Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1897, Page 20

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1897. % garrison towns, their lands laid waste and their dwellings destroyed. This policy the » Cabinet of Spain justified as a neces- sary measure of war and as a means of cutting off supplies from the insurgents. Jt has utterly failed as a war measure. It was not civilized warfare. It was extermi- nation. Against this abuse of the rights of war I have felt constrained on repeated occa- sions to enter ‘the firm and earnest protest of this Government. There was much of public condemnation of the treatment of American citizens by alleged illegal arrests and jong imprisonment awaiting trial or pending protracted judicial proceedings. I felt it my first duty to make instant de- mani for the rel or speedy trial of all Americar citizens under arrest. Before the change of the Spanish Cabinet in October last twenty-two prisoners, citizens of the United tes, had been given their free- dom For the relief of our own citizens suffer- ing becavse of the conflict the aid of Con- was sought in a the approp: jon of April 4, effective aid has been given to American citizens in Cuba, many of them at their 1 request having been returned to the ted State: ecial message, and ‘The instructions given to our new Minis- ter to Spain before his departure for his post directed him to impress upon that Government sincere wish of the United tes to lend its aid toward the ending of the war in Cuba by reaching a peaceful and la ing resvlt, just and honorable alike Spain and to the Cuban people. These tions recited the character and dura= the contest, the widespread losses it the burdens and restraints it im- with constant disturbance of ests, and the injury resulting nite continuance of this state it was stated that at this junc- government was constrained to inquire if the time was not ripe 1 of her own volition, moved by nierests and every sentiment of y, should put to this ie- 2 stop structive war and make proposals of honorable to herself and just to un colony. It was urged that as a iboring we ¢ nation, with iarge interests in uld be required to wait only a y to reasonable time for the mother count esta h its authori and restore peace and order withia the berders of the Island; that We coukd not contemplate an indefinite r the accomplishment of this re- tien was proposed to which the idea of humiliation to Spain could and indeed precise propo: w to avoid embarra: nent to t ument. All that was asked or e i was that some safe way might be ithheld speedily provided and permanent peace re- stored. It so chanced that the considera- tion of this offer, addressed to the same Spanish Administration which had declined the tenders of my predecessor and which for more than two years had poured men and re into Cuba in the fruitle: effort to suppress the revolt, fell to others. Bet departure of General Wood- yy, and his arrival in sman who had shaped the euntry feil by the hand of an 1 although the Cabinet of the late ill held of trom the propos Cabinet ave place within a to a new Administration, under eadership of Sagas Spain's Latest Promise. was received on It is in the direc- standing. It ap- friendly purposes of this gov- mits that our country is ected by the war in Cuba and sires for peace are just. It de- hat the anish gove nd by every consideration to licy that should i nly to our note of October. 1 better un present satisfy i 1 pacify Cuba within a To this end Spain has put into eff he political re- retofore advocated by the present at halting for any co ne path which in its judgment zee. The military operations, it ue, but will be humane conducted with all regard for private ts. being accompanied by political ac- adimt to the autonomy of Cub: ding Spanish sovereignty. Thi it is med, will result in investing Cuba tinct personality; the Island to by an executive and by a locai council or chamber, reserving to Spain the control of the foreign relations, the army and navy and the judicial ad- ministration. To accomplish this the pres- ent government preposes to modif; by exi: decree, leaving the § the aid of Cuban senators to solve the economic prob- legi Certes ation wit and deputie Jem and properly distribute the existing dex in the absence of a declaration of the measu that this government pro: $ to take in carrying out its proffer of gvod offices it suggests that Spain be left t military operations and ceforms, while the United States ail enforce its neutral obli- ani cut off the assistance. which gations is asseried sents receive from this country tion of an in- defi prolongation of the war is denied. t serted that the western provinces well-nigh reclaimed; that the eane and tobacco therein has . and that by foree of arms tnd ample reforms very early and * pacification is hoped for. sumediate amelioration of existing tions under the new administration of licted, and therewithal and all occasion” for any ttitude on the part of the tes. Discussion of the question international duties and responsi- S of the United States as Spain under- = them is presented, with an apparent Sposition te charge us with failure in this regard. This charge is without any basis in fd t could not € been made if had stant efforts thi the cost of millions and by the employment Spain been cognizant governm of the con- nt has made at of the administrative machinery of the ration at command to perform its full duty ueceruing to the law of nations. That it bas successfully prevented the departure of a single military expedition or armed vessel from our shores in violation of our laws would seem to be a sufficient answer. But of this aspect of the Spanish note it is not sary to speak further now. Firm in the conviction of a wholly performed ob- ligation, aue response to thisecharge has been made in diplomatic course. Throuchout all these horrors and dangers to our own pea this government never in any way abrogated its sovereign prerogative of reserving to itself the de- termination of its policy and course ac- cording to its own high sense of right in consonance with the dearest interests and convictions of our own people should the prolongation of the strife so demand. Of the untried measures there remain Recognition of the insurgents as ; Fecognition of the independ- ence of Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between the contestants, and intervention in favor of one