Semi-weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 December 1897 — Page 3

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

National Executive Discusses the Important Subjects Coming ,*• Before Congress.

Jls

OUEEENOY 18 TAXES' UP FIRST

He Would Demand Geld in Exchangi for Greenbacks and Approves

Gage's Bank Reform, -y

'ot in Favor of Any Intervention in .Csbt at Thi.i Time—Approves the Annexatioi of Hawaii—Remarks on Silver Commislion—Needs of the Navy—Extension o:

Aur Foreign Trade—Preservation of Seal*—International Arbitration, Washington, Dec. 6.—President McKinley's first message to the congress of the United States is as follows:

To the Senate and House of Representatives: It gives me pleasure to extend greeting to the Fifty-fifth congress, assembled at the seat of government, with many of whose senators and representatives I have been associated in the legislative service. Their meeting occurs under felicitous conditions, justifying sincere congratulatior. and calling for our grateful acknowl-. edgement to a benefleient Providence which has so signally blessed and pros|l pered us as a nation. Peace and good will with all the nations of the earth 1| continue unbroken. A matter of genuine satisfaction is the growing feeling of fraternal regard and unification ol fi all sections of our country, the incomJf pletehess of which has too long delayed

I realization of the highest blessings ol i~", the Union. The spirit of patriotism is

universal and is ever increasing iif *f fervor. The public questions which now mosl engross us are lifted far above either 'i partisanship, prejudice or former sec-1 tional differences. They affect ever) part of our common country alike, and permit of no division on ancient lines.

Questions of foreign policy, of revenue the soundness of the currency, the inviolability of national obligations, the improvement of the public service, ap-' peal to the individual conscience of every earnest citizen, to whatever parts he belongs or in whatever section of the? country he may reside. The oxtra sesEion of this congress, which closed during July last, enacted important legis-. lation, and while its full effect has noi^ yet been realized, what it has alreadj accomplished assures us of its timeli-' ness and wisdom. To test its perma

The evil of the present system Is found in the great cost to the government oi maintaining the parity of our different forms of money that is, keeping all oi them at par with gold. We surely can,, rot longer be heedless of the burden this imposes upon the people even under fairly prosperous conditions, while the past four years have demonstrated that it is not only an expensive charge upon the government but a dangeroui menace of the national credit. It ia manifest that \ve must devise some plan to protect the government-against bond issues for repeated redemptions. We

thority now given it will continue toi do so. The law which requires the govern-' ment after having redeemed its United States notes to pay them out again as current funds demands a constant replenishment of the gold reserve. This is especially so in times of business panic and when the revenues are insufficient to meet the expenses of the government. At such tims the government has no other way to supply its deficit and maintain redemption, but through the increase of its bonded

SERIOUS QUESTION PROPOUNDED.

est-beariug debt to provide gold for the redemption of United Jitrttes notes—a non-interest bearing debt. Surely il should not pay them out again except on demand and for gold. If they art put out in any other way they may return again to be followed by anothei bond issue to redeem them—another In-terest-bearing' debt to redeem a noninterest bearing debt.

In my view it is of the utmost importance that the government should be relieved from the burden oi providing all the gold required for exchanges and export. This responsibility is alone' borne by the government without any of the usual and necessary banking powers to heir itself. The banks do not fe€l the strain of gold redemption. The whole strain rests upon the government, and the size of the gold reserve in the treasury has come to be, with or without reason, the signal of danger or of security. This ought to be stopped. II we are to ha ve an era of prosperity in the country with sufficient receipts foi the expenses of the government we may feel no immediate embarrassment from our present currency but the danger still exists,, and win be ever present menacing us so long as the existing system continues. And, besides, it is In times of adequate revenues and business tranquility that the government should prepare for. the worst. We can not avoid without serious consequence th* wise consideration and prompt solution of this question.

