The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-12-16

n the treaty is confirmed as every considera-
| tion OF dignity and honor requires. the wisdom
| OF congress will see to IL. that avoiding abrupt
assimilation Of elements perhaps hardly yet
| fitted TO share IN the highest franchises OF cti-
zenship and having due regard 10 the geo.
| graphical conditions the most Just provisions
| for self rule in local matters with the largest
political liberties rs an integral part OF our
tion will be accorded TO the Hawaiians No less
| IL due TO people who, after nearly 1--WE years
OF demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obliga-
tions OF self governing statehood. come OF their
| free will to merge their destinies in our body
polite
/ subject OF large importance TO our country
and an increasing appreciation on the part OF
| the people, is the completion OF the great high
| way OF trade between the Atlantic and Pacific
| known the Ncarasuan canal Its utility
and value to American commerce is universally
| admitted The commission appointed under
date OF July % last. TO continue the surveys
and examinations authorized by the acts ap-
| proved March 2. 1885. In regard ito the proper
route feasibility and cost OF construction OF
| the Nicaragua cas>al, with q view OF making
| complete plans entire work of construction OF
| such canal" is now employed in tn undertake
| ing. In the future I shall take occasion to
transmit to congress the report of this commits
sion, making at the same time such further
suggestions as may then seem advisable
| Bimetallism.
Under the provisions OF the act OF congress
| approved March B. 1897, for the promotion OF an
| International agreement respecting bimetal-
| lism, appointed on the i4th day OF April 1897
| Hon Edward o. Walcott. OF Colorado; Hon.
| Adlai n. Stevenson, OF Illinois. and Hon. Charles
| J. Paine of Massachusetts, as special envoys
TO represent the United States. They have
been diligent 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 or great
sister republic OF France in joining this country
in the attempt to bring about an agree
| ment between the principal commercial
nations OF Europe whereby fixed and
relative value between gold and silver shall be
secured, furnishes assurance that we not
| alone among the larger nations OF the world in
realizing the international character Of the
problem and in the desire OF reaching some
| wise and practical solution OF it. The British
| government has published q resume OF the
steps taken jointly by the French ambassador
| In London and the special envoys of the
| United States with whom our ambassador at
| London actively co-operated in the presenta-
| tion of this subject to her majesty's govern
meEt This win be laid before congress Our
special ENJOYS have not made their final re-
port further negotiations between the rep
| resentatives Of this government and the gov
| ernments OF other countries pending and in
| contemplation. They believe that doubts
which have been raised In certain quarters re-
| spectng the possibility Of maintaing the stabil-
| ity of the parity between the metals and kim
! dred questions may yet be solved by further
| negotiations.
| Meanwhile It gives rne satisfaction 10 state
that the special envoys have already demon
strated their ability and fitness to deal with
the subject, and 1t is TO be earnestly hoped that
their labors may result in an International
| which hiring iOn
| OF both gold and silver money upon such
terms and with such safeguards as will secure
| the use of both metals upon a basis which shall
| work no injustice to any class of our citizens
Our Foreign commerce.
In order to execute as early as possible the
provisions of the third and fourth sections OF
| the revenue act approved July "a, 1897. ap-
pointed Hon John A Kasson, Of Iowa, a spe-
| cial commissioner plenipotentiary to under
| take the requisite negotiations with foreign
countries desiring to avail themselves OF these
provisions. The negotiations now pro-
| ceeding with several governments, both Euro
pean and American. 1t is believed that by
a careful exercise OF the powers conferred
| by that act some grievances OF own and
of other countries In our mutual trade rela-
lions may be either removed largely allie
| Waited. and that the volume OF our commercial
exchanges may be enlarged with advantages
| to both contracting parties Most desirable
| from every standpoint OF national interests and
| patriotism is the effort to extend our foreign
commerce To this end our merchant marine
| should be improved and enlarged We should
| do our full share OF the carrying trade of the
world We do not do 1t now. Wesshould be
| the laggard no longer. The inferioffty OF our
| merchant marine is justly humiliating to the
national pride The government by every
| proper constitutional means should aid in
making our ships familiar visitors at every
| commercial port OF this world, thus opening
| up new and valuable markets to the surplus
| products OF the farm and the factory
International Arbitration.
International arbitration cannot be omitted
| from the list Of subjects claiming our consider
| alton. 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 settle
ment of differences between nations without re-
sorting to the horrors of war. Treaties embody
| ing these humane PRINCIPLES on broad lines
| without in any way imperiling our interests or
our honor shall have my constant encourage
ment
| Our NAVY.
| The present immediate effective forces OF the
navy consists of four battleships of the first
| class, two of the second and IS other We ssels.
| ranging from armored cruisers to torpedo boats.
| There are under construction five batteship'
| of the first class l6 torpedo boats and one sub
| marine boat No prov ision has yet been made
| for the armor OF three OF the battlcShtps as IL
| has been impossible to obtain It at the price
| fixed by congress 1t is of great importance
that congress provide this armor, until then
the ships are of no fighting value. The pres
| ent naval force. especially in view Of its
increase by ships now under construction,
while not as large as that of q few other pow
ers IS formidable force, its vessels are the
| very best OF each type and with the increase
that should be made to it from time to time in
the future, and careful attention to keeping IL
In high state Of efficiency and repair. IL is
wei adapted to the necessities of the country.
Tho great increase of the navy which has taken
place in recent years justified by the re-
quirements for national defense ana has re-
celved public appreciation The lime has
now arrived, however, when this increase
to which the country is committed. should for
q time take the form OF Increased facilities.
commensurate with he increase OF our nava
vessels IL is an unfortunate fact that there
is only one dock on the Pacific coast capable o
docking our largest ships and only one on the
Atlantic coast and that the latter has for the
last six seven months been under repair
and therefore incapable OF use. Immediat,
steps should be taken to provide three or fou
docks OF this capacity ON the Atlantic coast, al
least one on this Pacific coast and toatinL
dock on the gulf This is the recommendation
OF a very competent board appointed to inycsti
gate the subject
There should also be ample provision fo
powder and proiectiles and munitions of wa
and for an increased number Of officers and en-
listed men. Some additions are also necessar!
TO our navy yards for the repair and care o
our large number Of vessels As there are nov
4 on the Stacks five hattleShiD, of the lnrpeS