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H^^SnMcKinley Re views Our War With Spain. 9 nnwtnrn nniiw ruin iinuw PKHStS AKIHT flIIU ?HVI. ' Also Urges The Establishment of a Lager Army and Navy. OUR NEW POSSESSIONS. Their Future Government \\ ill Await the Ratification of the Peace Treaty The Gov eminent of the Philippines is Left to Congress to Settle Military Rule is Urged in .all Possessions Uutil Legislation has been Carried Through It is Suggested that the I Cubans be Aided After Treaty is Ratifed With a View to Giving Them Free Government 100,000 Standing Army. Washixotox, D. C. (Special).?President McKinley's second annual message, a document of unusual length, was read to the two Houses of Congress immediately after they assembled for the third and closing session of the Fifty-flfth Congress: To the Senate and House'of Representatives: Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered necessary by the war. our people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced by the largest volumeof business ever recorded. Manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have yielded abun dant returns! labor in all fields of industry is better rewarded, revenue legislation pnssed by the present * Congress bus increased the Treas^ ury receipts to the amount estimate 1 mr by its authors, the llnances of the W Government have been successfully administered and its credit aavanced to the first rank, while its currency has beau maintained at the world's highest standard. Military service under a common Bag and for a righteous cause has strength ened the national spirit and served to oement mere closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country. A review of the relation of the United States to other powers, always appropriate, is this year of primary importance, in view of the momentous issues which have arisen, demanding in one instance the ultimate determination by arms and involving far-reaching consequences which will require the earnest attention of the Congress. Spanish Misrule In Cuba. In my last annual message very full consideration was given to the question of the duty of the Government of the United 8tates toward Spain and the Cuban insurrection as being by far the most important problem with which we were then called upon to deal. The considerations then advanced, and the exposition of the views therein expressed, disclosed my sense of the extreme gravity of the situation. Setting aside, as logically unfounded or practically Inadmissible, the recognition of the Independence of Cuba, neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a r tional compromise between the contestants, intervention in favor of one or the other party, and forcible annexation of the lslaud, I coni eluded it was honestly due to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable cuance 10 realize ner expectations of reform, to which she had become irrevocably committed. Within a few weeks previously she had announced comprehensive plans, which it was confidently asserted would be efficacious to remedy the 'evils so deeply affecting our own country, so injurious to the true interests of the mother country as well as to those of Cuba, and so renugnant to the universal sentf? ment of humanity. The ?nsuing month brought little sign of real progress toward the pacification of Cuba. The autonomous administrations set up in tlie caoital and some of the principal cities appeared not to gain the favor of the inhabitants nor to be able to extend their influence to the large extent of territory held by the insurgents, while the military arm, obviously uuable to cope with the still active rebelliou, continued many of the most objectionable and offensive policies of the Government that had preceded it. No tangible relief was afforded the *vast numbers of unhappy reconcentrados, despite the reiterated professions made in thRt regard and the amouut appropriated by Spain to that end. The proffered expedient or zones or cultivation proved illusory; indeed, no less practical nor more delusive promises of succor could well liave been tendered to the exhausted and destitute people, stripped of what made life and heme dear and herded in a strange region among unsvmpathetie strahgcrs hardly less necessitous than themselves. By the end of December the mortality among them had (rightfully increased. Conservative estimates from Spanish sources placed the deaths among these distressed people at over fort\ ner cent, from tne time General Weyler's d<x-ee of rceonoeatratiou was enforce 1. With .he acquiescence of the Spanish authorities, a 'cheme was adopted for relief by charitable contributions raised in this country and distributed. under the direction of the ConsulGeneral and the several Consuls, by noble 4 anil earnest individual effort through the organized agencies of the American Red Cross. Thousands of lives were thus saved, but many thousands more were inaccessible to such forms of aid. The war continued on the old footing without comprehensive plau, developing only the same spasmodic eucouuters, oarreu of strategic result, that had marked the course of the earlier ten years' rebellion as well as the present insurrection from its Start. No alternative save physical exhaustion of<"ither combatant and