The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-12-07

is again invited 10 the methods OF administra-
ton which have been pursued and to the re-
suits which have been attained.
Public Revenues
amounting to $1,4l4,079, 1929 have been col
lected and disbursed without loss from
misrepresentation, without q single defalca-
ton of such Importance as to attract the pub
lie attention and at a diminished per cent. of
cost for collection. The public business has
been transacted not only with fidelity but
progressively and with view to giving to the
people in the fullest possible degree the bene-
fits of service established and maintained
for their protection and comfort Our rela-
tions with other nations are now undisturbed
by any serious controversy. The complicated
and threatening differences with Germany
and England relating to Samoan affairs with
England in relation to the seal fisheries in the
Behring sea and with Chile growing out of
the Baltimore affair have been adjusted.
There have been negotiated and concluded,
under section of the tariff law, commercial
agreements relating to reciprocal trade with
the following countries: Brazil, Dominican
Republic, Spain, for Cuba and Porto Rico,
Guatemala, Salvador, the German empire,
Great Britain, for certain West Indian
colonies and British Guina, Nicaragua, Hon.
duras and Austria Hungary. OF these those
with Guatemala, Salvador, the German
empire, Great Britain, Nicaragua Honduras
and Austria Hungary have been concluded
since my last annual message.
Under these trade arrangements free or
favored admission has been secured in every
case for an important list of American prod
ucts. Especial care has been taken to secure
markets for farm products in order to relieve
that great underlying industry of the depres-
sion which the lack of an adequate foreign
market for our surplus often brings. An
opening has also been made for manufactured
products that will undoubtedly, if this policy
is maintained, greatly augment our export
trade. The full benefit of these arrangements
can not be realized instantly. New lines of
trade are to be opened
The commercial traveller must adapt his
goods to the new markets, and facilities for
exchange must be established. This work has
been well begun, merchants and manufac-
turers having entered the new fields with
courage and enterprise. IN Shs policy and
these trade arrangements can be Continued in
force, and aided by the establishment of
American steamship lines, do not doubt that
we shall, within short period, secure fully
one-third of the total trade of the countries of
Central and South America, which now
amounts to about SGO00OO,0OO annually. In
1885, we had only per cent. of the trade.
Increase of Trade
The following statistics show the increase
In our trade with the countries with which we
have reciprocal trade agreements, from the
date when such an agreement went into effect
up to Sept. 30, 1890, he increase being in some
dlInOSJ wholly anu IN OtnerS IN an important
degree the result of these agreements: The
domestic exports to Germany, Austria a.
Hungary have increased in value from so
673 1855 to $50, ,O64 an increase of Sl0,3193OS,
or 2l.63 per cent. With American countries
the value of our exports increased from SA,-
1902 to S57, 6l3, 59S, an increase of $40 453,33,
or 23.6. per cent. The total increase in the
value of exports to all the countries with
which we have reciprocal agreements has
been S20,772,62l.
This increase is chiefly in wheat -four, meal
and dairy products and in manufactures OF
iron and steel and lumber. There has been a
large increase in the value of imports from all
these countries since the commercial agree
ments went into effect, amounting to S14,294,-
625, but it has been entirely in imports from
the American countries consisting mostly of
sugar. coffee, india rubber and crude drugs.
Behring Sea Matter.
A treaty providing for the arbitration of the
dispute between Great Britain and the United
States as to the killing Of seals in Behring sea
was concluded on Feb. 20 last This treaty
was accompanied by an agreement prohibiting
pelagic sealing pending the arbitration, and a
vigorous effort was made during this season
to drive out all poaching sealers. Six naval
vessels, three revenue cutters and one vessel
from the fish commission. all under the COM
mand of Commander Evans, were sent into the
sea which was systematically patroled
Seizures made and it is believed that the
catch in the Behring sea by poachers
amounted to less than 500 seals. 1t is true,
however, that in the north Pacific, while the
seal herds were on their way to the passes be-
tween the Aluetian islands, a very large num-
Der, probably $1,000, were taken. The existing
statutes of the United States do not restrain
our citizens from taking seals in the Pacific
ocean, and perhaps should not, unless the pro-
hibition can be extended to the citizens Of
other nations.
l recommend that power be given to the
president by proclamation to prohibit the TAX
ing of seals in the North Pacific by American
vessels. In case either as the result of the
findings of the tribunal or arbitration or
otherwise the restraints can be applied to the
vessels of all countries. The case of the
United States for the tribunal Of arbitration
has been prepared with great care and indus
try by the Hon. John w. Foster, and the
counsel who represent this government ex-
press confidence that result substantially
establishing our claims and preserving this