Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1900 — Page 2

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS

F RESIDENT MKINLEY’S fourth annual message was read to both houses of Congress soon after the assembling of that body on Monday. It was present&i in the usual manner and received by Senator Frye, as President pro tem. of the Senate, and Speaker Henderson, of the House. The message entire contains nearly 18,000 words; and in it the President discusses all the questions that were passed on by the voters in November. It treats of our colonial policy, the needs of the army and navy, the ques--4100 of the Nicaraguan Canal, the pnrj we have played in China, and treats the -question of imperialism as settled. They .'message asks for the passage of a bill j for the civil government of the Philip-1 spines and for the ratification of the| Hay-Pauncef»»te treaty. It strongly* ■ urges the passage of a sliip-suhsidw 'bill and a reduction in the war •enues. It firmly ujges economy. jjajfar !t«s compatible with • needed to e&rrjrjufcJWio nation’s policy •at home and abwSff The message follows: 4 To the Senate and House of Representatives: At of the old and the Incoming of Co- new century you begin the last session of the Fifty-sixth Con--gress with evidences on every hand or -individual and national prosperity and with proof of the growing strength and increasing power for good of republican Institutions. * ■ your countrymen will join with you in felicitation that American liberty is more firmly established than •ever before, and that love for it and the •determination to preserve it are more universal than at finy former period of our history. Jap • The republic, was never so strong, because never so strongly intrenched in the ihearts of the pi|uple as now. The con‘Stitution, with iRw amendments, exists -as it left the haws of its authors. The additions which bjpe been made to it protdaim larger freedom and more extended -citizenship. 'Popular government has ■ demonstrated in its 124 years of trial inhere its stifbility and security, and its ••efficiency as the best instrument of nastional development and the best safeguard to rights. Origin of Chinese Troubles. Tn our foreign intercourse the dominant ■ question has been the treatment of the < Chinese problem. Apart from this our i relations' with the powers have been i happy. The recent troubles in China spring 'from the anti-foreign agitation which for • the past three yeap-s has gained strength .In the northern provinces. Their origin 'lies deep in the character of the Chinese ■ Taces and in the traditions of their gov- > ernment. The Trying rebellion and the • opening of Chinese ports to foreijfti trade ;and settlement disturbed alike the homogeneity and the Reclusion of China. For several ytwrs before the present Troubles all the rAm roes of foreign diplomacy, backed bfr moral demonstrations of the physiealForee of fleets and arms, lure tfeen- nejjped to secure due respect Sfor the treaty lights of foreigners and ito obtain satisfaction from the responsible authorities for the sporadic outrages • upon the persons and property of unoffending sojoSnrners. The sect yommonly styled the Boxers • developed greatly in the provinces north -of Yauglko. and with the collusion of -ifiiany uotaßP otiicials, including some in isthe immed»e councils of the throne it••self, beeantWalarmingly aggressive. No foreigner’s nfe, outside of the protected •treaty ports, was safe. No foreign interest was secure from spoliation. The dip- 1 domatic representatives of the powers in I Pekin strove in vain to check this move- j tiient. Protest was followed by demand , *nd demaiid by renewed protest, to be *net with peWjmctory edicts from the palace and evmive and futile assurances •from the tsmg-li-yamcn.

The increasing gravity of the conditions •In Chita awl the imminence of peril to j our own diversified interests in the cm- j ipire, as well as to those of all the other treaty governments, were soon appreciated by this government, cansing it profound solicitude. The United. States from j the earliest days of foreign intercourse with China had followed a policy of •peace, oujitting no occasion to testify j ;good wiwto further the extension of law-; ful trade, to respect the sovereignty of its government, and to issue by all legiti- j mate and kindly but, earnest means the 1 fullest measure of protection for the lives j .and property of our law-abiding citizens j and for tW exercise of their beneficent anwng the Chinese people. UniftW Action of the Powers. ; "Mindful of this, it was felt to he nppro•priate that our purposes should be pro- | nounied in favor of such course as would ■MsamLimited action of the" powers :it lijPekiftHto promote the administrative re- . fcfonffif !b greatly needed for strengthen- 1 (lug-the imperial government and main-, nttvilDK the integrity ..f China, in which! ißeißiwVcd the whole western world to j ifee aii K. ■ concerned. To these ends I Tfeaused to be addressed to the several Ibo vWrs Occupying territory and maintain- | Eg*phere-~ of inti lienee in China the cir'fflfftar proposals of 1899, inviting from Stem declarations of their intentions and . views as to the desirability of the adop-1 j tion of measures insuring the benefits of •equality of treatment