therewithal f - v^T BflB^B - vKHH Destruction J^HMalnt. H^Bis juncture, on^^Bth day ol Febjffljg^Hast, occurred tlBB*tructioa of the Ej^Mhip Maine while rightfully ly.'ng in u^Kbor of Havana on n m>ssion of in- i HKg^Bonal courtesy and good will a cn- | 1 H fcho. the suspicious nature and hor- . BBkbicustirrt'l tbe nation's heart pro- . found? r. It is a strik'ug evidence of the poise and sturdy good sense distinguishing oui national chaiaete? that this shocking blo|w, falling upon a generous people, alread;' deeply touched by preceding events In Cuba, did not move them to an instant, , desperate resolve to tolerate the existence of a condition of danger and disorder at our doors that made possible such a deed, by whomsoever wrought. Yet the instino of justice prevailed, and the nation anxiously awaited the result of the searching investigation at once set on foot. The finding of the Naval Board of Inquiry established that the origin of the explosion was external bv a .?ui"uarine mine, and only halted, through lacof positive testimony, to fix the respni - ility of;its authorship. Vr? pc.vatiok?* For War. All the ? tuings carried conviction to the a -t Hi ; jhtful, even before the flndiug ' ?li- aval court, that a crisis in our re melon* Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. So strong was this belief that it needed but a brief executive suggestion to the Congress to receive immediate answer to the duty of making ii>9tant provision f r the possible andjperhaps speedily probable emergency of: war, and the remarkable, almost unique, spectacle was presentediof a unanimous vote of both houses, on the| 9th of March, appropriating ?50,000,000 for the national defense, and for each a!nd every purpose connected therewith, "to be expended at the discretion of the President." The president thin reviews at length the various attempts tj> bring about a peaceful solution of the qu4>tion. and says that ho was grieved and disappointed at the barren oiteome of his sincere endeavors to reach a practicable solution. He then relates how he placed the matter in the handslof Congress. Congress Takes Quick Action. The response of the Congress, he continues! after nine days of earnest deliberation, <?uriog which the almost unanimous sentiment of your body was doveloped on every point save as to the expediency of coupling the proposed action with a formal | recocttftion of the republic of Cuba as the ; true and lawful Government of that islanc j ?a proposition w h failed of adoption?: the Conpres9, aft -r conference, on the 19th j of April, by a vol o.' 42 to 35 in the Senate j and 311 to 6 in t' House of Representa- i tives. passed their memorable joint resolu tion. Tbe;mossa?e continues hy sayfnp that a j copy df the resolutions was at once com-| muni 'ated to the Spanish Minister at Washinpt'm. who irntr.'-dlateiy demanded his pass ort1-. They were piven to him, and thebpui-.- i terests were left in the protection of the French Ambassador and the Austrian-Hunparian Minister. Simultaneously with the notice of the resolutions to the Spanish Minister, its text %as cabled to General Stewart L. Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, tqho was to communicate it to the Spanish Government. Before he could do so the! Spanish Minister of State notified him that, upon the President's approval ox i the joint resolution, the Madrid Government, Irepardinp the net as "equivalent to I an evident declaration of wnr," bad or- i dered its Minister in WashiDpton to with- j araw, tnereoy ureamuK ui|'iuai,i?uiolations between the two countries and ceasing all official communication between their respective representatives. General Woodford thereupon demanded his passports and quitted Madrid the same day. The President reviews the preparations t - beginning of hostilities. Spain ; hax.ng initiated the war, a blockade of the : north coast of Cuba was proclaimed, and the call for volunteers was issued. The various Governments were notified of the ; existence of war, in order that their neu( trality might be assured. Tiie response to 1 tiie initial call for 125,000 troops was instant j and complete, and a second call for 75,000 additional volunteers was issued. The navy is referred to, showing its condition when war was declared, as well as tbo means employed to protect the Atlantic seaboard and the cities lying along the coast ?rom any possible attack. The coast Signal Service was organized and an auxiliary fleet created, which was officered and manned by the naval militia of the several States. Mines were also laid in the various harbors. The work of the Signal Corps is referred ! to, it being of an important character. I Electrical connections of all coast fortifications were established, as well as telephonic ami telegraphic facilities for the camps at Manila. Santiago and Porto Rico, tield c-ujgraph lines were established and maintained under the enemy's fire at Manila. A cable -hip was placed in Cuban water*, wit: h rendered service that was icvalua le to the Executive in conducting : e operations of the array and hi w. The expenditure of the ?50,00),UO!) defense fund is dwelt upon. It helped t Government to strengthen the defenses of the country and to make adequate prjparatlons for war. Th*pop? ular loan of $200,000,000, watch