The secretary of the treasury has outlined a plan in great detail for the purpose of remdVlng the threatened recurrence of a, depleted gold reserve and save us from future embarrassment on that account. To this pUun I invite your careful consideration. I concui with the secretary of the treasury in his recommendation that national banks be allowed to issue notes to the fact value of the bonds which they have deposited for eiruoulation, and that the tax on oircukiting notes secured by deposit of such, bonds be reduced to onehalf of 1 per cent, per annum. I also join him in recommending that authority be given for.the establishment of national banks with a minimum capital oi

This will enable the smaller vil

lages &od agricultural' regions of the country to be supplied with currency to meet their needs.

I recommend that the issue of national bank notes be restricted to the denomination of $10 and upwards. If the suggestions I have herein made shall have the approval of congress, then I Would recommend that national banks 'be required to redeem their notes in -gold.

CONSIDERS THE CtlBAN PROBLEM.

Tells'the Story of the Island's Years ef TJiirest and DlMastest, 3 •".

fife' nlk)jjt important problem with whijitf ,t& Is sov er nm eh Is now called upon to deal pertaining to its foreign relations concerns its duty toward SSpain "fe

wm-ci no iio uuvj tw" WL

nent value further time will berequired| and, the GVJban insurrection. Problems and the people, satisfied with its opera-,}conditions mor,e or less to common with those now existing haveconfronted this government at various times in the past. The story of Cuba for many years has .'been one of unrest growing discotit^it an Effort toward a larger enjoyndeh't of 1ifc'erty and self-centred of organized resistance to the mother •country.*!-of depression after distress and warfare and of ineffeetaml settlement, to be followed by renewed revolt.

tion and results thus far, are in mind to withhold from it a fair trial.

CURRENCY THE XAIN QUESTION.

Calls Attention to "What We. Have Worn and What Is To Be Done. Tariff legislation having been settled by the extra session of congress tiff question next pressing for consideration is that of the currency.

Fotf no enduring period since tie enfranchisement of the continental pos-

The work of putting our finances up- ... on a sound basis, difficult as it majT sessions Of Spain in the western conseem, will appear easier when we recall tineht has the condition of Cuba or the the finacial operations of the govern- ^policy of Spain toward Cuba not caused nient since 1866. [The president ther doncern to the TTnited States. gives a review of the financial operation The prospect from time to time that of the government since the war.]' The tjhe weakness of Spadn's hold upon the brief review of what was accomplished island and the polltleal vicissitudes and from the close of the war to 1893 makes unreasonable and groundless any distrust either of our financial ability oi soundness while the situation from1893 to 1897 must admonish congress oi the immediate necessity of so legislating as to make the return of the condit,. tions then prevailing impossible. There are many plans proposed as a remedy for the evil. Before we can find the true remedy we must appreciate thi real evil. It Is not that our currency 6f every kind is not good, for every dollar of it is good good because the government's pledge will not be broken. How,-, ever, the guaranty of our purpose tc. keep the pledge will be best shown by advancing towards its fulfillment.

embarrassments of the home governijnenf Ifllght lead to the transfer of Cuba to? a continental power called forth, between 1823 and 1S60, various emphatic declarations of the policy of the United" States to permit no disturbance of Cuba's connection with Spain unless in the' direction of independence or acquisition by us through purchase, nor has'.there been any change of this declared policy since upon, the part of the government. The revolution which began in 1868 lasted for ten years, despite the strenuous efforts of the successive peninsular governments to suppress it. Then as now the government of the United-States testified it# grave concern laid offered Its aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba. The overtures -made by General Grant were refused and the war'dragged on, entailing great loss of life

:aiid'

treasure and Increased injury

to American Interests, besides throwing enhanced burdens of neutrality on the government.

In 1878 peace was brought about by the, truce of Zanjon, obtained by negotiations between the Spanish commander, Martinez de Campos, and the insurgent leaders. The present insurrection broke out in February, 18B5. It is not my purpose st this titne to reoall its remarltable increase or to characterise itstena-

must either curtail the opportunity fot cious resistant'against the enormous speculation, made easy by the multl»»j forces massed against it by Spain. The plied redemptions of our demand ob*i| revolt and the efforts te subdue it have ligations, or increase the gold reserve-j carried destruction to every quarter of for their redemption. ... Uhe Island, developing wide proportions

