The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 8, 1896, Page 1

{ VOLUME LXXXI SAN FRANCISCO, TUESDAY MORN NG, DECEMBER 8, 1896. PRICE FIVE CENTS. - PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S FINAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. "WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 7.—President Grover Cleve- Jand’s message was presented to Congress this morning. Per- Liaps the most interesting portion of the message is that re- Tating (o the debts due the Government by the Pacific bond- aided railroads. Iun plain language the President says it is fime that proceedings were taken to collect these debts, by foreclosure if necessary. " Tormer sentiments on questions relating to the tariff and currency are repeated, and foreign relations are reviewed at longth. There is just & shadow of warning to Turkey on the subject of Armenian outrages. Theso significant words are used: ‘“The present somber prospect in Turkey will not be long permitted to offend the sight of Christandom.”” The President says the Cuban insurgents have not yet proved their claim to be recognized as belligerents, but that the independence of the island will be the only final settlement Of the warfare that is now blighting the ‘‘ Gem of the An- tiltes.”” Appended is the message in full: To the Congrees of the United States: As representatives of the people in the legislative branch of their Government you have assembled ata time when the strength and excellence of our free institutions and the fitness of our citizens to enjoy popular rule have been again made manifest. A political contest involving momentous consequences, fraught Wwith fever- ish apprehension and creating aggressiveness so intense as to approach bitterness and passion, has been waged throughout our land, and deter- mined the decree of free and independent suffrage, without distarb- ance of our tranquillity or the lesst sign of weakness in our National structure. When we consider these incidents and contemplate the peaceful obe- dience and manly submission which have succeeded a heated clash of political opinions we dis cover abundant evidence of a determination on the part of our countrymen to abide by every verdict of the popular will, and to be controlled at all times by an abiding faita in the agencies estab- lished for the direction of the affairs of their Government. Thus our people exhibit & patriotic disposition, which entitles them to demand of those who undertake to make and execute their laws such faithful and unselfish service in their behalf ascan only be prompted by a serious 1 0f the trust and confidence which the acceptance of publie In obediemce to a constitutional requirement I hereby submit to the Congress certain information concerning National affairs with the sugges- tion of such legislation as in my judgment is necessary and expedient. To secure brevity and avoid tiresome narration I shall omit many details concerni within Federal control which, by no mesns unimpor- tant, are re profitably discussed in departmental reports. Ishall also er curtail this communication by omitting a minute recital of any mwinor incidents connected with our foreign relations which have hereto- found a place in executive messages, but are now contained in a re- of the Secretary of State, which is herewith submitted. DEMAND OF HUMANE CIVILIZATION. At the outset of a reference to the more important matters affecting ouf relations with foreign powers it wouid afford me satisfaction if I could e Congress that the disturped condition in Asiatic Turkey had g the past year assumed & less hideous and bloody aspect, and that ith as & consequence of the awakening of the Turkish Government to the demand of humane ¢! ization or as the result of a decisive action on the part of the great nations having the right by treaty to interfere for on of those exposed to the rage of bigotry and cruel fanaticism g features of the situation had been mitigated. 1, howe of welcoming a softened disposition or protective tervention we have been afflicted by continued and not unirequent re- the wanton destruction of homes and the bloody buichery of omen and children, made martyrs to their profession of Christian ile none 0! our citizens in Turkev have thus far been killed or ed, though often in the midstof dreadful scenes of danger, their n the future is by no means assured. Our Government at home ter at Constantinople have left nothing undone to protect ries in Ottoman territory, who constitute nearly all the indi- 1als residing there who have a right to claim our protection on the merican citizenship. orts in this direction will not be relaxed, but the deep feeling ympathy that have veen raised among our people ought not to so far blind their reason and judgmentes to lead them o demand impossible taings. The outbreaks ot biind fury which lead to murder and pillage in key occur sudden.y and without notice, and an attempt On our part to force such a hostile presence there as might be effective ior prevention or protection would not only be resisted by the Ottoman Governiwent, but would be regarded as an interruption of their plans by the great nations heir exclusive right to intervene in their own time and method for the rity of life and property in Turkey. Se I naval vessels are tioned in ihe Mediterranean as a messure of cantion and to furnish ible reijef nudrefuge in case of emergency. We have made claims the Turkish Government for the pillage auna destruction of mis- property at Harpoot and Marash during uprisings at these places. Thus far the validity of these demands has not been admitted, though our Minister, prior to such outrages and in_antieipation of dauger, demanded protection for the persons and property of our missionary citizens in the ocalities mentioned, and notwithsianding that strong evideuce exists of of Turkish soldiers in the work of destruction and rob- appear do not permit us to doubt the justice hing will be omitted to bring about their prompt A number of Armenian refugees having arrived at our ports - an oraer has lately been obtained from the Turkish Government permit- g 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 dominions. . r recently appointed Consul to Erzerum is at his post and dis- charging tbe duties of his office, though, for some unaccouutable reason, his formal exequatur from the Sultan has not bzen issued. 