or the ether party. I speak not of forcible annexation, for that can not be thought of. That by our code of morality would be criminal aggression. Om the Recognition of Belligerency. Recognition of the belligerency of the Cu- ban insurgents has often been canvassed us % possible if not inevitable step both in regard to the previous ten years’ struggle and during the present war. I am not un- mindful that the two Houses of Congress in the spring of 1896 expressed the opinion by concurrent resolutiun that a condition of bubiic war existed requiring or justifying the recognition of a state of belligerency in Cuba, and during the extra session the Senate voted a joint resolution of like tm- port, which however was not brought to a vote in the House of Representatives. In the presence of these significant expres- sions of the sentiment of the Legislative branch it behooves the Executive to soberly ecnsider the conditions under which so im- portent a measure must needs rest for jus- tification. It is to be seriously considered whether the Cuban insurrection possesses beyond dispute the attributes of Statehood which alone can demand the recognition of belligerency in its favor. Possession, in short, of the esseptial qualifications of sovereignty by the insurgents and the con- duct of the war by them according to the received code of war are no less important factors toward the determination of the problem of belligerency than are the influ- ences and consequences of the struggle upon the internal polity of the recognizing State. The wise utterances of President Grant in his memorable message of December 7, 1875, are signally relevant to the present situation in Cuba‘and it may be wholesome now to recall them. At that time a ruinous conflict had for seven years wasted the neighboring Island. During all those years an utter disregard of the laws of civilized warfare and of the just demands of hu- manity, which called forth expressions of condemnation from the nations of Christen- dom, continued unabated. Desolation and ruin pervaded that productive region, enor- mously affecting the commerce of all com- mercial nations, but that of the United States more than any other by reason of proximity and larger trade and intercourse. At that juncture General Grant uttered these words, which now as then sum up the elements of the problem: “A recognition of the independence of Cuba being, in my opinion, impracticable, and indefensible, the question which next presents itself is that of the recognition of belligerent rights in the parties to the contest. In a former message to Congress I had oceasion to consider this question. and reached the conclusion that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful and devastating as were its incidents, did not rise to the fearful dig- nity of war. * * * It is possible that the acts of foreign powers, and even acts of Spain herself, of this very nature, might be pointed to in defense of such recognition. But now, as in its past history, the United States should carefully avoid the false lights,which might lead it into the mazes of doubtful law and of questionable propriety, and adhere rigidly and sternly to the rule, which has been its guide, of doing only that which is right and honest and of good re- port. The question of according or of with- holding rights of belligerency must be judged in every case, in view of the par- ticular attending facts. Unless justified b: recessity, it is always, and justly, regarded as an unfriendly act and a gratuitous demonstration of moral support to the re- bellion. It is necessary, and it is required, when the interests and rights of another government or of its people are so far af- tected by a pending civil conflict as to re- quire a definition of its relations to the parties thereto. But this conflict must be one which will be recognized in the sense of international law as war. telligerence, too, is a fact. The of contending armed bodice their occasional conflicts, war in the sense referred to. Applying to the existing condition of affairs in Cuba the tests recognized by publicists and writ- ers on international law, and which have n observed by nations “of dignity, hon- y and power, when free from sen: slish and unworth: in the insurrection the a substantial political palpable and manifest to the world, having the forms and capable of the ordi- nary functions of government toward its wn people and to other states, with courts for the administration 6f justice, with a local habitation, pos ‘ing such organiza- tion of force, such material, such oceupa- tion of territory as to take the contest out of the category of a mere rebellious insur rection, or occasional skirmishes, and plac it on the terrible footing of war, to which a recognition of belligerency would aim to elevate it. ° “The contest, moreover, is solely on land; the insurrection has not possessed itself of a single seaport whence it may send forth its flag, nor has it any means of communi- cation with foreign powers except through the military lines of its adversaries. No apprehension of any of those sudden and mere , and do not constitute or find such real, motiv difficult complications which a war upon oc! the an is apt to ve . both commerci upon the consular officer: precipitate upon the and national, and of other powers, calls for the definition of their relations to the parties to the contest. Considere1 as a question of expediency, I regard the accordance #s unwise to be, at pres of right. “Such recognition entails upon the coun- try according the rights which flow fro: it difficult and complicated duties, and r quires the exaction from the contending parties ef the strict observance of their rights and obligation It confers che right of search upon the high seas by vessels of both ties; it would subject the carrying of arms and munitions of war, which no’ may be transported freely and without i terruption, in vessels of the United States, to detention and to possible seizure; it would give rise to countless vexatious questions, would release the parent govern- ment from responsibility for acts done by of belligerent rights still to be nd premature, as I regard it ni, indefensible as a measure the insurgents, and wouid invest Spain with the right to ex ise the supervision recognized by our treaty of 1795 over our commerce on the high seas, a very large part of which, in its traffic between the Atlantic and the Gulf