We have $900,000,000 of currency which,! and defying the efforts of Spain for its the government by solemn enactment suppression. The civilized code of war has undertaken to keep at par wi£li has been disregarded np less so by the gold. Nobody is obliged to redeem in 1 Spaniards than by the Cubans. The exgold but the government. The banks isting' conditions cannot but fill this are not required to redeem in gold. The goVfemrtlertt and the American people government is obliged to keep equal With the gravest apprehension. There with gold all its outstanding currency and gold obligations, while its receipts are not required to be paid in gold. They are paid in every kind of money but gold, and the only means by which the government can with certainty get gold is by borrowing. It can get it in no other way when it most needs it. The government without any fixed gold rev-j cnue is pledged to maintain gold re-' de'mption, which it has steadily and-: faithfully done and which under the au- W-V »t Civilized Warfare-Instructions

no desire on the part of our people to profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We halve orily the desire to see the Cubans prosperous and contented, enjoying that measure of self-control which is the Inalienable right of man, protected in their right to reap the benefit of the exha.vstless treasures of their country.

CONCENTRATION IS A FAILURE.

Oiren to Minister Woodford. The offer mat* by my predecessor in Apiril, 1896. tendering the friendly offlcas pf tfris government failed. Any mediation on our part was not accepted. In brief the answer said: ^'There is no effectual«way to pacify Cuba unless it begins with the actual submission of the rebels to the mother country." Then only could Spain agi in the premised direction of her own motion and after her own plans. The cruel policy of concentration was initiated Feb. 16, 18&6. The productive districts controlled by

debt, as during the administration of the Spanish armies were depopulated, my predecessor, when $262,315,400 of! Tha agricultural inhabitants were per cent, bonds were issued and sold herded in and about the garrison and the proceeds used to pay the ex- towns, their lands laid waste and their penses of the government in excess of dwellings destroyed. This policy the lat§. the revenues and sustain the gold re- cabinet of Spain justified as a neces6erve. While it is true that the greater sary measure of war and as a means of part of the proceeds of these bond? cutting off supplies ircm the insurgents, were used to supply deficient revenues, It has utterly failed as a war measure, considerable portion was required to

maintain the gold reserve. Without revenues equal to our expenses there would be no deficit requiring the iseuanc of bonds. But if the gold reserve falls below $100,000,000 how will It be replenished except by selling more bonds? Is there any other way practicable under existing law?

«-as

not *vtlieed

warfare It wa«

ex«erminatiofl. Against this abuse o) th» rights of war I have felt constrained on repeated occasions to enter the flrrc and earnest protest of this government

Shall We Continue lite Preseut Policy?—j Recommendation as to Greenbacks. The serious question then is. shall we continue the policy that has been pursued in the past that is. when the gold reserve roaches the point of danger. issue more bonds and supply the needed gold, or shall we provide othsr means to prevent these recurring draiiH upon the gold reserve? If no further legislatlon is had and the policy of sellins bonds is to be continued, thee zongrw. ahould giro secretary of the treasury author *.to. sell- bonds at long-6i: short period.-* .^ai ing a less rato of in-! terest than is now authorised by lav.-. f. I earnestly vtcomraend, as soon a the receipts of the government are quit* sufficient to pay all the exepenses of th and every sentiment of humaaity. should jj government, that vrhvn any of the Unit ed States notes are presented for re

I feit it my firet duty to maki

instant demand for the release oi speedy trial of all American citizens un-1 der arrest.

The instructions giveh to our new minister to Spain before his departure 'for his post directed hln to impress upon that government the sincere wish of the United Statei to lend its aid toward the ending of th war in Cuba by reachin&'a peaceful an lasting result, just and honorable alik to Spain and "to the Cuban people Those -instructions recited the charactei and duration of the contest, the wide-' spread losses it entails, the burdens anc restraints it imposes upon us, witt constant disturbance of national interests, and the injury resulting from ax indefinite continuance of this state o!! {hinges It was stated' that at thit juncture *. nr governmeiC was constrained to seriously inquire if the time was not ripe when Spftin of her owe volition, .moved by her own interest!

put a stop to this destructive war anc rtsatke -proposals of settlement hoitorablc

demption in gold and are redeemed it to herself and just to her Cuban colony goM sucfc notes shiitt be kept find se apart, and only paid out in exchangt

