PRESIDENT
TO CONGRESS
Chief Executive Sends Message to
People's Lawmakers
HANDLES MATTERS BEFORE PUBLIC
Favors Lewis nnd Clark
Class of Immigrants Should be Kept Out Ap
point Commission to Inquire Into Needs of Ship
pingExtend Rural Free Delivery Better Legis
lation for Alaska Panama Canal Question.
WASHINGTON. Dec 7. President
nooscvslt's message to Congress was road
before the Senate and Homo today. The
text ol the tutelage follows:
To the Senate and House ot Represent
lives-
The eountrv Is to be congratulated on
the amount ot substantial achievement
which has marked the past year, both
as regards our foreign and as regards our
domestic policy.
With a. nation as with a man the most
Important things are those of the house
hold, and therefore the country is espe
cially to be congratulated on what has
been accomDllehed In the direction ot pro
viding for the exercise of eupervlslon over
the great corporations ana eomoinauons
nf rnrnarfliiona snasced In Interstate com
merce. The Congress has created the De
partment of Commerce and Labor, Includ
ing the llureau ot Corporations, with for
the nrst time autnoriiy 10 secure irui:r
publicity of such proceedings of these
great corporations as the public has the
right to know. It has provided for the
expediting of suits for the enforcement of
the Federal anti-trust law: and by an
other law It has secured equal treatment
to all producers In the transportation of
their goods, thus taking a long stride
forward In making effective the work of
the Interstate Commerce commission.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Indications Are That the Surplus of
the Present Year Will Be Small.
Prom all sources, exclusive of the pos
tat service, the receipts of the Government
for the last fiscal year aggregate! e.wo,
874. The expenditures for the same period
xrpre IMG.088.0OT. the surplus for the fiscal
year being tt4.297.6C7. The Indications are
that tne surplus ior me preeeni nra jwr
will be very small, II indeea mere De any
surplus. A large surplus la cer
tainly undesirable. Two years ago the
war taxes were taken oft with the express
Intention ot equalising the Governmental
receipts and expenditures, and though the
first year thereafter still showed a surplus
It now seems likely that a substantial
equality ot revenue and expenditure will
be attained. Such being the case It Is of
great moment both to exercise care and
economy In appropriations, and to scan
sharply any change In our fiscal revenue
, system which may reduce our Income.
Needs of Financial Situation.
The Integrity of our currency la beyond
question, and under present conditions It
would be unwise and unnecessary to at
tempt a reconstruction of our entire mone
tary system. The same liberty should be
granted the Secretary of the Treasury to
deposit the customs receipts as Is granted
him In the deposit of receipts from other
sources. In my message of December 2,
1S02. I called attention to certain needs of
the financial situation, and I again ask
the consideration of the Congress for these
questions.
MERCHANT MARINE.
Commission Is Recommended to In
quire Into Needs of Shipping.
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken In the Interests of Amer
ican shipping, so that we may once more
resume our former position in the ocean
carrying trade. But hitherto the differ
ences of opinion as to the proper method
of reaching this end have been so wide
that It hsa proved Impossible to secure
the adoption of any particular, scheme.
Having In view these facts, I recommend
that the Con press direct the Secretary of
the Navy, the Postmaster-General and
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor,
associated with such a representation
from the Senate and House of Repreeen
tatlves as the Congress In Its wisdom
may designate, to serve as a commission
(or the purpose of investigating and re
porting to the Congress at lis next ses
sion what legislation Is desirable or nec
essary for the development of the Amer
ican merchant marine and American com
merce, and Incidentally of a National
ocean mall service ot adequate auxiliary
naval cruisers and naval reserves.
IMMIGRATION.
Undesirable Class Must Be Kept Out,
That Wanted Better Distributed.
We can not have too much Immigration
t the right kind, and we should have
none at all of tho wrong kind. The need
Is to devise some system by which unde
sirable Immigrants shall be kept out en
tirely, while desirable Immigrants are
properly distributed throughout the coun
try. At present some districts which need
Immigrants have none; and In others,
where the population Is already congest
ed, immigrants come In such numbers as
to depress the conditions ot life for those
already there. During the last two years
the Immigration service at Naw York has
been greatly Improved, and the corruption
and Inefficiency which formerly obtained
there have been eradicated. This service
has Just been Investigated by a commit
tee. of New York cltliens of high stand
ing, MeBsrs, Arthur V. Brlesen, Lee K.
Frankel, Eugene A. Phllbln, Thomas V.
Ilynes and Ralph Trautman. Their report
.deals with the whole situation at length,
and concludes with certain recommenda
tions for administrative and legislative
action. It la now receiving the attention
of .the Secretary of Commerce and Labor.
FRAUDS IN PUBLIC 8ERVICE.
Appropriations Urged to Investigate
Land and Postal Affairs.
In my last annual message. In connec
tion with the subject of the due regula
tion of combinations of capital which are
or may become Injurious to the public, I
recommend n special appropriation for the
better enforcement of the antitrust law
as.lt now stands, to be expended under
theidiroction of the Attorney-aeneral. Ac
cordingly (by the legislative, executive and
Judicial appropriation act of February 25,
1903 S3 Stat., 864. 800. the Congress ap
propriated, for the purpose of enforcing
the 'various Federal trust and Interstate
commerce laws, the sum of 1500,000 to be
expended under the direction of the Attorney-General
In the employment of spe
cial counsel and agCnts In the Department
Of Justice to conuuel iJiutveuum nu
prosecutions under said laws In the courts
of the. United States. I now recommend, i
asa matter of the utmost Importance and
urgency, the extension of tha purposes of.