1do not beiieve that the present somber prospect in Turkey will be long permitted tc otfend thesight of Christendom. It so mars the humane and enlightened - civilization that belougs to the close of the nineteenth century that it .seems hardly possible that ihe earnest demand of good people throughous ihe Christian world for its corrective treatment will remain unanswered. THE INSURRECTION IN CUBA. The insurrection in Cuba still continues with all its perplexities. 1t is difficult to percelve thatany progress has thus far been made toward the pacification of the island or that the situation of sffairs as depicted in my last annusl message has in the least improved. If Spain still holas Havana and the seaports and all the considerable towns the insurgents still roam at wiil over at least iwo-thirds of the island country. If the de- termination of Spain to putdown the insurreciion seems but to strengthen with the lapse of time and is evinced by her unhesitaling devotion ot largely increased 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 securing the great object for whicn they took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-established her authority neither have the insurgents yet made good their title to be regarded as an independent State. Indeed, as the contest has goue on, the pretense that civil government exists on the island, except so far as Spain isable to ma tain it, has been practically abandoned. Spain does keep on foot such a government, more or less imperfectly, in tne large towns and their im- mediate suburbs. But, that exception being made, the entire country is either given over to anarchy or issubject to the military occupation of one or the other pariy. It isreported, indeea, onreliable authority, thatat the demand of the commander-in-chief of the insurgent army the putative Cuban Government has now given upall attempt 10 exercise its functious, leaving thet Government confessedly (what thatis is the best reason for supposing it always to have been in fact)a Government merely oh paper. Were the Spanish armies able to meet their ant sts in the open or in pitched battle prompt and decisive results might be looked for, and tne immense superiority of the Spanish forces in numbers, discipline and equipment could hardly 10 tell greatly to their advantage. But they are calied upon to fsce a foe 'hat snuns general engage- ments, that can choose and does choose its own ground, that from the na- ture of the country is visible or invisible at pleasure, and that fights only from ambuscade and when all the advantages of position and numbers are on its side. In acountry where all that is ind:spensable to life in the way of food, clothing and snelter is so easily obtainable, especially by . those born and bred on the soil, it is obvious that there is hardly a limit to the time during which hostiiities of thissort may be prolonged. Meanwhiie, in all cases of protracted civil strife the rassions oi the combatants grow more and more inflamed and excesses on both sides become more trequent and more deplorable. They are also participated in by bands of maraud- ers who, now in the name of one party, now in the name of the other, as may best suit the occasion, barass the country atwilland plunder its wretehed inhabitants for iheir own advantage. Such a condition of things woula ineyitably entail immense destruction of property, even if it were the policy of both parties to prevent it as far as practicable. But while sucn seemed to be the original policy of the Spanisu Government, it has now apparentiy abandoned itand is acting upon the same th ory as the urgeuts, namely, that the exigencies oi the contest require the wholesale gnnihiiation of property thai it may not prove ot any use and advantage to (he enemy. Itis 10 the same end that in pursuance of general orders Spanish gar- risons are now Leing withdrawn irom plantations and the rural popula- tion required to coucentrate itself in the towns. The sure result wounld seem to be that the industrial value of the islaud is fast diminishing and that uniess there is a speedy and 1adical change in existing conditions it will soon disappear altogether. That value cousists very largely, of - course, in its capacity to produce Sugsr, & capncily a.ready niuch reduced by the Interruption 10 tillage which has taken place during the past two years. It isreliably asserted that should these interruption continue during the current year and practically extend, as is now threatened, to the entire sug. roducing territory of the isiand, o much uime and so - much money will be required to resiors the land 1o its normal produetive- ness that it 1s extremely doubtful if capital can be inducea to even make : attempt. The spectacle of the utter ruin of an adjoining country, in ature one of the most charming and fertil: ou the whoie globe, would e the serious attention of the Governmeniand the people of the ates in any circumstances. 