was subscribed to so promptly, is mentioned as showing the vnst resources of the nation and the determination of the people to uphold the country's honor. The Prsajident states that It is not within the jrovlnoe of the message to narrate the history of the extraordinary war with Spain,* and mentions the first engagement, which took place April 27, when a detachment of the blockading squadron ofT Cuba shelled the harbor fort and demolished several new works which were beinglbonstructed at Matanzas. The message irontinues as tollowa: Dewpv'i Glorious Victory at Manila. The .t encasement was destined to | mark a :u?piorable epoch im maritime warfare. ThojPaciflc fleet, under Commodore Geors? i Ueprey. bad lain for some weeks at Hong Souk. Upon the colonial proclamation of nou trality being issued and the cus: tomarr tvrenty-four hours' notice being giveu, it repaired to Mirs Bay. near Hong Kong, whence it proceeded to the Philippine Xslan d'i under telegraphed orders to capture t d-stroy the formidable Spanish flpei then .^sembled at Manila. At daybreak in t lie 1st of May the American force enteral M mi la Bay, and after a few hours' ei.gagt:u?'i it etTected a total destruction of th? sjanfc-h lleet, consisting of teu warships lu ll a transport, besides capturing the na.al Istati >n and forts at Cavlte, thus anni latJ'.g t!ie Spanish naval power in the 1' ci'lf- 0'"an and completely controlling tte h|av of Manila. with the ability to take tte duty at wiii. Not a life was lost on our skip: . the wounded only numbering | seven, wl ile not a vessel was materially injured. For this gallant achievement the Congrtss , upon niy recommendation, fitly bestowed upon the actors preferment and substuot al reward. The el ect of this remarkable victory upon (he spirit of our people and upon the forlu:?;s of the war was instant. A prestige of iu'icjcibility thereby attached to our arms, w| licb continued throughout the struggle! Reinforcements were hurried to I 1... i n? U?inr.nnn. i.uuiillt, lill'lvrun' tuiuiuauu ... -?..J erul >t>r ritt, au<i firmly established within sight cf he capital, which lay helpless beI io.v ojr guns. On Cu 7th day of May the Government was no ised officially of the victory of I Maui It, and at once inquired of the com our ileet what troops would be Tie Information was re-eived ta day of May, and the first army It >11 >ailed May 25, and arrived off Man u' e 30. Other expeditions soon l, th total force consisting of 641 <>.: ?-r-and \5,058 eDlisted men. Only rei aue to ( ause needless loss of life and property prevented the early storming and capturi of the city, aDd therewith the ahI {/"'uiriipUUkty vionnancy of the whole WTT The insurtfenti b.flx 3umed the active hostilities Wsipende^^H the uncompleted truce of December, i^H Their forces invested Manila from thenoi^B crn and eastern sides, but were constrain^ by Admiral Dewey and General MerrM from attempting an assault. It was fitting that whatever was to be doneih the way of decisive operations in that quarter should be accomplished by the strong ?'-m of the United States alone. Obeying ^he stern precept of war which enjoins the_ vercommg of the adversary and the extinction of his powr wherever assailable as the speedy and sure means to win a peace, divided victory was nbt permissible, for no partition of the rights and responsibilities attending the enforcement of a just and advantageous peace could be thought pf. The message coutinues with a review of the entire land and naval operations. He uoes not rreac morn nt out icn-u the publio to the departmental reports for details. Hestates that with the destruction of Cervera's fleet Spain's efforts on the ocean virtually ceased, and ends this part of the doenment by relating how the last scene of the war was enacted at Manila, the place where it started. Ho closed his references to military and naval matters by a tribute to the fighters. Praise For All Our Fighters. It is fitting that I should bear testimony to the patriotism and devotion of that large portion cf our army which, although eager to be ordered to the post of greatest exposure, fortunately was not required outalde of the United States. They did their whole duty, and like their* comrades at the front have earned the gratitude of the nation. In like manner, the officers and men of the army and of the navy who remained in their departments and stations faithfully performing most important duties connected with the war, and whose requests for assignment in the field and at sea I was compelled to refuse because their services were indispensable here, are entitled to the highest commendation. It is my regret that there seems to be no provision for their suitable recognition. In tracing these events we are constantly reminded of our obligations to the Divine .Master for His watchful care ever us and onfa mWHnnau fni* rrhi/*h Hm nnfinn makes reverent acknowledgment and offers humble prayers for the continuance of His favor. Spain Sues For Pyacc. SpaJr, having realized that she had lost, the President states, now sued , for peace. The signing of the protocol i9 referred to, and then the Message relates the details of the negotatlons which ended in a suspension of hostilities, the appointment of the military commissions to superintend