States, and between all of them and the States on the Pacific, through the waters which wash the of Cuba. The exercise of this xnper- vision could searce fail to lead, if not to abus certainly to collisions perilous to the peaceful relations of the two States. There can be little doubt as to what result such supervision would before long draw this nation. It would be unworthy ef the United States to inaugurate the possibilities of such result, by measuves of questionable right or expediency, or py any indirection.” Turning to the practical aspects of a recognition of belligerency and reviewing i incenveniences and positive dangers, still further pertinent considerations ap- pear. In the code of nations there is no such tking as a naked recognition of bel- ligerency unaccompanied by the assumption of international neutrality. Such recog- nition without more will not confer upon either party to a domestic conflict a status not therefore actually possessed or iffe: the relation of either party to other States, The act of recognition usually takes the form of a solemn proclamation of neutrai- ity which recites the de facto condition cf belligerency as its motive. It announces a domestic law of neutrality in the declar- ing State. It assumes the international obligations of a neutral in the presence of a public state of war. It warns all citizens and others within the jurisdiction of the proclaimant thag they violate those rigorous obligations at their own peril and cun not expect to be shielde1 from the con- sequences. The right of visit and search on the seas and seizure of vessels and cargoes and contravand of war and good pfize under admiralty law must under in- ternational law be admitted as u legitimate consequence of a proclamation cf belliger- ency. While according the equal belliger- ent rights defined by public law to each party in our ports disfavors would be im-. posed on both, which while nominally equal would weigh heavily in behalf of Spain herself. Possessing a navy and controlling the ports of Cuba her maritime righta of could be asserted not only for the military investment of the Island but up to the mar- gin of our ogn territorial waters, and a ecendition of things would exist for which the Cubans within their own Jomain could not hope to create a parallel; while its creation through aid or sympathy from within our domain would be even more im- possible than now, with the additional obligations of international neutrality we would perforce assume. The enforcement of this enlarged and on- erous code of neutrality would only he in- fluential within our own jurisdiction by land and sea and applicable by our own instru- mentalities. It could impart to the United States no jurisdiction between Spain and the insurgents. It would give the United States no right of intervention to enforce the conduct of the strife within the para- mount authority of Spain according to the international code of war. For these reasons I regard the recogni- tion of the belligerency of the Cuban in- surgents as now unwise and therefore in- admissible. Should that step hereafter be deemed wise as a measure of right and duty the Executive will take it. Intervention on Humanitarian Grounds. Intervention upon humanitarian grounds has been frequently suggested and has not failed to receive my most anxious and earnest consideration. But should-such a step be now taken when it is apparent that a hopeful change has supervened in the policy of Spain toward Cuba? A new gov- ernment has taken office im the mother country. It is pledged in advance to the declaration that all the effort in the world can not suffice to maintain peace in Cuba by the bayonet; that vague promises of re- form after subjugation afford no solution of the insular problem; that with a substi- tution of commanders must come a change of the past system of warfare for one in harmony with a new policy which shall no longer aim to drive the Cubans to the “hor- rible alternative of taking to the thicket or succumbing in misery;” that reforms must be instituted in accordance with the needs and circumstances of the time, and that these reforms, while designed to give full autonomy to the colony and to create a vir- stual entity and self-controlled administra- tion, shall yet conserve and affirm the sov- ereignty of Spain by a just distribuuon of powers and burdens upon a basis of mutual interest untainted by methods of seifish ex- pediency. ‘The first acts of the new government lie in these honorable paths. The policy of cruel rapine and extermination that so long shocked the universal sentiment of human- ity has been reve “i. Under the new miil- tary commander a broad clemency is prof- fered. Measures have already been set on foot to relieve the horrors of starvation. The power of the Spanish armi it is as- serted is to be used not to spread ruin and desolation but to protect the r ‘sumption of peaceful agricultural pursuits and produc- tive industries. That past methods are tu- tile to force a peace by subjugation is f ly admitted, and that ruin without con- ciliation must inevitably fail to win for Spain the fidelity of a contented depend- ency. Decrees in application of the foreshadow- ed reforms have already been promulgate The fuil text of these decrees has not be: received, but as furnished in a telegraph summary from our Minister ar and electoral rights of jards are, in virtue ¢ tional authority, forthy Peninsu existing constitu- th extended to jonial Spaniards. A scheme of autonomy been proclaimed by decree, to become effective upon ratification by the Cor It creates a Cuban.parliament which, with the insular executive, can consider and vote upon all subj ting local order and interests, posse: unlimited powers save as to matters of state, war and the navy as to which the Governor-General acis by his own authority as the delegate of the central government. This parliament re- ceives the oath of the Governor-General to preserve faithfully the liberties and privi- le; of the colony, and to it the colonial secretaries are responsibie. It has the right to propose to the central government, through the Governor-General, modific: tions of the national charier and to invite new projects of law or executive measures in the interest of the colony. Besides its local powers it is competent, first, to regulate electoral registration and procedure and prescribe the qualifications of electors and the manner of