Evening Star Newspaper, December 7, 1896, Page 17

THE EVENING STAR. eae es PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Aveaue, Cor. 11th St, by The Star Ne Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. Few York Ofce, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers In the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cents per month. Coples at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—apywhere in the Enited states or postage prepald—60 cents mont! pasted Quintopte Sheet Star, $1 per sear, with ign postage added, $3.00. ‘Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. second-class mail riatter.) TF All mail subscriptions imust he patd In advance, Retes of advertising made known on applicath e Fen } ny Stave. No. 13,655. WASHINGTON, Dy. 9 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1896. Spain Asked to Concede Genuine Home SPANISH PROMISES 10 BE GUARANTEED Rule to Cuba. Plan Proposed for Bringing the Bloody Warfare to an End, . force such a hostile presence there as might be effective for prevention or protection would not only be resisted by the Ottoman TARIFE, REVENUE, TROSTS| Situation in Turkey--Peaceful Set- tlement of the Venezuelan Dis- government, but would be regarded as an interruption of their plans by the great na- tions who assert their exclusive right to in- tervene in their own time and method for the security of life and property in Turkey. ¥ Fleet in the Mediterr: in, Several naval vessels are stationed in the pute--The Great Cost of Second Class Mail Matter--Sugges- tions About Pensions--Cur- rency Reforms Recom- mended--Various Other Topics Discussed. Following is the full text of the annual message sent to Congress today by Presi- Gent Cleveland: To the Congress of the United State As resentatives of the people in legis 2 branch of their government embled at a time when the stren, nce of our free institutions and of our citizens to enjoy popular in made manifest. t invelving momentous quences, fraught with feverish appr hension, and creating aggressiveness so in e as to approach bitterness and passion, ed throughout our land, and the decree of free and inde- without disturbance of cur tranquility or the least sign of weak- ness in our national structure. the rou have as: and & the rule have been ag A political conte fines: When we consider these incidents and ntemplate the peaceful obedience and ; submission which have succeeded a 1 clash of political opinions, we dis- r abundant evidence of a determination on the part of our countrymen to abide by ery verdict of the popular will and to be mtrolied at all times by an abiding faith in the agenctes established for the direction of the affairs of their government. ‘Thus our people exhibit a patriotic dispo- sition which entitles them to demand of those who undertake to make and execu their laws such faithtul and unselfish ser’ ice in their behalf as can only be prompted by a serious appreciation of the trust and confidence which the acceptance of public duty invites. In obedience to a constitutional require- ment, I herein submit to the Congress cer- tain information concerning national af- fairs, with the suggestion of such legisla- tien as In my judgment is necessary and expedient. To secure brevity and avoid tiresome narraticn, I shall omit many de- Is concernmg matters within federal con- trol, which though by no means unimpor- tant, are more profitably discussed in de- partmental reports. I shall also further curtail this communication by omitting a minute recital ef many minor incidents con- ed with our joreign relations which have heretofore found a place in executive s, but are row contained in a report of the Secretary of State, which is here- With submitted. i THE TURKISH SITUATION. At the outset of a reference to the more important matters affecting our reiations with foreign powers, it would afford me sat ion if I could assure the Congress that the disturbed condition in Asiatic Turkey had during the past year assumed a less hideous and bloody aspect, and that either as @ consequence of the awakenings of the Turkish government to the demands of humane civilization, or as the result of decisive action on the part of the great na- tion having the right by treaty to interfere for the protection of those exposed to the rage of mad bigotry and cruel fanaticism the shocking features of the sityation had been mitigated. Instead, however, of wel- coming a softened disposition or protective intervention we have been afflicted by con- tinued and not unfrequent reports of the wanton destruction of homes and the bloody butchery of men, women and chil- dren, made martyrs to their profession of Christian faith. While none of our citizens in Turkey have thus far been killed or wounded, though often in the midst of dreadfui scenes of danger, their safety in the future is by no means assured. Our government at home and our minister at Constantino- ple have left nothing undone to protect our missionaries in