this appropriation, so that It may be
'available, under the direction of the At-1
torney-Oeneral, nnd until used, for the
due' enforcement of the laws of the United
States In general and especially of the
civil and criminal laws relating to publlo
Jands and the laws relating to Postal
crimes and offense and he subject of
naftiralliatlon, Recent Investigations
shown ft flPlrab!8 state of affairs
in thew Wires matters of vital concern J
Ily various frauds and by forgeries and
perjuries, thousands of acres of the pub
jjo domain, embracing lands ot different
Exposition Undesirable
character apd extending through vart
ous sections of the country, have been
dishonestly acquired. It' Is hardly neces
sary to urge the importance ot recover
ing theee dishonest acquisitions, stolen
from the people, and of promptly and uuiy
punishing the offenders. I speak In an
other part ot this message ot the wide
spread crimes by which the sacreVJ right
ot cltlsenshlp Is falsely asserted and that
"Inestimable heritage" perverted to base
ends. Ily similar means that IN through
rrauds. forgeries, and perjuries, and oy
shameless briberies the laws relating to
tho proper conduct of the publlo service
In general and to the due administration
ot tho rostotrtce Department have been
notoriously violated, and many Indict
ments have been found, and the conse
quent prosecutions are In course of hear
ing or on the eve thereof. For the reasons
thus Indicated, and so that the Govern'
ment may be prepared to enforce prompt'
ly and with the greatest effect the due
penalties for such violations of law, nnd
to this end may be furnished with sunt-
clent instrumentalities and competent
legal assistance for the Investigations and
trials which Kill be necessary at many
different points of tho country, I urge
upon the Congress the necessity ot mak
ing the said appropriation available for
Immediate use tor all such purposes, to
be expended under the direction of the
Attorney-General.
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
Decision of the Commission Removes
Question Which Caused Alarm.
For several years past the rapid de
velopment ot Alaska and the establish
ment of growing American Interests In
regions therefore unsurveyed and Imper
fectly known brought Into prominence the
urgent necessity of a practical demarca
tion of the boundaries between the Juris
dictions ot the United States and Great
Britain. Although the treaty of ISffi be
tween Great Britain and Russia, the pro
visions ot w hlch were copied In the treaty
ot IK?, w hereby Russia conveyed Alaska
to the Lnlted states, was positive as to
the control, first by Russia and later by
the United States, of a Btrlp ot territory
along the continental mainland from the
western shore of Portland Canal to
Mount St. Ellas, following and surround
ing the Indentations of the coast and In
cluding the Islands to the westward. Us
description ot the landward margin of the
strip was lndennite, resting on the sup
posed existence of a continuous ridge or
range of mountains skirting the coast,
as figured in the charts of the early navi
gators. It had at no time been possible
for either party In Interest to lay down,
under the authority ot the treaty, a line
so obviously exact according to Its pro
visions as to command tne assent ot the
otner. For nearly three-fourths of a cen
tury the absence or tangible local Inter
ests demanding the exercise of positive
Jurisdiction on either side of the border
left the question dormant. In 1878 ques
tions of revenue administration on the
Stlklne River led to the establishment ot
a provisional demarcation, crossing the
channel between two high peaks on either
side, about 24 miles above the river
mouth. In 189 similar questions growing
out of the extraordinary development of
mining Interests In the region about the
head of Lynn Canal brought about a tem
porary modus Vivendi, by which a con
venient separation sias made at the
watershed divides ot the White and Chll
icoot passes, and to the north ot luk
wan, on the Klehlnl River. These partial
and tentative adjustments could not. In
the very nature of things, be satisfactory
or lasting. A permanent disposition of
tne matter became Imperative.
'Work of the Commission.
After unavailing attempts to reach an
understanding through a Joint High Com
mission, followed by prolonged negotia
tions, conducted In an amicable spirit, a
convention between the United States and
Great Britain was signed January 24, 1S03,
providing for an examination of the sub.
Ject by a mixed tribunal of six members,
three on a side, with a view to Its final
disposition. Ratifications were exchanged
on March 3 last, whereupon the two gov
ernments appointed their respective mem
bers. This tribunal met in London
on September 3, under the presidency of
Lord Alverstone. The proceedings were
expeditious, and marked by a friendly
and conslcen-lous spirit. The respective
cases, counter cases, and arguments pre
sented the Issues clearly and fully. On
the 20th of October a majority of the
tribunal reached and signed an agreement
on all the questions submitted by the
terms of the convention.
t nlle the line so traced follows the pro
visional demarcation of 1878 at the cross
ing of the Stlklne River, and that of 1SB9
at the summits of the White and Chllcoot
passes. It runs much farther Inland from
the Klehlnl than the temporary line of the
later modus Vivendi, and leaves the entire
mining district of the Porcupine Itlver
and Glacier Creek within the jurisdiction
of the United States.
'ie award Is self-executing on the vital
points. To make It effective as regards
the others. It only remains for the two
governments to appoint, each on Us own
behalf, one or more sclentlflo experts,
who shall, with all convenient speed, pro
ceed together to lay down the boundary
line In accordance with the decision of the
majority of the tribunal. I recommend
that the Congress make adequate pro
vision for the appointment, compensation
and expenses ot tho members to serve on
this Joint boundary commission on the
part of the United States.
CLAIM 8 AGAINST VENEZUELA.
Reference to The Hague Court a
Great Triumph for Arbitration.
It will bo remembered that during the
second session of the last Congress Great
Britain, Germany and Italy formed an al
liance for the purpose of blockading tho
ports of Venezuela and uolng such other
means of pressure as would secure a set
tlement of claims due, as they alleged, to
certain of their subjects. Their employ
ment of force for the collection of theee
claims was terminated by an agreement
brought about through the offices of the
diplomatic representatives ot the United
States at Caracas and the Government at
Washington, thereby ending a situation
which was bound to cause increasing fric
tion, and which Jeoparded the peace ot
the continent. Under this agreement Ven
ezuela agreed to set apart a certain per
centage of the customs receipts ot two
of her ports to be applied to the payment
of whatever obligations might be ascer
tained by mixed commissions appointed
for that purpose to be duo from her, not
only to the three powers already men
tioned, whose proceedings against her had
resulted In a state of war, but also to the
United States, -France, Spain, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway,
and Mexico, who had not employed force
for the collection of the claims alleged to
be due to certain of their citizens.