exercising suffrage ond, to organize courts of justice with native judges from members of the local bar: third, to frame the in- suiar budget both as to expenditures and Ss, without limitation of any kind, to set apart the revenues to meet the Cuban share of the national budget, which latter will be voted by the national Cortes with the tance of Cuban senators and deputies; fourth, to initiate or take part in the negotiations of the national govern- ment for commercial treaties which may affect Cuban inter fifth, to accept or reject commericial treaties which the na- tional government may have concluded without the participation of the Cubai governmen., sixth, to frame the colonial tariff, acting in accord with the peninsuler government in scheduling articles of mu- tual commerce between the mother ccun- try and the colonies. Before introducing or voting upon a bill, the Cuban govern- ment or the chambers will lay the project before the central government and hear its opinion thereon, all the correspondence in such regard being made public. Finally all conflicts of jurisdiction arising between the different municipal, provincial and in- sular assemblies, or between the latter and the insular executive power, and which from their nature may not be re- ferable to the central government for de- cision, shall be submittted to the courts. What is Due to Spain. That the Government of Sagasta has entered upon a course from which reces- sion with honor is impossible can hardly be questioned; that in the few weeks’ it has existed it has made earnest of the sinverity of its professions .is undeniable. I shall not impugn its sincerity, nor should impatience be suffered to embarrass it in the task it has undertaken. It is honestly due to Spain and to our friendly rela- tions with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expecta- tions and tc prove the asserted efficacy of the new order of things to which she stands irrevocably committed. She has re- called the Commander whose brutal orders infiamed the American mind and shocked the civilized world. She has modified the horrible order of concentration and has undertaken to care for the helpless and permit those who desire to resume the cultivation of their fields to do so and as- sures them of the proteetion of the Spanish Government in their lawful occupations. She has just released the “Competitor prisoners heretofore sentenced to death and who have been the subject of repeated aiplomatic correspondence during both this “and the preceding Administration. Not a single American citizen is now in arrest or confinement in Cuba of whom this Goyernment has any knowledge. The near future will demonstrate whether the ingispensable condition of a righteous peace, just alike to the Cubans and -to Spain as well as equitable to all our in- terests so intimately involved in the wel- fare of Cuba, is likely to be attained. If not, the exigency of further and other ace tion by the United States will remain to he taken. When that times comes that ac- tion will be determined in the line of in- disputable right and duty. It will be faced,, without. misgiving or hesitancy in the’ light of the obligation this Government owes; to itself, to the peaple who have confided :to it the protection of their interests and honer, and to humanity. af Sure of the right, keeping free from all’ offense ourselves, actuated only by upright and patriotic cohsiderations, moved neither by passion not Selfishness, the government Will continue its watchful care over the rights and property of American citizens and will abate hone of its efforts to bring about by peaceful agencies a peace which shall be honorabje and enduring. If it shall hereafter appear to be a duty imposed by our obligations to ourselves, to civilization and humanity fo intervene with force, it skall be without. fault on our part and only because the necessity for such action will be so clegr as to command the support and approval of the. civilized world. HAWAHAN ANNEXATION. By a special message dated the 16th day of June last, I laid before the Senate a treaty signed that day by the plenipoten- tiaries of the United States and of the Re- public of Hawaii, having for its purpose the incorporation of the Hawaiian Island as an integral part of the United States and under its sovereignty. The Senate hav- ing removed the injunction of secrecy, al- though the treaty is still pending before that body, the subject may be properly re- ferred to in this Message because the nec- essary action of the Congress is required to determine by legislation many details of the eventual union should the fact of an- nexation be accomplished, as I believe it should be. While consistently disavowing from a very early period any aggressive pol- {cy 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 States 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 dom- ination or influence of another power than the United States. Undgr these circum- stances, the logic of events required that ainexation, 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. ‘The treaty was unanimously ratified with- out amendment by the Senate and Pres dent of the Republic of Hawaii on the 10th of September last, and only awaits the fa- vorable action of the American Senate to effect the complete absorption of the Isl- ands into the domain of the United States. What the conditions of such a union shgtl be, the political relation thereof to the Tnited 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 to fit the peculiar condition thereof, the regulaion if need be of the labor system therein, are all matters which the treaty has wisely relegated to the Congress. If the treaty is confirmed as every con- sideration of dignity and honor requires, the wisdom of Congress will see to it that, avoiding abrupt milation of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to share the high- est franchises of citizenship, and haviag due regard to the geegraphical conditions, the most just’ provisions for self-rule in locai matters with the largest political lib- erties as an integral part of our Nation will be accorded to the Hawaiians. No less is due to a people who, after five years of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obliga- tions of self-governing statehood, come of their free will to merge their destinies in our body-politic. ‘The questions which have arisen between Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treai- ment