1n pointof fuct they have a concern with It which is by 1o means of a who !y sentimental or philanthropical character. 1t lies 50 near us s to be hardly separated from our territory. Our actual pecuniary interest in it is second only 1o Lhat of the people and Government of Spain. Itisreasonably es'imated that at least from ,000,000 to $50,000,000 ot Awerican capitel arc invested in planta- Tiots and in raiiroad, mining and other business enterprises on the jeland. 7The voluime of trade between the United States and Cuba, which ju 1859 amounted to about $54,000,000, rose in 1893 10 nbout 103,000,000, und 11 1894, the year before Lie present insurrection broke out, amounted 10 nenrly 00,000. Besides tnis large pecuniary stuke In the for.unes he sho wal complicity y of Cubu the United States finds itsell inextricably involyed in the jresent contest in other ways both vexatious and costly. Many Cubaus reside in . this country and indirectly pror. ote the insurrection through the press, by public meetings, by tne purchase and shipment of arms, by the raisihg of funds, and by other means, whiea the spirit of our institutions and the or of our iaws do not permit to be made the subjeci of criminal prosecutions. Some of them, thorough Cubans at heartand in all theiy jeelings and interests, have taken out Tt naturalized citizens of tne United States, a proceeding resorted to with a view to possible pro« tection by tnis Government, and not unnecessarily regarded with much indignation by the cuvuuntry of their origin. The insurgents are ua- doubtedly encouraged and supported by the widespread sympathy the people of this country always ang instinctively feel ior every siruggle for betier and freer government, and which in the case of the more adyen- turous &nd restless elements of our pepulation leads in only too many in- stances to active and personal participation in the contest. The result is that this Government is constantly called upon to protect Americ ns, to clajm damages for injuries to persons and property pow estimated at many millions ot doilars, aud to &sk explanations agd Repeats Former Views Relating to the Currency and the Tariff. In Pointed Language the Chief Executive Says It Is Time for the Government to Collect the Debts Due From the Pacific Railroads by Foreclosure if Necessary. Declares That Cuba Has Not Yet Earned Independence, and Fails to Recommend That the Insurgents Be Recognized as Belligerents- The Present Somber Prospect in Turkey Will Not Be Long Permitted to Offend the Sight of Christendom. apologies for the acts of Spanish officials. whose zeal for the repressicn of rebellion sometimes blinds them to the immunities belonging to the un- offending citizen of a friendly power. It foilows from the sume ceuses that the United States is compelled to actively police s long line ot sea coast against unlawful expeditions, the escaps of which the utmost vigilanes will not always suffice to prevent, These inevitable entanglements of the United States witn the rebellion 1n Cuba, the large American property interests affected and considerations of philanthropy and humanity in general, have led 10 a vehement demand in various quarters for some sort of positive intervention on the part of the United States. It was at first proposed that belligerent rignts should be accorded the insurgents—a proposition no longer weighed, because untimely and in practical operation perilous and injurions to our own interests. it has since been and is now sometimes contended that the independence of the insurgents should be recognized; but imperfect and restricted as the Span- ish government of the island may be no other exists there—unless the will of the military officer in temporary command of a particular district can be dignified as a species of povernment. It is now also suggested that the United States should buy the island—a suggestion possibly worthy of con- sideration 1f there was any evidenee of a desire or a willingness on the partof Spain 1o entertaln such a proposal. It is urged, finally, that, all other methods falling, the existing internecine strife in Cuba should bs terminated by our intervention even at the cost of a war between the United States and Spain—a war whieh its advocates confidenily prophesy could b neither iarge in its proportions nor doubtful in its issue. The correctness of this forecast need neither affirmed nor denfed. Tre United States has nevertheless a character to meintain asa Nation, which plainiy dictates taat right_and notmight should ba the rule of its conduct. Further, though the United Stales is_not a Nation.io whieh peace is a necessity, it is, in truth, the most pacific of powers and desires nothing so much ;a8 to live ia nm,&:y with all the wor'd. Its own amp.e and diversified .dpmains satisfy all possible longings for territory, pre- clude all dreams of conquest nnd preveni any. casting of covelous eyes upon ueighboring regions, however attractive. That our conduct loward Spain and her dominions has constitutéd no exception to this National disposition is made manifest by the course of onr Government, notonl- thus far during the present jncurrect.on, but during the ten years that followed the rising at Yara in 1868. No other great power, it may safely be said, under circumstances of similar perplexily would have manifested the same restraint and the