of all foreign trade ; •throughout Chinn. ; With gratifying unanimity the responses coincided in this common policy, enabling me to see in the successful tejj aninatiou of these negotiations protf of friendly spirit which animates the various powers interested in the uutrummelcd development of commerce and industry in the Chinese Empire as n source of vast benefit to the whole commercial world. *llhe marine guard, which had been sent tV%'kiu 17 the autumn of 1899 for the the legation, was withdrawn at the earliest practicable moment, and all pending questions were remitted, as tar as we were concerned, to the ordinary (resorts of diplomatic intercourse. The Chinese government proved, however, unable to check the rising strength *>f the Boxers and appeared to be a prey •to internal dissensions. In the unequal contest the anti-forelgn influences soon ’drained the ascendancy finder the’leadership of prince Tuan. 'Attacks upon foreigners, destruction of their property and daughter of native chnvcrl* were reported firotn all sides. The tsnug-li-yamcn, (already jifrineated wi|h hostile synjpaennin make up effective respodwe to appeals of the legutioum At this crit/totr/uucture, in tfe early spniDg of this , vPar/,a proposal was made by the other #owcrs tlial a rotublwhl fleet shohld be 1 Masembleti m Chinese waters as a moral aeiapustration under* Cover of. which, to «***.*& jjy Cmnese ’government respect' Sof-"foreign, treaty rights and the supmm. v ry

The United StatesJprhilq not participating in the demonstration, promptly sent from the Philippines all ships that could be spared for service on the Chinese coast. A small force of marines was landed at Taku and sent to rekin for the protection of the American legation. Other powers took similar action, until some 400 men were assembled Butal as legation guards'. Still acreased and an attempt of the ips to make a landing at Taku iy a fire from the Chinese forts, were thereupon shelled by the tsseis, the American admiral part in the attack, on the at we were not at war with wo days later the Taku forts were captured after a sanguinary conflict. Severance of communication with l’ekin followed, and the isolatioh of the legation was complete. ’ Heroism of the Legations, k By June 19 the legations were cut off. mn identical note from the yamen ordered Vach minister to leave Pekin, under a promised escort, within twenty-four hours. To gain iinje they replied, asking prolongation of the time, which was afterwards granted, and requesting an interview with the tsung-li-yamen on the following day. No reply fyeing received, on the morning of the 20tn the. German minister, Baron von Ketteler, set/out for the yamen to obtain a response, and- on the way was murdered. An attempt by the legation guard to recover his body was foiled by the Chinese. Armed forces turned out against the legations. Their quarters were surrounded and attacked. The mission compounds were abandoned, their , inmates taking refuge in the British legation, where all the other legations and guards gathered for more effective defense. Four hundred persons were crowded into its narrow compass. Two thousand native converts were assembled in a nearby palace under protection of the foreigners. Lines of defense were strengthened, trenches dug, barricades raised and preparations made to stand a siege, which at once began. “From June 20 until July 17,” writes Minister Conger, “there was scarcely an hour during which there was not tiring upon some part of our lines and into some of the legations, varying from a single shot to a general and continuous attack along the whole line.” Artillery was placed around the legations and on the overlooking palace walls, and thousands of 3-inch shot and shell Were fired, destroying some buildings and damaging all. Attempts were made to burn the legations by setting neighboring houses on fire, but the flames were successfully fought »ff, although the Austrian, Belgian, Italian and Dutch legations were then and subsequently burned. With the aid of the native converts, directed by the missionaries, to whose helpful co-opera-tion Mr. Conger awards unstinted praise, the British legation was made a veritable fortress. It was held to the last, and proved an invaluable acquisition, because it commanded the water gate through which the relief column entered. During the siege the defenders»lost sixty-five killed, 135 wounded and seven by disease —the last being all children. Not only are the protestations of the Chinese government that it protected and succored the legations positively contradicted, hut irresistible proof accumulates that the attacks upon them were made by imperial troops, regularly uniformed, armed and officered, belonging to the command of Jung Lu, the imperial com-mander-in-chief. With the negotiation of the partial armistice of July 14, a proceeding which was doubtless promoted by the representations of the Chinese envoy in Washington, the way was opened for the conveyance to Mr. Conger of a test message sent by the Secretary of State through the kind offices of Minister Wu Ting Fang. Mr. Conger’s reply, dispatched from- IVkin July 18 through the same channel, afforded to the outside world the first tidings that the inmates of the legations were still alive and hoping for succor.