Ottoman territory, who ccnstitute nearly all the individuals resia- ing there, who have a right to claim our protection on the score of American citi- zenship. Our efforts in this direction will rot be relaxed; but the deep feeling and sympathy that have been aroused among our people ought not to so far blind their reason and judgment as to lead them to demand impossible things. The outbreaks of blind fury, which lead to murder and Pillage in Turkey, occur suddenly and with- cut notice, and an attempt on our part to Mediterranean as a measure of caution and to furuish all posstvle relief and refuge in case of emergency We have made claims against the Turk- ish government for the pillage and de- struction of missionary property at Har- poot and Marash during uprisiags at those pla far the validity of these demands not been admitted, though our minister prior to such outrages, and in anticipation of danger, demanded protec- tion for the persons and property of cur missionary citizens in the localities meu- tioned, and notwithstanding that strons evidence exists of actual complicity of Turkish soldiers in the work of destruction and robbery 3 The facts as they now appear do not permit us to doubt the justice of these claims,and nothing will be omitted to bring about their prompt settlement. A number of Armenian refugees having arrived at our ports an order has lately | been obtained from the Turki: govern- ment permitting the wives and children of such refugees to join them here. It is hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be interposed to prevent the escape of all | those who seek to avoid the perils which threaten them in Turkish dominion: | Our recently appoiated consul to Erzeroum fs at his post and discharging the duties of his office, though for some unaccounta- ble reason his formal exequatur from the sultan has not been issued. I do not be- lieve that the present somber prospect in Turkey will be long permitted to offend the sight of Christendom. It so mars the humane and enlightened civilization that belongs to the close of the nineteenth century that it seems hardly possible that the carnest demand of good people throughout the Christian world for its corrective treatment will remain unan- swered. THE STRUGGLE IN CUBA. The Insurrection in Cuba. still continues with all its perplexities. It 1s difficult to perceive that any progress has thus far been made towards the pacification of the island or that the situation of affairs as de- picted in my last annual message has in the least improved. If Spain still holds Havana and the seaports and all the con- siderable towns, the insurgents still roam at will over at least two-thirds of the in- land country. If the determination of Spain to put down the insurrection seems but to strengthen with the lepse of time, and is evinced by her unhesitating devotion of largely in- creased military and naval forces to the task, there is much reason to believe that the Insurgents have gained in point of numbers, and character, and resources, and | are none the less inflexible in their resolve not to succumb, without practically secur- ing the great objects for which they took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-establish- ed her authority néither have the insur- gents yet made good their title to be re- garded as an independent state. Indeed, as the contest has gone on, the pretense that civil government exists on the island, ex- cept so far as Spain is able to maintain it, has been practically abandoned. Spain does keep on foot such a government, more or less imperfectly, in the large towns and their immediate suburbs. But, that excep- tion being made, the entire country is either given over to anarchy or is subject to the military occupation of one or the other party. It is reported, indeed, on re- liable authority that, at the demand of the commander-in-chief of the insurgent army, the putative Cuban government has now given up all attempt to exercise its func- tions, leaving that government confessedly (what there is the best reason for suppos- ing it always to have been in fact) a gov- ernment merely on paper. An Ambuscaded Enemy. Were the Spanish armies able to meet their antagonists in the open or in pitched battle prompt and decisive results might be looked for, and the immense superiority of the Spanieh forces in numbers, discipline and equipment, could hardly fail to tell greatly to their advantage. But they are called upon to face a foe that shuns gen- eral engagements, that can choose and does choose its own ground, that from the pvature of the country is visible or inyigible at pleasure, and that fights only from am- buscade and when all the advantages of Position and numbers on its side. In a country where all that is indispensable to life in the way of food, clothing and shelter is so easily obtainable, especially by those born and bred on the soil; it is obvious that there is hardly a limit to thetime during which hostilities of this sort may