the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and the adjacent islands and the peace commission. Continuing, he says: Peace Commission's Work. Pursuant to the fifth artic'.e of the protocol, I appointed William R. Day, lately Secretary of State; Cushman K. Davis, William P. Frye and George Gray, Senators of the United States, and Whitelaw Reid to be the Peace Commissioners on the part of the United States. Proceeding in due seasou to Paris, they there met on the 1st of October live Commissioners similarly appointed on tho part of Spain. Their negotiations have made hopeful progress, so that I trust socn to be able to fay a ilellnito treaty or peace oerore trio senate, with a review of the steps leadiug to its signature. Government of New Possessions. I do not discuss at this time the government or the future of the now possessions which will come to us as a result of tfie war with Spain. Such discussion will be appropriate after the treaty of peace shall be ratified. In the meantime, and until Congress has legislated otherwise, it will be my duty to continue the military Governments which ha7e existed since our occupation, and give to the people security in life and property and encouragement under a just and beneflcient rule. Independence Alone For Cuba. As soon as we are in possession of Cuba and have pacified tho island, it will bonec essary to give aid and direction to its people to form a government for themselves. This should be undertaken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured success. It is important that our relations with this people shall be of the most friendly character and our commercial relations close and reciprocal. It should be our duty to assist in every proper way to build up the waste pieces of the island, encourage the industry of the people, and assist them to form a government which shall bo free and independent, thu^ read zing the best aspirations of the Cuban Snonisli rnto must ho renlficed hv a just, benevolent, and humane Government, created by the people of Cuba, capable ol performing all international obligations, and which shall encourage thrift, industry and prosperity, and promote peace and good will among all of the inhabitants, whatever may have been their relations in .the past. Neither revenge nor passion should have a place in the new Government. Until there is a complete tranquiliity in tho island and a stable Government inaugurated military occupation will be continued. Friendly Relations "With All Nations. With the one exception of the rupture with Spain, the intercourse of tho United States with the great family of nations has been marked with cordiality, and the close of the eventful year llnds most of the issues that necessarily arise in the complex relations ot sovereign States adjusted 01 presenting no serious obstacle to u just and nonorable solution by amicable agreement, The President dwells at some length or the long unsettled boundary dispute be tween the Argentine itepuouc auu uuue and expresses pleasure that his efforts tc induce them to resort to arbitration have been successful. He also refers to tht strong hope he has that the rates charged on the cables of American corporations it the transmission between Buenos Ayre: and the cities of Uruguay, Brazil and "th< Atlantlo cities of South America may b< freed from an almost prohibitory dlserimin ntion. He favors an international agree ment for an Interchange of messages ovej connecting cables. Then taking up home topics he says: Austria and the Lattiuier Strike. On the 10th day of September, 1897, I contlict took place at Lattimer, Penn., be twoen a body of striking miners and th< Sheriff of Luzerne County and his depu tie*, in which twenty-two miners wer< killed and forty-four wouuded, of whon tea of the killed and twelve of the wound ed, were Austrian and Hungarian subjects The deplorable event naturally arousei the solicitude o. the Austro-Hungariai Government, which, on the a^sumptioi that the killing and wounding involved tin unjustifiable misuse of authority, claimei reparation for the sutlerers. Apari from the searching Investigation am peremptory action of the authorities i?f Pennsylvania. tho Federal Executin took appropriate steps to learn the merit of the ease, iu order to oe in a position t meet the urgent complaint of a friendl; power. The Sheriff and his deputies, hav in? been indicted for murder, were triei ! nn<l acquitted after protracted proceeding ; and the hearing of hundreds ot witnesses j on the ground that the killing was in th I line of their official duty to uphold law am ] preserve public order iu the State. A rep resentative of the Department of Justic | attended the trial and reported its cours fully. With all tho facts in its possessior this Government expects to reach a bat monious understanding on the subject wit that of Austria-Hungary, notwithstaudin the renewed claim of the latter after Iearr ingthe result of the trial, for indemnity fc its injured subjects. After an extended reference to the year events in Central America, he de tes th following paragraph to the > uragu Canal: Nicaragua Canal a Necessity. The Nicaragua Cana! Commission, unde the Chairmanship of Kear-Admiral John ( Walker, appointed July 24, 1897, under th authority oi a provision in the Sundry