0.Q
THE SCRANTON TRTBCiNJ- WEDiVISSDAV, jDHCEMJJEH (, 1899.
THE PRESIDENT'S
ANNUAL MESSAGE
Continued
result will enable the executive to treat
tho qtiestlnii with the government of
Italy In a Hplrlt of fairness nntl Justice.
A satisfactory solution will doubtless
be leached.
Tho recurrence of these distressing
manifestations of blind mob fury, di
rected nt dependents or natives of i
foreign country, suggests that the con
tingency has arisen for action by con
gress In the direction of conferring
upon tho federal courts lurlsdlctlon In
Ibis class of International cases where
tho ultimate responsibility of tho fed
eirtl government may be Involved. The
suzcestlon Is not new. A bill to pro
vide for the punishment ot violations
of trentv rights of aliens was Intro
duced In the senate March 1, 1S02, and
reported favorably March 30. The bill
so Introduced nml reported provided
hnt anv act committed In any state
or territory of the United States In
violation of the rights of a citizen or
subject of a foreign country secured to
such citizen or subject by treaty be
tween the United States and such for
eign country and constituting a crime
under the laws of the state or torrt
tnrv. shall constitute a like crime
ncalnst the United States and be rec
ognlznhle in the federal court.
No action was taken by congress In
the matter.
I earnestly recommend that the sub
Jert be takpn up anew and ncted upon
during the present session. Tho neces
sity for some such provision abundant
ly appears.
After many years of endeavor on the
part of this government to that end.
the Italian government has consented
to enter Into negotiations for a natural
ization convention, having for one ot
Its objects the regulation of the etatus
of Italians except those of an age for
active military service who, having
been naturalized In the United States,
may ie-vlsit Italy. It Is honed that
with the mutually conciliatory spirit
displayed, a successful conclusion will
be reached.
The Japanese Treaty.
Tho treaty of commerce and naviga
tion between the United States and
Ja-pnn'on November 22, 1894, took effect
on the 17th of July last, simultane
ously with the enforcement of liko
treaties with the other powers, exceot
France, whose convention did not go
Into operation until Aug. I. By this
notable conventional leforni. Japan's
position as a fully Independent sov
ereign power Is assured.
The woiklng of the new system bus
given rise to no matcilal complaints
on the part of the American citizens
m interests, n circumstance which at
tests the ripe consideration with which
I he change has been prepared.
Valuable assistance was rendered by
the Japanese authorities to the Unit
ed States transport ship Morgan City,
while stranded at Kobe. Permission
has been granted to land and pasture
army hotsps at Japanese ports of call,
on the way to the Philippine island".
These kindly evidences of good will
lire highly appreciated.
The Japanese government has
shown a lively Interest in the jiroimsl
tlon ot the Pacific Cable Cnmunnv to
add to Its projected cable HnfM to
Hawaii. Guam, and the Phlll-jnlnes a
branch connection with the coast of
Japan,
It would be a gratifying consumma
tion were the utility of the contem
plated scheme enhanced by bringing
Japan and the United States Into di
leci telegraphic relation,
Without repeating the observations
of my special message of February in,
last concerning the necessity of
cable to Manila, 1 respectfully Invi'e
attention to It.
1 recommend that, in case the con
gress should not take measures to bring
about this result by, direct n'-t'o i of
the government, the postmaster gen
eral be authorized to Invite competitive
bids for the establishment of a cable;
the .'onr pany making the best re
uinpslblc bid to be awarded the con
tract: the successful company to give
.nnple bonds to Insure the completion
of the work within a reasonable time.
The venr has been marked by con
stantly Increased Intimacy of our rela
tions with Mexico and In tho magni
tude of mutually advantageous Inter
changes. This government has omitted
no opportunity to show Its strong- de
sire to develop and perpetuate the ties
of cordiality now so long hupplly un
broken. Mattel s with Mexico,
Following the termination on Janu
ary 20, 1899 by Mexico of the conven
tion of extradition of December 11,
1861, a new treaty mure In accordance
with the ascet tallied needs of both
countries was signed February 22. ISM,
and exchanged In the City of Meii o
on the 22d or April last. Its opera
tion thus far has been effective and
satisfactory. A recent case has
served to test the application of Its
fourth article which provides that
neither party shall be bound to deliver
Up Its own citizens, but that the execu
tive authority of each shall have the
power to deliver them up. If In Its dis
cretion It he deemed proper to do so.
Tho extradition of Mrs. Mottle Rich.
a citizen of the United States, charged
with homicide committed in Mexico
was, after mature consideration, di
rected by me In the conviction that the
ends of Justice would be thereby sub
sprved. Similar action, on appropri
ate occusion. by the Mexican executive
will not only und to accomplish tlw
desire of both governments that graw
crimes go not unpunished, but als-
to repress lawlessness along the bor
der of the two countries. The new
treaty stipulates that neither govern
ment shall assume- Jurisdiction In the
punishment of crimes committed ex
clusively within the territory of thn
zither. This will obviate in future the
embarrassing cuiitroveisl-s which
have heretofore arisen through Mex
ico's assertion of u claim to try and
punish an American citizen for nn of
fense commuted within the Jurisdiction
of tho United States.
The international water boundary
commission, organized by the conven
tion of March 1. 1899, for the adjust
ment of questions affecting the Rio
Grande frontier, has not yet complet
ed its labors. A further extension of
Its term for ono year, until December
14, 1899. was effected by u convention
signed December 2, 1S93 and exchanged
and proclaimed In February last.
An Invitation extended to the presi
dent of Mexico to visit Chicago In Oc
tober on the occasion of laying the cor
ner stone of the United States govern
ment building In that city was cordially
accepted by him with the necessary
consent of the Mexican congress, but
the Illness or a member ot his family
prevented his attendance. Tho minis
ter of foreign relations, however, camo
as the personal representative of Presi
dent Diaz, and In that high character
was duly honored.