same patient endurance. It may also be seid that this persistent attitude of the United States toward Spain in connection with Cuba unquestiona- bly evinces no slight respect and regard for Spain on the part of the American people. Thev in truth do not forget ner connection with the discovery of the Western Hemisphere, nor do they underestimete the _erest of all concerned. It would aronre greal qualities of the Spanish people, fnor fail to fully recognize their sp endid patriotism and their chivalrous devotion to the natioial honor. They view with wonder and admiration the cheerfui resolution with which vast bodies of meu ar: sent across thousands of miles of ocean and an enormous debt accumulated that the costly possession of the gem of the Antille= may still hoid its plece in the Sianish crown. And yet neither the Government nor tne peopie in tne United States have shut their eyes to the conrse of events in Cuba, or have failed to realize the expense of conceded grievances which have led to the present revolt from the authority ef Spain—grievances recoguized by the Queen Regent and by the Cortes, voiced by the most putriotic and enlighiened of Spanish Sletesmen. without regard to party, and demonstrated by reforms pro- sed by the executive and approved by the legisiative branch of the Spanish Guvernment. It 1s in the assumed temp rand disvosition of the Epan: Government to remedy these grievances, fortificd by indica- tions of influential public opinfon {n Spein, that this Government has hoped to discover the mosi promising and eff:ctive means of ending the present striie with konor and advaninge to Spain, and with the achieve- ment of all the reasonabie objects of th= insurrection. It would scem that 1f Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy— & measure of home rule which, while preserving the sovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all rational réquirements of her Spanish subjects—there should be no just reason why the pacification of the island m:ght not be cffected on that basis. Such'a result weuld appea- t+ be in the true in- “op ihe conflict which is now consnming the resources of the istand and making it worthless for whizh- ever party may ultimaiely prevail. It would keep intnctthe possessions of §pain withsat toucning her honor, which will be consulted rather than impugued by the adequate redress of adamitted grievances, IL wuuld put the prosperit, l;; ‘lhei‘ nd and the foriuves ot its inhabitants within 'D'H, L out severing the natural and ancient ties wh bind thém 1. “MONEr cAUNtry; ana wounld yet ¢nadle them to test thuir capeeity for seif-government n--denme most favorable conditions.as It has been obSec:ed to on the one ‘ide that Spain woul not promise - autonomy until hier insurgent subjecis lay down their arms; on tte other side, thut proniised Autonomy, however iiheral, is insuficient, because withont assurance of the promise beinz fulfi led. But the reasonableness of the requirement of Spain, of unconditional surrender on the part of the tnsurgent Cnbans before iheir autonomy fs conceded, is not altogether apperent. It ignores important features of the situation—the stabillly two vears' duration has given to the insurrection; the feasibiiity of its indefinite pro.ougation, in the nature of things, and 55 shown by past experiences; the u: ter and imminent ruin of the isiand, unless the present strife is speedily terminated; sbove all, the rank abuses which all parties in Spain, all branches of her government and all PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND{Whose Message to Congress Was : Very Disappoi.gtin'g to the Friends of Cuba. j leading public men concede to exist and profess a desire to remove, PATIENCE WITH SPAIN MAY CEASE. Facing such circumstances, to withhold the proffer of needed re- forms 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 grant reforms. The objection on behalf of the insurgents—that promised re- forms cannot be relied upon—must of course be considered, though we have no right to assume and no reason for assuming that anvthing Spain undertakes to do for the relief of Cuba will not be done according to both the spirit and the letter of the undertaking. Nevertheless, realizing that suspicions ana persecutions on the part-of the weaker of the two com= batants are always natural and not always unjustifiable—being sincerely desirous in the interest of both, as well as on its own account, that the Cnbln‘rroblem should be solved with the least possible delay—it was in- timated by this Goverument to the Government of Spain some months ago that if satisfactory measures of home rule wére tendered the Cuban in- surgents and wou'd be accepted by them upon a guarantee of its ex- ecution, the United States would endeavor to find a way not objectionable to Spain of furnishing snch guaranty. While no definite response to this intimation has yet been received from the Spanish Government, it is be- lieved 10 be not altogether unwelcome, while, as already suggested, no reason is perceivea why it shouid-not be approved by the insurgents. Neither E."y can fail to see the importance 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 fer- vently hoped on all' grounds thut earnest efforts for healing the breach beiween Spain and the insurgent €ubans upon the lines above indicated may be at once Inaugurated and pushed to an immediate and sucessful issue. The friendly cfices of the United States, either in the manner above outlined or in any®ther way consistent with our constitution and laws, will always be at the disposal of either pariy. Whatever circumstances may arise, our policy and our interest would constrain us to object to the acquisition of the island or an interference with its control by any other power. 