It was urged that as a, neighboring nation..with large interests Cuba, wi

tor gold. Tki* ari ouviaus duty. I could required to wait only a reasonthe holder of tb« State# able time fay the mother country tc prefers the gold andit from thi esUblfsih" its authortly and restore ordei •government he shVuid ntit receive becTi within trie borders of the i#iand: that frtwn

t-iitted States note without pay we could no contemplate as indefinite ing g«M as exchange fot It, Tis reaso: f*rWd' ft)r the accomplishment of thi* for thin is matie ail the more apparer.i result..* No. solution was proposed tc iW SfVjRmifrVit wvah intgr- vhi^h tbe slightest iclea j^rnfyaUox

to Spain could attach and indeed precise proposals were withheld to avoic embaj-rassment to that government.

All that was asked or expected vrai that some safe way might be speedily provided and permanent peace restored It so chanced that the consideration OJ this offer, addressed te the same Spanish administration whioh had declined the tenders of my predecessor an€ whioh for mere than two years had poured men and treasure into Cuba ir the fruitless effort to suppress the re volt, fell to others. Between the departure of General Woodford, the new envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the statesmen who had shaped the policy oi his country fell by the hand of ar assassin, and although the cabinet oi the late premier still held office and received from our envoy the proposals he bore that cabinet gave place within a few days thereafter to a new administration under the leadership of Sagasta

SEPLT THAT SAOASTA MADE.

Ackkaowlodgos Our Interest aad Outline) a New Policy.

In the absence of a declaration of the measures that this government proposes to take in carrying out ite prfiffer ol good offices suggests that Spain be left free to conduct military operations and grapt political reforms while the United States, for its part, shall enforce its neutral obligations and eut off the assistance which it is asserted the in surgents reeefve from this country. The supposition ef an indefinite prolongation of the war is denied. It is asserted that the western protfnpes are already well nigh reclaimed that the planting of cane and tob%eee therein has been resumed, and 'tbat by force of arms and new E^ftd aanple reforms vexy eaarJy and complete p&cifteanon is hoped for. The Immediate amelioration ef estefclng conditions under the new administration of Cuban affaire is predicted, and therewithal the disturbance and all occasion for any ehange of attitude on the part of the United States.

Discussion of the question of the international duties and i^pofisf&lfrttes of the United States as Spain understands them is presented wtth an apparent disposition to charge us with failure in this regard. This eliarge is without any basis in fact it e«aM not have been made if Spain heed been cognizant of the constant efforts tltts government has made at the cost of milliens and by the employment ef the administrative machinery of the ballon at command to perform its ftfll duty according to the law ef nations. I'hat it has successfully prevented the departure of a single military expedition or armed vessel from our shores in violation of our laws would seem to fee a sufficient answer. But of this aspect, of the Spanish note it is not necessary to speak further novs^ Firm In the conviction of a wheftly performed obligation, due response to this charge has been made in diplomatic eeuTse.

Throughout all these horrors and dangers to our own peace this government has never broken over or in any way abrogated its sovereign prerogative of reserving to itself the determination of its policy and course according to its enrfn high sense of right and in consonance with the dearest interests and convictions of our dwti people, should the prolongation of ttte war so demand.

HSUVRBS AS TW VRTKSfi.

Refer* to Congressional Aetisns and Recognition of Cuban JSnlUgerenoy. Of the untried measures there remain only: Recognition of the insurgents as belligerents recognition ef the independence of Cuba neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between the insurgents, and intervention in favoi of one or the other party. I speak not of forcible annexation, for that cannot be thought of. That by our code of morality would be criminal aggression Recognition of the belllgerenfejr of thf Cuban insurgents has often been canvassed as a possible if not inevitable step, both in fegard to the previous ten years' struggle and during the pre? ent war. I am not unmindful that two bouses of conjrress in the spring o' 1896 expressed the opinion by concurrent resolution that a condition of public war existed requiring or justifying the recognition of the state of belligerency in Cuba, and doring the extra session the senate voted a joint resolution of like Import, which, however, was not brought to a vote in the house of representatives.

