and maintaining apheres of fnftaaviea hi
China the circular proposals of 1890, In-
vltlng from them declarations of the:r
Intentions and views as to desirability
of the adoption of measures insuring the
benefits of equality of treatment of all
foreigners throughout China.
With gratifying unanimity, the re
Recommendations for Civil Gov sponses coincided in this common policy,
enabling me to see in the successful ter
mination of these negotiations proof of
ernment in the Philippines.
the friendly spirit which animates th»?
various powers Interested in the untram
meled development of commerce and in
REVIEW OF THE CHINESE QUESTION dustry in the Chinese Empire as a source
of vast benefit to the whole commercial
world.
Powers Acted in Concert.
The History of a Year—The West
Indies —
Operations of the Departments—Other
Foreign Questions.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.—President Mc
Kinley s message went to Congress to
day. it follows:
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives:
With the outgoing of the old and the
Incoming of the new century you begin
the last session of the 56th Congress, with
evidences on tv£ry hand of individual and
National prosperity and with proof of the
growing strength and Increasing power
for good of Republican institutions. Your
countrymen will join with you in fe
licitation that American liberty is more
firmly established than ever before, and
that love for it and the determination to
preserve it are more universal than at
any former period of our history.
The Republic was never so strong, be
cause never so strongly entrenched in
the hearts of the people as now. The
Constitution,with few amendments, exists
as it left the hands of its authors. The
additions which have been made to ’t
proclaim larger freedom and more ex
tended citizenship. Popular government
has demonstrated in its 124 years of trial
here its stability and security and ;ts
efficiency as the best Instrument of Na
tional development and the best safe
guard to human rights.
W|en the sixth Congress assembled, in
November, 1800, the population of the
United States was 5,308,483; it is now
76,304,799. Then we had 16 states; now
we have 45 Then our territory consisted
of 909.050 square miles; it is now 3,846,595
square miles.
Education, religion and
morality have kept pace with our ad
vancement in other directions, and, wnile
extending its power, the Government has
adhered to its foundation principles and
abated none of them in dealing with our
new-peoples and possessions. A Nation
so preserved and blest gives reverent
thanks to Gou and invokes his guidance
and the continuance of his care and favor.
CHINESE PROBLEM
Causes That Led Up to the Recent
Troubles.
In our foreign intercourse the doml-
nant question has been the treatment of
the Chinese problem, Apart from this
our relations with the powers have been
happy.
The recent troubles In China spring
_____
from the anti-foreign agitation which for
the past three years has gained strength
in the northern provinces. Their origin
lies deep in the character of the Chi
nese races and in the traditions of their
government. The Tai Ping rebellion and
the opening of Chinese ports to foreig i
trade and settlement disturbed alike the
homogeneity « nd the seclusion of China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made Itself
felt in all quarters, not alone on the
ooast, but along the great rivers, arteries
end in the remoter districts, carrying new
ideas and introducing new associations
among a primitive people which had pur-
■«ued for centuries a national policy of
Isolation.
The telegraph and the railway’ spread
ing over their land, the steamers plying
on their waterways, the merchant and
the missionary penetrating year by year
farther to the interior, became to the
Chinese mind types of an alien invasion,
changing the course of their national life,
and fraught with vague forebodings of
disaster to their beliefs and their self-
dontrol.
For several vears before the present
troubles all the resources of foreign di
plomacy, backed by moral demonstra
tions of the physical force of fleets and
arms, have teen needed to secure due
respect for the treaty rights of foreign-
ers. and to obtain satisfaction from the
responsible authorities for the sporadic
outrages upon the persons and property
of unoffending sojourners, which from
time to tim? occurred at widely sep
arated points In the northern provinces,
as in the case of the outbreaks in Sze
Chuen and Shan Tung.
Posting of anti-foreign placards be
came a dally occurrence, which the re-
peated probation of the imperial power
failed to check or punish. These inflam
matory appeals to the ignorance and
•uperstition of the masses, mendacious
and absurd in their accusations, and
deeply hostile in their spirit, could not
but work culrrlnatlve harm. They aimed
at no particular class of foreigners; they
were impartial in attacking everything
foreign. An outbreak in Shan Tung, !n
which German missionaries were slain,
was the too natural result of the malevo
lent teachings The posting of seditious
placards, exhorting to the utter destruc
tion of foreigners and of every foreign
thing,
continued
unrebuked.
Hostile
demonstrations
toward
the
stranger
gained strength by organization.
(
I
I
I
The Boxer Agitation.