be pro- longed. Meanwhile, us’ in all cases of pro- tracted civil strife, the passions of the combatants grow more and more inflamed and excesses on both sides become more frequent and more deplorable. They are also participated in by bands of marauders who, now in the name of one party and now in the name of the other, as may best suit the occasion, harry the country at will and plunder its wretched inhabitants for their own advantage. Such a condition of things would inevitably entail immense de- struction of property, even if it were the Policy of both parties to prevent it as far as practicable. But while such seemed to be the original policy of the Spanish govern- ment, it has now apparently abandoned it and is acting upon the same theory as the insurgents, namely, that the exigencies of the contest require the wholesale annihila- tion of the property that it may not prove of use and advantage to the enemy. Destruction of Sugar Interests. It is to the same end that in pursuance of general orders, Spanish garrisons are now being withdrawn from plantations and the rural population required to concen- trate itself in the towns. would seem to be that the industrial value of the island fs fast diminishing, and that unless there fs a speedy and radical chang in existing conditions, it will soon disap- pear altogether. That value consists very largely, of course, in its capacity to pro- The sure resuit duce sugar—a capacity already much re- duced by the interruptions to Uliage whi have taken place during the last two years It is reliatly asserted that should th interruptions ccntinue during the cur year, and practically extend, as is now threatened, to the entire sugar produciag territory of the island, so much time and so much money will be required to re- store the land to its normal productivene that it is extremely doubtful if capital can be induced to even make the attempt. The spectacle of the utter ruin of an a Joining country, by nature one of the most fertile and charming on the globe, would engage the serious attention of the gov- ernment and people of the United Staces in any circumstance In point of fact, they have a concern with it which is by no means of a wholly sentimental or phil thropic character. It lies so near to us < to be hardly separated from our territo: Our actual pecuniary interest In It is second only to that of the people and government of Spain. It is reasonably estimated that at least from $30,000,000 to $50,000,000 of. Americar capital are invested in plaata- tions and in railroad, mining and other business enterprises on the island. Th volume of trade between the United States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted to about $64,000,000, rose in 1893 to about $103,000,000, in 1894, the year before the present insur- rection broke out, amounted to nearly $96, 000,000, Besides this large pecuniary stake in the fortunes of Cuba the United States finds itself inextricably involved in ihe present contest in other ways both vexa- tious and costly. Sympathy With the Insurgents. Many Cubans reside in this country, and indirectly promote the insurrection through the press, by public meetings, by the pur- chase and shipment of arms, by the raising of funds and by other means, which the spirit of our irstitutions and the tenor of our laws do not permit to be made the sub- Ject of criminal prosecutions. Some of them, thovgh Cubans at heart and in all their feelings and interests, have taken out papers as naturalized citizens of the Unit- ed States, a proceeding resorted to with a view to possible protection by this 'gov- ernment, and not unnaturally regarded with much indignation by the country of their origin. The insurgents are undoubt- eély encouraged and supported by the wide- spread sympatky the people of this country always ard instinctively feel for every struggle for better and freer government, and which, in the case of the more adven- turous and restless elements of our popula- tion, leads in only too many instances to active and personal participation in the centest. The result is that this government is constantly called upon to protect Ameri- can citizens, to claim damages for injuries to persens and property, now estimated at many millions of dollars, and to ask ex- Pianations and apologies for the acts of Spanish officials, whose zeal for the repres- sion of rebellion sometimes blinds them to the immunities belonging to the unoffend- ing citizens of a friendly power. It follows from the same causes that the United States Is compelled to actively police a long line of sea coast against unlawful expedi- tions, the escape of which the utmost vigi- lance will not always suffice to prevent. These inevitable entanglements of the United States with the rebellion in Cuba, the large American property interests af- fected and considerations of philanthropy and humanity in generai have led to a vehement demand in various quarters for seme sort of positive intervention on the part of the