In the presence of these significant expressions of the sentiment of the legislative branch it behooves the exect»tiv to soberly consider the conditions undei which so important a measure mus needs rest for justification. It fs "to b( seriously considered whether the Cubai insurrection possesses beyond di»ut« the attributes of statehood which atom can demand the recognition of belligerency in its favor. Possession, in short of the essential qualifications of saver eignty by the insurgents and the con duct of the war by them according ti the received code of war are no lest important factor* toward the determlna tion of the problem of belligerency that are the influences and consequences a the struggle upon the internal politj of the recognizing state. [The president then quotes approvingly the utterances of President Gran in his message of Deo. 7, 1875, when h( said that recognition of the independence of Cuba was indefeasible at thai time and that belligerence was a faci that the Cuban situation then did noi present.]

Turning to the practical a^ects of recognition of belligerency and reviewing its inconveniences and positive dangers still further pertinent considerations appear. In the code of nationi there is no such tiring as a naked recognition of belligerency unaccempaniec by the assumption of international neutrality. Such recognition without naon will not confer upon either party t« a domestic conflict a status not heretofore actually possessed, or aftect th relation of either party to other states The act of

recognition

The reply to our note was received er the -23d day of October. It is in the direction of a better understanding. II appreciates the friendly purposes of thi« government. It admits that our countrj is deeply affected by the war in Cubs and that its desires for peace are just It declares that the present Spanish government is bound by every consid eratlon to a change of policy that should satisfy the United States and pacify Cuba within a reasonable time To this end Spain has decided to put into effect the polictical reforms heretofore advocated by the present premier, without halting for any consideration in the path which in its judgment lead! to peace. The military operations, it it said, will continue, but will be humans and conducted with all regard for private rights, being aocompanied by political action leading to the autonomy of Cuba while guarding Spanish sovereignty. This, it is claimed, will re suit in investing Cuba with a dlstincl personality the Island to be governed by an executive and by a local council or chamber, reserving to Spain the control of the foreign relations, the army and naVy and the judicial administrate cm. To accomplish this the present government proposes 'to modify exist ing legislation by decrees, leaving the Spanish cortes, tvith the aid of Cuban senators a&d deputies, to solve the economic profefefti and properly distribute the existing debt.

takes thi

form of a solemn proclamation of neutrality wtiich recites the dfe facto condition of belligerency as its motive. It announces a domestic law of neutrality in the declaring state, it assumes th international obligation* of a neutral ir the presence of a pubtie state of. war It warns aR citisens and others withir the jurisdiction of the prodaimaat thai they violate those righteous obligation: at their own peril, and cannot expect to be shiekfcd from the cense«ueribes.

The right ef visit and search on th seas and seizures- ef vessels and car goes as contraband ef war and goot prise under admiralty law must under international law be admitted as a legitimate consequence of a proclamation of belligerency. While according the equal belligerent rights defined bjj public law to each party in our perts disfavors would be irspoeed on botf which, -^vhll^ nominally equal, woult weigh heaviTy in behalf of Spain he^fslf. Possessing a $a,vy aeA SontraJii:^

WE: OPEN

.... .. ...

6 6 9 A N S

With a First Class Line of

the ports of Cfifea her maritime rights could be asserted not only for the military investment ef the island but up tc the margin of our own territorial waters, and a condition of tbiCKS would exist for which the Cubans within theii own domain could not hope to create »pe a parallel, wfiile its creation througfc aid or sympathy from within our domain would b# even' tnore impossible than now, with the additional obligations of international 5 neutrality would perforce assume.

The enforeament of thds enlarged onerous code of neutrality would onlj be influential wKBln our own Jurisdiction by land afid sea and applicable by our own Instru^ehtalSties. It ceulc impart to the U&ued States no jurisdiction between S&aln and the insurgents. It wouSfl give the United States no right of intervention te etrforce the conduct of t{ie strife within the paramount authority ef Spain according tc the international cosie of war. For these reasons I regard the recognition of the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents as now unwise and therefore inaamissable. Should that step hereafter be deemed wise as a measure of right and duty the executive will take It.

AS XO HUMANITARIAN GBOCXD.