Claims growing out of the seizure of
American sealing vessels in tiering
Sea have been under dUcusslon with
the government of Russia for several
years, with the recent happy result or
nn agreement to submit them to tho
decision of a single arbitrator. By this
net RuesIu affords proof or her adher
ence to the beneficent principle of ar
bitration which her plenipotentiaries
conspicuously favored at Tho Haguo
disarmament conference when It was
advocated by the representatives of
the United States.
A suggestion for a permanent expo
sition of our product and manufac
from Pace 5.
tures In Htissia, although not yet fully
shaped, hits been so cordially welcomed
by tho Imperial government that It
may not Inaptly take n fitting place In
whatever legislation the congress nitty
adopt looking to enlargement of our
commercial opportunities abroad.
The Story of Samoa.
Important events have occurred in
the Samoan Islands. The election, ac
cording to tho laws and customs of
Samoa, of a successor to the late king,
Malletoa Laupepa, developed a contest
ns to the validity of the result, which
Issue, by the terms of the general act,
was to be decided by the cfilef Justice.
Upon his rendering a Judgment In
favor of Malletoa Tanu, the rival chief.
Mataafit, took up arms. The active In
tervention of American and British
warships became Imperative to restore
order, at the cost of sanguinary en
counters. In this emergency a Joint
commission of reprefentntlves of the
United States, Germany and Great
Hrltaln was sent to Samoa to investi
gate the situation and provide a tem
porary remedy. By Its nctlve efforts u
peaceful solution was reached for the
time being, the kingship being abol
ished and a provisional government es
tablished. Recommendations unani
mously made by the commission for u
permanent adjustment of the Samoan
question were taken under considera
tion by the three powers parties to the
trenernt act.
But the more they were examined the
more evident It became that n radical
change was necessary In the relations
of the powers to Sumoa.
The Inconveniences and possible per
il;, of the trl-partlte tclieme of super
vision and control In the Samoan group
by powers having little interest In
common In that quarter beyond com
mercial rlvnlrv had been once more
emphasized by recent events. The
suggested reined) of the Joint commis
sion, like the scheme It aimed to re
nlace, amounted to what has been
stvled n "trldomlnlum," being the exer
cise of the functions of sovereignty by
nn unnnlmous agreement of three pow
ers. The situation had become far
more Intricate and embarrassing f'nm
every point of view thnn It was when
my predecessor, In 1S94, summed .in Its
perplexities and condemned the tiar-
tlclpatlon In it of the United States.
The arrangement under which Sa
moa was administered bad proved Im
practicable and unacceptable to nil the
powers concerned. To withdraw from
the agreement and abandon the Islands
to Germany nnd Great Britain would
not be compatible with our Inter 'Ki- in
the archipelago. To relinquish our
rights In the harbor of Pago ago. the
best anchorage In the Pacific, tho oc
cupancy of which had been leased to
the United States In 1S79 by the first
foreign treaty ever concluded by Sa
moa, was not to be thought of either
as regards the needs of our navy or the
interests of our growing commerce with
the east. We could not have consid
ered any proposition for the abrogation
of the trl-partltlte control which did
not confirm us in till our rights nnd
safeguard all our national Interests In
the Islam1.
Our views commended themselves to
the other powers. A satisfactory ar
rangement was concluded between the
governments of Germany nnd of Kng
laml by virtue of which England re
tired from Samoa In view of compen
sations In other directions, and both
powers renounced In favor of the
United States all their rights and
claims over and In respect to that por
tion of the group lying to the east of
the one seventy-lltst degree of west
longitude, embracing the Islands of
Tutulla. Ofoo, Olosenga and Mantin
I transmit to the senate, for Its con
stitutional action thereon, n convention,
which besides the provisions above
mentioned also guarantees us the same
privileges and conditions in respect to
commerce and commercial vessels In
all of the Islands of Samoa as those
possessed by Oermanv.
Claims have been preferred by white
residents of Samoa on account of In
juries alleged to have been suffered
thiough the acts of the treaty govern
ments In putting down the late dis
turbances. A convention has been made between
the three powers for the Investigation
and settlement ot these claims bv a
neutral arbitrator, to which the atten
tion of the senate will be Invited.
Cuba.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted In great part to a
consideration of the Spanish war and
of the results it wrought and the con
ditions it Imposed for the future. T nm
'iutlfled to announce that the treaty
of peace bus restored friendly rela
tions between the two powets. F.ffeet
has been given to its most Imuortant
provisions. The evacuation of Porto
Rico having already been accomplish., l
on the lSth of October, 1898, nothing
remained necessary there but to con
tinue the provisional military control
of the Island until the congress should
enact a suitable government for the
ceded tenltory. Of the character and
scope of the measures to that end, I
shall treat In another part of this mes
sage. The withdrawal of the authority nt
Spain from the Island of Cuba 'was
effected by the first of Jannnrv, so
that the full re-establishment of peace,
found the relinquished territory held by
the United States In trust for tin- In -habitants,
maintaining- under th- di
lectlon of the executive such govern
ment and control therein as should
conserve public order, restore the pro
ductive conditions of peaco so long
disturbed by the Instability and dis
order which prevailed lor the greut?r
purt of the preceding three decades,
and build up that tranquil develop
ment ot the domestic Mute whereby
alone can be icallzed tho high pur
pose, as proclulmed In the Joint reso
lution adopted by the congress on Ap
ril 19, 189S, by which thy United States
disclaimed any disposition of Intention
to exercise sovereignty. Jurisdiction or
control over Cuba, except for tho pa
cification thereof, and usserted its de
termination when that was accom
plished, to leave the government- and
control of tho Island to Us people. The
pledge contnlned In this resolution is
of the highest honorable obligation
uud must be sacredly kept.