of Japanese laborers emigrating to the islands under the Hawaiian-Japanese convention of ISS, a in a sallisfactory State of settlement by negotiation. This Government has not been invited tom ate, and on the other hand has suught no intervention in that matter, further tcan to evince its Kindliest disposition toward such a speedy and direct adjustment by Ue two sovereign States in interest as shall comport with equity and honor, It is grat- itying to learn that the apprehensions at first displayed on the part of Japan le the cessation of Hawait’s national life through annexation might impat viloges to which Japan honoraviy iavd claim, have wiven place lo conlidence in tie upr ness of ts Government, and in ihe s cerity of its purpose to deal with ali possi- bie ulterior quesuons in the broa. Of frienuimess. MANA?) MEARS CASE, As to the representation of this Govern- lent to Nicatagua, satvador and Costs i have conciuded that Mr. William Mer contirmed Minister of the Uniled dlates to the Slates of Nic: ragua, Salvador and Cusia Kica, shall proceed to san Jose, Costa Kica, and there temporarily establish the Neauqu: of the =] to those tires for what 1 regaraed as the pari mount interests of tus country. It weveloped upon an invesugauen by the Slate that tue Government ragua, While not unwilling te receive Merry i fis dipiomatic quality, ws becuuse of tne comp: ‘0, 1, Whereby that He- us Mir. unubie to do so concluded June public and .wose of Saivador and Honduras, lovimug ‘hat is.known as the Greater Re- public of Centrai Amenea, nat surrendered the representauve wiet thereot their rignt tu receive aud sena uipiomatic agents. The Liet was not witlng to accept hii vectuse he Was not accredited to that body. 1 could not aceredic nim to that body be- cause the appropriausn law of Congress did not permit it. Mir. baker, the present Minister at Managua, hus been directed to preseni his jetters of recall. iar. W. Godirey fiunter has likewise been accredited to the Governments cf Guate 4a and Honduras, the same as his predec: sor. Guatemaia is not a member of the Greater Republic of Central America, but dionduras 1s. Should this latter Govern- ment decline to receive him, he has been instructed to report this tact to his «Gov- erbment and await its further instruc- ticns. wo NICARAGUA CANAL. A subject of. large importance to our country and ingreasipg appreciation on the part of the people. is, the completion of the great highwaytof trade between the At- lantic and Pacific known as the Nicaragna Caral. Its utility and value to American ccmmerce is univerdally admitted. The Commission appointéd under date of July 24th last “to céntinué the surveys and ex- aminations authorizé& by the act approved March 2, 189,” in regard to “the propor route, feasibility and cost of construction of the Nicaragua Canal, with a view of making complefe plans for the entire work of construction.of such canal,” is now em- ployed in the undertaking. In the future I shall take occasion to transmit to Con- gress the report of this Commission, mak- ing at the same time such further sugges- tions as may then seem advisable, BIMETALLIC COMMISSION. Under the provisions of the act of Con- gress, approved March 3, 1897, for the-pro-. motion of an international agreement re- specting bimetallism, I appointed.an the 14th day of April, 1897, Hon. Rdward 0. Wolcott of Colorado, Hon. Adlai-E. Steven- son of Illinois, and Hon. ‘Charlies J.~Paine of Massachusetts, as Special Envoys ‘to Represent the United States. -They have. been diligent in their efforts-to secure the corcurrence .end«co-operation of European; countries. in the international,settlement ‘of: the question, but up: to. this. time -have-not' been able to secure -an agreement .con-. templated by, their. mission, _, eats The. gratifying.action of our great. sister’ five. battleships, as it:has been impossible ‘It is of ‘great ‘importance ‘that Congress. |} construction, while not as. large as’that:of, 8. Lew other .powers,4s.a.formidable forse;, ment among the principal commercial ni tions of Europe, whereby a fixed and rela- tive yalue between gold and silver shall be secured, furnishes assurance that we are not alone among the larger nations of the werld in realizing the international char- aéter of the problem and in the desire of reaching some wise and practical solution of it. The British Government has pub- lished a resume of the steps taken jointly by the French Ambassador in London and the Special Envoys of the United States, with whom our Ambassador at London actively co-operated in the presentation of this subject to Her Majesty’s Government. This will be laid before Congress. Our Special Envoys have not made their firal report, as further negotiations be- tween the representatives of this Govern- ment and the governments of other coun- tries are pending and™in contemplation. They believe that doubts which have been raised in certain quarters respecting the pesition of maintaining the stability of the parity between the metals and kindred questions may yet be solved by further negotiations. Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction to state that the Special Envoys have already demonstrated their ability and fitness to deal with the subject, and it is to be earn- estly hoped that their iabors may result in an international agreement which wiil bring about recognition of both gold and silver as money upon such terms and with such safeguards as will secure the use of beth metals upon a basis which shall work no injustice to any class of our citizens. RECIPROCITY NEGOTIATIONS. In order to execute as early as possible the provisions of the third and fourth sec- ions of the Revenue Act approved July 24, 1897, I appointed the Honorable John A. Kasson of Iowa a Special Commissioner Plenipotentiary to undertake the requisite negotiations with foreign countries desiring to avail themselves cf these provisions. The negotiaticns are now proceeding with several Governments, both European and merican. It is believed that by a careful exercise of the powers conferred by that Act some grievances of our own and of other countries in our mutual trade rela- tions may be either removed, or largely alleviated, and that the volume of our commercial exchanges may be enlarged, with advantage to both contracting parties. Most desirable from every standpoint of ational interest and patriotism is the ef- fort to extend our foreign commerce. To this end our’merehant marine should be improved and enlarged. We should do our full share of the carrying trade of the world. We do not do it now. We should be the laggard no longer. The inferiority of our merchart marine justly humiliating to the national prid-. ‘The Government by every proper constitutional means should in making our ships familiar ‘itors at every commercial port of the world, thus cpening up new and valuable markets to the surplus products of the farm and the factory. TO PROTECT SEALS. 