Seasons Advsmoed Why fh« United Statei i' Should Bold lU Uaad. 'intervention upon humanitarian grounds has been frequently suggested, and has not failed to receive my mosl anxious and earnest consideration. Bui should such a step be how taken when it is app&i'erit that a hopeful change has supervened the policy of Spain toward! Cuba? A new government has taken office in the mother country. It is pledged in advance to the declaration that all the etf&rt in the world cannot suffice to '•maintain peace in Cuba by the bayonet that vague promises of reform after subjugation afford no solution of the insular problem that with a substitution of commanders must come a change of the past system oi warfare for one in harmony with a new policy which shall no longer aim to drive the Cubans to the "horrible alternative of taking to the thicket oi succumbing in misery,-* that reforms must be instituted in accordance with the needs and circumstances of the time, and t^at these reforms, while designed to give fuH autonomy te the colony and to create a -virtual entity anc self-controlled admipi*tration, shall yet assert and affirm the sovereignty ot Spain by a just distrfbtiticn of powern and burdens upon a fcatfis of mutual interest untainted by methods of selfish expediency.

The first acts of the new government lie in thesifc honorable paths. The policy of cruel rapine and extermination that so long shocked the universal sentiment of humanity has been reversed. Under the new military commander a broad clemency is proffered. Measures save already been set on fo&t to relieve the horrors ef starvation. The power of the Spanish armies, it is asserted, is to be used not te spread ruin and desolation, but to protect the resumption of peaceful agricultural pursuits and productive industries. That past methods are futile to force a peace fey subjugation is freely admitted, and that ruin without conciliation must inevitably fail to win for Spain the fidelity of a contented dependency.

Decrees in application of the foreshadowed reforms have already been promulgated. The full text of these decrees has not been received, but as furnished in a telegraphic summary from our minister are: [The president here summarizes the scheme of autonomy, which has been already wideiy printed in the press.] That the government of Sagasta has entered upon a course from which recession with horer is impossible can hardly be questioned that in the few weeks that it has existed it has made earnest of the sincerity of its professions is undeniable. I shall not impugn its sincereity, nor should impatience be suffered to embarrass it in the iit has undertaken. It is honestly duexpt Spain and to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expectations and to prove the asserted efficacy of the new order of things te which she stands irrevocably committed. She has recalled the commander whose brutal orders inflamed the American mind and shocked the civHised world. She has modified the horrible ord^- of concentration, and has undertaken to care for the helpless and permit those wtio desire to resume the cultivation of their -fields to do so, and assures of them ef the protection of the Spanish government in tlwKr lawful occupations. She has Just released the Competitor ps4sonfe«s heretofore sentenced to death, and e'fco have been the subject ef repeated diplomatic correspondence durtaff both this and the' preceding adtfftni&fftfc&e*.

Not a single Ahieriea*i eittaen is now

arrest or conftrf&fneijt in Cuba ef whom this government has stvy knowledge. The near future will dempntftrate whPt'.:-r the indispensable oendition ef a rifi" ous peace, jost atftee to the Cuban? and to Spain, as weti as eq.uiti£le to our interests se inttmsteiy tevorredin the welfare of Cuba, Is likely to W attained. If net, the exigency ef futther and other action by the tlnjrted, States will remain to be taken, when that titee comes *tet action will be determined in the lifie of indisputable right and duty. It will be ffcebd /wrlth-. out mtsgivlng heaititney in the lifFht o( the obligation this government owes tc itself, te the people ho have ootiflded to it the protection pf their interests and Iwnor, and to hurranlty

all

CAPS-GLOVES

These goods are all new, and |he very latest shapes and styles. We shall give prices that will astonish g| the public.

We are here to stay and for business, hk We do not intend to make a fortune off one customer—we go on the ptinciple of small profits and quick sales,

F. WOOD.'

upright and patrfotic considerations, moved neither by passion nor selfishness, the government will continue its watchful care over the rights and property of American citisens, and will abate none of its efforts to bring about by peaceful agencies a peace which shall be honorable and endwrtn*. If 11 shall hereafter appear to be a auty imposed by our obligations to ourselves, to civilization ap.d humanity, to inter, vene with force it shall be without fauli on our part, and only because the necessity for such action will be so. cleai as to command the support and approval of the civilized world.