I
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5
4
’ -U I
)
The sect commonly styled the Boxers
developed greatly in the provinces north
of the Yangt*e. and with collusion of
many notable officials. Including some in
the immediate councils of the throneitself,
became alarmingly aggressive. No foreign
er’s life, outside cf the protected treaty
ports, was safe. No foreign interest was
secure from spoliation.
The diplomatic representatives of the
powers in Pekin strove in vain to check
this movement. Protest was followed by
demand, and demand by renewed protest,
to be met with perfunctory edicts from
the palace and evasive and futile assur
ances from the Tsung 11 Yamun. The
Circle of the Boxer influence narrowed
about Pekin, and. while nominally stig
matized as seditious, it was felt that l’s
spirit pervaded the capital itself, that
the imperial forces were imbued with its
doctrines, and that the immediate coun
cilors of the Empress Dowager were in
full sympathy with the anti-foreign
movement.
The Increasing gravity of the condi
tions In China, and the Imminence cf
peril to our own diversified interests In
the empire, as well as to those of all
the other treaty government», were soon
appreciated by this Government, causing
profound solicitude. The United States,
from the earliest days of foreign inter
course with China, has followed a policy
of peace, emitting no occasions to tes
tlfy good-will, to further the extens'en
of lawful trade, to respect the sovereign
ty of Its government, and to Insure. by
all legitimate and
kindly, but earn
est means, the fullest measure of pro
tection for the lives and property of our
law-abiding cltlx« ns and for the exer-
<lse of their beneficent calllnga among
the Chin«
this. It was felt to be ap-
Mindful
at our purposes should be
propria te
in favor of such a course
n'
I hasten united action of the
t Pekin to promote the admin
reforms so greatly needed for
•nlng the Imperial government
Raining the Integrity of China,
we believed the whole West-
Id to be alike concerned. To
. ,.ds I caused to be addressed tn
the several powers occupying territory
In this conclusion, which I had the
gratification to announce as a completed
engagement to the interested powe*s
March 20. 1900, I hopefully discern a po
tential factor for the abatement of tile
distrust of foreign purposes, which for
a year past had appeared to inspire the
policy of the imperial government, and
for the effective exertion by it of power
and authority to quell the critical and
foreign movement in the northern prov
inces most immediately influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the will
ingness and ability of the imperial ad
ministration to redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared,
the marine guard, which had been sent
to Pekin in the Autumn of 1899 for the
protection of the Legation, was with
drawn at the earliest practicable moment,
and all pending questions were remitted,
as far as wo were concerned, to the or
dinary resorts of diplomatic intercourse.
The Chinese Government proved, how
ever, unable to check the rising strength
of the Boxers and appeared to be a prey
to internal dissensions. In the unequal
contest, the anti-foreign influences soon
gained tfle ascendancy, under the leader
ship of Prince Tuan. Organized armies of
Boxers, with which the imperial forces
affiliated, held the country between Pekin
and the coast, penetrated into Manchuria
up to the Russian border and through
their emissaries threatened a like rise
throughout Northern China. Attacks upon
foreigners, destruction of property and
slaughter of native converts were re
ported from all sides. The Tsung 11
Yamun, already permeated with hostile
sympathies, could make no effective re
sponse to the appeals of the Legations.
At this critical juncture, in the early
Spring of the year, a proposal was made
by the othei powers that a combined
fleet be assembled in Chinese waters as a
moral demonstration, under cover of
which to exact of the Chinese Govern
ment respect for foreign treaty rights and
the suppression of the Boxers.
The
United States, while not participating in
the joint demonstration, promptly sent
from the Philippines all ships that could
be spared for service on the Chinese
coast. A smAll force of marines was
landed at Taku and sent to Pekin for the
protection of the American Legation.
Other powers took similar action until
some 400 men were assembled in the capi
tal as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The Legations
reported the development of the seditious
movement in Pekin and the need of in
creased provision for defense against it.
rMtarattoa of the imperial power in Po-
Kin has been accepted as in full con-
bonance with our own desire*, for we
(have held and hold that effective repara
tion for wrongs suffered and an endur
ing settlement that will make their re
currence impossible can best be brought
about under «n authority which the Chi
nese Nation reverences and obeys. While
so doing we forego no jot of our un
doubted right to exact exemplary and de
I terrent punishment of the responsible
authors and abettors of the criminal acta
whereby we and other nations have suf
fered grievous injury.
For the real culprits, the evil coun
sellors who have misled the imperial
judgment and diverted the sovereign au
thority to their own guilty ends, full ex
piation becomes imperative within the
rational limits of retributive justice. Re
garding this as the initial condition of
an acceptable settlement between China
and the powers, I said in my message
of October 18 to the Chinese Emperor:
“I trust that negotiations may begin so
soon as we and the other offended gov
ernments shall be effectively satisfied of
Your Majesty’s ability and power to
treat with just sternness the principal
offenders who are doubly culpable, not
alone toward the foreigners but toward
Your Majesty, under whose rule the pur
pose of China to dwell in concord with
the world has hitherto found expression
in the welcome and protection assured to
strangers.”