Civ I bas nenri? labors^H^TneresuIts o( its exinquiry into the proper route, the ^H^^Hty and the eost of construction of H^^nrocoanio canal by a Nicaraguan be laid before yon. In the per' formance of its task the commission received all the possible courtesy and assistance from thg Governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which thus testified their appreciation of Idle importance of giving a speedy and practical outcome to the threat project that has for so many years engrossed the attention of the respective countries. As the scope of the recent inquiry embraced the whole subject, with the aim of making plans and surveys for a canal by the most convenient route, it necessarily included a review of the results of previous surveys and plans, and in particular those adopted by the Maritime Canal Company under its existing concessions from Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so that to this extent ! those grants necessarily noiq as essential a part in the deliberations and conclusions of the Canal Commission as they have held and must of need hold in the discussion of the matter by the Congress. Under these circumstances, and in view of overtures made to the Governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other parties for a new canal concession, predicated on the assumed approaching lapse of the contracts of the Maritime Canal Company with those States, I have not hesitated to express my conviction that considerations of expediency and international policy as between the sovernl Governments interested in the construction and control of an interoceanio canal by this route require the maintenance of the status quo until tho Canal Commis sion shall have reported and the United States Congress shall have had the opportunity to pass financially upon the whole matter Juring the present session without prejudice by reason of any change in the existing conditions. Nevertheless, it appears that tho Government of Nicaragua, as one of its last sovereign acts before merging its powers in those of the newly formed United States of Central America, has granted an optionni concession to another association, to become effective on tho expiration of the present grant. It does not appear what surveys have been made or what route is proposed under this contingent grant; so that an examination of the feasibility of its plans is necessarily not embraced in the report of the Canal Commission. All these j circumstances suggest the urgeuoy of some i nAf(An l>? frttifrrAaa thia iuniuno iuuvu uj uiu vvuhkvM ... auaw session, if the labors of the past are to be | utilized and the linking of the Atlantio and [ Paciilc oceans by a practical waterway is to be realized. That the construction of such a maritime highway is now more than ever indispensable to that intimate and readv Intercommunication between our eastern and western seaboards demanded by the annexation of the Ilawalian Islands .'.ud the prospective expansion of our influence and commerce in the Pacific, and t at our national policy now more imperatively than ever calls for its control by this Government, are propositions which, I doubt not, the Congress will duly appreciate and wisely act upon. Open Dotir in Clilna. The United States has not been an indifferent spectator of the extraordinary events transpiring in the Chinese empire,the President remarks, whereby portions of its maritime provinoes are passing under the control of various European powers; but the n./Minont ?hnf tin* vest commerce which the energy of our citizens find the necessity of our staple productions for Chinese uses has , built up in those regions may not be prejudiced through any exclusive treatment by the new occupants, has obviated the need 1 of our country becoming an actor in the scene. Our position among nations, having a large Pacific coast, and a constantly expanding direct trado with the farther Orient, gives us the equitablo claim to consideration and friendly treatment in this regard and it will be my aim to subserve our large interests in that quarter by all means app-opriate to the eonstaut policy of our Government. Warships have been fationed at Tien-Tsln for more ready observation of the disorders wuich have lnI vaded even the Chinese capital, so as to be i in a position to act should need arise, while J a guard of marines has been sent to Fekin to afford the Minister the same measure of authoritative protection as the representatives of other nations have been constrained to employ. The message states that the diplomatic rupture bet ween Italy and Colombia is no ? .... cfotu fhonl'u tr\ rtfTArh JOUgtT 1U iiu atuiu on our part. Paris Exposition in 1900. There is cow every prospect, continues ' the President, that the participation of the ( United States in tho Universiai Exposition, to beheld hold in Paris in 1990, will be on a scale commensurate with the advanced I position held by our products and industries iu the world's chief marts. By a provision | In the Sundry Civil Appropriation act of July 1, 1393, a sum not to exceed @ 50,000 was allotted for the organization of a commission to care for the proper preparation and installation of American exhibits. I appointed Mr. Ferdinand W. Peck, of Chicago, Commissioner-General. Mr. Peck's report will be