FAVORS HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION.

Says That Every Consideration of Honoi and Dignity Requires the Same. By a special message dated the 16th day of June last, I laid before the senate a treaty signed that day by the plenipotentiaries of the United State* and of the republic of Hawaii having for Its purpose the incorporation of the Hawaiian islands as an* integral pari of the United States and under its sovereignty. The senate having removed the injunction of secrecy, although the treaty is still pending before that body, the subject may be properly referred to In-this message because the necessary action'of the congress is required to determine, by legislation many details of the eventual union, should the fact of annexation be accomplished, as I believe it should be. While consistently disavowing from a very early period any aggressive policy of absorption in regard to the Hawaiian group, a long series of declarations through three-quarters of a century has proclaimed the vital Interest of the United StateB in the independent life of the islands and their intimate commercial dependence upon this country. At the same time it has been repeatedly asserted that in no event could the entity. of Hawaiian statehood cease by the passage of the islands under the domination or influence of another power than the United States.

Under these circumstances the logic of events required that annexation, heretofore offered but declined, should in the ripeness of time come about as the natural result of the strengthening ties that bind us to those islands, and be realized by the free will of the Hawaiian state. That treaty was unanimously ratified without amendment by the senate and president of the republic of Hawaii on the 10th of September last, and only the favorable action of the American senate to effect the complete absorption of the islands into the domain of the United States- What the conditions of such a union shall be, the political relation thereof to the United States, the character of the local administration, the quality and degree of the elective franchise of the inhabitants, the extension of the federal laws to the territory or the enactment of special laws ta fit the peculiar condition thereof, the regulation, if need be, of the labor system tharein —are all matters which the treaty has wisely relegated to the congress.

If the treaty is confirmed, as every consideration of dignity and honor requires. the wisdom of congress will see to it that, avoiding abrupt assimilation of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to share in the highest franchises of citizenship, and having due regard to the geographical conditions, the most just provisions for self rule in local matters, with the largest political liberties as an integral part of our nation will be accorded to the Hawaiians. No less is due to a people who, after nearly five years of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obligations of self governing statehood, come of their own free will to merge their destinies in our body politic.

The questions whieh have arisen between Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treatment of Japanese laborers emigrating to the islands under the Ha-waiian-Japanese Convention of 1968 are in a satisfactory stage of settlement by negotiation. This government has not been invited to mediate, and on the other hand has sought no Intervention in that matter further than te evince its kindliest disposition toward such a speedy and direct adjustme&t by the two sovereign states i«t interest ac shall comport with equity and heder. It is gratifying to learn that the apprehensions at first disptag^d en the part of Japan lest th* cessation ef XXawWia's national life through annoaaAhm might Impair privileges to which J*pan honorary IaUl claim, have given place to confidence in t-fce upritfBlAess of this government and in rbe *nlHi ef Its purpose to deal with aA pq&tple ulterior questions in the broadOrit spirit of friendliness.

WOUWRS MMWSOX FOR Si*. VSR.

President Mepe* IhM May Tat Reamlt in an AgMemeikfc ,T Under the provisions ef thi of oongress approved March jL 107, for the premdupn of an intarnaltenai agreement reS»e#nr hfenef I app&feitedonftc Atfe ter of MBT. Hen. Edwaii Q, WeHMtt, ef Cblerado Sen. Adkai £. Stevenwta, orWHryfls, and Bin, ChaMes J. Ifcfcie. MaJMifehtMwUs. as speciii emrays t» the United States. They have be«h di&tent In their efforts te sMtfre tfiVee-eporation ef SureipeeQ. ftyatvifcs in the istefita-v Uesal settiefpMtt A the qugstRm, but up to this tifte haVe net been able to seottxe ap agreement c««fcempi£ted by their mthsien. The gnatreyiog action ef our great sister- sepublic of EVance in Joining this country in the attempt .te Tbrlng about an agreement

lias

among the principal coromrfctel nations of Europe whereby a fixed and relative value between gold and silver shall be secured, furnishes assurances that we are net aloue among the largiizlng the international character of the problem.