1t should be added that it cannot be reasonably assumed that the hitherto expeciant attitude of the United States will be indefiniiely maintained. While we are anxious to accord all due respect to the sovereignty of Spain, we cannot view the pending conflict in all its features, and properly apprehend our inevitably close relations to-it and its possibie results, without considering that by the course of events we may be drawn into such an unusual and unprece- dented conaition as will fix a limit to our patient waiting for Spain to end the con test, either alone and in her own way or with our iriendly co-operation, When the inability of Spain to deal successinlly with the insurgents has become manifest and i¢ is demonstrated that hersovereignty is ex- tinet in Cuba for all purposes of its rightful existence, and when a hope- less struggle for its re-establishment has degeuerated into a strife whien means nothing more then the useless sacrifice of kuman life and the utter destruciion of the very subject matier of the couflict, a situation will b2 presented in which our obligations to the sovereignty of Spain will be supersedea by higher obligations which we can hardiy hesitate to recognize and discharge. Deferring the choice of ways and methods until the time for nction arrives, we should make them depend upon the precise conditions then existing, and they should not be determined upon without giving careful heed to every consideration involving our honor and interest or the international duty we owe to Spain. When we face the contingencies suggested or the situation is by other incidents impera. Aively changed, we should continue in the line of conduct heretofore p. surd, thus in all circumstances exhibiting our obedience to the require- meunts of pubiic iaw gnd our regard for the duty enjoined upon us by the position we occupy in the family of nations. A contemplation of emergencies that may arise should plainly lead us to avoid their creation cither through a careless disregard of present duty or even an undue stimulation and ill-imed expression of feeling. But'1 have deemed it not remiss to remind the Congress thata time may arrive when a correct policy and care for our interests, us well as a regard for the interests of other nations and their citizens, joined by consider~ ations of humanity, and & desire to see a rich and fertile country, inti- mately related to us, saved from complete devastation, will constrain our Government to suca action as will subserve the interests thus involved and nt the same {ime promise 1o Cuba and its inhabitauts an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of peace. VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY QUESTION. The Venezuelan boundary question has ceased to be a matler of dif- ference between Great Britain and the United States, their respective Governments having agreed upon the substantial provisions of a treaty beiween Great Britain and Venezuels, submitting the whole controversy to arbitration. The provisions of the treaty are so eminently justand fair thal the assent of Venezuela thereto may confidently be anticpated. Negotiations ior a treaty of general arbitration for all differences be- tween Great Britain and the United States are far advanced and promise to reach a successful conclusion at an early date. REFORM IN THE CONSULAR SERVICE., The scheme of exam#ing the applicants for certain consular positions to test their com petency and fitness, adopted under an executive order is sued on the 20th of September. 1895, has fully demonstrated tho useful. neéss of (his innovation. In conncction with this plan of examination “promuifors and transfers of deserving incumbents have been quite exten- sively made with excellént résults. Dauring the past year thiriy-tive ap- poluimenis have been made in the conspiar service, twenty-seven of ‘whien were made to fill vacancies caused by death or resignation or to supply newly ereated posts, two 1o succeed ineumbents removed for cause, two for Lhe purpose of dispineing alien consular officials by American citi- zens and four merely changing the official title of incumbent from com- mercial agent to Coucul. Twelve of the appointments were transfers or promotions from other positions under the Department of sSiate, four of those appuinied had rendered previous service under the department and eight were made of persons who passed a satisfactory examination. Seven were npromwd 10 places not included in the order of Septem- ber 20, 1895, and four appoiutments, as sbove stated, involved no c{ungu of incumbency. The inspection of consular officers provided for by an ap- propriation or that purpose at the last session of the Congress has been productive of such wholesome effects that I hope this important work will in the future be continued. I know of nothing that can be done with same slight expeuse so improving to the service. OFFICTALRESIDENCES FOR EMBASSADORS. I desire 1o repeat the recommendation contained in my last annual message in favor of providing at public expense official residences for our Embassadors and Ministers at foreign capitals. The reasons supportin, this recommendation are strongly stated in the report of the Secretary o State, and the subject seems of such importance that I hope it may receive the early atientiou of Congress. PROTECTION OF BERING SEA SEALS. We