Joint Relief Expedition. This news stimulated the preparations for a joint relief expedition in numbers sufficient to overcome the resistance which for a month had been organizing between Taku and the capital. It e-en-forcements sent by all the co operating governments were constantly arriving. The United States’ contingent, hastily assembled from the Philippines or dispatched from this country, amounted to some 5,000 men, under the able command first of the lamented Col. Liscum and afterward of Gen. Chaffee. Toward the end the July "the movement began. A severe conflict followed at Tientsin, in which Col. Liscum was killed. The city was stormed and partly destroyed. Another battle was fought and won at Yang-tsun. Thereafter the disheartened Chinese troops offered little show of resistance. A few days later the important position of 110-Si-Woo was taken. A rapid march brought the united forces to the populous city of Tung-Chow,, which capitulated without a contest. Aug. 14 the capital was reached. After a brief conflict beneath the walls the relief column entered and the legations were saved. The United States soldiers, sailors and marines, officers and men alike, in those distant climes and unusual surroundings, showed the same valor, discipline and ! good conduct and gave proof of the same | high degree of intelligence and efficiency 1 which have distinguished them iu every j emergency. The imperial family and the govern- ! ment had lied a few days before. The city was without visible control. The remaining imperial Soldiery had made on night of the 13tli a last attempt to exterminate the besieged, which was Editin'ly repelled. It fell to the forces to restore order and wgSsaiie a provisional admiuigtttfttipu. j The policy of the United State* through all this trying period was cleatiy announced and scrupulously carried bn. A circular note to the powers dated July 3 proclaimed our attitude. Treating the conditions in the North a* on,e of virtual anarchy, iu which the great provinces of the South and Southwest had no share, we regarded the local authorities in the latter quarters as representing the Chiriese‘■people with whom wo sought to remain iu peace and friendship. Our declared aims involved no war against the Chinese nation. We adhered to the legitimate office of' rescuing the imperiled legation, obtaining redress for wrongs already sdfflyred, securing wherever possible the safety of American life* and property in China, .and preventing a spread of t|je disorders or their recurrence. A*‘ was then said, '‘the policy of the government of thejUnited States is to seek a solution which may bring about permanent safety and peacd to China, pretMarve Chinese territorial and administrative entity, protect all rights guaranteed to' frjendly powers by, treaty and international law, and safeguard for the world the principle of equal and irapar-S.-si*" ir* * * j. ... 1

tial trade with all parts of the Chinese empire.” We forego no jot of' our undoubted right to exact exemplary and deterrent punishment ofdhe responsible authors and abettors of the criminal acts whereby we and other nations have suffered grievous injury. For the real culprits*, the evil counselors who have misled the imperial judgment and diverted the sovereign authority to their own guilty,, ends, full expiation becomes imperative within the rational limits of retributive justice. * General bases of negotiations formulated by the government of the French Republic have been accepted with certain reservations as to details, made necessary by our own circumstances, but, like similar reservations by other powers, open to discussion in the progress,of the negotiations. The disposition of the emperor’s governmeiit to admit liability for wrongs done to foreign governhients and to act upon such additional designation of the guilty persons ns the foreign ministers at Pekin may be in a position to make, gives hope of a complete settlement of all questions involved, assuring foreign rights of residence and intercourse on terms of equality for all the world. America at Paris Fair. The ypar of the exposition has l>eon fruitful in occasions for displaying the good will that exists between this country and France. Tins great competition brought together from every nation the best in natural productions, industry, science and the arts, submitted in generous rivalry to a judgment made all the more searching because of that rivalry. The extraordinary increase and the activity with which our inventors and wares had invaded new markets caused much interest to center upon the American exhibit, and every encouragement was offered in the way of space and facilities to permit of its being comprehensive as a whole and complete in every part. Despite the drawbacks the contribution of the" United States was not only the largest foreign display, but was among the earliest in place and the most orderly in arrangement. Amicable Foreign Relations. Good will prevails in our relations with the German empire. The settlement of the Samoan problem, to which I adverted in my last message, has accomplished good results. Peace and contentment prevail in the islands. An imperial meat inspection law has been enacted for Germany. While it may simplify the inspections, it prohibits certain products heretofore admitted. There is still great uncertainty as to whether our well-nigh' extinguished German trade in meat products can revive under its new burdens. The work 4 of making certain provisional boundary points for convenience of administration around the head of Lynn ganal, in accordance with the temporary arrangement of October, 1899, was completed by a joint survey in July last. But, however necessary such au expedient may have been to tide over the grave emergencies of the situation, it is at best but an unsatisfactory makeshift, which should not be suffered to delay the speedy and complete establishment of the frontier line to which we are entitled under the Russo-American treaty for the cession of Alaska. For Transisthmian Canal. The all-important matter of an lnteroceanie canal has assumed a new phgse. Adhering to Its refusal to reopen' the question of the forfeiture of the - contract of the Maritime Canal Company, which was terminated for alleged nonexecution in October, 18119, the'government of Nicaragua has since supplemented ttiat action by declaring tlie so-styled Eyre-Cragin option void for nonpayment of the stipulated advance. Protests in relation to these acts have been tiled in the State Department and urc under consideration. Overtures for a convention to effect the building of a canal under the auspices of tlie United States are under consideration. I-commend to tlie early attention of the Senate the convention with Great .Britain to facilitate the construction of such a canal and to remove any objection which might arise out of the convention commonly called the Clayton-Ilulwor treaty.