laid before you. In mv judgment its recommendations will call for your early consideration, especially as regards an increase of the appropriation > to at least @1,000,000 In all, so that not only may the assigned space be fully taken up by the best possible exhibits iu every " class, but the preparation and installation 1 be ou so perfect a scale as to rank among the first lu that unparalleled competition of i artistic and inventive production, and thus counterbalance the disadvantage with . which wo start as compared with other > countries whose appropriations are on a > more generous scale, aud whose prepara* tions are in a state of much greater for1 wurdness than our own. i The document next refers to our trade i onro.mnntu with the European nations and J the efforts that are being made to remove ' the embargoes on our products, and then devotes a paragraph to our relations with - Great .Britain: r Kngland's Cordiality.' Our relations with G.-eat Britain have continued on the most friendly footing. Assenting to our request, the protection ol l Americans and their interests in Spanish - jurisdicts >n was assured by the diplomatic J and consular representatives of Great - Britain, who fulfilled their delicate andar3 duous trust with tact and zeal, eliciting i high con:mendatiOD. 1 mar be allowed tc - make fitting allusion to the instance ol Mr. Ramsden, Her Majesty's Consul at Sani tiago d< Cuba, whose untimely death aftei i distinguished service and untiring efforts i dunng i ie siego of that city wus sincerely 9 laineute u i Menti :i is then ma le of the consent ol i the Can idian Government to allow foui 1 United dtates revenue cutters to pass from i the great laked to the Atlantic Coast bj e way of the Canadian canals and the St. s f.av.'re: :o River. It will give the Rresi 0 deut m ich pleasure iu communicating tc V Congress a favorable conclusion of tin - pendii * negotiations with Great Britain iu ? respec. to the Dominion of Canada. Hawaii. J Th.' annexation of Hawaii is referred to 1 Furso int to the terms of the joint resohj i tiou adopted by Congress July 7, 1SJS 0 accepting the offered cession am 0 incoi poruting the celed territory 1 into t iso Union, the Presiden ? "ted that the civil, judicial and miii tavy powers theretofore exercised by tin offll irs of the Republic of Hawaii shouh: con. inue to be exercised bv those offlceruntil Congress stia.ll provide u government for the incorporated territory, sub >s je t to my power to remove suci j ofl.eers and to fill vacancies." i I commission was appointed, consisting o the Hons. Shelby M. Cullom of Illinois John T. Morgan of Alabama. Rooert H. li Mitt of Illinois, Stanford B. Dole of Hawai sr j:-id Walter F. Frear of Hawaii, to confe 2. I ; nd recommend to Congress such legisla ie j 1 ion concerning the Hawaiian Islands ? ii i hey should deem necessary or propej T::m report of the C< mmission, which fa now\ompleted and will J>e laid before Congress tit an early date. Tho difference between Hawaii and Japan, arising out of alleged mistreatment of Japanese immigrants, was amicably adjusted by the payment of a reasonable indemnity to the Government of Japan?\ The messago then states the notion of the Mexican Government in giving notice on January 24. 1S98 (taj take effect a year from that 'late), of tlin"termination of the Extradition Convention of December 11, lssi, agreed to by the Governments of the United States and Canadrf. In connection therewith tho President asks for an amendment of the existing extradition statute. Tho suggestion is then made that Congress authorize a conference of representatives of tho United iitat^s and Mexico to Consider the problem of tho Mexican free zone, it being provocative of smuggling into this country along rfn extensive and thinly guarded land border. Tho Government of Peru has given notice of its intention to abrogate the treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation concluded with this oouutry, August 31, ijvri. L'he proposal of the Czr.r for a conference to discuss the general reduction of the vast military establishments of the world is referred to. His Majesty was at once informed of the sympathy of our Govern, ment nud of the readiness of the Uu.ted I States to take part in the conference. It 1 is also stnted that the claims of owners of i American sealing vessels for seizure by ! Russian cruisers in Bering Sea are being 1 pressed to a settlement. Venezuelan Boundary Arbitration. The arbitral tribunal aopointed under the treaty of February 2, 1S97, between Great Britain and Venezuela to determine the boundary lino between the latter and the colony of British Guiana is to convene at Paris during the present month, and the President expresses much gratification thereat. H-also says that the experiences of the last year having brought forcibly home to us a sense of the burdens and the ! waste of war we desire, in common with civilized nations, to reduce to the lowest possible point the damage sustained in time c! war by peaceable trade and commerce. He therefore urges the calling of an anti-privateering conference. National Finances, i On the subject of national finances the message derails the Government's receipts and expenditures, and then says that the "provisions made for streugthenmgtho