5 The efforts which had been made during the two previous years by my predezessor to secure betier protection to the fur seals in the Nor: acitic Ocean and Bering at an early date by this Ad and kave been pursued with Upon my invitation the Goy- Japan and Russia sent dele- gton and an international conference was held during the months of October and Nevember last, wherein it was unanimously agreed that under the exist- ing regulations this species of useful ani- mals was threatened with extinction and that an interration:1 agreement of all the interested powers was necessary for tneir adequate protection. The Government of Great Britain did not preper to be represented at this con- ernmeats of gates to Wash ference, but subsequently sent to Wash- ington, as delegntes, the expert commis: sioners of at Britain and Canada w ad during the past two years visited the Pribilof Islands, and who met in confer- ence similar commifssioncrs on the pari of the United States. The result of this con- ference was an agreement on tmpcrtant facts connected with the condition of the seal herd, heretofere in dispute, which should place beyond controversy the duty a adopt of Governments concerned measures without delay for the tion and restoration of the herd. tions to this end are now in progress result of which I hope to be able to report to Congress at an early day. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. International arbitration can not be omit- ted from the list of subjects claiming our censideration Events have only served to strengthen the general views on this ques- tion expressed in iny inaugural address. ‘The best sentiment of the civilized world is moving toward the settlement of differ- to : between nations without resorting to horro of war. reaties emvodying humane principles on broad lines without in any Way imperiling our interests or our honor shell have my constant en- couragement. FRENCH EXPOSITION, The acceptarce by this Government of tation of the Republic of France to ate in the Universal Exposition of s was immediately follo by the appointment of a Special Commissioner to represent the United States in the pro- posed Exposition, with special reference to the securing cf space for an adequate ex- hibit on behalf of the United States. ‘The Special Commissioner delayed his de- parture for Paris long enough to ascertain the probable demand for space by Ameri- can exhibitors. His inquiries developed an almost unprecedented interest in the pro- pesed Exposition, and the information thus acquired enabled him to justify an appliea- tion for a much larger allotment of space for the American section than bad reen reserved by the Exposition authorities. The result was particularly gratifying in view of the fact that the United States was ore oi the last countries te accept the invitation of France. The reception accorded our Special Com- missioner was most cordial and he was given every reasonable assurance that the United States would receive a consideration commensurate with the proportions of our exhibit. The report of the Special Commis- sioner as to the magnitude and importance of the coming Exposition and the great de- mand for space by American exhibitors supplies new arguments for a liberal and judicious aprropriation by-Congress to the end that an exhibit fairly representative of the industries and resources of our country may be made. in an Exposition which will illustrate the World’s progress during the nineteenth century. That Exposition is m- tended to be the mest important and com- prehensive of the long series of interna- tional exhibitions, of which our own at Chicago was a brilliant example, and it is desirable that the United States should make a worthy exhibit of American genius and skill and their unrivaled achievements in every branch of industry. NAVY’S EEFECTIVE FORCE. The present immediately effective force of the Navy consists of four battleships of the first class, two of the -second, and forty-eight other vessels, ranging from armored cruisers to torpedo beats. There are under construction :five battleships of the “first class, «sixteen torpedo boats and, ‘one submarine boat. No provision has yet, been made for.the armor of three of the. to-ebtain it .at.the price-fixed:by Congress. provide this armor, as until‘then:the ships -of no.fighting value. ‘The xpresent -naval -ferce, -especialiy ‘in Of tts increase'by the ships now. under. its vessels are the very best of each type; and with the increase that should be made to ft from time to time in the future, and careful attention to keeping it in a high state of efficiency and repair, it is w adapted to the necessities of the country The great increase of the Navy which has taken place in recent years was justi- fied by the requirements for national de- fense, and has received public approbation. The time has now arrived, however, whe this increase, to which the country is com- mitted, should, for a time, take the form of increased facilities commensurate with the increase of our naval vessels. It is an unfortunate fact that there is only one dock on the Pacific Coast capable of dock- ing our largest ships, and only cne on the Atlantic Coast, and that the latter has for the last six or seven months been under repair and the-efore incapable of use. Im- mediate steps should be taken to provide three or four docks of this capacity on the Atlantic Coast, at least one on the Pacific Coast, and a floating dock in the Gulf. This is the recommendation of a very com- Petent Board, appointed to investigate the subject. There should also be ample pro- vision made for powder and projectile: and other munitions of war, and for an inereased number of officers and enlisted men. Some additions are also necessary to our navy-yards, for the repair and care of our larger number of vessels. As there are now on the stocks five battleships of