I believe that sjbstantlal progress
has been made In this direction. All
the ndmlnlstratlve ni. amies adopted
In Cuba have nlmed to fit It for n re
generated existence by onfotclng the
supremacy of law and JubUco; by plac
ing wherever practicable the machin
ery of administration lu the hands of
the inhabitants- by instituting needed
sanitary reforms: by spreading educa
tion; by fostering Industry and trado;
by inculcating public morality and. In
short, by taking every rational step
to aid the Cuban people to attain to
that plane of self conscious respect
nnd self reliant unity which fits an
enllghtend community for self gov
ernment within Its own sphere, while
enabling It to nlflll all outward obli
gations. This nation has assumed before the
world a grave responsibility for the fu
ture pood government of Cuba, We
have accepted R trust, the fulfilment
of which calls for the sternest Integ
rity ot purpose and tho exercise, of
tho highest wisdom. Tho now Cuht
yet to nrlse from tho ushes of the past
I must needs be hound to us bv tlca of
smguiur in-imncy, ami sircngtn ir its
enduring welfare Is to be assured.
Whether those tk-s shall be organic or
conventional, the destinies of Cuba are
lu some rightful form nnd manner Ir
levocably linked with out own. but
how. and how far Is for the future to
determine In the ripeness of events.
Whatever be the outcome we must so
to It that free Cuba be n reullty, not
a name, a perfect entity, not n hasty
experiment bearing within Itself tha
elements ot failure. Our mloslon, to
itlocompllsh which we fjook up the
wuger of battle. Is not to bo full'lled
by l timing adrift any loosely framed
commonwealth to face the vicissitudes
which loo often attend weak states
whose natural wealth and abundant
jesources nrc offset by the Incongrui
ties of their political organization nnd
tho recurring occasions for Internal
i Ivnlries to eap their strength and dis
sipate their energies.
The greatest blessing which can come
to Cuba Is the restoration of her ugtl-
culttiral and Industrial prosperity,
which will give employment to Idle
men and re-estnbllsh the pursuits of
peace. This la her chief und Immed
iate need. .
On the 19th of August last nn order
was made for the taking of the census
In the Island, to be completed on tho
30th of November. By the treaty of
peace the Spanish people on the Island
have until April 11, 1900, to elect wheth
er they will remain citizens of Spain or
become citizens of Cuba. Until then
It cannot be definitely ascertained who
shall be entitled to participate In the
formation of the government of Cuba.
By that time the results of tho census
will hnvo been tabuluted und we shall
proceed to provide for elections which
will commit tho municipal governments
of the Island to tho officers elected by
the people. The experience thus ac
quired will prove of great value In the
formation of a republican convention
of the people to draft, the constitution
and establish u general system of in
dependent government for the Island.
In the meantime, and so long as we
exorcise control over the Island, the
products of Cuba should have a market
In tho United Stute.i on ns good terms
and with ns favorable rates of duty as
are given to the West India Islands un
der treaties of reciprocity which shall
be made.
For the relief ot the dlsticssed In the
island of Cuba the war depnrtment has
Issued supplies to destitute persons,
through the officers of the nrmy which
have amounted to 5,593,000 rations at a
cost of $1,147,554.07. To promote the
disarmament of the Cuban volunteer
nrmy and In the Interest ot public
peace and tho welfare of the people tho
sum of $75 was paid to each Cuban sol
dier! borne upon the authenticated pay
rolls on the condition that he should
deposit his arms with tho authorities
designated by the United States. Tho
sum thus disbursed aggregated $2,547,
750, which was paid from the emergen
cy fund provided by the act of January
5, 1899, for that purpose.
Out ot the Cuban Island revenues
dining the six months ending June 30,
1899. $1,712,014.20 was expended for san
itation; $293,881.70 for charities and hos
pitals, and $S8,944.03 for aid to the des
titute. Following the exchange of latlllca
tlons of the treaty of peace, the two
governments accredited ministers to
each other, Spain sending to Washing
ton the Duke of Arcos, an eminent
diplomatist, previously stationed In
Mexico, while tho United States trans
ferred to Madrid Hon. Belamy Storer.
Its minister nt Brussels. This was
followed by the respective appointment
of consuls, thereby fully resuming the
rotations interrupted by the war. In
addition to Its consular representation
In the United States, the Spanish gov
ernment has appointed consuls for
Cuba, who have been provisionally
recognized during the military admin
istration of the nffnlrs of that Island.
Judicial Intercom se between the courts
of Cuba and Porto Rico and of Spain
has been established, as provided by
the treaty of peace. The Cuban politi
cal prisoners in Spanish penal stations
have been and are being released and
returned to their homes, In uccordanci
with Article VI of the treaty. Nego
tiations are about to be had for defin
ing tho conventional relations between
the two countries, which fell Into abey
ance by reason or tne war. I trust
that the.se will Include a favorable ar
rangement for commercial reciprocity
under the terms of Sections 3 nnd 4 of
the current tariff act. In these, as in
all matters of International concern no
effort will be spaied to respond to the
good disposition of Spain, und to cul
tivate In all practicable ways the Inti
macy which should prevail between two
nations whose past history litis so often
and In so many ways been marked by
sincere filendship and by community
of Interest.
I would recommend appropriate leg
islation in order to ciyry Into execu
tion Article VII of the trmty of peace
with Spain, by which tho United Stutts
assured the payment of certain claims
lor Indemnity ot Its citizens against
Spain.
The Turkish Empire.
The United States minister to Tur
key continues under instructions, to
press for a money payment In satis
faction of tin" Just claims for Injuries
suffered by American citizens in tho
disorders of several yeius past und for
wrongs done to them by the ottoman
authorities. Some of these claims are
of many years standing. This govern
ment Is hopeful of a general agree
ment in this reguid.
In the Turkish empire the situation
of our citizens remains unsatisfactory.