The long standing contention with Portugal growing out of the seizure of the Delagoa Hay Hallway has been at lust determined by a favorable award of the tribunal of arbitration at Berne, to which It was submitted. Another Illustration of the policy of this government to refer International disputes to Impartial arbitration Is seen in the agreement reached with Kussia to submit the claims on behalf of American sealing vessels seized In Bering Sea to determination by T. M. C. Asser, a distinguished statesman and Jurist of the Netherlands. Large Revenue Surplus. It Is gratifying to be able to state that the surplus revenues for the .fiscal year ended June 30, 1000, were $79,521,060.18. For the six preceding years we had only deficits, the aggregate of which from 1894 to 1899 Inclusive amounted to $283,022,991.14. The receipts for the year from all sources, exclusive of postal revenues, aggregated $507,24u.851.89, aud expenditures for ull purposes, except for the administration of the Postal Department, aggregated $487,713,791.71. The receipts from customs were $233,164,871.10, an Increase over the preceding year of $27,030,389.41. The receipts from lnterual revenue were $295,327,920.70, an Increase of $21,890,705.25 over 1899. The receipts from miscellaneous sources were $38,748,053.97, as against $30,394,970.92 for the previous year. It Is gratifying also to note that during the year a considerable reduction Is shown in t lie expenditures of the government. The War Department expenditures for the fiscal year 1900 were $134,774,707.78, a reduction of $95,000,480.69 over those of 1899. In the Navy Department the expenditures were $55,953,077.72 for the year 1900, as against $03,042,104.25 for the preceding year, a decrease of $7,989,020.53. In the expenditures on account of Imlluns there was a decrease in 1900 over 1899 of $2,030,004.38, and In the civil uinl miscellaneous expenses for 1900 there was a reduction of $13,418,965.74. Because of the excess of revenues over expenditures the Secretary of the Treasury was enabled to apply bonds and other securities to the sinking fund to the amount of $50,544.550,00. The Secretary of the Treasury estimates that the receipts for the current fiscal year will aggregate $580,000,000 and the expenditures $500,000,000, leaving an excess of revenues over expenditures of SBO,000,000. The present comatton oLAkc Treasury Is one of undoubted slrei!gtk,i|j»B available cash balance Nov. '7lO wis sl3b,u(i::.794.50. The cash balance, itiKunlng ' (he present gold reserve of $150,000, (alt Is $280,303.794.50. \ It will be the duly ns I am sure iVwlll be the disposition of the Congress to ptVlde whatever further legislation is needed to insure the continued parity under all miwil. tlons between our two forms of metallic' . money, stiver and gold. Our surplus revenues have permitted the Secretary of the Treasury since the close of the fiscal year to enll In the funded loan ol 1891 continued at 2 per cent, iu the sum of $25,304,500. To and including Nov. 30 $23,458,100 of these bonds have been paid. The law of March 14, 1900, provided for refunding Into 2 per cent thirty-year bonds, payable, principal and Interest, in gold coin of the present standard value, that portion of the public debt represented by the 3 per bonds of 1908, the 4 per cents of 1907 and the 5 per Cents of 1904, of which there was outstanding at the date of said law $839,149,930. The holders of the old bonds presented them for exchange between March 14 aud Nov. 30 to the amount of $304,943,750.* The net saving to the government on these transactions aggregates $9,106,160. Another effect of the operation, ao stated by the Necretary, is to reduce the charge upon the Treasury for the payment of Interest from the dates of rei ,

funding to Feb. 1, 1904, by the sum of more than $7,000,000 annually. Growth of National Banka. The beneficial effpet of the financial act of 1900, as far as it relates to the modification of the national banking act, is already apparent. The provision for the incorporation of national banks with n»capltal, of not less than $25,000 in places not exceeding 3,“000 inhabitants has resulted in the extension of banking facilities to many small communities hitherto unable to provide themselves with banking institutions under the na-‘ tional system. There were organized from the enactment of the law up to and including Nov. 30 369 national banks, of which 266 were with capital less than $50,000 and 103 with capital of $50,000 or more. I recommend that the Congress at its present session reduce the internal revenue taxes Imposed to meet the expenses of the war with Spain in the sum of thirty millions of dollars. I specially urge that there be Included in whatever reduction is made the legacy tax, bequests'for public uses of a literary, educational or charitable character. Aid for Merchant Marine. American vessels during the past three yenrs have carried about 9 per cent of our exports and imports. Foreign ships should carry the least, not the greatest part of American trade. Besides realizing proper national aspiration this will mean the establishment and healthy growth along all our coasts of a distinctive national industry, expanding the field for profitable employment of labor and- capital. In again urging immediate action by the Congress on measures to- promote American shipping and foreign trade, I direct attention to the recommendation on the-subject in previous messages, and particularly to the opinion expressed in the message of 1899: "I am satisfied the. judgment of the conntr.v favors the policy of aid to our merchant marine, which will broaden our commerce and markets and upbuild our sea-carrying capacity for the products of agriculture and manufacture.’.’ Regulation of Trusts. In my last annual message to the Congress I called attention to the necessity for early action to remed3' such evils as might be found to exist in connection with combinations, of capital organized into trusts, and again invite attention to my discussion of the subject at that time, which concluded with these words: ; “It Is apparent that uniformity of legislation upon this subject in the several States is much to be desired. It is to be hoped that such uniformity, founded in a wise and just discrimination between what is injurious and what Is usefni and necessary in business operations, may be obtained, and that means may be found for the Congress, within the limitations of its constitutional power, so to supplement an effective code of State legislation as to make a complete system of laws throughout the United States adequate to compel a general observance of the salutary rules to which I have referred.” The whole question is so far-reaching that I am sure no part of it will be lightly considered, but every phase of it will have the studied deliberation of the Congress, resulting iu wise and judicious action. Bestrnlnt upon such combinations as are injurious, and which are within Federal jurisdiction should be promptly applied by the Congress. Affairs in Philippines. In my last annual message I dwelt at some length upon the condition of affairs in the Philippines. While seeking to impress upon you that the grave responsibility of the future government of those islands rests with the Congress of the United States, I abstained from recommending at that time a specific and final form of government for the territory actually held by the United States forces, and in which as long as insurrection continues the military arm must necessarily be supreme. 1 stated my purpose, until the Congress shall have made known the formal expression of its will, to use the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty of the United Stutes in those distant islands as in all other places where our flag rightfully floats. Progress in the honed-for direction has been favorable. By the spring of this year the effective opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to the authority of the United States was virtually ended, thus opening the door for the extension of a stable administration over much of the territory of the archipelago. Desiring to bring this about, 1 appointed in March last a civil commission composed of William H. Taft of Ohio, Prof. Dean C. Worcester of Michigan, Luke E. Wright of Tennessee, Henry C. Ide of Vermont and Prof. Bernard Moses of .California. The alms of their mlssiou and the scope of their authority are clearly set forth iu my instructions of April 7, 1900, addressed to tlie Secretary of War to be transmitted to them: Iu the message transmitted to the Congress on the sth of December, 1899, 1 said, speaking of the Philippine Islands: "As long as the insurrection continues the military arm must necessarily be supreme. But there Is nojgiason why steps should not be taken from time to time to Inaugurate governments essentially popular lu their form ns fast as territory is held and controlled by our troops. To this end I have appointed the commission named above to continue and perfect the work of organizing and establishing civil government already commenced by the military authorities, subject in all respects to any laws which Congress may hereafter enaet. Without hampering them by too specific Instructions, they should in general be enjoined, after making themselves familiar with the conditions and needs of the country, to devote their attention in the first instance to the establishment of municipal governments, in which the natives of the islands, both in tlie cities nnd in the rural communities, shall lie afforded the opportunity to manage their own local affairs to tlie fullest extent of which they are capable and subject to the least degree of supervision and control which a careful study of their capacities and observation of the .workings of native control show to lie consistent with the maintenance of law, order and loyalty. Administration of the Islands. The next subject In order of importance should be the organization of government in the larger administrative divisions corresponding to countries, departments or provinces in which the common interests of many or several municipalities fulling within the same tribal lines or the same natural geographical limits nlay best be subserved by u common administration. Beginning witii the Ist day of September, 1900, tlie authority to exercise, subject to my approval, through the Secretary of War, that part of the power of government In tlie Philippine Islands which is of n legislative nuture is to lie transferred from the military governor of the islands to tills commission, to be thereafter exercised by them In the place uud stead of the military governor. in tlie establishment of municipal governments tlie commission will take as the basis of its work the governments established by the military governor under his urder of Aug. 8, 189!), and ■under the report of the board constituted by the military governor by Ills order of Jun. 29, 1900, to formulate uud report jyfiau of municipal government. Nat(|nilfflclal« Preferred. The inuny different degrees of civilization and varieties of custotgfßljlcupiiclty among tin- people of the different Islands preclude very definite Instruction •• to the part •which the people shall take In thy selection of their own officers, but these general rules are to be observed: Thnt tn all cases the municipal officers who administer the local affairs of the people arc to l>e selected by the people, and that whatever officers of more extended Jurisdiction are to be selected lit any way, natives of the islands are to be preferred, and If they can be found competent and willing to perform the duties they are to receive the offices In preference to any others It will be necessary to fill some offices for tlie present with Americans which after a time may well be filled by natives of the^Tslunds. In nil the forms of government nnd admlnlrtrative provlalons which they nre autborlzed to prescribe the commission should bear In mind that the government which they are establishing Is designed not for our satisfaction or for the expression of our theoretical views, but for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the people of the Philippine Islands, nnd the measures adopt-

