in controvert w Turkey for a number of years, especially charged to press for al - settlement of our claims for indernn by reason of the destruction of tne property of American mlsSH ’ nar ‘ h ; Arident in that country during " or menian troubles of 1895, as w ua | the recognition of older claims JU Tbe e arbitral tribunal a PP°,!? te^ t U "e,n the treaty of February, 139 t 0 Great Britain and Y er,pzaela fn the termine the boundary hne betw latter and the co ony of Brit’-" is to convene at Paris during h. ent month. It is a sourc to see gratification to this f over ", I J’ r^ii0 n apthe friendly resort of arbl^ a °”ntroplied to the settlement of this '*l have the satisfaction of bsmß to State that the bureau of the r can republics created in I • t , r . gan for promoting commercia. course and fraternal rela n hemisthe countries of the rr jn . phere, has become a more effi ‘ of jt , strument of the wise P u p 7 c ordi> : founders, and is recely i c bh enlbers of support of the contributing (ch a r< the international union ' n board ol actually represented in itmanagement. , tbe na vy I join with the secretary < f " jf ad . in recommending that thp 6 a inpo rarily miral and vice admira. w bf) baV , revived, to be filled by ir specially distinguished esident the war with Spam. I b na v, also approves ‘he increase recommended by Secretary FS ffr I earnestly urge “P°f" *?|”n pro'idimportance of early leg’ s ‘ ‘ , fth coning for the taking of the twe.i The several de P Brt J? I f lltß l i ve P m 8 r ‘ >al be laid before yon. They J*' a P rf . ~f th» detail the conduct of .the affa and . government during v “ e ' which the discuss many quest!ons UP " |( , ac t. > congress M KIN’-E’ Executive Mansion, D« c - ’•