The herald., 1897-12-03
MESSAGE DONE
Ready for Submission to
Congress
MINOR MATTERS ARE IGNORED
FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND
CURRENCY
Opinions Of Leaders Concerning Prob
able Congressional Action-Op-
position to Annexation
ISOLATED Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-President
Mckinley has completed his message,
and today listened to appeals for office
from a number of senators and repre-
sentatives in behalf of constituents anx-
ious that their names shall be sent to con-
gress soon after it convened.
Charles Page Bryan of Illinois, who
has been recently appointed minister to
China, called and thanked the president
for his appointment. He will remain
to get instructions at the state depart
ment and expects to leave for China in
about two weeks.
The probable departure of the presi-
dent caused quite rush Of people to the
White House during the afternoon.
Several members of the cabinet, includ-
ing Secretaries Long, Alger and Bliss,
had interviews with Mr.. Mckinley. and
Assistant Secretary Day was with the
president during the afternoon.
Senator Kyle and Mr.. Iittridge, men,
bers of the Republican national commit
tee of South Dakota, were among the
callers and ex-Secretary of War Lamont
saw the president for q short time.
THE MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 2.-The
message of President Mckinley will be
devoted to the subjects of our foreign
relations and the currency problem. 1t
will be unique in one respect in that it
ignores the great bulk of matters usually
constituting the departmental portions
of Presidential annual messages. There
is scarcely reference to the subject
matter Of the annual reports Of the Cab
met, the Presidents purpose being to
call attention only to the more important
affairs Of the government. For this rea-
son, the postal savings project of the
Postmaster General Is not discussed in
the message.
While the details of the currency plan
are not definitely known, it can be au
thoritatively stated that it is in the main
an incorporation of the views submitted
by Secretary Gage, though as to details.
the President leaves himself freedom OF
action by not taking any position with
reference to several features of the Sec
retary's plan, while indorsing the main
object.
A strong presentation of the Hawaiian
question Is made and Congress is urged
to take immediate s.ction by ratification
Of the treaty of annexation. This part
of the message strongly Depicts the
necessity for making the islands part Of
the domains of the United States and
reviews the advantages that would ac-
cy1v tn ta oai ,t,.-- hVr- 1 &c
AS to Cuba, the messag ge calls attention
to the recent trend Of affairs on the
island, refers to che scheme of autonomy
just offered by Spain, and, after reciting
other developments in the situation,
reaches the virtual conclusion that ex
isting circumstances do not warrant in
reference in the affairs of the island.
Considerable attention is paid to recip-'
rocity negotiations with various coun-
tries in Europe. Special Commissioner
Kasson has been working on this sub
ject for some time and the message deals
with some of the developments of ne
gotiations already had and expresses
the hope of the administration to secure
satisfactory results in the future. The
policy Of the administration on this sub
ject is outlined, and citing French cham
pagnes as an illustration, the point is
made that If special concessions be given
any foreign products, the United States
must be given equal treatment by recip-
rocal concessions.
The Alaskan problem is discussed at
some length and plan is made for Con-
gressional legislation, including the ex-
tension Of the operation of the public
land laws and the granting of rights of
way for roads, by which all parts of the
country may be made more accessible.
PERSONAL OPINION
Senator Stewart OF Nevada, who ar
rived in Washington today, says the
people Of the Pacific coast generally ia
vor the ratification of the Hawaiian an
nexation treaty. He expressed the opin-
ion that the annexation treaty would
not consume a great deal of time in the
senate. He said that so far as he knew
Senator White of California was the
only Pacific coast senator pronouncedly
against the treaty. Senator Gray, who
is a member of TIE committee on foreign
relations, said in reply to a question,
that he thought there would be consid-
cradle delay in disposing Of the treaty.
The treaty occupies first place on the
senates executive calendar.
Senator Harris of Kansas announced
today that he was opposed to annexa-
ton. He has heretofore been undecided
Senator Allison, who arrived in the
city tonight, said in ninterview:
There will be determined opposition
in the senate to the Hawaiian annexa-
ton treaty and it will come from men