The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-10

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and the United states. Il was unani-
mously agreed that under the existing
regulations the seals were threatened
with extinction, n that an nternatIo
adequate protection While declining to
participate In this conference. Great Bril-
tain sent expert commissioners to q SUD-
seouent meeting In Washington. The
president says:
'The result OF this conference was an
agreement on important facts connected
with the condition of the seal herd. here
tofore In dispute. which should place De-
yond controversy the duty OF the gov
ernments concerned TO adopt measures
without delay for the preservation and
restoration Of the herd. Negotiations to
this end are now In progress. the resul.
OF which 1 hope to be able TO report to
congress al an early day"
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
Under the head OF i~nrernationa arbi-
tration the president says:
international arbitration cannot be
omitted from the list OF subjects claim
ing our consideration. Events have only
served TO strengthen the general views
i on this question expressed In my inau-
gural address. The best statement Of the
civilized world Is moving toward the set
tiement of differences between nations
without resorting TO the horrors of war.
Treaties embodying these humane prin-
/ Clp4tS oI llESS NiNuOal N All way
imperiling our interests. or our honor
shall have my constant encouragement"
| The president refers 10 the unprecS-
denied interest shown by the people in
the approaching Paris exposition. He
speaks in fiatterinG terms OF the work
accomplished by the United States spe-
cial commission and bespeaks a judicious
and liberal appropriation for a credita-
bic national exhibit
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO NAVY.
Coming to the subject of the navy. the
president speaks in terms of high praise
Of the excellent character OF our naval
! force. He regards ii as of great i'm
portanCe that congress should mmedi-
ately provide for the armor for the three
b~attleships now under construction. He
recommends very little new construction.
but says:
The great increase of the navy which
has taken place in recent years was JUS
titled by the requirements for national
defense, and has received public appro-
baton. The time has now arrived, now
ever, when this increase, to which the
country Is committed, should, for a
time, take the form Of Increased facili-
ties commensurate with the increase Of
our naval vessels. II is an unfortunate
fact that there Is only one 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 pro-
vide three or four docks Of this capaci-
ty on the Atlantic coast. at least one on
the Pacific coast and a floating dock In
the gulf. This is the commentator Of
a very competent board. appointed to in
vestigate the subject. There should also
be ample provision made for powder and
projectileS and other munitions of war
and for an increased number 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 or the stocks
five ba~tt.eships of the largest class
which cannot be completed for a year or
two. / concur with the recommendation
of the secretary of the navy for an APP
preparation authorizing the construc-
ton of one battleship for the Pacific
coast, where, at present, there Is only
one in commission and one under con-
struction, while on the Atlantic coast
there are three in commission and four
under construction; and also that several
torpedo boats be authorized in connec-
ton with our general system OF coast
Defense"
ALASKA.
The territory Of Alaska is said to re-
Quire the prompt ana early attention of
congress-. The conditions now existing
demand material changes in the laws
and much remains to be done for that
vast and remote, yet promising portion
of our country. If. in the ensuing year
land district authorized by law will be
established with an office at some point
in the Yukon valley and an appropria-
ton is now necessary for that purpose.
The president concurs with Secretary
Alger as to the necessity Of a military
force in the territory, and also urges the
establishment Of some flexible system OF
government. Referring to the startling,
though possibly exaggerated reports OF
the probable shortage Of food for the
miners, the president says that although
access to them in the winter is a mos
difficult and perhaps impossible task. we,
if these reports be verified, every effort
at any cost should be made to carry
them relief.
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Reference is made to the fact that
of right or property of the many white
citizens now in the Indian Territory
that thousands of their children are OF
of the nation are closed against them
sorbed great tracts Of land to the ex.
clusion of the common people and the
government by Indian aristocracy has
of the Dawes commission Is succinctly
ChickasawS nav ratified the agreement
reached by the commission. and IL the
other tribes of the nation failed to entel
ton must be had. for. says the president
terror that there can be no cure for tn,
evils engendered by the perversion O