have during the last year labored faithfully and against unfavor. able conditions to secure better preservation of seal life in the Bering Sea. Both thcUnited States and Great Britain have lately dispatched Commission- ers to these waters to study the habits and conditions of the seal herd and the causes of their rap'd decrease. Upon the reports of these Commission- ers, soon to be submitted, and with the exercise of patience and good sense on the part of all interested parties, it is earnestly hoped that hearty co- operation may te secured for the protection against threatened extinction of seal life in the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. FEDERAL RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES. The Secretary of the Treasury reports that during the fiscal year ended June 20, 1896, the receipts of the Government from all sources amounted to $409.475408 78. During the same period its expenditures were $434,678,654 48, the excess of expenditures over receipts thus amounting to $25,203,245 70. The ordinary expenditures during the year were $4,015.852 21 less than during the preceding fiscal year. Of the receipts mentioned there was derived from customs the sum of $180,021,751 67 and from iuternal revenue $146,830,615 66. The receipts from customs show an increase of $7,863,134 22 over those from the same source for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, and the receipts from internal revenue an. increase of $3,584,537 61. The value of our importea dutiab.e merchan- dise during the last fiseal year was $369,757,770 and the value of Iree goods imported $409,967.470, being an increase of $6,523,675 in the value of dutiable goods and $41,231,034 in tne value of free goods over the pre- ceding year. Our exports of merchandise, foreign and domestic, smounted in value 1o $882,606,938, being an increase over the preceding year of $75,068 773. Tne average ad valorem duty paid on dutiable goods im- por.ed during the vear was 39.94 per cent and on fres and dutiable goods taken together 20.55 per cent. The cost of coilecting our internal revenue was 2.78 per cent, as sgainst 2.81 per cent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895. The total production of distilled spirits, exclusive of fruit braudies, was 88,583,703 taxnable gallons, being an increase of 6,639,109 galions over the preceding yesr. There was also an increas: of 1,443,676 gailons of spirits produced from fruiz, as compared with the preceding yesr. Tne number of barrels of beer produced was 35,809,250, against 33.589,784 produced in the pre- ceding fiscal year, being an increase of 3,269,446 barrels. PRODUCTION AND COINAGE OF METALS. The total amount of gold exported during the last fiscal year was $112,409.947, and of silver $60.541,670, being an increase of $45,941,466 of gold and $13,246,384 of silver over the exportations of the preceding fiscal year. The imports of gold were $33,525,065 and of silver $28,777,- 186, being $2.859,695 less of gold and $8,566,007 more of silver than dur- ing the preceding year. The total stock of metallic money in the United States at the close of tie last fiscal year ended on the 30th day of June, 1896. was $1,228,326,035, of which $599,597,964 was in gold and $628,- 728,071 in silver. On the 1st day of November. 1896, the total stock of money of all kinds in the country was $2,285,410,590, and the amount in circulation Lot in- cluding that in the treasury noldings was $1,628 055,641, being $22 63 per capita upon an estimated population of 71,902,000. The production of the precious metals in the United States during the calendar year 1893 is estimated to have heen 2,254,760 fine ounces of gold, of the value of 610.000. and 55,727,000 fiue ounces of silver, of the commereial value 6,445,000 and the coinage vaiue of $72,051,000. The estimated pro- duction o1 these meta's throughout the world during the same period was 9,689 821 fine ounces of gold, amounting to $200,285,700 in value, and 169,189.294 fine ounces of silver. of the commercial vaiue of §110, 354,000 and of the coiuage value of $218,738,100, according to our ratio. The coinage of these metals in the varions countries of the worid during the same ca'eudar year amounted to $232,701,433 in gold aud $121,996,. 219 in silver. The total coinage al the mints of the United States during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896, amcunted to $72,138,468 52. The number of National banks organizea from the time fhe law auihorizing thelr creation was passed, up to-Ociober 31, 1896, was 5957 and of this number 3679 were at the date last mentioned in active ope'ation, having author:zed capital stock of $656,014,895 held by 283,703 shareholders, and circulating notes amounting to $21,413,630. NATIONAL BANK NOTE CIRCULATION. The total outstanding circulating notes of all National banks on the 81st day of October, 1896, amounted to $234,553,107, inciuding unre- deemed but fully secured notes of banks insolvent and in process of liqui- dation. The increase in National bank circulation during the year ending on that day was $21,099,429. On October 6, 1896, when the condition of National banks was last reported, the total resources of the 3679 nétive in- stilutions was §3,263.695.313. which included $1,893,268,839 31 in loans and discounts, and $262,165.833 85 in money of all kindson hand. Of their liabilities $1.590,891,058 (3 was due to individual depositors, and $209,944,019 cousisted of outstanding circulating notes. ‘1here were organized during the year preceding the date last men-