resources of the Treasury in connection with the war have given increased confidence in the purpose and power of the Government to maintain the present standard, and have [established more firmly thau ever the national credit at homo and abroad. A. marked evidenco of this is found in the inflow of gold to the Treasury." The President renews his recommendation of December, 1897, as follows: That when any of the United States notes are presented for redemption in gold, snch notes shall be kept and set apart und only paid out in exchange for gold. This is an obvious duty. If the holder of the United States note prefers the gold and gets it from the Government he should not receive back from the Government a United States note without paying gold in exchange for it. The reason for this is made all the more apparent when the Government issues an interest-bearing debt to provide gold for the redemption of United States notes a non-interest bearing debt. Surely it should n?t pay them out again except on demand and for gold. If they are put out in any other way, they may return again, to be followed by another bond Issue to redeem them another interestbearing debt to redeem a non-interestI bearing debt. On the Itelfisue of Greopbacks. This recommendation was made In the toelief that such provisions of law would insure to a greater decree the safety of the present standard, and better protect our currency from the dangers to which it is subjected from a disturbance in the geueral business conditions of the country: In my judgment, the present condition of the Treasury amply justifies the immediate enactment of the legislation recommended one year ago, under which a portion of the gold holdings should be placed in a trust fund from which greerbacks should be redeemed upon presentation, but when once redeemed should not thereafter be paid out except for gold. It is not to be inferred that other legislation relating to our curi rencyi- not required; on the contrary, there | is an obvious demand for it. Trade With Our New Islands. The annexation of Hawaii and the changed relations of the United States to Cuba,Porto Rico and fhe Philippines resulting from the war compel the prompt ad >ption of a maritime policy by the United States. There should be established regular and frequent steamship communicatiou, encouraged by tho United States, under th- American ilag, with the newly acquired islands. Spain furnished its colonies, nl an annual cost of about two millions of doi ars, steamship lines communicating with a portion of the world's market as well as with trade centres of the home Government. Tho United State will ; not undertake to do this. Itiiourdutv j to furnish the people of Hawaii with j facilities, under national control, for their ! and imnnrt trade. It will lie con j ceded that the preseuc situation calls for i legislation which snail be prompt, durable I and liberal. The part which American | merchant vessels and their seamen performed in the war with Spaiu demonstrates that this service, furnNhiug both pickets and the second line of defense, is a nai tional necessity, and shonld be encouraged in every constitutional way. The President renews his recommendai tion that suitable appropriation be made to provide for a commission of experts to be appointed to investigate the cause auJ prevention of yellow fever. A Larger Army Wanted. An increase of the army is urged, tho 1 President declaring that there can be no question that at this time, and probably for some time in the future, lOD.OJO men will be noue too mauy to meet the necessities of the situatlou. Then follow paragraphs relating to the Union Pacific Railway, a now building for ! the Department of Justice, the inadequate i| accommodations provided for the Supreme ij Court in the Capitol, the postal service of the couutry und its labors during the war, as well as the postolllces which were ; established in Cuba, Torto itico ami the n Philippines. ? The President approves the recommen. dations of the Secretary of the Navy rela tive to the increase of the Navy aud a's > i urges that the gra iesof Ad nir tl and V. | Admiral bo temporarily revive I to oe .Hied >>v oilleers who have specially distinguished f themselves in tue war with rfnaiu. I The message then refers briefly to the t twelfth census, the increase in the pension r roil, the condition of tiie public canals, t ie Ana.oHnn? nr tiin Department of Agrical . turn, the Pillager In<li:ta outorealc uud the > experiments with sugar beets, j Tun me-sage, continuing, says that ia i the year 19)0 will occur the centennial an uversary of the founding of tho city of Vhshington for the per naneut canitul of in Government of tho United States. The ' ''resident asks an appropriation forasuita>io national celobratiou of tiie event. Alien Labor Law. f In conclusion the message says: The [ V;!.