New-York tribune., 1896-12-08

l
| alton will D- presented in which our oDlga-
| tions TO the sovereignty of Spain Will be super
seded by higher obligations. which we car can
| hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge De
| ferring the choice of ways and methods untii
| the time for action arrives we should make
them depend upon the precise conditions then
| existing: and they should not be determined
upon without giving careful heed TO every con-
| sideration involving oui honor and interest. or
| the international duty we owe TO Spain. Until
we face the contingencies suggested. or the stu
alton is by other Incidents imperatively changed.
| we should continue in the line OF conduct here
| tOfOre pursued. thus In all circumstances eXhlD-
iting obedience tC the requirements OF public
| law and regard for the duty enjoined upon
| us by the position we occupy III the famiiy OF
| nations.
contemplation of emergencies tina: may
| arise should plainly lead us to avoid their Gre
alton either through careless disregard OF pres
| ent duty even undue stimulation ana III
| timed expression of feeling. But nave deemed
| 1t not amss to remind the Congress that time
| may arrive when correct policy and care Tor
| our interests. as we'll as regard for the In
tercsts of other nations and their citizens joined
| by considerations Of humanity and desire to
rich and fertile country. intimately related
to us. saved from complete devastation VIII con-
| strain our Government to such action as Will
| subserve the interests thus involved and at the
| same time promise to Cuba and its inhabitants
| an opportunity to enjoy the blessings Of peace.
SETTLEMENT OF THE VENEZUELAN
QUESTION.
The Venezuelan boundary question has ceased
/
Britain and the United States their respective
governments having agreed upon the substantial
| provisions OF Il treaty between Great Britain
| and Venezuela submitting the whole contro-
versy to arbitration. The provisions of the
treaty are so eminently just and fair that the
| assent OF Venezuela thereto may confidently be
| anticipated.
THE ARBITRATION TREATY.
| Negotiations for a treaty OF general arbitra-
| tion for all differences between Great Britain
and the United States are far advanced. and
| promise to reach a successful consummaton at
an early date.
| IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSULAR SER
VICE.
The scheme of examining applicants for cer-
tain consular positions. to test their competency
and fitness, adopted under Executive order
issued September %. 1880. has fully demonstrat-
ed the usefulness Of this innovation. In connec-
| tion with this plan of examination. promotions
and transfers of deserving incumbents have
| been quite extensively mad. with excellent re-
| suits.
| During the last year :irirty-hve appointments
have beer made in the consular service. twenty
seven % which were made TO hl vacancies
caused ny death or resignation or TO supply
| newly created pests. two - succeed incumbents
| removed for cause two for the purpose OF dis
placing alien consular officials by American
| citizens. and four merely changing the official
| title OF incumbent from commercial agent TO
| consul. Twelve OF these appointments were
| transfers or promotions from Otn"T POSITIONS
under the Department of State. four Of those
! appointed had rendered previous service under
! the Department. eight were made OF persons
who passed a satisfactory examination. seven
! were appointed 70 places not included in the
order OF September 20. 1s9J. and four appoint
ments above stated. involved no change Of
| incumbency.
| The inspection Of consular Offices provided for
| by an appropriation for that purpose at the last
| session Of the Congress has been productive or
| such whoes lnc effects that | hope this Inn
| anf VViil he
| know of nothing that can be done with the
same slight expense so improving To the service.
| desire To- repeat the recommendation con-
| taincd In my last annual message. In favor OF
| providing at public expense official residences
| for our Ambassadors and Ministers at foreign
| capitals. The reasons supporting this recon-
| mendation are strongly stated in the report of
the Secretary Of state. and the subject seems OF
such Importance that hope 1t may receive the
early attention of the Congress
WORK TO PROTECT THE SEALS.
We have during the last year labored faith
! fully and against unfayorable conditions 70 Sc
| cure better preservation of seal life In the
Rehring Sea Both the United States and Great
Britain have lately dispatched commissioners to
these waters. to study the habits and condition
| OF the seal herd and the causes Of their rapid
| decrease. Upon the reports OF these commits
/ sloners soon to be submitted. and with the eX-
ercise OF patience and good sense on the part OF
! all Interested parties. II Is earnestly hoped that
! hearty corporation may be secured for the pro-
tection against threatened extinction OF seal life
| I'm the Northern Pacific and Behring Sea.
! GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS AND ENPEN-
DITURES
The Secretary Of the Treasury reports that
| during the fiscal year ended June 30. lS.W the
| receipts Of the Government from all sources
amounted to $4O9 40 4OS IS During the same
period It's expenditures were Sl3iG,SGJ+ ~. the
excess Of expenditures over receipts thus
.,,p. . Ipap ex-
penditurcs during the year were St0l3S'2 II
less than during The preceding fiscal year or
the receipts mentioned there was derived from
customs the sum of Sl6O02l. .1jl "a and from in
tcrnal revenue Sli6.SiO.GlJ 80. The receipts
from customs show an increase OF S'N,"' lot -
over thos, from the source for the nscal
year ended June 80 ls?J and the receipts from
internal revenue an increase ot S.'.JSl.13i ~.
The value Of our imported dutiable mcrchan-
disc during the last fiscal year was $50, 'n.i."
and the value of free goods imported SiO'96i-
40 being an increase OF SiJ2., 30 In the value
Of dut;able goods and Sil 2:'l Oi in the value OF
free goods over the preceding year Our cx
ports OF merchandise foreign and domestic.
amounted in value to SSs2.6O6,!3S. being an IN
crease over the preceding year of Sio'OON.'t3.
| The average al valorcm duty paid on dutlable
goods imported during the year was :oo+ per
cent and on free and dutable goods taken to-
gether 2D.o'' per cent.
was 27S per cent. as against Isl per cent for
the fiscal year ending June 30. is9J. The total
production OF distilled spirits. exclusive OF Irut
brandies was S6,JSS.1O3 taxable gallons. being
an increase of 6.G9. los gallons over the pre-
ceding year. There was also an increase Of L.
1866 gallons OF spirits. produced from fruit.
as compared with the preceding year. The mum
Der of barrels Of beer produced was 3J,SJo, 2JO
as against ;,1.is?, 1S+ produced In the preceding
fiscal year. being an increase OF 2,2cy.IGG bar
rels.
GOLD EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The tota. amount Of gold exported during the
last fiscal year was $112I09 and OF silver
$50 "A go being an increase of S4J.Oil ,4G6 or
gold and $l32i6.3S4 of silver over the exporta-
tions OF the preceding fiscal year. The imports
OF gold were $33 5o5 O65 and OF silver $2SIII.-