The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-15

lance of the authorities at Washing
ton. Besides this, the natural sympa-
thy OF the people of this country with
those who struggle for a better and d
freer government, combined with the
adventurous and restless elements in
our population, makes the position of
the United States, in It's declared neli-
trality, most difficult to maintain.
These inevitable entahglements and
considerations Of philanthrophy and
humanity in general, have led to d
vehement demand in various quarters
for some sort of posi- i've intervention
on the part of the United States.
The president declares against ac-
cording belligerent rights, does not
think Spain desires to sell ,and depre-
Gates a war with Spain as a settlement
of the question on the ground that
might IS not sufficient reason for this
country 10 violate it's universal repu-
tation as the most pacific of powers
and the desire Of It's people to live in
amity with all the world. The United
States, he says, has plenty OF terri
tory and should continue to manifest
It's patient endurance; which is no
slight testimonial of the regard for
Spain on the part Of the American peo-
pie While remembering the part
Spain has played in the history, of TIC
Western hemisphere, neither the peo-
pie or the government Of the United
States have shut their eyes to the
course of Spain in this contest. After
summing Tip the complications of inter-
national law bearing on the case, the
president says. 1T would seem that
if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
autonomy, measure OF home rule,
which, while preserving the sovereign
ty of Spain would satisfy all national
requirements of her Cuban subjects,
there should be no just reason why the
pacificatioh of the island might not pc
effected on that basis. 1t would put
the prosperity of the island on the
fortunes of it's Inhabitants within their
own control without severing the nat
ural and ancient ties which bind them
to the mother country.
1t has been intimated to Spain ana
that country does not seem unWliilng
TO adopt the suggestion that the United
States act as mediator in bringing
about this result. At the same time
Snain demands that the insurgents lay
down their arms before a compromise
will he considered and the CuDans III
sist upon something more definite than
a promise of autonomy before they
will consent to do so. In any event
the president says the United states
should make no attempt to acquire the
island and should prevent any other
power from acquiring it. 1t, however
the inability of Spain to demonstrate
it's sovereignty becomes manifest, tne
United States should not hesitate TO
recognize and discharge It's duues
without in any way meanwhile stllnu-
lating a disregard to duty OF llltlmed
expression of feeling.
Briefly touching on the Venezuelan
boundary question and the Berlng sea
complication, the president then qe-
votes himself to internal affairs. Ills
message takes up in detail the various
dnnartments of the national govern
ment In the treasury department. the
rncoints of 1896 were $409, 475, 4OS.Io,
expenditures S434 SIS, 654.48, a decrease
of 3d.. 2O3. 245.7O. The value OF dutla-
hla imnort was 1869. 757 40; the value
Of free imports S4O9,967, 40; the total
increase S47 .754, 100. The value OF ex-
norris was 1892, 606,938, an increase
over the preceding year of $7o,O6S, 90.
The gold exported was $112,1O9, - =
and the silver exported was 6O,o4l,ot
,rha gold increase was SD, 94l, 46O, ana
tho Silver increase $13,246.5S4 Inc
cold ;nnorts were $50, 525, O63 and the
silver $2S, TT 1856. -.
The total metallic money III the
United States July 1, 1896, was Sl,-
ooS 32e O35. of which S5a957,964 was
gold and 1923, 1854 OIL was silver On
Noy 1896. the total of money III the
ITnited States was $2,2S3, 4Ol ,59O, ana
tho amount in circulation. exclusive OF
treasury holdings, was 81 ,627 O5o,63l.
~. SOP 63 per capita on population or
n 9D2. 900. The coinage of these met
oIs throughout the world the same
wear was 1922, 7O1 ,43S in gold and
s1o1 0ot. 30 in silver. Oct 6, 1896,
there were 3,679 national banks i'll OPP
Grafton. with S., 2G3, 6S5.O0o of resourc-
%, of the liabilities, 1880, S91 ,0o903
was due depositors, and $210,000,0o0
was in outstanding circulating notes.
Twenty-eight new banks were organ
ized and thirty-seven surrendered
their charters. while for twenty
others receivers were appointed. State
banks to the number OF o,1oo were IL
existence.
During the year 34o,4ee Immigrants
arrived. bringing to this country more
than $4,000.
In reviewing the wal department,
the president does not recommend an
increased army, as he says the organ
ixed militia numbers 112879 men and
costs So. 300 900 annually. which should
suffice. He believes both the regular
army and militia should have more
money for equipments.
Regarding the navy. the president
recommends the expenditure of money
for coast defenses, declares his belief
in the ability of the of the government