Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-12-10

.ome of their free will to merge their desti-
lies In our body polite.
The questions which have arisen betw een
Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treat
ment of Japanese laborers emigrating to
the islands under the Hawaii an-Japanes
convention of 1888, are in satisfactory
stage of settlement by negotiation.
Bimetallism.
The special ENJOYS have been dillgent In
their efforts to secure the concurrence and
cooperation of European countries In the
International settlement Of the question.
but up to this time have not been able to
secure an agreement contemplated by their
mission.
The gratifying action of our great sister
republic of France in joining this country
In the attempt TO bring about an agreement
between the principal commercial nations
Of Europe whereby fixed and relative val.
ne between gold and silver shall be Sc
cured. furnishes assurance that we are not
alone among the larger nations Of the
world in realizing the International char
acter OF the problem and in the desire of
reaching some wise and practical solution
of 1t
Our special ENJOYS have not made their
final report as further negotiations be-
tween the representatives of this govern
ment and the governments of other coun-
tries are pending and in contemplation.
They believe that doubts which have been
raised in certain quarters respecting the
possibility OF maintaining the stability of
the parity between the metals and kindred
questions may yet be solved by further me-
gotiations
Meanwhile It gives me satisfaction to
state that the spe clal ENJOYS have already
demonstrated their abilities and fitness to
deal with the subject, and 1t is to be earn
estly hoped that their labors may result in
an International agreement which will
bring about recognition of both gold and
silver as money upon such terms and with
such safeguards as will secure the use of
both metals upon basis which shall work
no injustice to any class of our citizens
Legislation for Alaska.
The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of Congress.
The conditions now existing demand ma
terial changes in the laws relating to the
territory.
! concur with the Secretary of War in his
suggestions as to the necessity for mill
larry force In the territory of Alaska for the
protection of persons and property.
AS 1t Is to the interest of the government
to encourage the development and settle
ment of the country and its duty to follow
up its citizens there with the benefits of
legal machinery. I earnestly urge upon
Congress the establishment of a system of
gov ernment of such fexibility as will en-
able it to adjust itself to the future areas of
greatest population.
The startling. though possibly exagger-
ated reports from the Yukon river country
of the probable shortage of food for the
large number of people who are winterng
there without the means of leaving the
country are confirmed in such measure as
to justify bringing the matter to the atten-
ton OF Congress Access to that country
this winter can be had only by the passes
from Dyea and vicinity, which is a most
iificult and perhaps impossible task. How
ever, should these reports of the suffering
of our fellow citizens be further verified
every effort at any cost should be made to
carry them relief.
Reciprocity and Seals.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth Sec
lions of the revenue act approved July "a,
1897 appointed the Hon John A. Kasson
Of Iowa special commissioner plenipoten-
tiary 10 undertake Prerequisite negotiations
with foreign countries desiring to avail
thems,l of these provisions The nego-
tiations are now proceeded with several
governme nts. both Europe an and American.
It is believed that by careful exercise of
he powers conferred by that act some
grievances of our own and of other coun-
.ries in our mutual trade relations may be
either removed or largely alleviated, and
hat the volume of our commercial ex-
changes may be enlarged with advantages
o both contracting parties.
To Extend Foreign Commerce.
Most desirab from every standpoint of
rational interests and patriotism is the ct
ort to extend our foreign commerce. To
his end our merchant marine should be
improved and enlarged
We should do our full share of the carry
ng trade of the world. We do not do 1t
low, We should be the laggard no longer.
rhis infer ,rity of our merchant marine Is
Justly humiliating to the national pride. |
The government, by every proper cOnstitu-
ional means. should aid in making our |
hips familiar visitors at every commercial
port of the world, thus opening up new and
'aluable markets to the surplus products
# the farm and the factory
The efforts which have been made during
he two previous years by my pre- deces sor |
o secure better protection to the fur seals |
n the North Pacific ocean and Boring sea |
we're renewed at an early date by this adj |
ninistration, and have been pursued with |
arnestness. |
Upon my invitation the governments of |
apan and Russia sent delegates to Wash |
ngton and an international conference was |
Ieid during the mon tbs OF Octo Der and No |
ember last, wherein it was unanimously |
greed that under the existing regulations |
his species of useful animals was threat |
ned with extinction. and that an interna-
ional agreement of all the interested pow
RS was necessary for their adequate pro-
ection.
The government of Great Britain did not |
&c proper to be represented at this confer
nee, but subsequently sent to Washington
s delegates the expert commissioners of |
ire at Britain and Canada, who had. during
he past two years visited the Pribyloff
stands and who met in conference |
imilar missioners on the part of the
rnited States The result of this con-
erence was an agreement on important |
acts connected with the condition of the /
cal herd, heretofore in dispute, which
hould place beyond controvers5 the duty |
f the governments concerned to adopt
measures without delay for the preserva-
ion and restoration of the herd Negotia-
ions to this end are now in progress, the
esult of which hope to be able to report
D Congress at an early date.
International ar bitration cannot be omit
ed from the list of subjects claiming our
consideration. Events have only served to
trengthen the general views on this ques-
on expressed in my inaugural address.
The best sentiment of the civilized world
moving toward the settlement of differ
noes between nations without resorting to
he horrors of war. Treaties embodying
1ese humane principles on broad lines
ithout in any way imperling our interests
our honor shall have my constant en-