A demand was then made by the so-
called blockading powers that the sums
ascertained to be due to tnelr citizens by
such mixed commissions should be ac
corded payment In full before miythlnR
wns paid upon the claims ot any ot the
so-called pence powers, Venezuela, on the
other hand, Insisted that all her creditors
should be paid upon a basis ot exact
equality. During the efforts to adjust
this dispute It was suggested by tho
powers In Interest that It should be re
ferred to me for decision, but I was clear
ly of the opinion that a far wiser course
would be to submit the question to the
permanent court ot arbitration at The
Hague. It seemed to mo to oner on ml'
mlrabte opportunity to advance the prac
tice ot the peaceful settlement ot ills.
putea between nations and to secure for
The Hague tribunal a memorable Increase
of Ita practiced Importance. The nations
interested in the controversy were, so mi
nitrons and, In man)- Instances, so power
ful as to make It evident that beneficent
results would follow from their appear
ance at the same time before the bar ot
that august tribunal ot peace.
Our hopes In that regard have been re'
allied. Russia and Austria nre represent'
ed In the persona ot the learned and dis
tinguished jurists nno compose tne tri
bunal. while Great Britain. Germany
France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, tho Neth
erlands, Sweden and Norway, Mexico,
the United States and Venezuela are rep
resented by their respective agents nnd
counsel. Such an Imposing concourso ot
nations presenting their arguments to nnd
Invoking the decision ot that high court
ot International Justice and International
peace can hardly fall to secure a like rub
mission of many future controversies.
The nations now appearing there will find
It far easier to appear there a second
time, while no nation can Imagine Its Just
pride will be lessened by following the ex
ample now presented. This triumph of
the principle ot International arbitration
Is n subject ot warm congratulation, and
offers a happy augury for the peace of
the world.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
Sentiment Against War Is Growing
Among All Nations.
There seems good ground for the belief
that there has been a real growth among
the civilized nations of a sentiment which
will permit a gradual substitution ot other
methods than tno method of war In the
settlement ot disputes It Is not pretend
csNlhat as yet we are near a position In
which It will be possible wholly to pre
vent war. or that a Just regard for na
tional Interest and honor will In nil cases
permit of the settlement of international
disputes by arbitration; but by a mixture
of prudence and firmness with wisdom
we think It Is possible to do nwny with
much ot the provocation and excuso for
war. and at least in many cases to sub
stitute some other and more rational
method for the settlement of disputes.
The Hague court offers so good an exam
ple ot what can be done In the direction
ot sucn settlement that It should be en
couraged In every way.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Signing of Commercial Treaty Cause
for Satisfaction.
The signing of a new commercial treaty
with China, which took place at Shanghai
on the Sth of October. Is a cause for sat
isfaction. This act, the result ot long
discussion and negotiation, places our
commercial relations with the great Ori
ental Empire on a more satisfactory
rooting than they have ever heretofore
enjoyed. It provides not only for the
ordinary rights and privileges of diplo
matic and Consular officers, but also for
an Important extension of our commerce
by Increased facility of access to Chinese
ports, and for the relief of trade by the
removal ot some of the obstacles which
have embarrassed It In the past. The
Chinese government engaces. on fair and
equitable conditions, which will probably
be accepted by the principal commercial
nations, to abandon the levy of "Uken"
and other transit dues throughout
the empire, and to Introduce other
desirable administrative reforms. Larger
facilities are to be given to our
citizens who desire to carry on
mining enterprises In China. We have so
cured for our missionaries a valuable
privilege, the recognition ot their right
to rent and lease In perpetuity such prop
erty as their religious societies may need
In all parts ot the empire. And, .what was
an Indispensable condition for the ad
vance and development of our commerce
In Manchuria, China, by treaty with us,
has opened to foreign commerce the cities
of Mukden, the capital of the province of
Manchuria, and Antung, an Important
port on the Yalu River, on the road to
Cores, The full measure of development
which our commerce may rightfully ex
pect can hardly be looked for until the
settlement of the present abnormal state
of things In the empire; but the founda
tion tor such development' has at last been
laid.
RURAL FREE-DELIVERY SERVICE
System Must Be Extended, and Sal
aries of Carriers Adjusted.
The rural free delivery service has been
steadily extended. The attention ot the
Congress Is asked to the question of the
compensation of the letter carriers and
clerks engaged In the postal service,
especially on the new rural free-dullvery
routes. More routes have been Installed
since the first of July last than In any
like period In the department's history.
While a. due regard to economy must be
kept In mind In the establishment of new
routes, yet the extension of the rural free
delivery system must be continued, for
reasons ot sound public policy. No Gov
ernmental movement of recent years has
resulted in greater Immediate benefit to
the people of the country districts. Rural
free delivery, taken In connection with
the telephone, the bicycle and 'the trolley
accomplishes much toward lessening the
Isolation of farm life and making It
brighter and more attractive. In the Im
mediate past the lack of Just such facili
ties as these has driven many of the
more active and restless young men and
women from the farms to the cities; for
they rebelled at loneliness and lack of
mental companionship.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPOSITION
Congress Should Give It Support as
Well as Recognition.
I trust that the Congress will continue to
favor In all proper ways the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition. This exposition
commemorates the Louisiana purchase,
which was lhe first great step In the ex
pansion which made us a continental
Nation. The expedition of Lewis and
Clark across the continent followed there
on, and marked the beginning ot the
process of exploration and colonization
which thrust our National boundaries to
the Pacific. The acquisition of tho Oregon
Country, including the present States of
Oregon and Washington, was a fact of
Immense Importance In our history; first
giving us our place on the Pacific sea
board, and making ready the way for our
ascendency In the commerce of the great
est ot the oceans. The centennial of our
establishment upon the Western Coast
by the expedition of Lewis and Clark Is
to be celebrated at Portland, Or., by an
reposition In the Summer of 1905, and this
event should receive recognition and sup
port from the National Government.
DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA.
Legislation Is Needed and the Survey
of Public Lands Urged.
I call your special attention to tho Ter
ritory of Alaska. The country Is develop
ing rapidly, and It has an ossdred future.
The mineral wealth la great and has as
yet hardly been tapped. The fisheries, If
wisely handled and kept under National
control, will be a business as permanent
as any other, and of the utmost Import
ance to the people. The forests, If
properly guarded, will form another great
source of wealth. Portions of Alaska
oro fitted for farming and stockralslng,
although the methods must be adapted to
the peculiar conditions of the country.
Alaska Is situated In the Far North; but
so are Norway and Sweden and Finland;
and Alaska can prosper and play Us part
In the New World Just as those nations
have prospered and played their parts In
the Old World. Proper land laws should
be enacted and the survey of the public
lands Immediately begun. Coal-land laws
shold be provided whereby the coal-land
cntryman may make his location nnd se
cure patent under methods kindred to
those now prescribed for homestead nnd
mineral entrymen. Rnlmoti hatcheries, ex
clusively under Government control.
should bo established. The cable should
bo extended from sltkn westward. Wagon
roads nnd trnlla should be built, nnd the
building ot railroads promoted In nil le
gitimate wave. I.lshthousea should be
built nlong tho coast. Attention should be
paid to the needs ot tho Alaska Indians,
provision should be made tor nn officer,
with deputies, to study their needs, re
lieve their Immediate wants, and help
them adapt themselves to the new con
dltlons.
HAWAII.
Greater Power Should Be Vested In
the Governor.
I recommend that nn appropriation be
made for building lighthouses til Hawaii,
and taking possession of those nlrendy
built. The territory should be reimbursed
for whatever amounts ,tt has already ex
pended for lighthouses. The Governor
should be empowered to suspend or re
move any omcl.il appointed by him with
out submitting the matter to tho Legis
lature. INSULAR POSSESSIONS.
Philippines Should Be Knit Closer by
Tariff Agreements.
Of our Insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico It Is gratifying to
say that their steady, progress has been
such ns to make It unnecessary to spend
much time In discussing them. Yet the
Congress should err keep In mind that
n peculiar obllaatlon rests upon us to
further In every way the welfare of
these communities tub l'liiiiippines
should b knit closer to us by tariff ar
rangements. It would, of course, be Im
possible suddenly to raise the people of
the Islands to the high pitch ot Industrial
prosperity and of governmental efficiency
to which they will In the end by degrees
nltaln; and the caution nnd moderation
shown In developing them have been
nmong the main reasons why this devel
opment has hitherto gone on so
smoothly. scrupulous care nas oeeu
taken In the choice of governmental
agents, and tho entire elimination of par
tisan politics from the public service. The
concltlon ot the Islanders Is In material
thirze far better than ever before, while
their governmental, Intellectual, nnd
moral advance has kept pace with their
mvtcrlnl advance. No one peoplo ever
benefited another people more than wo
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession ot the Islands.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Necessity for Revision of the Laws Is
Pointed Out.
The cash receipts of the General Land
Office for the last fiscal year were
tll.Kl.i41K. an Increase ot Sl.TtK.SlMi
over the preceding year. Of this sum,
approximately. iS,ll.4M will go to the
credit of the fund for the reclamation
ot arid land, making the total of tlil
fund, up to the loth ot June, lW ap
proximately. I16.1SI.MK.
A gratifying disposition has wen
evinced by those tuning unlawful Inofos
ures of public land to remove their temvs.
N.-.uly 2,000.000 acres so Inclosed have 1 en
thrown open on demand. In but enm-
pair.tively few oases has It been nrue
si -y to go Into court to acconipl'sn tn s
purpose This work will bo vigorously,
preset uted until all unlawful Inclosuns
have been removed.
Kxperlence has shown that In the west
em States themselves, as well as In the
rest of the country, there Is wldeear,
conviction that certain of the publlc-.and
laws and the resulting admlnlslrillvo
orsctice no longer meet the present rxfd.
The craracter and uses of the remainlr.e.
nubile lands differ widely from those of
the public lands which the Congress had
especially In view when these laws were
pissed The rapidly Increasing rate ot
disposal ot the public lands Is not fol
lowed by a corresponding Increase In
home-bulldlng. There Is a tendency to
mass In large holdings public lands, -peilatly
timber and grazing lands, and
thercbv tn retard settlement. I renew and
emphasize my recommendation of lart
venr that so far as they are avalUMe fcr
agriculture In Its broadest sense, and to
whatever extent they may be reci.u.nu
urder the national Irrigation :aw, the re
maining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home-bullder. The atten
tion of the Congress Is especially directed
to the timber and stone law, the de.ai.Tt
hml Inw and the commutation clause
of the homestead law, which In thslr opcr
atlon have In many respects conmneu
oriih nria oubllc-land policy. The dscus-
slons In the Congress nnd elsewhere have
made It evident that mere is a wiue ui
,..nM nf nnlnlnns between ttiose hold
ing opposite views on these subjects, rr.d
that the opposing siaes navo nram
convinced representatives of weight 1m th
within and wlthouC the Congress; the dif
ferences being not only as to matters of
opinion, but as to matters of tact.
Reclamation oi riu unui.