United States. It was at first Propesed that belligerent rights should be accorded to the insurgents—a proposition no longer urged because untimely and in prac- tical operation clearly perilous and injur- {ous to our own interests. No Independent Government. It has since been and “is now sometimes contended that the independence of the in- surgents should be recognized. But imper- fect and restricted as the Spanish govern- ment of ‘the island may be, no other ex- ists there—unless the will of the military officer in temporary command of a partic- ular district can be dignified as a species of government. It is now also suggested that the United States should buy the isi- and—a suggestion possibly worthy of con- sideration if there were any evidence of a desire or willingness on the part of Spain te entertain such a proposal. It is urged, finally, that, ail other methods failing, the existing internecine strife in Cuba should be terminated by ouF Intervention, even at the cost of a war betWeen the United States and Spain—a war wBich its advocates con- fidently prophesy could be neither large in its proportions nor ‘doubtful in its issue. would endeavor to find a way not objec-| yo!vel no change of inc The correctness of this forecast need be | ticnable to Spain of furnishing-such guar-| ‘The inspecticn of con neither affirmed nor denied. The United | arty. While no definite response to this] for by an appropriation for that purpose States has, nevertheless, a character to maintain as a nation, which plainly dic- tates that right and not might should be the rule of {ts conduct. Further, though the United States is not a nation to which peace is a necessity, it is in truth the most pacific of powers and desires nothing so much as to live in amity with all the werld. Its own ample and diversified domains sat- isfy all possible longtngs for territory, pre- clude all dreams of conquest, and prevent any casting of covetous eyes upon neigh- | should be solved with the least possible de- lay—it was intimated by this governm to the government of Spain some months ago that if a satisfactury measure of home | rule were tendered the Cuban insurgents, and would be accepted by them upon a guaranty of its execution, the United States intimation has yet been received from the Spanish government, it {s believed to be not altogether unwelcome, while, as already suggested, no reason is perceived why it should not be approved by the insurgents. Neither party can fail to see the import- ance of early action and both must realize that to prolong the present state of things for even a short period will add enormously to the time and labor and expenditure necessary to bring about the industrial recuperation of the island. It is therefore TWO CENTS der the Department of State, four of thi zppointed had rendered previous servic under the department, eight were made of persons who passed a satisfactory examina- tien, seven were wppeinted to places not in- ciuded in the order of September 20, 18%; and four appointments, in- As above ste the last session of the Congress s b productive of such wholesome effects that I hope this important work will in the fu- ture be continued. I know of can be done with the same s so improving to the s I desire to repe contained in my last anr favor of providing at public expe residences for our ambassador isters at foreign ca supporting this recommendation ot izht = that xpe re boring regions, however attractive. That | ervently hoped cn all grounds that earnest | ly Stated in the report of the Seeret our conduct towards Spain and her domin-} ¢rorts for healing the breach between | Of State, and the ject seems of st fons has constituted no exception to this! spain and the insurgent Cubans upon | importance that T hope tt may reevive the national disposition is made manifest by the] the lines above indicated may be at once | €#tly attention of the Congress course of our government, not only thus | inaugurated and pushed to an immedi: THE BE SEA, far during the present insurrection, but} ana successful issue. The friendly oflices| we have during the last year labor during the ten years that followed the] of the United States, either in the manner | gaithfully and afainst. unfavorable. « rising at Yara in 1808. No other great | anove outlined or in any other way consist- | gitions to secure better preservation of sea power, it may safely be said, under cir-| ent with our Constitution and law, Will | tite in the Bering sea. Toth the cumstances of similar perplexity would | aiways be at the disposal of elther party. s and Great Britain have late! have manifested the same restraint and the |“ Whatever circumstances may arise our | patched commivsioners to these wate same patient endurance. It may also be policy and our interests would constrain us | study the habits and condition of the said that this persistent attitude of the United States toward, Spain In connection with Cuba unquestionably evinces no slight respect and regard