Our efforts during nearly forty years
to bring about a convention ot natura
lization seem to be on the brink of filial
failure through the announced policy
of the ottoman Porte to refuse recog
nition of the alien status of native
Turkish subjects naturalized abroad
since 1867. our statutes do not allow
this government to admit any distinc
tion between the treatment of native
und naturalized Americans abroad, so
that ceaseless controversy arises in
cases where persons owing, in the eye
of International law. a duul allegiance,
me prevented from entering Turkey or
uie expelled after entrance. The Brit
ish uct, for Instance, does not claim
effect for the naturalization of an alien
even In the event of his return to his
native country unless tho change be
recognized by the law ot that country
or stipulated by treaty between It and
the naturalizing state.
The arbitrary treatment, lu some In
stances, of American productions In
Turkey has attracted attention of late,
notably In regard to our flour. Large
shipments by tho recently opened direct
steamship line to Turkish ports have
been denied entrance on the score that,
although of standard composition und
unquestioned purity, the Hour was per
nicious to health, because of deficient
"elasticity." as Indicated by antiquated
und untrustworthy tests. Upon due
protest by the American minister and
It appearing that the act wus a virtual
discrimination against our product, the
shipments lu question were admitted.
In these as in all Instances wherever
occurring, ' when Amerlenn products
may be subjected In a foreign country
upon specious pretexts to discrimina
tion compured with the like pinducts
of ntiother country, this government
will use Its earnest efforts to secure
fair and equal treatment for Its citi
zens and their goods. Falling this. It
will not hesitate to apply whatever
corrective may bo provided by the
statutes.
The Venezuela Trouble.
Tho internal commission of arbitra
tion, appointed the Anglo-Venezuelan
treaty of 1897, rendered an award on
October 3 lust, whereby the boundary
lino between Venezuela and British
Guiana Is determined thus ending a
controversy which has existed for the
greater part of tho century. The
award, as to which tho arbitrators
were unanimous, while not meeting the
extremo contention of either party,
gives to Great Britain a large space of
Interior territory In dispute and to
Venezuela the entire mouth ot the Or
Inco, Including Bnrlma point, nnd the
Caribbean l.ltlorul for some distance
to the eastward. The division appears
to be equally satisfactory to both par
ties. Venezuela has once moie undergone
a revolution. The insurgents, under
General Castro, after a sungulnary en
gagement in which they suffered much
loss, rallied in the mountainous coun
try nnd advanced toward the capital.
Tho bulk ot the army sided with the
movement; President Andrade quitted
Caracas, where General Castro set up
a provisional government, with which
our minister und tho representatives ot
other powers entered Into diplomatic
relations on Nov. 20, 1899.
The fourth section of the tariff act,
approved July 24, 1S97, appears to pro
vide only for commercial treaties which
should bo entered Into by the president
and also ratified by the senate within
two years from Its passage. Owing to
delays Inevitable in negotiations of this
nature, none of the treutles initiated
under that section could be concluded
In time for ratification by the senate
prior to Its adjournment on March -4
last. Some of the pending negotia
tions, howuver were near conclusion
at that time, and the resulting conven
tions have since been signed by the
plenipotentiaries. Others, within both
the third and fourth sections of the
net are still under consideration. Act
ing under tho constitutional power of
the executive In respect to treaties I
have deemed It my duty, while observ
ing tho limitations of concession pro
vided by tho fourth section, to bring to
a conclusion all pending negotiations
and submit them to the senate for Its
advice and consent.
Conventions of reciprocity have been
signed during the congressional recess
with Great Btltaln for the respective
polonies of British Gulano, Barbadocs,
Bermuda, Jamaica and Turks and Cal
cos islands and with tno republic ot
Nicaragua.
Important reciprocal .conventions
have also been concluded with France
and with the Argentine Republic.
Consular Heports.
In my last annual message the prog
ress noted In the work of the diplomat
ic nnd consular ofTlcers in collecting In
formation as to tho Industries and
commerce of other countries, and In the
care and promptitude with which their
reports are printed nnd distributed has
continued during the past year with In
creasingly valuable results In suggest
ing new sources of demand for Ameri
can products and In picking out the
obstacles still to be overcome in fa
cilitating the remarkable expansion of
our foreign trade. It will doubtless be
gratifying to congress to learn that
the various agencies of the depart
ment of state are co-operating In these
endeavors with a zeal and effectiveness
which are not only receiving the cor
dial recognition of our business Inter
ests, but are exciting the emulation of
other governments. In any re-arrangement
ot the great and complicat
ed work of obtaining official data of
an economic character, which congress
may undertake it Is most Important In
my Judgment that the results already
secured by the efforts of the depart
ment of state should be carefully con
sidered with a view to judicious de
velopment and increased utility to our
export trade.
The American Republic.
The Interest taken by the various
states forming the international union
o American republics in the work of
Its organic bureau is evidenced by the
fact that for the first time since Its
creation In 1890 all the republics ot
South and Central America are non
represented in It.
The unanimous recommendations rf
the International American conference
providing lor tho International bureau
of American tepubllcs all stated that It
.should continue In force during a term
of ten years from the date of its or
ganization nnd no country becrmlng a
member of the union should cense to be
a member until tho end of said period or
ten years, and unless twelve months
before the expiration of said period, a
majority of the members of the union
hnd given to the secretary of state of
the United States official notice of their
wish to terminate the union at the end
of Its first period, that the union should
continue to be maintained for another
period of ten years and thereafter, un
der the same conditions, for squcces-
slve periods ot ten years each.
The period for notification expired
on July 14. 1899. without any of the
members having given the necessary
notice of withdrawal. Its maintenance
is thus assured for the next ten years.
In view of this fact and the numer
ous questions of general Interest and
common benefit toallof the republics of
America, some of which were consid
ered by the first International Ameri
can conference, but not finally settled,
and others which have since then
grown to Importance, it would seem
expedient that the various republics
constituting the union should be Invit
ed to hold at an early date another con
ference In the capital of one of the
countries other thun the United States,
which has already enjoyed this honor.
