Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-07
900
TINE nsssaas.
continued from page 50

nattona, interest and patriotism
ronl .eort to extend our foreign com.
is ne ~ this end our merchant marine
ner: - improved and enlarged. We
shoun A our fun share or the carrying
snouM - the world; we do not do 1t now,
rsos shoud be the laggard no longer. The
We..,,rty Of our merchant marine is just
fnle..s.,Iisting to the national pride. The
r.rnment by every proper constitution
CN.ans should aid in making our ships
au;,;sr visitors AT every commercial port
.hs world. thus opening UP new and
.srdsble markets to the surplus products
!, me farm and factory.
~" SEALING QUESTION:
so e6orts which had beer made during
~" svo nreyious years by my predecessor
.s,,re better protection Of fur seals IN
north Pacific ocean and Bering sea
rene,yed at an early date by this adj
,.;.tration and have been pursued with
ernestness. Upon my Invitation the
...rrments of Japan and Russia sent
.sates to Washington and an intarns.-
81 conference was held during the
.n,hs of October and November last,
Lhsrein it was unanimously agreed that
dor the existing regulations this species
@usef,u animals was threatened with eX-
srctiou and that an International agree
s.nt of all the interested powers was
scessary for their adequate protection.
M government of Great Britain did rot
- nroper to be represented at this con-
s,.nce' but subsequently sent to WASH
s.,on as delegates the expert commits
,nrers of Great Britain and Canada who
IA during the past two years visited the
anI who in ,fni.-
NEE similar commissioners on the part Of
: I-rited States. The result of this con-
.rsnce was an agreement on important
s.,s connected with the condition of the
al herd heretofore in dispute, which
aould place beyond controversy the duty
the governments concerned to adopt
rsasures without delay for the preserva-
In and restoration of the herd. Nego-
ations to this end are now in progress,
be result of which l hope to be able 10
snort to congress at an early date.
ARBITRATION.
International arbitration cannot be
mItted from the list of subjects claiming
ur consideration. Events have only
eryed 10 strengthen the general views On
liz question expressed in my inaugural
Sidress. The best sentiment of the civil
"a world is moving toward the settle
stut of differences between nations with
nj resorting TO the horrors of war.
Tnaties embodying these humane prin-
kiples Gu broad lines without in any way
&mpe:iling our interests or our honor shall
have my constant encouragement.
The acceptance by this government Of
The invitation of the republic of France to
anticipate in the universal exposition Of
Na at Paris was Immediately followed by
he appointment of a special cor,m.s-
spner to represent the United States in
lie proposed exposition with special ref
asnce to the securing of space for ade-
mate exhibit on behalf Of the United
states The special commissioner delayed
f his departure for Paris long enough TO "s-
srtain the probable demand for space by
american exhibitors. His inquiries de-
Nloped an almost unprecedented interest
in the proposed exposition. and the infor-
nation thus required enabled him to JUS
| ify an application for a much larger al
otment of space for the American section
than had been reserved by the exposition
authorities. The result was particularly
gratifying in view of the fact that the
United States was one of the last couil-
tries to accept the invitation a France
The reception accorded ourispecial COM
missioner was most cordial. nd he was
given every reasonable assurance that the
United States would receive a considera-
ton commensurate with the proportions
d our exhibit. The report of the special
wmmissioner as to the magnitude and
Importance of the coming exposition, and
the great demand for space by American
exhibitors supplies new argument for a
liberal and judicious appropriation by
congress TO the ei1d thar the exhibit fairly
representative of the industries and re-
sources OF our country may be made in
an exposition which vii! illustrate the
worlds progress during the 18th century.
Inat exposition is intended to be the most
important and comprehensive of the long
series OF International exhibitions of which
our own at Chicago was brilliant ex-
ample and it is desirable that the United
states should make a worthy exhibition
o. american genius and skill and theic un-
fYailed achievements in every branch of
industry. -
CONDITION OF THE NAVY.
Inc present Immediately effective force
VI tne navy consists of four battleships of
ne nrst class, two of the second and rs
o''er vessels ranging from armored cruis-
US 10 torpedo boats. There are under con-
sruction five battleships of the first olass,
~ torpedo boats and one submarine boat
NJ provision has vet been made for the
amor oftEree of the five battleships. as it
nag been impossible to obtain il at the
prize hxed by congress. 1t is of great i'm
lvr,ance that congress provide this arnor,
- until then the ships are of no fighting
=, ,siue. me present naval force. especially
~ view OF its increase by the ships rev
u.uer construction. while not As large as
s Ms. OF few other pdwers. lisa formida-
se lorce; Its vessels are thB' very best
VI " each type and, with the Increase that
inv Su n DE made TO it from time to time in
%e iuture, and careful attention to keep
ing 1t in high state of efficiency ana re-
Mr 1t is well adapted to the necessities
y, inc country.
me great increase of the navy whic,
s sss taken place in recent years was iusti-
w the requirements for national de-
,an a, ana has received public approba-
~. me time has now arrived however
~" 'hls increase, to which the country
a., nltted should for u time take tho
,s.a VI mere .sed facilities commensurate
70 ~ ,he increase of our naval vessels. II
ors unfortunate fact that there is on)v
d d%e dock on the Pacific coast CAPABLE Of
nv Alhe our largest ships, and only one
H." 'ne Atlantic coast, and that the latter
,,a s iot the last six or seven months been
n na"er repair and therefore incapable Of
rro,., Immediate steps should be taken to
.Iiee or four docks of this ca
n. on the Atlantic coast. at lea st one on
the racmc coast and a floating dock in
. ."e gun This is the recommendation of
vss.s. competent board appointed to IN
hs 'nstte the subject. There should also
nro anipie provision made for powder an,
lor u'se'ies and other munitions of war and
cn,s,n Increased number of officers AMI