The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-08


| act some grievances of our own and OF
| other countries in our mutual trade re-
! lations may be either removed or large
| ly alleviated. and that the volume of
| our commercial exchanges may be en-
larred. with advantage to both con-
| tracing parties.
Most desirable from every standpoint
' of national interest and patriotism is
the effort to extend our foreign COM
merce. To this end our merchant
marine should be improved and en-
larged. We should do our full share Uf
the carrying trade of the world. We do
not do 1t now. We should be the lag
gard no longer The inferlority of our
merchant marine Is justly humilating
TO the national pride. The government,
/ by every proper constitutional means.
should aid In making our ships familiar
visitors at every commercial port of the
world, thus opening up new and val
liable markets to the surplus product
OF the farm and the factory.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
International arbitration can not be
omitted from the list of subjects claim,
ing our consideration. Events have
only served to strengthen the general
views on this question expressed in my
inaugural address. The best sentiment
of the civilized world is moving toward
the settlement of differences between
nations without resorting to the horrors
OF war. Treaties embodying these hui
name principles on broad lines with
out in any way imperllng our interests
or our honor shall have my earnest en-
couragement.
THE STATE OF THE NAVY.
The present Immediately effective
force of the navy consists of four bat
tleshlps of the flrst-cass, two of the
second, and 4S other vessels, ranging
from armoured cruisers to torpedo
boats. There are under construction
five battleships, as II has been impos-
sible to obtain II at the price fixed by
Congress. 1t is of great Importance
that Congress provide this armor, as
until then the ships are of no fighting
value.
The great increase of the navy. which
has taken place in recent years. was
justified by the requirements for nation.
nj defense. and has received public ap-
probation. The time has now arrived,
however, when this increase, to which
the country is committed should, for Il
time, take the form of increased facil-
ties commensurate with the increase of
our naval vessels. 1t Is an unfortunate
fact that there is only on dock on the
Pacific coast capable of docking our
largest ships, and only one on the At
lantic coast, and that the latter has
for the last six or seven months been
under repair, and therefore incapable
of use,
Immediate steps should be taken to
provide three or four docks of this ca
pacity on the Atlantic coast. at least one
on the Pacific coast, and a floating dock
on the Gulf. This is the recommenda-
ton of a very competent board, ap-
pointed to investigate the subject. There
should also be ample provision made for
powder and projectiles, and other mum.
tions OF war, and for an increased num-
Der of officers and enlisted men. Some
additions are also necessary to our navy
yards for the repair and care of our
larger number of vessels. AS there are
now on the stocks five battleships of the
largest class, which cannot be complete
ed for year or two, concur with the
recommendation of the secretary of the
navy for an appropriation authorizing
the construction of one battleship for
the Pacific coast, where at present there
is only one In commission, and one
under construction; and also that sew
eral torpedo boats be authorized in con-
nection with our general system of coast
defense.
THE GOVERNMENT OF ALASKA.
The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of Congress.
The conditions now existing demand
material changes in the laws relating to
the territory. The great influx of popu-
lation during the past summer and fall
and the prospect of a still larger immi-
grafton in the spring will not permit us
to longer neglect the extension of civil
authority within the territory or post
pone the establishment of a more thor
ough government.
The startling though possibly exag-
ha
country of the probable shortage of food
for the large number of people who are
wintering there without the means of
ieavng the country are confirmed in
such measure as to justify bringing the
matter to the attention of Congress.
Access to that country in winter can
be had only by the passes from Dyea and
vicinity which is a most difficult and
perhaps an impossible task. However.
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.
NATIONAL QUARANTINE LAWS.
The recent prevalence of yellow fever
in number of cities and towns
throughout the South has resulted in
much disturbance of commerce and
demonstrated the necessity of such
amendments to our quarantine laws as
al quarantine authorities permanent
The secretary of the treasury in that
portion of his report relating to the
operation of the Marine Hospital service
calls attention to the defects in the
present quarantine laws and recon-
mends amendments thereto which will
give the Treasury Department the re-
quisite authority to prevent the inva-
sion of Epidemic diseases from foreign
countries, and in times of emergency
like that of the past summer will add
to the efficiency of the sanitary meas
ures for the protection OF the people and
at the same time prevent unnecessary
restriction of commerce. / concur in
his recommendation.
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS,
The Union Pacific railroad, main line,
was sold under the decree of the United
States Court for the District of Ne
braska on the 1st and I'd of November
OF this year. The amount due the gov
ernment consisted of the principal of
the subsidy bonds. s2723O,512. and the
accrued interest thereon. s31, ,211, III. .75,
making the total Indebtedness $5s.44s,-
233.75., The bid at the sale coyersd tho