Tha wnrtr nf reclamation of the arid
lands of the West Is progressing steadily
and satisfactorily under the terms of the
law setting aside the proceeds from the
disposal of public lands. Tho corps of
engineers Known as me rwmmunui,
.rvicp which Is conducting the surveys
and examinations, has been thoroughly
organized, especial pains being taken to
securo under the civil servlco rules a
body of skilled, experiences anu cmciem
mn Snrvevs and examinations are
progressing throughout the arid states and
territories, plans ior reciuiminK wurnn w
ina nrenared and passed upon by boards
of engineers before approved by tho Sec
retary Of tne interior. in Arizona unu
Nevada, In localities where such work Is
pre-eminently needed, construction has al
ready been begun. In other parts ot the
arid West various projects nre well ad
vanced towards tne drawing up oi con
tracts, these being delayed In part by
necessities of reaching agreements or un
derstanding as regards rights of way or
acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works contempiaieu ior construction ure
nf Kntior.nl Importance. Involving Inter
state questions or the securing ot stable,
self-supporting communities in me miusi
ot vast tracts ot vacant land. The Nation
as a whole Is of course the gainer by the
creation of these homes, adding as they
do to the wealth and stability of the
country, and furnishing a home market
for the products or me r,asi ana douui.
The reclamation law, while perhaps not
Ideal, appears at present to answer tho
larger needs for which It Is designed.
Further legislation Is not recommended
until the necessities ot change are more
apparent.
PRESERVATION OF FORE8TS.
Need There. f Is Recognized Now as
Never Before.
The study of the opportunities ot recla
mation of the vast extent of arid land
shows that whether this reclamation Is
done by Individuals, corporations, or the
state, tho sources of water supply must be
effectively protected and the reservoirs
guarded by the preservation ot the for
ests at the headwaters of the streams.
The engineers mnklng the preliminary ex
aminations continually emphasize this
need and urge that the remaining public
lunds at the headwaters of the Important
streams of tho West be reserved to In
sure permanency of water supply for Ir
rigation. Much progress In forestry tins
been made during the iast year. The ne
cessity for perpetuating our forest re
sources, whether In publlo or private
hands, Is recognized now as never be
fore. The demand for forest reserves hus
become Insistent In the West, because tho
West must use the water, wood and Sum
mer range which only such reserves can
supply, Progressive lumbermen are striv
ing, tnrougn forestry, to give tneir busi
ness permanence. Other great business
Interests are awakening to tho need of
forest preservation as a business matter.
Tho Government's forest work should re
ceive from the Congress hearty support,
and especially support adequate for tne
protection of the forest reserve against
lire. The forest-reserve policy ot the Gov
ernment has pussed beyond the experi
mental stuge, and has reached a condi
tion where scientific methods are essential
to Its successful prosecution. The admin
istrative features of forest reserves pre at
present unsatlifactory, being divided be
tween three bureaus nf two departments.
It Is therefore recommended that nil mat
ters pertaining to forest reserves, except
tlmso Involving r pertaining to land
titles, he KiinsnlldnlMl lu the IHirenu ot
Forestry ot tho Department ot Agricul
ture,
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Agents Should Not Be Dependent
Upon Partisan Politics.
The Indian agents should not be depend
ent for their appointment or tenure ot
ollk'o uihiii consldeintlons of partisan poli
tics: the practice of appointing, when
possible, ex-riny "Ulcers or bonded super
intendents to lhe- vacancies that occur Is
working well. Attention Is Invited to the
widespread Illiteracy due to Uek ot pub
llo schools In the Indian Tenllory. Prompt
need should tw iwu to tne need or tun
cation for the children In this territory.
PENSIONS.
No Other Class Deserves So Well of
the Nation as the Veterans.
No other class of our citizens deserv
so well of the Nation as those to whom
the Nation ones Us very being, the vet
entns ot lhe Civil War. Special attention
l nsked to the excellent work ot the
Pension llureau In sxtMdltlng nnd dlS'
Haing ot pension claims. During lhe
llarwt )enr ending July 1, IMt. the llurenu
settled Jtl.Dst claims, no average of h
linlms for each working day of the ear
The number of settlements slnco July I,
INS. has been III excess of lust ear's
aeruge, approaching 10o) claims for each
working day. and It Is belleed that the
work ot the Bureau will be current at
tho close of the present fiscal year.
CIVIL SERVICE RULES. '
Competitive Examinations Promote
Efficiency and Economy.
During the year ended June 30 last H
MO persona were nppolnted through com
letlttve examinations uuder the civil
service rules. This wns lllTO more than
during the preceding year, and 40 per
cent, of those who passed the examina
tions. This abnormal growth wns largely
occasioned by the extension of classi
fication to the rural fres-dellvery serv
ice and the appointment lust ear of over
fcXM ruial carriers. A rellon of the
clll-servlce rules took effect on April
15 last, which has greatly Improved their
opeTiillon. The completion of the leforin
ot the chit service Is recognised by good
citizens oery where as n matter of ths
highest public Importance, and the suc
cess of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of tho rules nnd
and the machinery prot Med for their en
forcement. A ver gratlflng spirit of
friendly eo-opei atlon exists In all the de
partments of the Government In the en
forcement nnd uniform oltservntice of
both the letter and spirit of the civil
service act.
THE ARMY.
System of Promotion by Mere Senior
ity Is Not Well.
The effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff fur the Army, and for the more
effective use uf the National Guard, hsa
been excellent. Great Improvement has
been made lu the efficiency of our Army
In recent years. Such schuot as those
erected at Fort I.eAvenworth and Furt
Riley and the Institution of Fall maneuver
work accmupllMhfd satisfactory results
The good effect of these maneuvers uiton
the National Guard Is marked, and ample
appropriation should 1ms made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states tu
share in the benefit. Tha Government
should as won as tiosslbte secure suitable
permanent camp sites for military man
euvers In the various sections of the conn-
try. The service thereby rendered not
only to the regular Army, but to the Na
tional Guard of the several slates, will Ih
so great as to reiMiy many times over the
relatively small exnse. We should not
rest satisfied with what has been done,
however. The unly jteople who nre con
tented with a s)stem ut promotion by
mere seniority are those who are con
tented with tho triumph ot mediocrity
over excellence. On the other hand, a
sjstem which encouraged the exercise nf
social or uolltk-al favoritism In promo
tions would b even worse. Hut It wuuld
surely be easy to devise a method of pro
motion from grade to grade In which the
opinion of the higher officers of the serv
ice uion the candidates should be decisive
uiton tho standing nnd promotion of ttie
latter. Just such a system now obtains
at West Point.