The purely International character
of the work being donu by the bureau
und the appreciation of its vulue are
further emphasized by the active co
operation which the various govern
ments of the Latin-American republics
and their diplomatic representatives In
the capital are now exhibiting and the
zealous endeavors they are making to
extend Its held of usefulness and to
promote through It commercial inter
course nnd strengthen the bonds ot
amity und confidence between Its var
ious members and the nations of this
continent.
Pan American Exposition.
Tile act to encourage the holding of
the Pun-American exposition on the
Niagara frontier, within the county of
Krlo or Niagara, In tho stato of New
York In the year 1901, was approved on
March 3. 1899.
This exposition, which will be held
In the city of Buffalo In the near
vicinity of the great Niagara cataract
and within a day's Journey ot which
reside several million of our people,
will be confined entirely to the west
ern hemisphere. Satisfactory assur
ances havu already been given by the
diplomatic representatives of Gieat
Britain, Mexico, the Central and South
American republics, and most of tho
states of the United States that these
countries uud states will make an
unique, interesting and Instructive ex
hibit peculiarly Illustrative of their ma
teriai progress during the
century
which is ubout to close. The law mo
vldes an appropriation of $500,000 for
the purpose of making an exhibit nt
the exposition by the government of the
United States for Its executlvo depart
ments und from the Smithsonian Insti
tution and National museum, the Unit-'
ed Stutes commission ot llsh and fish
eries, the department of labor und the
bureau ot American republics. To se
cure a complete and harmonious ar
rangement of this government exhibit,
a board of management has already
been created and charged with tho se
lection, purchase, preparation, the
transportation, arrangement and safe
keeping of the articles and materials to
be exhibited. This board has been or
ganized and has already entered upon
tho performance of Its duties us pro
vided for by the law.
1 have every reason to hope and be
lieve that this exposition will tenJ
more firmly to cement the cordial rela
tions between the nations on this con
tinent. In accordance with an act of con
gress approved Dec. 21, 1S9S, nnd under
tho auspices of the Philadelphia Com
mercial museum, a most Interesting
and valuable, exposition of products
and manufactures especially adapted to
export trade was held In Philadelphia
from tho 14th of September to the 1st
of December, 1899, The representative
character ot the exhibits und tho wide
spread Interest manifested In tho spe
cial objects of tho undertaking ufford
renewed encouragement to thdso who
look confidently to the steady growth
of our enlarged exportation of manu
factured goods, which has been the
most remarkable fact In the economic
development of the United States In re
cent years. A feature of this exhibit,
which Is likely to becomo or permanent
and Increasing utility to our Industries,
Is tho collection ot samples ot mer
chandise products In the various coun
tries with special reference to particu
lar markets, providing practical ob
Ject lessons to United States manufac
turers, as to qualities, styles and prices
ot goods such ns met tho special de
mands of consumers und may be ex
ported with advantage.
In connection with tlm exposition an
international commercial congress whs
bed upon the Invitation of the Phila
delphia Commercial Muenm, trans
ported by the secretary of ptnte to the
various foreign governments for nn
exchange of Infotmntlon nnd opinions
with tho view to th promotloli of In
ternational trade. This Invitation met
with general nnd cordial acceptance
nnd the congress, which begnn its ses
sions nt the exposition of the 13th ot
October, proved to bo of great prac
tical Importance from the fact that
It developed it genernl recognition of
the Independence of nations In trade
and a most, gratifying spirit of ac
commodation with refcrenco to the
gradual removal of existing Impedi
ments to reciprocal relations without
Injury to the Industrial Interests ot
either party.
Tho Pence Conference.
In response to the Invitation of his
majesty, the emperor of Russia, dele
gates from twenty-six countries were
assembled at The Hague on tho 18lh
of May, ns members of a conference
In the Interests of peace. The com
mission from the United States con
sisted of the Hon. Andrew D. White,
the Hon. Seth Low, the Hon. Stanford
Ncwall, Captain Alfred Malion, of tho
United States navy. Captain William
Crosier, of the United States army,
and the Hon. Frederick W, Holls, sec
retary. The occasion seemed to be oppor
tune for the rerlous consecration -if
a plan for the pacific n.dJuUment of In
ternational differences, a subject In
which the American people have been
deeply Interested for many vcars, and
a definite project for a permanent in
ternational tribunal was Included in
the Instructions to the delegates of
the United States. Tho final act of tho
conference Includes conventions upo'i
the amelioration of (ho la-, i and cus
toms of war on lnnd. tho a '.tptatlon to
maritime, warfare of the principles ot
tho Geneva convention of Im'I nnd the
extension of Judicial methods to In
ternational cases. The convention for
the pacific settlement of intornatlonil
conflicts embodies tho leading features
of tho American plan with such modi
fications as were rendered necessary
by the great diversity of views nnd
Interests represented by the delegates.
The four titles ot the convention pro
vide for the maintenance of general
pence, tho exercise of good offices and
mediation, the formation of commis
sions of inquiry nnd International arbi
tration. Tho mediation provided for by the
convention is purely voluntnry and ad
visory, and is Intended to avoid any in
vasion or limitation of sovereign rights
of the adhering states. The commis
sions of inquiry proposed consist of
delegations to bo specifically constitut
ed for particular purposes by means of
conventions between the contesting
parties, having for their object the
clear understanding of international
differences before resorting to tne use
or force. The provision for arbitra
tion contemplates the formation of a
permanent tribunal before which dis
puted cases may bo brought for set
tlement by the mutual consent of tho
litigants In each separate case. The
advantages of such n permanent trib
unal over Impromptu commissions ot
arbitration are conceived to be the ac
cessibility of a competent court, pre
pared to administer Jurtlce, thi greater
economy resulting from a well devised
svsteni, and the accumulated judicial
skill and experience which such a trib
unal would soon possess.