Taking as a point of departure the
appointing
Earl Li
■imperial
edict
Hung
Chang
and
Prince
Ching
to arrange a ser-
plenipotentiaries
tlement, and the edict of September
25, whereby certain high officials were des
ignated for punishment, this Government
has moved in concert with the other
powers toward the opening of negotia
tions which Mr. Conger, assisted by Mr.
Rockhill, has been authorized to conduct
on behalf of the United States.
General bases of negotiations, formu-
lated by the Government of the French
Republic, have been accepted with cer
tain reservations as to details, made
necessary by our own circumstances and
by like similar reservations by other
powers open to discussion in the prog
ress of the negotiations. The disposition
of the Emperor's Government to admit
liability fpr wrongs done to foreign gov
ernments and their citizens and to act
upon such additional designation of the
guilty persons as the foreign Ministers
at Pekin may be in a position to make
gives hope of a complete settlement of
all questions involved, assuring foreign
rights of residence and intercourse op
terms of equality for all the world
I regard as one of the essential factors
of a durable adjustment the eecurement
of adequate guarantees for liberty of
faith, since insecurity of those natives
who may embrace alien creeds is scarce
ly a less effectual assault upon the
rights of foreign w’orship and teaching
than would be the direct invasion thereof.
Matter
of
I
1
1
1
I
!
them.
By the Spring of this year ths effective
opposition of the dissatisfied Tagals to
the authority of the United States was
virtually enaed, thus opening the door
for the extension of a stable administra
tion over much of the territory of the
archipelago. Desiring to bring this about,
I appointed in march last a civil com
mission. composed of the Hon. William
H. Taft, of Ohio; Professor Dean C.
Worcester, of Michigan; Hon. Luke E.
Wright, oi Tennessee; Hon. Henry C.
Ide, of Vermont, and Professor Bernard
Moses, of California. The aims of their
mission and he scope of their authority
are clearly set forth in instructions of
April 7, 1900, addressed to the Secretary
of War, to be transmitted to them.
PORTO RICO AND CUBA.
International Arbitration.
It is with satisfaction that I am able
to announce the formal notification at
The Hague, on September 4, of the depos
it of ratifications of the convention for
the pacific settlement of the International
disputes by 16 powers, namely, the United
States, Austria, Belgium, Denmark. Eng
land, France, Germany, Italy, Persia,
Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Siam, Spain,
Sweden and Norway and The Nether-
, lands. Japan also has since ratifled the
1 convention. The administrative council
of the permanent court of arbitration has
been organized, and it has adopted rules
or order and a constitution for the In
ternational Arbitration Bureau.
In ac-
' cordance with article 23 of the convention
providing for the appointment by each
signatory power of persons of known
competency in questions of international
law as arbitrators I have appointed as
members of this court, Hon. Benjamin
Harrison, of Indiana, ex-Presldent of the
United States: Hon. Melville W. Fuller,
of Illinois, Chief Justice of the United
States: John W. Griggs, of New Jersey.
Attorney-General of the United States,
and Hon. George Gray, of Delaware, a
Judge of the Circuit Court of the United
States.
Indemnity,
The matter of indemnity for our
wronged citizens is a question of grave
concern
Measured In money alone, a
sufficient reparation may prove to be be-
yond the ability of China to meet. All
the powers concur in emphatic disclaim
ers of any purpose of aggrandizement
Taking of Taku Forts.
through the dismemberment of the em
While preparations were in progress for pire. 1 am disposed to think that due
a larger expedition to strengthen the compensation may be made in part by
legation guards and keep the railway increased guarantees of security for for
open, an attempt of the foreign ships to eign rights and immunities, and most
make a landing at Taku was met by important of all, by the opening of China
Are from the Chinese forts. The forts to the equal commerce of all the world.
were thereupon sh lltd by the foreign ves These views have been and will be earn
sels, the American Admiral taking no estly advocated by our representatives.
part in the attack, on the ground that
The Government of Russia has put for
we were not at war with China, and that ward a suggestion that in the event of a
a hostile demonstration might consolidate protracted divergence of views in regard
the anti-foreign elements and strengthen to indemnities, the matter may be rele
the Boxers to oppose the relieving col gated to the court of arbitration at The
umn. Two days
'
later, the —
Taku forts Hague. I favorably incline to this, be
were captured after a sanguinary con lieving that high tribunal could not fall
flict
“
Severance of communication with to reach a solution no less conducive to
Pekin followed, and a combined force of the stability and enlarged prosperity of
additional guards, which wras advancing China itself than immediately beneficial
to Pekin by the Pei Ho, was checked at to the powers.