ed should be made to conform to their customs, their hubits, and even their prejudices, to the fullest extent consistent with the accomplishment of the indispensable requisites of just and effective government. At the game time the commission should bear in mind, and the people of the islands should be made plainly to understand, that there are certain great principles of government which have been made the basis of our governmental system which we deem essential to the rule of ludv and the maintenance of individual freedom, and of which they have, unfortunately, Jbqen denied the experience possessed by us; that there are also certain practical rules of government which we have found to be essential to the preservation of these great principles of liberty and law, and that these principles and these rules of government must be established and maintained in their islands for the sake of their liberty and happiness, however much they may conflict with the customs or laws of procedure with whioh they are familiar. Statps of Landholders. It will be the duty of the commission to make a thorough Investigation into the titles to the large tracts of land held or claimed by Individuals or by religious ox-ders; into the justice of the claims and complaints made against such landholders by the people of the island, or any part of the people, and to seek by wise and peaceable measures a just settlement of the controversies and redress of wrongs which have caused strife and bloodshed lu the past. It will be the duty of the commission to promote and extend, and ns they find ocea- ‘ sion, to improve the system of education already inaugurated by the military authorities. < It may he well that the main changes which should be made in the system of taxation and in the body of the laws under which the people are governed, exeppt such changes as have already been made by the military government, should be relegated to the civil government, which is to be established under the auspices of the commission. Fledge of American Army. The articles of capitulation of the City of Manila on the 13th of August, 1898, concluded with these words: “This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship, Its educational establishments, and its private property of all descriptions are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the American army.” 1 believe this pledge has been faithfully kept. Coincidentally with the entrance of the commission upon its labors I caused to be Issued by General Mae Arthur, the military governor of the Philippines, on June 21, 1900, a proclamation of amnesty lu generous terms, of which many of the insurgents took advantage, among them a number of important leaders. This commission made great progress from the outset. As early as Aug. 21, 1900, it submitted a preliminary import, which will be laid before the Congress, and from which it appeai-s that alreauy the good effects of returning order are feit; that business, Interrupted by hostilities, is improving as peace extends; that a larger area is under sugar cultivation than ever before; that the customs revenues are greater than at any time during tue Spauisn rule; that economy and efficiency In tne military administi'atiou have ci-eated a surplus fund of $6,000,000, available for needed public Improvements, that a stringent civil service law Is in preparation; that railroad communications are expanding, opening up rich districts, and that a comprehensive scheme of education Is being organized. Later reports from the commission show yet more encouraging advance toward insuring the benefits of liberty and good government to the Filipinos, In the interest of humanity and with the aim of building up an enduring, self-supporting and self-admin-istering community in those far Eastern seas. X would impress upon the Congress that whatever legislation may be enacted in respect to the Philippine Islands should be along these generous lines. The fortune of war has thrown upon this nation an unsought trust which should be unselfishly discharged, and devolved upon this government a moral as well as muteriul responsibility toward these millions whom we have freed from au oppressive yoke. The civil government of l'orto Rico provided for by the act of Congress-approved April 12, 1900, is in successful operation. The courts have been established. The Govei’nor and his associates, working intelligently and harmoniously, are meeting with commendable success. On the Oth of November a general election was held iu the Island for members of the legislature, and the body elected has been called to convene on the first Monday of December. I recommend that legislation be enacted by the Congress confejying upon the Secretary of the InterioiT'supervistou over the public lands in l’orto ltlco, uud that he be directed to ascertain the location and quantity of lands the title to which remained in the crown of Spain at the date of cession of Porto Rico to the United States. Constitution for Cuba. On the 25th of July, 1900, I directed that a call be issued for an election in Cuba for members of a constitutional convention to frame a constitution as basis for a stable and independent government iu the island. The election was held on the 15th of September, and the convention