While enrnestly promoting the Idea
of establishing a permanent Interna
tional tribunal, the delegation ot the
United States was not unmindful of
the Inconvenience which might arise
from an obtrusive exorcise of media
tion and in signing the convention
carefully guarded the historical position
of the United States by the following
declaration: "Nothing contained in
this convention shall be so construed
as to require the United States of
America to depart from Its traditional
policy of not Intruding upon. Interfer
ing with, or entangling Itself In tho po
litical questions or policy or Internal
administration of a foreign state ;nor
shall anything contained in said con
vention be construed to Imply a re
linquishment by the United States of
America of Its traditional attitude to
wards purely American questions."
Thus Interpreted, the convention for
the pacific settlement of International
conflicts may be regarded as leallziug
the earnest desire of great numbers
of American citizens, whose deep sense
of justice, expressed In numerous reso
lutions and memorials, has urged them
to labor for this noble achievement.
The general character of this conven
tion, already signed by the delegates
of more than twenty sovereign states,
further commends It to the favorable
action of the senate of the United
States, whose ratification It awaits.
The Army.
Since my last annual message, and In
obedience to the acts of the congress of
April 22 und 2(1, 189S, the remaining
volunteer force enlisted for the Span
ish war, consisting of 31,831 regulars
and 110,202 volunteers, with over 5,000
volunteer officers, has been dlschnrgcl
from the military service. Of the vol
unteers, 667 otllcers und 14,821 men
were serving In the Philippines, and
1,830 of the regulars who woro entitled
to be mustered out after the ratifica
tion of the treaty of peace. They vol
untarily remained at the front until
their places could be filled by new
troops. They were returned home In
the order In which they went to Ma
nila, and are now all of them out of
the service and In the ranks of citizen
ship. I recommend that the congress
provide a special medal of honor for
the volunteers, regulars, sailors and
murines on duty In the Philippines wh'j
voluntarily remained In tho service af
ter their terms of enlistment had ex
pired. By the act of March " 1M1 ,.r,r,,...n,.
; gave authority to Increnso the regular
army to a maximum not exceeding 05,
ooo enlisted men nnd to enlist a force
of 33.000 volunteers, to be recruited
from the country at large. Bv vlrtuo
ot this authority the 'regular army has
been increased to the number of 61.99.1
enlisted men and 2.X4S oltlcorn nnd new
volunteer regiments have organized,
aggregating 33,010 enlisted men find 1.
521 officers, two of these volunteer
regiments nro made up of colored mn,
with colored lino otllcers. The new
troops to take the places of those re
turning from the Philippines have been
transported to Manila 10 the number
or 51 otllceis and 26,322 enlisted nion
or the regular army nnd 594 officers
and 15.3SS enlisted men of the new
volunteer force, whllo C01, nnd 14.39J
men of the volunteer force are on tho
ocean enroute to Manila.
The force now In Manila consists of
905 officers nnd 30,578 regulars, and 391
officers nnd 15,:tSS of the volunteers,
malting un aggregate of 1,499 officers
and 4G,9Cf. men. When the troops now
under orders shall reach Manila, thj
force In the archipelago will comprise
2,051 officers und 13.4S3 men.
Tho muster out of tho groat volun
teer army organized for tho Spanish
war and tho creation or n new army,
tho transportation from Mnn:ia to San
Francisco of those cntltld ito dis
charge, nnd the transportation of th
now troops to their places have been
u work of groat magnitude well and
ably done, for which too much credit
cannot bo given tho war department.
rturlng the past year we havo reduced
our forces In Cuba nnd Porto Ittco.
In Cuba we now havo 334 officers and
10.795 enlisted men, In Porto Rico, 87
oilier and 2,S".5 enlisted men nnd a
battnllon of 400 men composed of na
tive Porto ltlcans; while wtatloned
throughout the XTnlted States nro. 910
oilleern nnd 17.317 men. nnd In Hawaii
12 oillceis nii(r 4i" enllstfd men.
The operations or the nrmy nro fully
presented In tho teport of the secre
tary of war. I cannot withhold from
officers nnd men tho highest commen
dation for their coldlorly conduct In
trying situations, their willing sacri
fices for their country, and tho Integ
rity and nblllty with which they havo
Performed unusual nnd difficult duties
In our Island porsesslons.
Tn the organization of volunteer reg
iments authorized by the net of March
2. 1899, It was found that no provision
hnd been made for chaplains. This
omission wus doubtless from inadver
tunce. I recommend tho early author
ization for the appointment of one
chaplain for each of raid regiments.
Theso regiments are not In the Philip
pines and It In Important that Imme
diate notion be hid.
In restoring peaceful conditions, or
derly rule, tho civic progress In Cuba,
Porto Rico, nnd so far ni practicable
In the Philippine, tho rehabilitation
of the postal service has been an es
sential nnd Important part of the work.
It becomes necessary to provide mail
facilities both for our forces of oc
cupation and for the notlve popula
tion. To meet this requirement has
Involved n substantlnl reconstruction.
The existing systems were so frag
mentary, defective nnd Inadequate
that a now nnd comprehensive organ
ization had. to bo created. American
trained officials have been assigned to
the directing nnd executive positions,
while natives have ben chiefly em
ployed In making up the body of tho
force In working out this plnn, th
merit rule had been rigorously and
fnlMifutlv .innlled.
The Postal Service.
The nppolntment ot director general
of posts ot Cuba has given to an ex
pert who had been chief postoffice
Inspector and assistant postmaster
lreneral. nnd who united large cxperl-
enuo with ndmlnlstratlve capacity. For
the postmastershlp at Havana the
range of skilled and available men was
scanned, and the choice fell upon ono
who had been twenty years In the ser
vice as deputy postmaster and post
master of a large city. This principle
governed and determined the selection
of the American officials sent not only
to Cuba, but to Porto Rico and the
Philippines nnd they were Instructed
to apply It so far as practicable In the
employment of natives as minor post
masters and clerks.