Lang Fang. The isolation of the Lega
tions was complete.
OTHER FOREIGN
RELATIONS.
By June 9, the Legations were cut off.
An identical note from the Yamun or
Relations With Germany.
dered each Minister to leave Pekin, under
Good will prevails in our relations with
a promised escort, within 24 hours. To the German Empire. An amicable adjust
gain time, they replied asking prolonga ment of the long pending question of the
tion of the time, which was afterward admission of our life insurance compa
granted, and requesting an interview with nies to do business in Prussia has been
the Tsung li Yamun on the following reached. One of the principal companies
day. No reply being received, on the has already been readmitted, and the way-
morning of the 20th the German Minister, is opened for the others to share the priv-
Baron von Ketteler, set out for the Ya- liege.
mun to obtain a response, and on the
The settlement of the Samoan problem,
way was murdered. An attempt by the to which I adverted in my last message.
legation guard to recover his body was has accomplished good results. Peace and
foiled by the Chinese.
contentment prevail in the islands, espe
I'ekin Legations Attacked.
cially in Tutuila, where a convenient ad
the
ministration that has won the confidence
Armed forces turned out against
Legations. Their quarters were surround and esteem of the kindly-disposed natives
ed ahd attacked. The mission compounds has been organized under the direction
were abandoned, their inmates taking of the commander of the United States
refuge In the British legation, where all naval station at Pango Pango.
An imperial meat inspection law been
the other Legations and guards gathered
for more effective defense. Four hundred enacted for Germany. While it may sim
persons were crowded in its narrow com plify the inspections, it prohibits certain
pass. Two thousand native converts were products heretofore admitted. There is
assembled in a near-by place under pro still great uncertainty as to whether our
tection of the foreigners. Lines of defense well-nigh extinguished German trade in
were strengthened, trenches dug, barri meat products can revive under its new
cades raised and preparations made to burdens. Much will depend upon regula
stand a siege, which at once began.
tions not yet promulgated, which we con
With the negotiation of the partial fidently hope will be free from the dis
armistice of July 14. a proceeding which criminations which attended the enforce
was dcubtless promoted by the represen ment of the old statutes.
tations of the Chinese envoy in Wash-
The remaining link In the new line of
ing^oh, the way was opened for the con direct telegraphic communication between
veyance to Mr. Conger of a test message the'United States and the German Em
sent by the Secretary of State through pire ha«* recently been completed, afford
the kind offices of Minister Wu Ting ing a gratifying occasion for exchange of
Fang. Mr. Conger’s reply, dispatched from friendly congratulations with the German
Pekin on July 18 through the same chan Emperor.
nel, afforded to the outside world the
The Boer War.
first tidings that the Inmates of the le
Our friendly relations with Great Brit-
gations were alive and hoping for succor. ain continue. The war In South Africa
This news stimulated the preparations for introduced important questions. A condi
a joint relief expedition, in numbers suffi tion unusual in International wars was
cient to overcome the resistance which presented in that while one belligerent
for a month had been organizing between had control of the seas, the other had
Taku and the capital. Reinforcements no ports, shipping or direct trade, but
sent by all the co-operating governments was only accessible through the territory
were constantly arriving. The United
of a neutral. Vexatious questions arose
States contingent, hastily assembled from through Great Britain’s action in respect
the Philippines or dispatched from this to neutral cargoes not contraband In
country, amounted to some 5000 men. un their own nature, shipped to Portuguese
der the able command of the lamented South Africa, on the score of probable <>r
Colonel Liscum and afterwards of Gen suspected ultimate destination to the
eral Chaffee.
Boer states. 8uch consignments In Brit
Rencne of Leffatlonera.
ish ships, by which alone direct trade is
Toward the end of July the movement kept up between our ports and South
began. A severe conflict followed at Tien Africa, were seized in application of a
Tsin, in which Colonel Liscum was kilkxL law prohibiting British vessels from trad
The city was stormed and partly de ing with an enemy without regard to any
stroyed. Its capture afforded the base contraband character of the goods, while
of operations frem which to make the cargoes shipped to Delagoa Bay in neutral
final advance, which began in the first bottoms w*»re arrested on the ground af
days of Augu«‘
the expedition being alleged destination to the enemy’s coun
made up of J«.A nese. Russian, British try. Appropriate representation on our
and American ttoOps at the outset. An part resulted in the British Government
other battle was fought and won at agreeing to purchase outright all such
Yong Tsun. Thereafter, the disheartened goods shown to be the actual property of
Chinese troops offered little show of re American citizens, thus closing the inci
sistance
A few days ’ater, the impor dent to the satisfaction of the immediate
tant position of To Si Wo was taken. A ly interested parties, although unfortu
rapid march brought the united forces to nately without a broad settlement of the
the populous City of Tung Chow, which question of a neutral’s right to »end
capitulated without a contest.
goods not contrband per se to a neutral
On August 14, the capital was reached. port adjacent to a belligerent area.
