Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-12-11
EXTEND OUR FOREIGN COMMERCE..
Our Merchant Marine should be En-
Inrgeh and ImproNcd.

Iarged and Improved.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth
sections of the revenue act, approved jU-
" "A, 1897 l appointed the Hon. John n.
Mason OF Iowa. special commissioner
plenlpoteno1ry 10 undertake the requisite
negotiations with foreign countries Ccsir-
ing TO avail themselves of these UloVls-
ions. The negotiations are now proceed
ing with several governments BON Euro
pean and American. 1t is believed that
by careful exercise of the powers con-
ferred by that act some grievances Of our
own and of other countries. in uu1 mu-
tual trade relations, may be either re-
moved or largely alleyiated, ana tina, the
volume of our commercial exchanges may
be enlarged with advantages to botn con
tracing parties Most desirable from eV-
cry standpoint of national interest and
patriotism is the effort to extend our for
elEn commerce. To this aid our uerch-
ant marine should be improved end en-
larged. We should 30 our tIll share Of
the carrying trade of the world We DO
not do it now. We should be the lagSard
no longer. The inferioHty ~ our msI CHI
ant marine is justly Illuminating 10 the
national pride. The government ty every
proper constitutional means should aid in
making our ships famllia" visitors 1T ey.
cry commercial port of eve world. thus
opening up new and valuable markets 20
the surplus products of the farm and ehe
factory.
The Sealing Question.
The efforts which had been made dur
ing the two previous years by nay predc-
cessor to secure better protection 10 the
fur seals in the north Pacific ocean and
Bering sea. were renewed at an early
date by this administrator and have
been pursued with earnesIueSs. Upon my
invitation, the governments Of Russia
and Japan sent delegates - Washington
and an international conference was held
during the months of OctoDe, ana No
vember last, wherein il was unanimously
agreed that. under the existing lcSIia-
tons. this species of useful animals was
threatened with extinction and that an
international agreement of all the inter-
ested powers was necessary for thelr aGe-
quate protection.
The government Of Great britain did
not see proper to be represented 1t this
conference, but subsequently sent to
Washington, as delegates. he expert
commissioners of Great Britain md Cana
da who had during the past two years,
visited the Pribyloff islands ana wh1 met
in conference similar commssi> les On
the part of the United States. he result
of this conference was an agreement on
important facts connected with the con-
dition of the seal herd heretofore - dis
pu;e which should place oeyoul Contro-
VerSy the duty of the governments con-
cernpd, to ADOPT measures withou. delay
for the preservation and restoration OF
the herd. NEGOTIATIONS to this cad are
now in progress, the result OF ''hich !
hope to be able to report 10 congress at
an early day.
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 inaugur-
. al address. The best sentiment of the
civilized world is moving toward the set
. Element of differences between ma
lions without resorting to the horrors of
I war. Treaties embodYing these humane
/ principles on broad lines, without in any
. way imperilling our interests or our hon
or, shall have my constant encourage
The acceptance by this government of
the invitation of the republic of France
4 to participate in the universal exposition
of 1900 at Paris was Immediately followed
. by the appointment of a special com
/ missioner to represent the United States
in the proposed exposition. with special
reference to the securing Of space for an
adequate exhibition on behalf of the Usit-
The special commissioner delayed his
departure for Paris long enough to as
certain the probable demand for space
4 est in the proposed exposition and the
information thus acquired enabled him
to justify an application for much larg-
er allotment 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 countries to accept
the invitation of France. The reception
accorded our special commissioner was
( most cordial and he was given every rea-
sonable assurance that the United States
would receive a consideration cOmmensur-
ate with the proportions of our exhibit
The report of the special commissioner
as to the magnitude of the coming EXPOSE
ton and the demand for space for Amer
. lean exhibits supplies new arguments for
a liberal and judicious appropriation by
congress- to the end that an exhibit, fair
ly representative of the industries and
resources of our country. may be made
in an exposition which will Illustrate the
/ worlds progress during the 18th century.
/ The exposition is intended TO be the
most important and comprehensive of the
/ long series of international exhibitions of
which our own at Chicago was a brilliant
example. and ii is desirable that the
United States should make a worthy eX-
hihit of American genius and skill and
their unrivalled achievements in every
branch of industry.