The postal system In Cuba, though
remaining under tho genernl guidance
of the postmaster general, was made
essentially Independent. It was felt
that It should not be a burden upon
the postal service. of tho United States,
and provision was made that any de
ficit In tho postal revenue should bo a
charge upon the general revenues of
th elsland.
Though Porto Rico and tho Philip
pines hold a different relation to the
United States, yet for convenience of
administration, the same principle of
an autonomous system has been ex
tended to them. The development ot
the service In nil of the Islands has
been rapid and successful. It Is push
ing forward r- American lines, with
free delivery, money order and registry
systems and has given the people mall
facilities far greater and more reliable
than any they have ever before en
Joyed. It Is thus not only a vital
agency ot industrial, social and busi
ness progress, but an Important Influ
ence In dhtusing a Just understand
ing of the true spirit and character of
American administration.
The domestic postal service continues
to grow with extraordinary rapidity.
Tho expenditures nnd the revenues
will each exeeee" $100,100,000 during the
current year. Fortunately, since the
revival of prosperous times, the "reve
nues have grown much faster than the
expenditures, and there Is every Indi
cation that a short period will witness
the obliteration of the annual dellclt.
In this connection, the report of the
postmaster general embodies a State
ment of some evils which have grown
up outside or the contemplation or law
In the treatment of some classes of
mail matter which wrongly exercise
the privilege or the .pound rate and
shows that ir this matter had been
properly classified and had paid the
rate wlilcli iU should have paid Instead
of a postal dellclt for the last fiscal
year or $6,610,000, there would have
been on one basis a surplus or $17,
637,750, and on another $5,733,836. The
reform thus suggested, In the opinion
of the postmaster general, would not
only put the postal service at once on
a safe, sustaining basis, but world
permit great and vuluable improve
ments, nnd I commend the subject to
the consideration of the congress.
The Navy.
Tho navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which has always
characterized1 that Fervlce and baa lost
none of the gallantry In heroic action
which has slgnnllzed lis brilliant and
glorious past. The nation has equal
pride In Its- early and later achieve
ments. Its habitual readiness for ev
ery emergency has won the confidence
and admiration of the country. The
people ure Interested in the continued
preparation and prestige of tho navy
and will justify liberal appropriations
for its maintenance nnd Improvement.
The officers have shown peculiar adap
tation lor the performance of new and
delicate duties which cur recent wai'
has imposed.
It cannot be doubted that congress
will at once make necessary provision
for the armor plate for tho vessels nowt
under contract and building. Its at
tention Is respectfully called to the
report of tho secretary of tho miv'y.
lu which the subject Is fully presented.
I unite tn his recommendation that the
congress enact such political legisla
tion ns may bo necesi-ary to enabl-J
tha department to make Its contracts
early In the coming vrar for nrmor lu
the best quality that can be obtained
In this count!) for the Mfcluc, Ohio
nnd Missouri, and tlint the- provision
of the act of March 3. 1869, limiting
tho price of armor to $3uu per ton l?
removed.
In the matter of naval construction,
Italy and Japan, of the great powers,
laid down less tonnage in the year
1S99, than this country, and Ituly alone
has less tonnage under construction
I heartily concur In the recommenda
tion for tho increase of the navy, as
suggested by the secretary.
Our future progress sum prosperity
depend upon our ability to equal, if
not suipass, other nations In the en
largement and ndvanco or science, In
dustry nnd commerce. To Invention
we must turn as one of the most pow
erful nlds to the accomplishment ot
such a result. The attention of the
congress Is directed to the report ot
th- commissioner of patents. In which,
will bo found valuable suggestions and
recommendation?.
Pensions.
On the 30th ot June, ISO-, the pension
roll of the United States number fUl,
591. Theso Include the pensioners ot
the army and navy in all our wars.
The number dropped by iviipoii ot
death, remoriiagc, mlnois by legal
limitation, failure to claim within
three years, und other, causes was 13,
186, nnd the number of claims dls
nllowed was 107,910. During the year
9S.05I pension certlflcntes were Issued,
ot which 32,077 were tor now original
pensions. Tho amount disbursed for
army nnd navy pensions during tho
yenr was $138,355,052.93, which was $1,
651.46t.61 less thun tho sum of tho ap
propriations, The Grand Army of the Republic, at
its recent national encampment rwld
!n Philadelphia, has brought to my at
tention und to that of congress, tho
wisdom and Juttlce of modification of
tho third section of the Act of Juno 37,
1SP0, which provides pensions for tho
widow ot officers und enlisted nvn
who served ninety days or more during
the war ot tho rebellion nnd wero hon
orably Olrcliurgcd, provided that such
widows are without other means of
support thun their dally labor nnd wero
married to the soldier, sailor or matins
on nccount of whose service they claim
pension prior to tho date of the not.
Tho prercnt holding of ths depart
ment Is that If the widow's Income
tisldo from her dally labor does not
exceed In ntnount what her pension
would be, to wit., $96 per annum, slio
would be deemed to be without othi r
means of support than her dally labor,
nnd would bo entitled to a pension un
der this uct: while It tho widow's In
come. Independent of tho amount re
ceived by her ns the result of htr
dally labor, exceeds $96, she would not
be pensionable under the net. I am
advised by tho commissioner ot pen
sions that tho amount of tho Income
nllowed before tltlo to pension would
be barred, has varied widely under dif
ferent administrations of the pension
office ns well as during different periods
of the samo administration, and has:
been the causa of Just complaint and
criticism. .