After a brief conflict beneath the walls,
i
Alaska Ronndary.
the relief column entered and the Lega
The work of marking certain provis
tions were saved.
The United States ional boundary points for convenience of
soldiers, sailors and marines, officers and administration around the head of Lynn
men alike, in those distant climes and Canal. In accordance with the temporary
unusual surrounding«*, showed the same arrangement of October, 1899, was com
valor, discipline and g<»od conduct and pleted by a joint survey in July last. The
gave proof of the same high degree of in modus vlvendi has so far worked without
telligence and efficiency which have dis friction and the Dominion Government
tinguished them in every emergency.
has provided rules and regulations for
The Imperial family and the govern- securing to our citizens the benefit of the
ment had fled a few days before. The recijfrocal stipulation that the citizens or
city was without visible control. The subjects of either power found by that
remaining imperial soldiery had made, arrangement within the temporary juris 1
on the night of the 13th. a last attempt diction of the other shall suffer no di
to exterminate the besieged, which was minution of rights and privileges th<T
gallantly repelled. It fell to the occupy have hitherto enjoyed. But, however
ing forces to restore order and organize necessary such an expedient may have
a provisional administration.
been to tide over the grave emergencies
The Rnsslan Propositioa.
of the situation, it is at best but an
The Russian proposition looking to the unsatisfactory makeshift, which should
4
:
not be suffered to delay the speedy and
complete establishment of the frontier
line to which we are entitled under the
Russo-American treaty for the cession of
Alaska.
In this relation, I may refer again to
the need of definitely marking the Alas-
kan boundary where it follows the 141st
meridian. A convention to that end has
been before the Senate for some two
years, but as no action has been taken, I
contemplate negotiating a new convention
for a joint determination of the meridian
by heliocentris observations. These, asit
is believed, will give more accurate and
unquestionable results than the sidereal
methods heretofore Independently fol-
lowed, which, as is known, proved dis
crepant at several points on the line, al.
though not varying at any place more
than 700 feet.
Success In
the Former—Progress
Toward Cuban Autonomy.
The civil government of Porto Rico
provided for by the act of the Congress
approved April 12. 1900, is in successful
operation. The courts have been estab
lished; the Governor and his associates
working intelligently and harmoniously,
are making a commendable success. On
the 6th of November a general election
was held in the island for members of
the Legislature and the body has been
called to convene on the first Monday of
i December.
I recommend that legislation be enacted
by Congress conferring upon the Secre
tary of the Interior supervision over the
public lands in Porto Rico, and that he
, be directed to ascertain the location and
quantity of lands the title to which re-
I malned in the crown of Spain at the date
• the cession of Porto Rico to the United
I States, and that appropriations for sur
veys be made and the methods of the
i disposition of such lands be prescribed
by law.
____________________
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS.
Army Should Be <10,000 to lOO.OOO—
The Navy, PostoiHces, Etc.
The Nicarngna Canal.
The present strength of the Army is
100,000 men—65,000 regulars and 35,000 vol
unteers. Under the act of March 2, 1899,
on the 30th of June next the present vol
unteer force will be discharged and the
Regular Army will be reduced to 247'
officers end 29,025 enlisted men. In 18M
a board of officers convened by Presiden*
Cleveland
adopted
a
comprehensive
scheme'of coast defense and fortifications
which involved the outlay of something
over $100,000,000. This plan received the
approval of the Congress and since then
regular apropriations have been made and
the work of fortification has steadily
progressed.
More than $60,000 000 have
been Invested In a great number of forts
and guns, with all the complicated and
scientific machinery and electrical appll
ances necessary for their use. The prope
care of this defensive machinery require
men trained in Its use. The number o
men necessary to perform this duty alon
is ascertained by the War Department
at a minimum allowance, to be 18,420
There are 58 or more military posts i
the United States other than the coast*
defense fortifications. The number ol
these posts is being constantly Increased
by Congress. More than $22,000.000 hav
been expended in building and equipping
them, and .they can only be cared To
by the Regular Army. The posts now ir
existence and others to be built provid*
accommodations for, and, If fully gar
risoned, require 26,000 troops. Many o
these posts are along our frontier or a
important strategic points, the occupa
tlon of which Is necessary. We have ir
Cuba between 5000 and 6000 troops. For
the present our troops in that island can«
not be withdrawn or materially dimin
ished. certainly not until the conclusior
of the labors of the constitutional convert
tlon now in session and a government pro
vided > y the National Constitution shfiulf
have been established and its stability
assur d.