er nations of the world in realizing

and in the desire of revoking some wise and practical solution of it. The British government has published- •, a resume of the steps taken jointly by the French ambassador th London and the special envoys of tbe United States, with whom eur ambassador at Iroadon actively co-operated in the pMsenta- jtion of this snbieet to her o.ajesty'a' government. This will be laid before congress. Our special envoys have not made their final report, as further ne-

goti&tlons between the representatives 4«r of this government and the govern- -J," ments of other countries are pending v« and in contemplation. They believe that doubts which have been raised in certain quarters respecting the position of & maintaining the stability of the parity between the metals, and kindred ques- •rations, may yet be solved by further negotiations.

While it gives me satisfaction to state that the special envoys have already demonstrated their ability and fitness to deal with the subject, It is to be earnestly hoped that their labors may result in an international agreement which will bring about recognitlen of both gold and silver as money upon such terms and with such safeguards as will secure the use of both metals upon a basis which shall work no injustice to any class of oui citizens.

EXTENSION OF FOREIGN TRADE,

Negotiation of Reciprocity Treaties—The '5 Seal Question—Arbitration. In order to execute as nearly as possible the provisions of the third and fourth sections of the revenue act approved July 24, 1897, I appointed the Hon. John A. Kasson, of Iowa, a special commissioner plenipotentiary to undertake the requisite negotiations with foreign countries desiring to avail themselves of these previsions. The negotiations are now proceeding with several governments, both European and American. It Is believed that by a careful exercise of the powers conferred by that aot some grievances of our own and of other countries in our mutual trade relations may be either removed or largely alleviated, and that the vol*. ume of our commercial exchanges may be enlarged with advantage to both contracting parties.

The efforts which had been mada during the two previous years by my predecessor to secure better protection to the fur seals in the north Pacifid ocean and Behring sea were renewed at an early date by this administration, and have been pursued with earnestness. Upon my invitation the governments of Japan and Russia sent delegates to Washington and an international conference was held during the months of October and November last, wherein it was unanimously agreed that under the existing regulations this specit-s of useful animals waa threatened with extinction and that an international agreement of aH the interested powers was necessary for their adequate protection.

The government of Great Britain did not see proper to be represented at this conference, but subsequently sent tc Washington as delegates the expert commissioners of Great Britain and Canada, who had during the past tw« years visited tlie Pribilof islands, and who met in conferonce similar commissioners on the part of the United States. The result of this conference was an agreement cn important facts connected with the condition of the seal herd heretofore in dispute, which should place beyond controversy the duty oi the governments concerned to adept measures without delay f?r the preservation arid restoration of the herd. Negotiations to this end are now in progress, the result of which I hope to d« able to report to congress at an early day.

International arbitration can not be omitted from the list ef subjects claiming our consideration. Events have only served to si-erigth the general views on the questU 1 expressed ir. my Inaugural address. The best sentiment of the civilized world Is moving toward the settlement of differences between nations without resorting to the horrers of war. Treaties embodying these humane principles on broad lines, without in any way imperiling our interests or our honor, shall have my constant encouragement. ... ,'v

NAVY NOW IN NEED OF DO K".

AIM of Armor and Projectile*—Rem»i*4t

on Civil Service Reform.

The great increase of the navy vrlil&U has taken place In recent ytu •, jusifted by the requirements for i.atjr i- /. al defense and has received public probation, tae time ha.3 ccvw airiv"v„ however, when this Increase should js|g a Mine Wee the form Of increased farilU ties ciifiitonsuraie with the increase t. eur naval vessels. It is an uniorcu: a'-i faet that there is only one dock on tiia Pacific coast capable oi docking our largest sUips, and dnly one cn the Atlantic coast, and that the latttr has- for the hist «lx er seven months been under repair and therefore incapable of use. Immediate steps should be ts.kto provide foree or four docks of this capacity en the Atlantic coast, at leastone en tbe Pacific coast, and a floating dock on the gulf.

There shobld also be ample provision made for powder and projectiles^ a«vl Continued on Fifth Page.