the largest ciass, which can not be completed for a year or two, I concur with the recom- mendation of “he Secretary of the Navy for an appropriation authorizing the covstruc- tion of one battleship for th P where, at present, there is only one in com- mission and one under construction, while on the Atlantic Coast there are three in cominission and four under construction; and also that several torpedo boats be au- thorized in connection with our general system of coast defens ATTENTION TO ALASKA. The Territory of Alaska requires prompt and early i the terial change Territory in the laws r he great influ¥ 0? population during the #2 summer and fall and the Prospect of a still larger immigration in the spring will not permit us to longer neglect the extension of civil authority within the Territory or postpone the establishment of a more thorough government. A general system of public surveys has not yet been extended to Alaska and all entries thus far made in that district are upon special surveys. The act of Congress extending to Alaska the mining laws of the United States contained the reservation that it should not be construed to put in force the general land laws of the country. By act approved March 3, 1$91, authority was given for entry of lands for town-s te purp =d also for the purchase of not exceeding one hundred and sixty s then or thereafter occupied for purposes of trade and The purpose of mant facture. Congress as thus far expressed has been that only such rights should apply to that Territory as should be specifically named. It will be seen how much remains to be done for that vast and remote and yet promising portion of our country authority was the Act of Congress to divide that Territory into two land - tricts and to designate the boundaries thereof and to appoint registers and veyors of said land effices, and the Pr dent was also authorized to appoint a su veyor-general for the entire district. I suant to this authority, a surveyor-general and receiver have been appointed, with offices at Sitka. If in the ensuing year the conditions justify it, the additional land district authorized by law will be estab- lisned, with an office at some point in the Yukon Valley. No appropriation, however, was made for this purpose, and that is now to be done for the two land dis- tricts into which the Territory is to be divided, I coneur with the Secretary of War in is suggestions as to the necessity for a y foree in the Territory of Alask: for the protection of persons and property. Already 2 1 furce, consisting of twen- ty-five men, with two officers, under com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Randall, of a the Eighth Infantry, has been sent to St. Michael to establish a military post. As it is to the interest of the Government to encourage the development and settle- ment of the country and its duty to follow up its citizens there with the benefits of legal machinery, I earnestly urge upon Congress the establishment of a system of government with such flexibility as will enable it to adjust itself to the future areas of greatest population. The starui.g though possibly exaggerated reports from the Yukon River country, of the probable shertage of food for the large number of people who are wintering there without the means of leaving the country are confirmed in such mezsure as to justify bringing the matter to the attention of Congress. Access to that country in winter can be had omy by the passes from Dyea end vicinity, which is a most difficult and perhaps an impossible tas However, should these reports of the suffering of our fellow-citizens be further verified, eve effort at any cost should be made to carry them relief. THE NATION'S WARDS. For a number of years past it has been epparent thai the conditions under which the Five Civilized Tribes were established in the Indian Territory under treaty pro- visions with the United States, with the right of self-government and the exclusion et all white persons from within their bor- ders, have undergone so complete a change as to render the continuance of the system thus inaugurated practically impossible. The total number of the Five Civilized Tribes, as saown by the last census, is 45,- 494, and this number has not materially in. creased; while the white population is esti mated at from 200,000 to 250,000, which by permission of the Indian Government: has settled in the Territory. The present area of the Indian Territory contains 25,694,564 acres, much of which is very fertile land. The United States citizens residing in the Territory, most of whom have gone there by invitation or with the consent of the tribal authorities, have made permanent homes for themselves. Numerous towns bave been built in which from 500 to 5,000 white people now reside. Valuable resi- dences and business houses have been erec- ted in many of them. Large business en- terprises are carried on tn which vast sums of money are employed, and yet these peo- ple, who have invested their capital in the development of the productive resources of the country, are without title to the land they occupy and have no voice whatever in ‘the government either of the Nations or Tribes. Thousands of their children who were torn in the Territory are of school age, but the doors of the schools of the Nations are shut against them and what education they get is by private contribu- tion. No provision for the ‘protection of the ife or property of these white citizens is made by the Tribal Governments, and Courts. The‘Secretary of the Interior reports that leading Indians have absorbed great tracts of land to the exclusion of the common people, and government by an Indian aris- tecracy has been practically established, to the detriment of the people. It has been found impossible for the United States to keep {ts citizens out of the Territory and .the executory conditions contained in the be found in American citizenship, with a the rights and privileges which belong that cordition. By section 16 of the Act of March 3, 18%, the President authorized to appoint three commissioners to enter into negotia- tions with the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chicks saw, Muscogee (or Creek) and Semino! Nations, commonly known as the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory. Briefly, the purposes of the negotiations were to be: The extinguishme: of T al tides to any lands within that Te tritery now