In Porto Rico we have re*
duced -he garrisons to 1636. which include
896 native troops. There is no room foi
further reduction here. We will be re
quired to keep a considerable force Is
the Philippine Islands for some time te
come. From the best information ob»
talnable we shall need there for the lm
mediate future from 50,000 to 60,000 men.
I am sure the number may be reduced a
the insurgents shall come to acknowledge
the authority of the United States, o.
which there are assuring indications.
It must be apparent that we will re*
quire an army of about 60,000, and that
during present conditions in Cuba and
the Philippines the President should have
authority to increase the force to th*
present number of 100,000. Included in
this, authority should be giver, to rals<
native troops in the Philippines up t.o
15,000, which the Taft commission bellevet
will be more effective in detecting and
suppressing guerillas, assassins and la-
drones than our own soldiers.
The full discussion of this subject by
the Secretary of War in his annual re
port is called to your earnest attention.
The important matter of an interoceanlc
canal has assumed a new phase. Ad
hering to its refusal to reopen the question
of the forfeiture of the contract of the
Maritime Canal Company, which was
terminated for alleged nonexecution in
October, 1S99, the Government of Nicara
gua has since supplemented that action
by declaring the so-styled Eyre-Cragln
option void for nonpayment of the stipu
lated advance. Frotests in relation to
these acts have been filed in the State
Department, and are under consideration.
Deeming Itself relieved from existing en
gagements, the Nicaragua Government
shows a disposition to deal freely with
the canal question, either in the way of
negotiations with the United States or by
taking measures to promote the water
way. Overtures for a convention to effect
the building of a canal under the auspices
of the United States are under considera
tion. In the meantime, the views of Con
gress upon the subject in the light ot
the report of the committee appointed to
examine the comparative merits of the
various trans-isthmian ship canal proj
ects may be awaited.
I commend to the early attention of
the Senate the convention with Great
Britain to facilitate the construction of
such a canal, and to remove any objec
tion which might arise out of the conven
tion commonly called the Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty.
Relation«! With Spain.
Satisfactory progress has been made
toward the conclusion of a general treaty
of friendship and Intercourse with Spain
in replacement of the old treaty, which
passed into abeyance by reason of the
late war. A new convention of extradi«
tlon is approaching completion, and 1
would be much pleased were a commer
cial arrangement to follow. I feel that
we should not suffer to pass an oppor
tunity to reaffirm the cordial ties that
existed between us and Spain from the
time of our earliest independence, and to
enhance the mutual benefits of that com
mercial Intercourse which is natural be
tween the two countries.
By the terms of the treaty of peace,
the line bounding the ceded Philippine
group on the southwest failed to Include
several small islands lying west of the
Sulus, which have always been recog
nized as under Spanish control. The oc
cupation of Sibutu and Cagayan, Sulu,
by our naval forces elicited a claim on
the part of Spain, the essential equity
of which could not be gainsaid. In order
to cure the defect of the treaty by re
moving all possible ground of future mis
understanding respecting the interpreta
tion of its third article, I directed the
negotiation of a supplementary treaty,
which will be forthwith laid before the
Senate, whereby Spain quits all title and
claim of title to the Islands named, as
well as to any and all Islands belonging
to the Philippine Archipelago lying out
side the lines described in said third ar
ticle, and agrees that all such islands
shall be comprehended in the cession of
the archipelago as fully as if they had
been expressly Included within those lines.
In consideration of this cession the United
States is to pay Spain the sum of $100,000.
A bill 1» now pending to effect the rec
ommendation made In my last annual
message, that appropriate legislation be
had to carry into execution article 8
of the treaty of peace with Spain, by
which the United States assumed the
payment of certain claims for indem
nity of its citizens against Spain. I ask
that action be taken to fulfill this obli
gation.
CONDITIONS
IN
The Navy.
Very efficient service has been rendered
by the Navy in connection with the insur
rection in the Philippines, and the recent
disturbance in China.
A very satisfactory settlement has been
made of the long-pending question of ths
manufacture of armor-plates. A reason
able price haa been secured, and ths
necessity for a Government armor-plats
plant avoided.
The Hawaiian Islands.
PHILIPPINES.
Recommendations for a Civil Cdv-
ernment for the Islands.