for Spain on the part of the American people. They, in truth, ad not forget her connection with the discov- ery of the western hemisphere, nor do they cnderestimate the gfeat qualities of the Spanish people, nor fail to fully recognize their splendid patriotism and their chival- rous devotion to the national honor. They view with wonder and admiration the cheerful resolution with which vast to object to the acquisition of the island or | herd and the causes of their rapid an Interference with its control by any | « Upon the reports of these other power. missioners, soon to be submitted, Patience May Be Exhausted. the exercise of patien a op the part of all interested It should be added that It cannot be reas | eT ona that hearty sonably assumed that the hitherto expect-| iy te secured for the p ant attitude of the United States will be indefinitely maintained. While we are anx- fovs to accord due respect to the sover- eignty of Spain, we cannot view the pend- ing conflict in all its features, and prop- erly apprehend our inevitably close rela- threatened extinction of northern Pacific and Beri THE NATIONAL The Secretary” of the sury reports that during the fiscal year ended June 3, 18%, the receipts of the government fr all sources amounted to $#tI8,475, During the same period its expenditures Were $UHGIN HAS, the excess of expendi- tures over receipts thus amount , and the rec Ley 70. ordin during the year were $1,01 during th preceding fiscal year. » receipts men- tiened there wa ‘om tom: the sam of $1 nd from in- ternal revenue The re- ceipts: from customs sh increase of $7,863,131.22 over those from the ‘ource for the fis led Jun bodies of men are s¢ of miles of ocean, and an enormous debt accumulated, that the costly possession of the gem of the Antilles may still hold its place in the Spenish crown. And yet sither the government nor the people of the United States have shut their eyes to the covrse of events fm Cuba, or have failed to realize the existence of conceded arlevances, which have Ted to the presert revelt from the authority of Spain— grievances recogrized By the queen re- gent and by the cortes, voiced by the most patriotic and erl'ghtened of Spanish states- men, without regard to party, and demon- rated by reforms proposed by the exec- ive and approved by the legislative irarch of the Spanish government. It ts in the assumed temper and disposition of ‘he Spanish goverrment to remedy these ances, fortified by:indications of in- fluential public opinion in Spain, that this government has hored te Giscover the most promising and effective means of com- pesing the present strife, with honor and advantage to Spain and with the achleve- ment of all the reasongble objects of the insurrection. ; Home Rule Proposed. It would seem that if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy—a measure of home rule which, while preserving the sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all ra- tional reauirements of her Spanish sub- jects-—there should be no just reason why the pacification of the island might not be effected on that basis. Such a result would appear to he in the true interest of all con- cerned, It would at once stop the conflic which is row consuming the resources of the island and making it worthless for whichever party may ultimately prevail. It would keep intact the possessions of Spain without touching her honor, which will be consulted rather than impugned by the adequate redress of admitted griev- ances. It would put the prosperity of the land and the fortunes of its inhabitants within their own control, without severing the natural and ancient ties which bind them to the mother country, and would yet enable them to test their capacity for self government under the mosi favorable conditicrs. It has heen objected on the one side that Spain should not promise autonomy until her insurgent subjecis lay down their arms; on the other side, that promised autonomy, however liberal, ‘s insufficient, because without assurance of the promise being fulfilled. But the reasonableness of a requirement by Spain of unconditional surrender on the part of the insurgent Gubans before their autonomy is conceded ig not altogether ap- parent. It ignores important features of the situation—the stability two years dura- tion has given to the insurrection; the feas- ibility of its indefinite prolongation in the nature of things, and: as shown by past experience, the utter and imminent ruin of the island, unlsss the present strife is speedily composed; above .all, the rank abuses which all parties .in Spain, all branches of her government, and all her leading public men concede to exist and profess a desire to remove. Facing such circumstances, to withhold the proffer of needed reforms until the parties demanding them put themselves at mercy by throwing down their arms, has the appearance of neglecting the gravest of perils and inviting suspicion as to the sincerity of any professed willingness to grai& reforms. The