-u Contract Labor law is showing by ex erience to n?ed some atueudinen . A i icastirn providing oetter protection for I -Hfueu is proposed; the rightful appllcai ou of the eig it-hour law for the oeneflt labor and of the nrieciole of arbitration re suggested for consideration; and I i o nraetid thes* subjects to the cureful at niiou of the Congress, r Tue several lep i-im mtal reports will be i, aid before you. T.iev give in great detail le conuuct of the affairs of t>?e Governli >ent during tiie past year aud discuss r any questions upon which the Congress >ay ieel called unon to act. s WILLIAM McKINLET. Executive Mansion, Deeouiber 5,18W. Beauty la Blo?d Clean blood means a clean ski beauty without it. Casearets, Candy CJ^BB|hHHhB tic clean your Mood and kc?p it clcan^^^^HHH^B stirring up the l.i/.y liver and driving alil^^|^^H|^H purities front tic body, lit gin today ^B^hDhH banish pimples, U-ils, btotclirs, 1 >;.i?. in B Casearets. beauty p] gists, satisfaction guaranteed, 10c, Detroit merchants want abolished. 80.5ft To Cure A Cold In One Day. Take Laxative Br'trao Quinine Tablets. AD Druggists refund money If it fails to cure. 86c. 1 The steamship Lo'd t'harlemont recently loaded 2,500 tons of steel rails at Canton, Md., for use on a railway in Ireland. Don't Tobacco Spit nnd Smoke Tocr Life Away. 1 To quit tobacco easily and forever, be mat i netic. fuil of life, nerve and vigor, take No-To! Bac, the wonder-worker, that makes weak men strong. All druggists, 50c or II. Curoguaram teed. Booklet and sample free. Address Sterling Kemedy Co.. Chicago or New Yorfe, About twenty new books are published daily in Great Britain. Fits permanently cured. No fits ornervousness after first de.y's use of Dr. Kline's Great Nerve Restorer. fStrial bottle and treatise free Db. R. II. Kline. Ltd..?31 ?rchSt. Phils. Pa. At Elyria, O.. the local Bell company is making a residence rate for telephones of 50 cents a month. To Care Constipation Forevet* Tnkc Cascarets Candy Cathartic. 10c crfSsa IiC.CC. fail to cure, druggists refund money. Both of the silk factories ,at Watertown, Conn., are working overtime. Mrs. Winslow's Soothing >yrup for children teeting, softens the gums, reducing intimation, allays pain.cures wind colic 35c a bottle. Sharp Pains Darting from one point to another,stiff and swollen joints, inflammation, intense suffering, are characteristics of rheumatism. All these painful symptoms are cured by Hood's Sarsaparilla which purifies the blood and neutralizes the acid which is the cause of rheumatism. Why continue to suffer when you may be relieved by Hood's Sarsaparilla America's Greatest Medicine. Price SI. Prepared by C. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass. Hood's PlIlS cure all Liver Ills. 25 cents. Inconveniences of Child Marriage. A marriage took place the other day. the parties being a Bhattia * widower of about forty and a Bhattia girl of about nine. The disparity in age is rather startling and it is aggra-. rated by other circumstances; for instance. the widower lias a daughter of about eighteen engaged a * a teacher at a school at which her father Is honorary manager, or something like it And his girl wife of nine is a pupil at the school under his daughter of eighteen. The first thing the girl wife of nine did on marrying was to remonstrate with her daughter of eighteen as to how she, the mother, could possibly sit at school on a bench while the daughter taught her from a chart! What is the poor daughter to do? She must give up her appointment as schoolmistress or her dear mother of nine must give up attend- . Ing school. It Is for the father and husband to decide?Indian Spectator. A LIVING WITNESS. Mrs. Hoffman Describes How She Wrote to Mrs. Pinkham for Advice, and Is Now WelL Dear Mrs. Pinkham:?Before using your Vegetable Compound I was a great sufferer. I have been sick for months, was troubled with severe pain in both sides of abdomen, sore feeling in lower part of bowels, also suffered M?/i i$Sk with dizziness. sleep. replied telling me just what to do. I followed yt>ur directions, and cannot praise your medicine enough for what it has done for me. j Many thanks to you for your advice. N Lydia E. Pinlcham's Vegetable Compound has cured me, and I will recom! mend it to my friends. Mrs. Florence j E. Hoffman, 512 Roland St., Canton, 0. The condition described by Mrs. Hoffman will appeal to many women, yet lots of sick women struggle on with their daily tasks disregarding the | urgent warnings unlil overtaken by actual collapse. The present Mrs. Pinkham's eNpcri! ence in treating female ills is unparal leled, for years she worked side by side I with Mrs. Lydia E. Pinkham, and for r?ast has had sole charge L _ of the correspondence department of her great business, treating by letter as many as a hundred thousand ailing women during a single veer i"I hivo gone 14 days at a time without a movement of the bowels, not being able to i uiovo them except by using hot water injections. Chronic constipation for seven years placed me In | this terrible conditio"; during that time I did everything 1 beard of but never found any relief; such was my ease until 1 began using CASCAKtTSt I now have Trout one to three passages a day. and if I was rich I would giveSl'JO.UU for each movement; it | is such a relief.1 avi.mku L. Hi st. 1'isJ liusseli St.. Detroit, Mich. CANDY CATHARTIC ^ j Pleasant. Palatable. Potent. T.vto Gcod. Do Good, Never Sicken, Weaken, or Grite. itc.iuc.5Uc. ... CURE CONSTIPATION. ... BUrllas Kemeiij Cooipuj, IhlctfO, flonlrttl, lien Vort 33 nor OO Vrisr<"VfFY;?<ve? U I* V/ I C3 1 qnicltrelw n i| vB'es wore* cam B. nrt or bo<ik of (a.-, in,< Dial. .."I lOriays* treataicDt tree. Dr fl B oktih b tOMt iUHtt,?*.