In my last annual message I dwelt at
some length upon the condition of af
fairs in the Philippines. While seeking
to impress upon you that the grave re
sponsibility of the future government of
those islands rests with the Congress of
the United States, 1 abstained from rec
ommending at that time a specific and
final form of government for the terri
tory actually held by the United States
forces, and in which, as long as the in
surrection continues, the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. I stated
my purpose, until the Cot.gross shall
have made known the formal expression
of Its will, to use the authority vested
In me by th** Constitution and the stat
utes to uphold the sovereignty of the
United States in these distant Islands, as
in all other places where our flag right
fully floats placing to that end at the
disposal of th? Army and Navy all the
means which the liberality of the Con
gress and the people have provided. No
contrary expression of the will of the
Congress having been made, I have
steadfastly pursued the purpose so de
clared. employing the civil arm az well
toward the accomplishment of pacifica
tion and the institution of local govern
ments within the lines of authority and
law.
I’rogress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable.
Our forces have suc
cessfully controlled the greater part of
the islands, overcoming the organized
forces of the insurgents, and carrying
order and administrative regularity to
all quarters. What opposition remains is
for the most part scattered, obeying nj
concerted plan of strategic action, oper
ating only by the methods oummon to
the traditions of guerrilla warfare, which,
while ineffective to alter the general con
trol now established, 'are still sufficient
to beget Insecurity among the popula
tions that have felt the good results of
our control, and thus delay the confer
ment upon them of the fuller measures
of local self-government, of education
and of industrial and agricultural devel
opment which we stand ready to give
'
I
(
Much interesting information I? given tn
the report of the Governor of Hawaii as
to the progress and development of th<
islands during the period from July 7,
1898. the date of ihe approval of the joint
resolut'on of the Congress providing for
their annexation up to April 30, 1900, the
date of the approval of the act providing
a government for the territory and there
after. The last Hawaiian census, taken
in the year 1896, gives a total population
of 109.020, of which 31,019 were native Ha-
wallans.
The number of Americans re
ported was 8485. The results of the Fed-
eral census taken this year show ths
Islands to have a total population of 154.-
001, snowing an Increase over that report
ed in 1896 of 41.981, or 41.2 per cent. There
has been marked progress In educational,
agricultural and railroad development of
the Islands.
The Twelfth Census.
The Director of the Census states thal
the work in connection with the 12th cen
sus Is progressing favorably.
This Na
tional urdertaking, ordered by the t on*
gross each decade, has finally resulted in
the collection of an agregation of statls-
tical facts to determine the industrial
growth of the country. Its manufacturing
and mechanical resources, Its richness io
mines and forests, the numbers of Its
agricultural districts, their farms ard
i products, its educational and religious op.
portunities, as well as nuestlons pertain
ing to sociological condlt'ons.
Precaution AKalnnt Extravnicanre.
I
Tn our greit prosperity we must guard
against the dangers It Invites In extrav
agance in government expenditures and
appropriations, and the chosen represen
tatives of the pe-ople w II. I doubt not, fur
nish an example in th» ir legislation of
that wise economy which. In a season of
plenty, husbands for the future. Tn this
era of great business activity and oppor
tunity caution la not untimely. It will
not abate but strengthen our confidence.
Tt will not retard but promote I gi’imate
Industrial and commercial ex^winsion.
Our growing power brings with It temp
tations and perils inquiring constant vig
ilance to avoid. It must n t be used *o in.
vlte conflicts, nor f< r oppression, but for
the more effective maintenance of those
principles of equality and justice upon
which our Institutions and happiness de
pend. Tyet us keep always In mind that
the foundation of our Government Is lib
erty; Its superstructure peace.
WILTJAM McKTNLET,
Executive Mansion, December 3, 1W>.
WEATHER A DRAWBACK.
Fall Tr«d< Slightly Affecting Jobbing Diitrt»
tlon— November Failure».
Bradetreet’« Mye: Unsettled weather
and holiday« are a drawback to retail
and jobbing distribution in many mar
kets. but the general eituation ie etill »
inoet satisfactory one, and the iron and
steel, coal, boot and shoe and lumber
trades are conspicuously well main
tained. The industrial situation ia
also deserving of note, because of tha
striking abeence «■( complainte as to
idleness or as to pending or future la
bor troubles.
While the volu*ne of new order« in
crude material continues moderato
when compared with the enormou« ac
tivity for some time past, business in
iron and steel is steadier, and as a rule
held better in hand.
Export trade iu iron and steel is less
active, owing to lower prices abroad
and active oeman I at home, but
.American railmakers this week have
received flattering indorsements in the
matter of prices, quality and delivery
from English railway authorities.