With the approval of the'secretary of
tho Interior, tho commissioner of. pen
sions recommendB that In order to
make tho practice at all times uniform
nnd to do Justice to the dependent
widow, the amount of Income allowed,
Independent of the proceeds ot her
dally labor, should be not less thnn
$250 per nnnum, nnd ho urges thnt the
congress shall so amend the act ns
to permit the pension office to grant
pensionable stntus to widows under
the terms of the third section or tho
Act or June 27, 1890, whose Income,
aside from tho proceeds of dallr labor.
Is not In excess of $250 per annum. I
believe this to be a simple act of Justice
nnd heartily recommend It.
The Dawes commission reports thnt
gratifying progress has been made Jn
Its work during the preceding year,
Tho field work ot enrollment ot foJi.
of tho nations has been completed. t
recommend that congress, at an early
day, make liberal appropriation for
educational purposes in the Indian
Territory.
The Census.
In accordance with the Act of Con
gress, npproved March 3, 1899, tho pre
liminary work in connection with tho
twelfth census is now fully under way.
The officers required for the proper ad
ministration of the duties Imposed havo
been selected. Tho provision for secur
ing a propr enumeration of the popula
tion, ns well ns to secure evidence ot
tho Industrial growth of the nation, Is
broader and more comprehensive than
any similar legislation In the past.
Tho director advises that every need
ful effort Is being mndo to push this
great work to completion in tho time
limited by the statute. It is believed
that the twelfth census will emphasize
our remarkable advance In all that per
tains to national progress.
Under the authority of the' act of
congress approved July 7, 1898, the
commission consisting of the secretary
of the treasury, the attorney general
and the secretary ot the interior, has
made an agreement of settlement
which has had my approval, or the In
debtedness to the government growing
out or the Issue of bonds to aid In the
construction or the Centrnl Pacific and
West Pacific railroads. The agrcerncnt
secures to the government tne princi
pal and Interest of said bonds, amount
ing to $58,812,715.48. There has been
paid thereon $11,762,543.12, which hat
been covered Into the treasury and the
remainder payable within ten years,
with Interest, at the rate of 3 per cent,
per annum, payable semi-annually, Is
secured by the deposit of an equal
amount ot first mortgage bondr ot tho
Pacific railway companies. The
amounts paid and secured to be paid
to the government on account ot tho
Pacific railroad subsidy claims are:
Union Pacific, cash, $58,448,223.75;
Kansas Pacific, cash. $6,303,000; Central
and and Western Pacific, cash, $11.
19S.134.10; notes secured, $47,050,172.36;
Kansas Pacific dividends for deficiency
due United States, cash. $821,897.70;
making a total of $124,421,607.95.
The whole Indebtedness was about
$130,000,000, more than half ot which
consisted of accrued Interest, for which
sum the government has realized the
entire amount, less nbout $8,000,000,
within n period of two years.
Torest Reservations.
On June 30, 1S98 there were 30 forest
reservations exclusive or the Afognak
forest und fish culture reserve in Alas
kaembracing an estimated, area of
40,719,474 acres. During tne past year
two of the existing forest reserves, the
Trabuco Canyon California, ahd
Black Hills South Dakota and Wyo
ming, have been considerably enlarged,
the area of the Mount Ranter reserve.
In the state of Washington, has been
somewhat reduced and six additional
reserves have been established, namely,
the San Francisco Mountains, Arlzonii;
the Black Mesa. Arizona; Lake Tahfle,
California; Gallaty, Montana: GJU
River, New Mexico; and Fish rkf,
Utah: the total estimated nrea of
which Is 5,265.770 acres. This makes ai
the present time 32 rorest reservations1,
embracing an estimated area ot 46,021,
899 acres. Tills estimated area Is tho
aggregated areas within the boundaries
of the reserves. The landsi actually
reserved are, however, only the vacant
public lands theieln, and these have
been set aside and reserved for sale or
settlement In order that they may be
of the greatest use to the people.
Protection of the national forests, In
augurated by the department of tho
Interior In 1897 has been continued dur
ing the past year nnd much has been
accomplished In the way of preventing
forest fires und the protection of the
timber. There are now large tracts
covered by forests which will eventu
ally be reserved and set apart for for
est uses. Until that can be done, con
gress should Increase the appropria
tions for the work of protecting thu
forests.
The department of agriculture is
constantly consulting the needs of pro
ducers In all the states and territories.
It Is intioduclng seeds nnd plants of
great value and promoting fuller di
versification of crops. Grains, grass js,
fruits, legumes und vegetables are Im
ported for all parts o the United
Stutes. Under th's encouragment th
sugar beet factory multiplies in the
north and far west. sml-trop!cal
plants are sent to tho south and con
genial climates are sought for tho
choice productions ot tho far east. Tim
hybridizing ot fruit treew and grain i-j.
conducted lu tho search for varieties
adapted to exacting conditions. The
Introduction of tea gardens Into the
southern states promises o provide
employment for Idle hands, an welt
us to supply tho homo market with
tea. The subject of Irrigation where it
Is of vital Importance to tho peoplo Is
being carefully studied, steps nro be
ing taken to reclaim Injured or aban
doned lnnds nnd Information for the
people along these lines Is b?lns print
ed nnd dlstrlb ted.
Markets are being sought and openart
up for surplus fnrm and fneloiy pro
ducts In F.nrope and Asln. Tho out
look for the education of tha younic
farmer through agricultural collegs
und experiment stutlons with oppor
tunity given to specialized depart
ment of agriculture Is very promising.
The people or Hawaii, forto Hl'u
nnd the Philippine Islands should ba
helped by the establishment of ex
periment Btatlons to a more selentlllo
knowledge ot the produetlan ot coiffe,
India rubber nnd other treplenl pro
ducts, for which Ihere Is demand In
the United States.
There Is widespread Interest In tha
improvement of our public highways
at the present t'.me nnd the dpart
ment of agriculture is en- operating
with tho peoplo In each locality In
making the best possible roads fr-iui
local material and tn oxprimentln ;
with steel tracks. A mors Intelligent