asembled on the sth of November, 1900, and ts now in session. In calling the convention to order the Military Governor of Cuba made the following statement: “It will be your duty, first, to frame and adopt a constitution for Cuba, anti when that has been done to formulate in your opinion ought to bo the relations between Cuba and the United States. “The constitution must lie adequate to secure a stable, orderly and free government. “When you have formulated the relations which in your opinion ought to exist between Cuba and tlie United States tile government of the United States will doubtless take such action on its part as shull lead to a final and authoritative agreement between the people of the two countries to the-pro-motion of their common interests. ’’All friends of Cuba will follow your deliberations with the deepest interest, earnestly desiring that you shall reach Just conclusions, and that by the dignity, individual self-restraint, uud wise conservatism which shall characterize your proceedings the capacity of the Cuban people for representative government may be signally illustrated, "The fundamental distinction between true representative government and dictatorship is that in the former eveVy representative of the people, iu whatever office, conllnes himself strictly within the limits of his defined powers. Without such restraint then can lit uo free constitutional government. Under the order pursuant to which you have been elected and convened you have no duty nnd no authority to take part in the present government of the island. y ®’J r Powers are strictly limited by the terms of tnat order. When the convention concludes its labor I will transmit to tlie Congress the constitution as framed by the convention for ts consideration nnd for such action us it may d °l°"renew Tlie^ecommendation made In my special message of Fell. 10,1899, ,us to the necessity for cable communication between the United Stutes nnd Hawaii, with extension to Manila. Surveys have shown tlie entire feasibility of a chain of cables which at each stopping place shall touch on American territory, so thnt tlie system shull be under onr own complete control. Onr Milltnry Condition. The present strength of the army Is 100,000 men—6s,ooo regulars and 35,000 volunteers. Under the act of March 2, 1899, on June 30 next the present volunteer force will be discharged and the regular army will be reduced to 2,447 officers und 29,025 enlisted men. ~,-r In 1888 it board of officers convened by President Cleveland adopted a comprehensive scheme of coast defense fortifications, which Involved the outlay ot something over onr hundred million dollars. This plan received the approval of the Congress, and since then regular appropriations have been made and the work of fortification has steadily progressed. More than $60,000,000 have l>een invested In a great number of forts and guns, with all the complicated and scientific machinery and electrical appliances necessary for their use. The proper care of this defensive, machinery requires men trained in Its use. The number of men necessary to perform this duty alone Is ascertained by the War Department at a minimum allowance to be 18,-

420. There are fifty-eight or more military posts in the United Scutes other than the coast defense fortifications. The number of these posts is being constantly increased by the Congress. More than $22,000,000 have . ex P eu(^l; 6 I* l building and equipment, and they can only be cared for by the regular army. The posts now in existence and others to be built provide for accommodations for and if fully garrisoned require 26,000 troops. We have in Cuba between 5,000 and 6,000 troops. For the present our ti'oops in that island cannot be withdrawn or materially diminished, and certainly not until the conclusion of the labors of the constitutional convention now in session and a government provided by the new constitution shall have been established and its stability assured. In Porto Rico we have reduced the garrisons to 1,636, which includes 896 native troops. There Is no room for further reduction here. We will be required to Jteep a considerable force in the Philippine Islands for seme time to come. Frofu the best information obtainable we shall need ther6 for the immediate future from 50,000 to 60r 000 men. I am sure the number may be reduced as the Insurgents shall come to acknowledge the authority of the United States, of which there are assuring indications. It must be apparent that we will require an army of about 60,000, aud that during present conditions in Cuba and the Philippines the President should, have authority to to the present number of 100,000. included in this number authority given to raise native troops in the Philippines up to 15,( 00, which the Taft commlsslon believes will be more effective in detecting and suppressing guerrillas, assassins and ladrones than our own soldiers. Postal Service Grows. The continued and rapid growth of the postal service is a sure Index of the great and increasing business activity of the country. Its most striking new development Is the extension of rural free dellverv. At the beginning of the fiscal year 1899-1900 the number of routes in operation was only 391, and most of these had been running less than twelve months. On the 13th of No-’ vember, 1900, the number had Increased to 2,614, reaching Into forty-four States and • serving a population of 1,801,524. By the close of the current fiscal 4,000 routes will have been established, providing for the dally delivery of mails at the scattered homes of about 3,500,000 of rural population. This service ameliorates the isolation of faMn life, conduces to good roads and quickens and extends the dissemination of general information. Its actual application has shown that it Increases postal receipts and can be