THE NAVY.
There Must Be No Let.Up In Work
of Increasing It.
Shortly after ths enunciation of that fa
mous principle of American foreign pol
icy now known as the "Monroe Doctrine,"
President Monroe, In a special message
to Congress, on January 90. IsJI. spoke as
follows: "The Navy Is the arm from
which our Government will always derive
most aid In support of our . . rights.
Every power engaged In war will know
the strength of our naval power, the
number of our ships of each class, their
condition, nnd the promptitude with
which we may bring them Into service,
and will pay duo consideration to that
argument."
I heartily congratulate tho Congress
upon tho steady progress In building up
the -.merlcan Navy. Wo cannot afford n
let-up In this great work. To stand Htlll
means to go back. There should bo no
cessation In milling to tho effective units
of the fighting strength of the fleet
Meanwhile tho Navy Department and the
officers of the Navy are doing well their
part by providing constant service at sea
under conditions nkln tn those of actual
warfare. Our officers and enlisted men
are learning to handlo tho battleships,
cruisers and torpedo boats with high 111
clcncy In fleet nnd squadron formations,
nnd tho standard ot marksmanship Is be
ing steadily raised. The best work nshore
Is Indispensable, but the highest duty
of a naval officer Is to exercise command
at sea.
The establishment of a naval baso In
the Philippines ought not to be longer
postponed, Such a base Is destrablo In
time of peace; In time of war It would
be Indispensable, and Its lack would bo
ruinous. Without It our fleet would be
helpless. Our naval experts are agreed
that Hublg Bay Is the proper place for lhe
purpose. The national Interests require
that the work of fortification and develop
ment of a naval station nt Sublg Bay bo
begun at an early dato; for under tho
best conditions It is a work which will
consume much time,
ISTHMIAN CANAL.
Review of Dealings With Colombia
and Recent Events.
By the act of June 2s, 1&)2, the Congress
authorized the President to enter Into
treaty with Colombia for tho building of
the canal across tho Isthmus of Panama;
It being provided that In the event of
failure lo securo such treaty after tho
lapso of a reasonable time, recouiso should
bo had to building a canal through Ni
caragua. It has not been necessary to
consider this alternative, as I am enabled
to lay be for a tho Benate a treaty provid
ing for the building of the canal across
tho Isthmus of Panama. This was tho
route which commended Itself to the de
liberate Judgment of lhe Congress, and
wo can now acquire by treaty tho right
tn construct the canal over this route.
The question now, therefore. Is not by
which route tho Isthmian canal shall be
built, for that question has been definitely
and Irrevocably decided, The question Is
simply whether or not we shall have an
Isthmian canal.
When tho Congress directed that we
should tako the Panama route under
treaty with Colombia, tho essenco at the
condition, of course, referred not to tho
Government which controlled that route,
but to tho route Itself; to the tcnltory
across which the route lay, not to the
name which for tho moment tho territory
bore on the map. The purposo of the
law was to uuthorlzo the President to
make a treaty with tho power In actual
control of tha Isthmus ot Panama, This'
purpose has been fulfilled,
Treaty With New Granada.
In the year 181(1 this Government en
tered Into a treaty with New aranada,
the predecessor upon the Isthmus of tho
Republic of Colombia and of the present
Renubllo of Panama, by which treaty It
nas provided that the Government and
cllliens of the United RtatM should al
ways have free nnd open tUlil nf y
or transit acmes lhe IMhtnus nf Panama
by any modes tf coniinunlcallon Hint
might bo coustmctcd, while In return our
Government guaranteed the perfect neu
trality of tho above-mentioned Isthmus
Willi the lcw that Hie freo transit from
the one to the oilier sen might not bo
Interrupted or embarrassed. Th treaty
vested In the United Hlatrs n substantial
property lUUt carved out of the lUhls
of sovereignly and propel ty which New
Granada, then had nnd possessed over the
said territory. The nnmo of Now (Iranndii
hits passed away nnd H tcrrltorj has been
divided. Its successor, the Government
of Colombia, has ceased to own any prop
el ty In Iho Isthmus. A new republic, llwt
of Panama, which wns at one time a sov
ereign stale, and nl another time a mero
department of the successive confedera
tions known ns New Giiinada and Co
lombia, has now .succeeded to the tights
width first one nnd then the oilier for
merly exerclssd over the Isthmus Hut ,ns
long ns the Isthmus endures, the mere
geographical fart of Its existence, and
the peculiar Interest therein which Is re
quired by our position, perpetuate Iho
solemn contract which binds the holders
of the territory lo respect our right to
freedom of transit across It, and hinds
us In return to safeguard for tne Isthmus
and the world the sxerdss of that lues
tlnmble privilege. The Irue Interpretation
of the obligations upon which tho rolled
Stales entered In this treaty of WIS has
been given repeatedly In the utterances
of Presidents nnd Secretaries of Hlnle.
Repudiation of Treaty by Colombia.
Ijist Snrlng. under the act above re
ferred to, a treaty concluded iM'tween Iho
representative of the Republic of rtilnm
bla nnd of our Government was ratified by
the Senate. This treaty wns entered Into
ut the urgent solicitation or the tx'opla
of Colombia, and ufter a body of rspvrls
appointed by our Government esiieclally
to g Into the matter of the routes ucross
the Isthmus hsd prunounced unanimously
In favor of the Panama route. In draw
ing up this treaty every concession wns
made lo the i-ople and lo the Govern.'
ment of Colombia. We vvsie more than
Just In dealing with them our generos
ity was such ns to nmke It n serious quss
llun whether wo had lint gone too far In
their Interest nt the expense of our own:
for lu our scrupulous desire lo pay alt
possible heed, not merely to th real, hut
even to the fancied rights of our weaker
neighbor, who already owe, l so much to
our protection and forbesrnncs. we leld
ed In nil possible wns to her desires In
drawing up the treaty. Nevertheless the
Government of Columbia not merely re
pudiated the treaty, but repudiated II In
such manlier as to make It evident by
th time the Colombian Ongr ad
journed that not the scantiest liope re
mained of ever getting a satisfactory
treaty from them The Government of
iVloinhla msds the treaty, and et when
the Colombian Congress was called to
ratify It the vote against ratification was
unanimous. II doe not appear that the
government made any real effort to se
cure ratification.