held by any and all such Nations or Tribes, either by cession of the same or seme part thereof to the Unite or by allotment and division of the same in veralty among the Indians of such No tions or Tribes respectively as may be ent tled to the same, or by such other method as may be agreed upon between the several Nations and Tribes aforesaid, or each of them with the United States, with a view to such an adjustment upon the basis of jvstice and equity as may, with the con sent of the said Nations of Indians so far as may be necessary, be requisite and sult- able to enable the ultimate creation of a State or States of the Union which shall embrace the lands within said Indian Ter- ritory. The Commission met much from the beginning. The Indians we slow to act and those in control manife a decided disinclination to m the propositions submit tle more tho) three y nization “he agreement wi The Chicka: to its terms, ini opposition very “2 to them. A rs after this or- Commission effected an h the Choctaw Nation alone. iws, however, refused to ag and as they have a common t with the Choctaws in the lands of ions, the agreement with the latter Nation could have no effect without the consent of the former. On April the Commission effected an agreement w This agreement, it is under h ratified by the constituted author the respective T or thereto. and only requires + + Sngress to mek On the 27th of ment eff it binding piember, 1897, an agre with the Creck Nation, but it is understood that the National Council of said Nation has refused to ratify the same. Negotiations are yet to be had with the Cherok the Five Civ . the most populous of Tribes, and with the ed Seminoles, the smallest in point of numbers and territory The provision of the Indian Appropriation Act, approved June 10, 1896, duty of the Comm determine the ri s for citi- zenship in the Five Civilized Tribes, and to make complete census rolls of the citizens of said Tribes. The Commission is at pres- ent engaged in this work among t reeks and has made appointments for taking the census of these people up to and including the 20th of the present month Should the agreement between the Choc- makes it the estigate and taws and Chickasaws be ratified by Con- gress and should the other tribes fail to make an agreement with the Commission, then it will be ne sary that som ‘is- lation shall be had by Congress, which, while just and honorable to shall be equitable (o the whit« have settled upon the of the Tribal Nation Hon. Henry L. Dawes, Chairman of ¢ Commission, in a letter to t Secretary of the Interior under date of October 11, 1% Says: “Individual ownership in (the Commission's) opinion sential to any permanent improvement in present conditions, and the lack the root of nearly all the ev so grievously afflict these people ment by agreement is the only method, unless the United State are clothed with the authorit tion the lands among th for whose use it was originally grante I concur with the Secretary of the Inte- rior that there can be no cure for t engendered by the perversion of these gr trusts excepting by their resumption by the government which created them. MARINE HOSPITAL. The recent prevalence of yellow fever in a number of cities and towns through- out the South has resulted in much dis- turbance of commerce and demonstrated the necessity of such amendments to our quarantine laws as will make the regula- tions of the national quarantine authorities paramount. The Secretary of the Tre ury in the portion of his report relating to the operation of the Marine Hospital Service calls attention to the defects in the present quarantine laws and recom- mends amendments thereto which will give the Treasury Department the requisite authority to prevent the invasion of epi- demic diseases from foreign countries, and in times of emergency like that of the past summer will add to the efficiency of the sanitary measures for the protection of th people and at the same time prevent un- necessary restriction of commerce. I con- cur in his recommendation. In further effort to prevent the invasion of the United States by yellow fever the importance of the discovery of the exact cause of the disea: which up to the pr ent time has been undetermined, is obvious, and to this end a systematic bacteriologi investigation should be made. I therefore recommend that Congress authorize t pointment of a commission by the F dent to consist of four expert bact gists, one to be selected from the m officers of the Marine Hospital Service, one to be appointed from civil life, one to be detailed from the medical officers of the Army and one from the medical officers of the Na PACIFIC RAILWAYS. The Union Pacific Railway, Main Line, was sold under the decree of the United States Court for the District of Nebraska the peop lands by invitation Indi who absolutely es of it on the Ist and 2d of November of this year. The amount due the Government consisted of the principal of the subsidy bonds, $27, 236,512, and the accrued interest thereon, making the total indebted- The bid at the sale cov- ered the first mortgage lien and the entire mortgage claim of the government, prin- cipal and interest. The sale of the subsidized portion of the Kansas Pacific Line, upon which the Gov- ernment holds a second mortgage lien, has been postponed at the instance of the Gov- ernment to December 16, 1897. The debt of this division of the Union Pacific Rail- way to the Government on November 1, 1897, was the principal of the subsidy bonds, $6,303,000, and the unpaid and ac- crued interest thereon, $6,626,690.33, mak- ing a total of $12,929,690.23 The sale of this road was originally ad- vertised for November 4, but for the pur- pose of securing the utmost public notice of the event it was postponed until De- cember 16 and a second advertisement of the sale was made. By the decree of the Court the upset price on the sale of the Kansas Pacific will yield to the Govern- ment the sum Of $2,500,000 over all prior liens, costs and charges. If no other or better bid is made this sum is all that the -Government will receive on its claim of nearly $13,000,000. The Government hgs no information as to whether there will be other bidders or a better bid than the minimum amount herein stated. The ques- tion presented therefore is: Whether the Government shall under the authority given it by tife Act of March 3, 1887, pur- chase or redeem the road in the event that