object « on behalf of the insurgents—that premiseu reforms can- rot de relied upon—must of course be con- sidered, though we have po right to assume, and no reason for assuming, that anything Spain undertakes to’do for the relief of Cuba will not be done adéording to both the spirit and the letter of the undertaking. * What Our Government Has Done. Nevertheless, realizing that suspicions and precautions on the part of the weaker of two combatants are always natural, and not always unjustifiable—being sincerely desirous in the interest of both as well as on its own account that the Cuban problem tons te it‘and its-possible results withont considering that by the course of events w> may be drawn into such an unusual and precedented condition as will fix a limit io our patient waiting for S; to end the contest, either alone and in her own way or with our friendly co-operation. When the inability of Spain to deal successfully with the insurreciion has become manif. and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its rightful existence, and when a hopel struggle for its re-establishment generated into a strife which m ing more than the heumar life and the usele: ot utter destruction of the very subject, matte: of the conflict, a situation will be presented in which ou obligations to the sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by higher obligations wh’ we can hardly hesitate to recognize and 41: charge. Deferring the choice of ways and methods until the time for action arrives we should make them depend upon the pre- cise conditions then existing; and they shculd not be determined upon without giving careful heed to every consideration involving our honor and interest, or th= international duty we owe to Spain. Unuil we face the contingencies suggested, or the situation is by other incidents imper: tively changed, we should continue in th line of conduct heretofore pursued, thus in all circumstances exhibiting our obediens to the requirements of public law and ou: regard for the duty enjoined upon us 4 the position we occupy in the family of nations. A contemplation of emergencies that may arise should plainly lead us to avoid thei creation, either through a careless disre gard of present duty or even an undu stimulation and ill-timed expression of feel- ing. But I have deemed it not amiss to remind the Congress that a time may ar- rive when a correct policy and care for our interest as well as a regard for the interest of other nations and their citizens, joined by considerations of humanity and a desire to see a rich and fertile country sntimately related to us saved from com- plete devastation, will constrain our wov- ernment to such action as will subserve the interests thus involved and at the same time promise to Cuba and its inhabitanis an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of peace. THE VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY. The Venezuelan boundary question has ceased to be a matter of difference between Great Britain and the United States, their respective governments having agreed up- on the substantial provisions of a treaty between Great Britain and Venezuela, sub- mitting the whole controversy to arbitra- tion. The provisions of the treaty are so eminently just and fair that the assent of Venezuela thereto may ccnfidently be an- ticipated. Negotiations for a treaty of gen- eral arbitration for all differences between Great Britain and the United States are far advanced, and promise to reach a suc- cessful consummation at an early date. THE CONSULAR SERVICE. The scheme of examining applicants for certain consular positions to test their com- petency and fitness, adopted under an ex- ecutive order issued on the 20th of Septem- ber, 1895, has fully demonstrated the use- fulness of this innovation. In connection with this plan of examination, promotions and transfers of deserving incumbents have been quite extensively made, with excellent results. During the past year thirty-five appoint- ments have been made in the consular serv- ice, twenty-seven of which were made to fill vacancies caused by death or resigna- tion or to supply newly created posts, two to succeed incumbents removed fo~ cause, twe for the purpose of displacing alien con- sular officials by American citizens, and four merely changing the official title of in- cumbent from commercial agent to consul. Twelve of these appointments were trans- fers or promotions frsm other positions un- an iner of $3 The value of our imported dutiable mer- lise during the last fiscal year wa value of free g00 lue of dutiable end $41.23 over the pr %& merehandis nounted in e over the pr The average on dutiable goods imported duri 9.94 per cent, and on free and dutiahle 5S per cont. The cost of collecting our enue was 2.78 per cent, nt for the al The total exclusive taxable production of of fruit bra Hons, belag If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. C. J. BELL NAMED | ae 1 To Be Chairman of the Inaugural