The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-07

THE ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY.


THE ADMINISTER ATOMS POLICY.
The presidents message to congress
Is not usually read with profound inter-
est. but the chances are that Mr.. Nc
Kinley viii have more readers than any
of his predecessors for many years
There il intense interest In several sub
jects he has been expected to treat. and
this is the first opportunity since the
president and his cabinet have become
familiar with their duties to submit
policy to the country. The result Is
powerful declaration of a broad and
firm course.
The message responds 10 the ex-
pectations of the public by treating at
some length the subjects of currency
reform. the condition of Cuba and the
annexation OF Hawaii. The message
starts off with q presentation of the
urgent need OF currency reform. but the
suggestions have already been placed
before the country by Secretary Gage
or foreshadowed in interviews. The
president recommends that, as soon as
the receipts of the government are quite
sufficient to pay all the expenses of the
government. United States notes shall
be redeemed In gold. and set apart and
only paid out in exchange for gold. This
stops the endless chain movement by
which the treasury has been In the past
depleted. That measure. he advises.
shall be supplemented by the issue Of
national bank notes to the face value
Of the bonds deposited for circulation,
and that the tax on circulating notes
be reduced to one-half Of per cent per
annum. This would afford an increased
currency without placing a greater bur
den upon the government
The president proposes that national
bank notes be restricted to the denom-
nation of $40 and upwards. This will
call for an increased use Of silver and
take out Of competition with it all
forms OF money. except the IS gold
piece and the greenback up to that
amount. The establishment OF national
banks with minimum capital Of $25.-
900 will also have the effect of affording
an Increased supply Of currency.
Far more space Is devoted to the con-
dition OF Cuba. which may be regarded
as the chief feature OF McKinleys mes
sage. The review of the events leading
MP to the establishment OF the Sagasta
ministry Is very thorough, and 1t Is
evident that the president has been
very grayeiy impressed with the re-
sponsihiaty resting upon him, and OF
the keen criticism with which his con-
cirslons viii be received Discarding
tire suggestion of annexation as a pol.
Icy entirely out OF question, the presi-
dent says that OF untried measures
there remain only recognition of the
insurgents as heiigerents. recognition
OF the independence Of Cuba, and neu-
trail Intervention to end the war by inn
posing rational compromise between
the contestants and Intervention In
favor Of one or the other party. The
views contained In President Grants
message OF 1875 were very ably stated
then and their application TO the pres
ent condition will he recognized as par
ttcuiarly pertinent Briefly the concur
sion Is stated that the recognition bv
this country OF the beillgerency OF n
surgents. accompanied as Il must be
Icy policy of neutrality. would he To
the advantage Of Spain ana To the dis
advantage of the Cubans. The chief
point ia that in the event OF such rec
ignition sympathy In the United States
could net take form which is now
not altogether contrary 20 any national
law but would be under an announced
policy OF neutrality.
The message then consider. the sps-
tect Of intervention. but comes 70 the
conclusion that IN view Of the promises
made by Spain, which the President
considers the government Of Sagasta
cannot disregard with honor. II wonia
b. unwise 70 take arg step Just row.
II is honestly due 10 Spain. the message
says. and 90 cur friendly relations with
Spain. that she shoaid be given a rea-
sonaole chance 10 realize her exrecta-
tions ana 10 prove the asserted efficacy
% the rev order Of things 10 which
she stands .rrevocaaIy corurn3t,ea.
The most popular part % the message
will b that which relates II Hawaii,
The wisdom 90 annexation is tin.
eaaiyccaiiy declared. and II IS tnti.
mated tha, there viii he submitted n
congress measure dealing with the
details ~ the eventual union. "xnosli
the fact u annexation BE ACCOMPLISHED.
as b>iievs /, she4ld b" THIS j. %
saori. as TIE president saws, "the mas,
j,les provision for sslf-ru IN local
matters with the largest political nhsr-
;les for Hawaii go an Integral Part ~
o4s nstesl.''