Revolution at Panama.
Immediately after th adjournment of
tho Congress n revolution brnks out In
Pnnnnm. The mple of Panama hsd long
been discontented with the Republic nf
Colombia, and they had ln kept quiet
only" by the prospect of lhe conclusion of
the treaty, which was lo them matter of
vital concern. When It became evident
that Iho tresly wa hopelessly Inst, ths
people of I'simnm rose literally as one
man. Nut a shot wns fired by n single
man on the Isthmus In lhe Interest of
(he Colombian Government. Not n life
nas lost In the accomplishment of the
revolution. Th Colombian troop sta
tioned on the Isthmus, who had lung been
uniwld. made common emise with the peo
ple of Pnnma. and with astonishing
unanimity the new Republic w started.
The duty of the United Slates In the
premises was clear. In strict accordance
with the nrlnelnals laid down by Keers-
tarbs Cass an I H. ward In the olll iol docu.
ments alnve quoted, the I'nlted males
gave notice that It would permit the
landing of no expeditionary force, the ar
rival of which would mean chaos and de
struction along the line of the railroad
and ot the proiMsml canal, and nn Inter
ruption of transit as an Inevitable eonss-
luenee. The de rsctn leovernmeiu ot
INinama wa recugnlssd In the fulloalng
telegram to Mr. Khrman:
"The people of Panama have, by appar
ently unanimous movement, dissolved
their political connection with the llepub
llc ot Colombia nnd resumed their Inde
pendence. When you nre satisfied that n
de facto government, republican In form
and without sulsitantlal opiHtsltlon from
Its own people, has been established In
lhe Slate of Panama, you will enter Into
relations with It ns ths rionlbl gov
ernment of the territory and took to II
for all due action to protect in persons
and property of cllliens of the United
Slates ami tu keep on Ih Isthmian
transit. In accordance with the blgllns
of existing treaties governing Ins rela
tions ot ties United States to tlyit terri
tory." .
Colombia was Notified.
The Government of CMombla. wss not!
fled of our acllon by the following tele
gram to Mr. Beatitire:
The people of Pannma having, by an
apparently uruinlmniia movement, dis
solved their lulltlcnl connection wlili the
llepubllo of Colombia and resumed their
Independence, nnd having adopted a gov
ernment of their own, republican In form,
Willi which tne unvernmeiit of tne united
States of America has entered Into rela
tions, the President ot lhe United Slates,
In accordance with the ties of friendship
which have so long nnd ho impplly existed
between the respective nation, most earn
estly commends to the Governments ot Co
lombia nnd of Panama, tho peaceful and
equitable settlement of nil questions nt Is
sue between them. Ho holds that ho Is
bound not merely by treaty obligations,
but by tha Interests of civilization, lo sea
that tho pxiceful tralllo ot the world
across Iho Isthmus of Panama shall not
longer bo disturbed by a constant succes
sion ot unnecessary and wastsful civil
wars."
The control, In tho Interest of the com
merce and tralllo of the whole civilized
world, of the menns of undisturbed tran
sit across the Isthmus of Panama has be
come nt trunscendent Importnnco to tho
United States. Wo havo repeatedly exer
clsid this control by intervening In the
course of domestic dissension, nnd by
protecting the territory from foreign In
vasion. In 16U Mr. Mvcrett assured lhe
Peruvian Minister that wa should not hes
itate to maintain the neutrality of the
Isthmus In Iho case of war between Peru
ond Colombia. In ll Colombia, which
has always been vigilant lo nvnll Itself
of Its privilege conferred by tho treaty,
expressed Its oxpcctallon that In the event
of war between Peru nnd Spain the Unllod
States would carry Into effect tho guar
anteo of neutrality. There have been few
administrations of the State Department
In which tills treaty has not, either by
the one sldo or the other, been used as a
basis of moro or less Important demands
It wns said by Mr. Finn In 1H71 that the
Department of Hlato had reason to ho.
Ileve that an attack upon Colombian sov
ereignty on the Isthmus had, on' several
occasions, been averted by warning from
this Government.
livery effort has been made by the Gov
ernment of the United States to persuade
Colombia to follow a course which was
essentially not only to our Interests nnd
to tho Interests ot the world, hut (o the
interests oi wvfuiuuiii imeu. 'i nose erfnris
havo fulled, and Colombia, by her persist
ence In repulsing the advances that havo
been made, has forced us, for tho sake of
our own honor, and of the Interest nnd
well-being not merely of our own people,
but of the peoplo ot the Isthmus ot Pan
ama and tho peoplo of tho civilized coun
tries or tno worm, to tags decisive steps
tp bring to an end a condition of affairs
which had becomo Intolerable The new
Republla ot Panama Immediately offcreii
to ncgotlato a treaty with us, This treaty
I herewith submit, Ily It our Interests
aro better safeguarded than In tho treaty
with Colombia which was ratified by tho
Bcnato at Its last session, It Is better In
Its terms than tho treaties offered to us
by tho Republics of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, At last tho right to begin this great
undertaking Is made nvnllablo. Panama
has done her part. All that remains la
for the American Congress to do Its part
and forthwith this republic will enter
Upon tha execution ot a project colossal
In Us slza and of wcll-nlgh Incalculable
uosslbllltles for the good of this i,
nnd tho nations of mankind.
THWODOUH J1003I5VELT.
White House, December 7, 1903.
EVENTS OF THE DAY
(UTIIUKUD l:R0,M AW PARTS 01' Till!