Committee, HANNA'S OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Made After Mr. Woodward's Dec- ion Was Re -— — PORTER FOR > lin ved. MARSHAL “You may announce the ay ppcintment of Mr Ch s J. Ben of the general in al commi’ and of ¢ Horace Porter as grand marshal of inauguration y Chas. J. Bel. Chairman Mark A. Ha a Star reporter in his Arlirgtcn a few minu this morning. Mr. Bell. i dent of the American Ge + Horace ).108. gallon r. There was also an Sars 6 gallons of spirits, Bel crateed from fruit, as compared w Mr. § year. The number of barr 1. Mr. Bet i duced wi $ sent to him t produced in the preceding fiscal y oe. an increase of 2,260,466 barrels. a " The total amount of gold e apes Bae the last fiscal ye ai hssice ts i siiver $60,511,670, bei eee oi ae 911,466 of gold over the exportaticns of th ar. The imports of gobi and of silver & less of gold and $8 silver than dur The total stock a United States at the cl ar, ended on the 20th day of Ju $1, 85, of which $509, in gold and 071 in silve On the Ist day ef November, 18! tal stock of money of all kinds in try was $2,285,410,500, and the cireulatien, not including ury holdings, was $1,¢ laboring class, accustomed and a $22.63 per capita, upon ar cs a support for themselves, snd ulation of 71,902,000. mated that the money proughi The production of the precious amounted to at least $5,000,190, Hoe aN ed tle was probably much in excess 18% is estimated to have sang only ose having Ie th ounces of gold, of the velue of $4 ich Gis a and 55,727,000 fine oun of silver, commercial valy coinage vaiue of ¥ production of these world during the ine ounces of gold, 7) in value, and 1¢ silv ©O0, and of the coi according to our ratio. The coinage of these metals in the y rious countries of the world dur: same calendar year amounted to & 438 in gold and $ 219 in. sily the mint rd silver dollars, subsid- coins and minor coins. The number of national banks organiz from the time the law authorizin creation was passed up to October , and of this num) ate last mentioned in active ope having authorized capital stock of $57 014,895, held by 288,902 shareholde circulating notes amounting to $211,112 The total outstanding circulating not all national banks on the 31 tober, 1896, amounted to $234,533,55 ing unredeemed, but fully secured, not banks insolvent and in process of liqx tion. The increase in national bank « lation during the year ending on that ¢ was $21.0 On Yet the condition of nz isnal ba: reported, the total resour active institutions w which included $1 discounts and $: ors and $209,944,019 cons ing circulating notes. There were organized during the y preceding the date last mentioned trenty eight national banks, located in states, of which twelve were organiz the castern states, with a capital of st 180,000; six in the western states, With: capital of $875,009, and ten in the 5 ern states, with a capital of 31,1 » During the year, however, thi COVER banks voluntarily abandoned their fran- chises-under the national law, and in i: case of twenty-seven others it was fou necessary to appoint receivers. Therefore, as compared with the year INMIGRA number United ION, The imm States during thc was Sd +, of whom 240,468 w ted to land, and 2 were dey various grounds, prescribed by to the countries whi the expense of the by which they were ase in imm| ion « nted to S47 ported that, with some migrants of th. ceding y except t year were 0} it is known that 10n: many able to ums of bom: Inctudin. 1 riving Who were over fourte: age, 2S er cent were gainst 20. arrivin: 7 per cent of those during the p The number of immigrant . ol, the countries fro and the percer among them, were as follows: Maly with Ireland i, 188, with 41 and provine > Germa per ; Sweden, 1S per cent, while from Portus 20457, of whom 77. The only 1,110 immigran of the immigration apprehension heretofore eaiscing extent of a immigration trv io the United States ts without ntial foundation. came, W wn dur and it is ti authorities OTHER TREASURY TOPICS. Frem the life-saving service it is re- ported that the number of disasters to leer s within the li of its operations duri g the year was 4:7. These board 4,608 p . » saved a 13 lost. Is is estimat 80,140, and of their cargoe total value of proz Of this amount #11 31 is were totally casualties to on board of . of whom 58 2 > latter casu of which $114: The > year also 1 vessels had on saved an of the ve: were } wrec small u Which Tw saved e value of the property din wh at $1 saved and $ life-saving vews during t ued or ase ted rumerous other vessels and warn mary frem danger by signals, koth by day and night. The number of disas ing the year exceeded that of any prev year in the history of the service, but th ving of both life end property was great- er than ever before in proportion to the value of the property involved and to the number of persons imperiled. opera- tions of the Marine Hospital service, the revenue cutter service, the steamboat In- ti was involv lost. “Ss