accompanied bv reductions Iff other branches of the service, so that the augmented revenues and the accomplished snvlngs together materially reduce the net cost. Very efficient service has been rendered by the navy In connection with the Insurrection in the Philippines and the recent disturbance In China. A very satisfactory settlement has been made of the long-pending question of the manufacture of armor plate. A reasonable price has been secured and the necessity for a government armor plant avoided. Public Land Arena. The total area of public lands as given by the Secretary of the Interior is appi’oxlmately 1,671,881,662 acres, of which 917,935,880 acres are undisposed of and 104,743,782 acres huve been reserved for various purposes. The public lauds disposed of during the year amount to 13,433,887.96 acres, including 62,423.09 acres of Indian lands, an Increase of 4,271,474.80 over the preceding year. The total receipts from the sale of lands during the fiscal year were $4,379,758.10, an Increase of $1,309,620.76 over the preceding year. At the eud of the fiscal year there were on the pension roll 993,223 names, a net increase of 2,010 over the fiscal year 1899. The number added to tbe rolls during the year was 45,344. The amount disbursed for army pensions during the year was $134,700,597.24, and for uuvy pensions $3,701,533.41, a total of $138,462,130.65, leaving an unexpended balance of $5,542,768.2# to be covered luto the treasury, which shows au inci’ease over the previous year's expenditure of $107,077.70. There were 084 uanies added to the rolls during the year by special acts passed at tbe first session of the fiftysixth Congress. Progress of Hawaii. Much interesting iuformation Is given lh the report of the Governor of Hawaii as to the progress and development of the islands during the period from July 7, 1898, the date of the approval of the joint resolution of the Congress providing for their annexation, up to April 30, 1000, the date of the approval of the act providing a government for the territory, aud thereafter. The latest Hawaiian census, tiikeu lu the year 1896, gives a total population of 109,020, of which 31,019 were native Hawallaus. The_ number of Americans reported, was 8,485. The results of the Federal census, taken this year, shows the islands to have a totul population of 154,001, showing an increase over that reported in 1896 of 44,981, or 41.2 (ier cent. Tiiere has been marked progress iu the educational, agricultural aud railroad development of the islands. Tlie Director of the Census states thnt the work In connection with the twelfth census Is progressing favorably. This national undertaking, ordered by the Congress each decade, has finally resulted in the collection of an aggregation of statistical facts to determine the Industrial growth of the country, its manufacturing and mechanical resources, its richness In mines ami forests, the number of its agriculturists, their farms and products, its educational uud religious opportunities, as well as questions pertaining to sociological conditions. The growth of population during the last decade amounts to over 13,000,000, a geruter numer- ■ leal increase than lu uuy previous census in the history of the country. Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture has been extending Its woi-k during the past year, making progress in meteoi’ologleal work relating to lines of wireless telegraphy and forecasts for ocean-going vessels; contluul*g Inquiry as to animal disease; lookiugluto the exteut and character of food uduiterutlou; outlining plans for the cure, preservation and intelligent harvesting of our woodlands; studying soils that producers may cultivate with better knowledge of conditions, und helping to clothe desert places with grasses suitable to our arid regions. Our island possessions nre being considered that their peoples may be helped to produce the tropical products now so extensively brought into the United State* Inquiry Into methods of Improving our roqds lias been active during the fear; help has been given to many localities and scientific Investigation of material in the States and Territories has been inaugurated. An extensive exhibit at Purls of the products of agrleulture bus made the peoples of many countries more familiar with the varied products of our fields aud their comparative excellence. That there may be secured the best service possible In the Philippine Islands, l have issued, undei date of Nov. 10, 1960, the following order: "The United States Civil Service Commission Is directed to render such ns-slstnnce as may be practicable to the Civil Service Board, created under the act of the United States Philippine Commission, for the establishment nml maintenance of an honest aud efficient civil service In the Philippine Islands, nnd, for that purpose to conduct examinations for the civil service of the Philippine Islands, upon the- request of the Civil Service Board of said Islands, under such regulations as may be agreed upon by the said board and the said United States Civil Service Commission." In our great prosperity we must guard against the danger it invites of extravagance in government expenditures and appropriations, aud the chosen representatives ,of the people will, I doulit riot, furnish an example in their legislation of that wise economy which in n season of plenty husbands for the future. Our growing power brings with It temptations and perils requiring c.instwnt vigilance to avoid. It must not be used to Invite conflicts, nor for oppression, but for the more effective main* tenance of those principles of equality and Justice upon which our institutions and happluess depend. Let us keep always in mind that the foundation of our government 1» liberty; hs superstructure peace. WILLIAM M'KINLBY. Executive Mansion, Dec. 8, 1900.