TWO lll!MISI'lll!RI!S.
Comprehensive Kcvlcvv uf tho Import
tint Happenings ul the I'nsl Week,
Presented In Condensed I'nrin, Most
l.lkcly to Prove Interesting tu (lur
Many KcaJcrs.
(I. M. muorl Is llkir-y lo In reap.
polntiMi postmaster nt Hofitllo.
Cuiiiinriit nt Ht. i'itorlHiiru"(ii)Hoow
veil' iiH'sonifo Is vpry Irliiully,
An I'liK'tltin of iloli'Kiitp" Ut prppiirn a
I'onslllutlim lias k-i'iuiillotl In I'miniim.
W. J. llrynii anil huh, win) aro lour
Ipt! Ittirupo, livlil an nmllt'iicu vvltli Hut
ivopo.
I'lilti'il States; Hoimtnr Clark, ot Mon
tana, In luiU'li Improved iiihI shtmlil lx
out In tlirtu weeks,
Secretary llllclirook may removo J,
Henry lltxilli, rculnicr ul lliu ltiMclxifK,
Oregon, lnml ollleo.
John V. l'foelor, president ol tlm
elvll servlco roiiiiiilKslnii, tiled very sud
denly In WiikIiIiikIoii.
Tim Hciiittti eoinmltleo on privilege
and election will ask Himmt lo reply
tu tlm diaries mndu nKiilnnt lilm.
Tho national ItcptiMlcnti rniniiiltteo
lias cIhmoii CliIeiiKO ns tlm convention
city mid llxcd Juno "1 a lliu ditto.
President llnrlrmiin 'announce that
Union 1'iU'llla rum will soon run Into
Honttlo.
(lenernl MucA i tlmr In accredited
with predicting, war with (Ivriiinny in
tho Hour future.
V iiltivleen-yeiir-old Vermont love
sick hoy aided a woman In slay her
litislHind so ho could Kvt a home.
Many rhari;o aro Htirlni; In nnlnst
Asa It. Thompson, susjK'iidcd rveelver
ot tho Iji (Ifaiide, Oregon, land ollleo.
A light ciikIho and pa securer train
collided near HleiiU'iivllle, Ohio, Una"
iK'rmm was killed nnd 15 others In
jured, Queen Alexandra had a very narrow
trxnH! from death liy lire. She wns
asleep when a Idaia liroVu out In her
lied room.
The hotiso has received resolution to
Imprnch l'ednirl Jtidgn Hwoyno, ot
Florida, and lias ordered a committee
to Imnitlgatv.
Tho federal grand Jury at Omaha
ha Indicted Htiitu rVnatur lno (or
selling, a (HHitotllcu position nnd promi
nent enttlumvu tor fcncliiu, puhllc do
main. Kpoknno is on tho vorgo ol a serious
labor trouble.
The attending physicians certify that
llvrliert tfpcncvr died ot sliullo decay.
The appointment ot Urncral Wood t
Iwiiim major general has again but u
Mint to tho senate.
AtlOtline IIMMtlc.j.ssfitl nltM,,t,tl lli.
Im'CIi fnniln with the, Ijlliolov llvtllL- nil
rhino. Tli u airship is lying at tha ho
torn ot tlio Potomac rher, a totn
wreck.
Indiana scholars cut a hole In the Ice
(It a M)iul near tliu school homo and af
ter tying tho feet of tho tenchvr placed
her In tho water. Mho wns rescued
halt nn hour later nearly dead.
At tho inauguration "of Governor'
lllckhniii, of Kentucky, some nf his
enemies turned loose '.'0 skunks In the
vicinity ol tho rapltnl in an endeavor
to break tip tha crowd witnessing the
ceremonies. -
Germany Is much pleased with the
eseugo of lliu president.
An lndcciidcnt company to light the
lievl trust Is to be established in Ht.
Louis.
After nn clapso ot 10 months the
Tracy reward is to bo paid by tho stats
ot Washington.
Dowln has straightened out his
financial tangle and the receivers havo
been discharged,
Itussla hns made a countor proposit
ion to tho demands of Japan, width, It
Is believed, will bo accepted,
American marines hava gone into
ramp near l'uiiama, and tho Colombian
Invasion has received a sot back,
Ilnvcnnn flirnr,, SAtit tn Mia n.l-
hIiow that tho nation ran liberally
recognize mo lair, anu men be still deep
ly In debt lo Oregon on a ruvenuo
hauls'.
Tho secretary of war has nikod con
gress for 1,(100,000 to deepen the chan
nel inroiigli wrangul Narrows, Alaska.
Tho l'mianm ranal treaty has started
on its way to tho United Htatcs.
Japan has postponed tha meeting ot
tho diet In tho hopo of receiving an
answer from lttissla.
lloth hniiscB of conuresn enlnrcd llnnn
regular from special session ulil.nnt
any notable transition.
Dowlo alleges his needs nro four
Union his liabilities, and makes nn
offer to settle with his creditors,
Kccrutary Shaw estimates Hint dm
entire appropriations needed for gov
ernment Uso lor 1005 will hoT021,602l-
i n). '
Tho steel trust will rnlnvn vn...
a hundred' thousand ilollma a ..,. i.
dismissing a number ut "Carnegie's
pOlH,"
Minister Llfton, of Canada, declares
that country la loynl' to llrllaln and
regrets Its infantine attitude over Alas
ka decision,
A party ot Colorado nonunion miners'
wore ambushed near Trinidad, Ot Ave
only ono oscaped to glvo tho alarm.
Tho fdiorlff with bloodhounds has conoi
to tho Bcono,
An onldomlo ot diphtheria at Stan
lonl tinivorsity hns put 12 In the hos
pttal. f
ropy Tins Is trying to secure moro,
cordial lolatlons between Trance and
tho church.
Tho Ilrltlsh consul lliids tho outrages
In Congo Freo Stutoa fully equal to the
first reports.