Among textiles, the situation iu
woolen goods and wool is perhaps the
least encouraging of any, but even here
the strength of the raw material ia no
table.
Relatively the best trade reports
come from the south and southwest,
while the most backward are from sec
tions of the East, where unseasonable
weather is complained of, and from
sections of the spring wheat region
which suffered most from the shortage
in yield. It is notable, however, that
the better situation in lumber has stim
ulated trade in Northern Minnesota.
Wheat, including flour, shipments
for the week aggregate 2,497,880 bush
els, against 3,827,296 bushels last week.
Failures for the week number 184.
as against 21S last week.
PACIFIC COAST TRADE.
Seattle Market.
Onions, new, llio.
Lettuce, hot house, |1 per crate.
Potatoes, new. $16.
Beets, per sack, 86c@$l.
Turnips, per sack, $1.00.
Squash—1 J^o.
Carrots, per Back, 60c
Parsnips, per sack, $1.20.
Cueu m hers—40 @ 50c.
Cabbage, native and California.
IJic per pounds. .
Butter—Creamery, 80c; dairy, 183
22c; ranch, 18o pound.
Eggs—84c.
Cheese—12c.
Poultry—12c; dressed, 14c; spring,
18@15c turkey, 18c..
Hay—Puget Sound timothy, $14.00;
choice Eastern Washington timothy,
$18.00.
Corn—Whole, $23.00; cracked, $25;
feed meal, $25.
Barley—Rolled or ground, per ton,
$20.
Flour—Patent, per barrel, $3.50;
blended straights, $3.25; California.
$3.25; buckwheat flour, $6.00; gra
ham, per barrel, $3.00; whole wheat
flour, $3.25; rye flour, $3.80@4.00.
Mill«tuff«—Bran, per ton, $13.00;
shorts, per ton, $14.00.
Feed—Chopped feed, $19.00 per ton;
middlings, per ton, $20; oil cake meal,
per ton, $30.00.
Fresh Meats—Choice dressed beef
steers, price 7 He; cows, 7c; mutton
pork, 8c; trimmed, 9c; veal, 90
lie.
Hams—Large, 18c; small, 13»i;
breakfast bacon, 12c; dry salt sides,
85»c.
________
Portland Market.
Wheat—Walla
Walla.
53 054o;
Valley, nominal; Bluestetn, 56o per
bushel.
Flour—Best grades, $8.40; graham,
$2.60,
Oats—Choioe white, 45o; choion
gray, 42c per bushel.
Barley—Feed barley, $15.50 brew
ing, $16.50 per ton.
Millstuffs—Bran, $15.50 ton; mid
dlings, $21; shorts, $17; chop, $16 per
ton.
Hay—Timothy,$12@ 12.50; clover,$?
09.50; Oregon wild hay, $607 per ton.
Butter—Fancy creamery, 4505Oo;
■tore, 30c.
Eggs—35c per dozen.
Cheese—Oregon full cream, 12^01
Young America, 13c; new cheese 10c
per pound.
Poultry—Chickens, mixed, $2.750
8.50 per dozen; hens, $4.00; springe,
$2.0008.50; geese, $6.00 0 8.00 du«;
ducks, $3.5005.00 |>er dozen; turkey«,
live, 12c per pound.
Potatoes—50 0 65c per sack; sweet«,
lMc per pounu.
Vegetables—Beets, $1; turnips, 75c;
per sack; garlic, 7c per pound; cab
bage, 1 .‘«c per pound; itarsnipa, 85c;
onions, $1; carrots, 75c.
Hope—New crop, 12014c
per
pound.
Wool—Valley, 130 140 per pound;
Eastern Oregon, 10012c; mohair, 25
per pound.
j
Mutton—Gross, l»est sheep, wether«
an<l ewes, 3*»c; dressed mutton, 61-» 0
7c per pound.
Hogs—Gross, choice heavy, $5.75;
light an«l feeders, $5.00; dreeecd.
$6.00 0 6.50 per 100 pounds.
Beef—Gross, top steers, $8.50 0 4.00;
cows, $3.0008.50; dressed Iteef, 60
7c per ponnd.
Veal—Isirge,
small, 80
8 Sc per pound.
San Frsncixo Market.
Wool—Spring—Nevada, 11013c pe
pound; Eastern Oregon, 10014c; Val
ley, 15017c; Northern, 9010c.
Hope—Crop, 1900, 13 017c.
Butter—Fancy creamery 24 0 25c;
do seconds, 23c; fancy dairy, 210
22c; «Io seconds, 20c per pound.
Eggs—Stare, 28c; fancy ranch,
Stic.
Millstuffs — Middling«, $15.50 0
19.00; bran, $13.00 0 13.50.