The Mena weekly star., 1897-12-08

Atted to share in the highest franchises of citf- zensAip and having due regard to the geo. rraphical conditions, the most just provisions for self rule in local matters with tho largest political liberties as an integral part of our
 ion wili be accorded to the Hawalians. No less < due to people who after nearly five years oi demonstrated capacity to fulhn the obliga- flan 0f sclf-goyerpiug statehood. come of their ifee viii to merge their destinies in our body poltic
 A suhiect 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 betwe the Atlantic ana Pacific known as the Nicaraguan canal It's utility and value to American commerce. is universally admitted The commission appointed under date of July "A last to continue the surveys and examinations authorized by the acts ap- proved March 2 ISs6 in regard to the proper route feasibility and cost of construction of the Nicaragua canal with a view of making complete plans, entire work of construction of such canal. is now employed in tho undertake ing. In the future l shall take occasion te transmit to congress the report of this commis- sion, making at the same time such further suggestions as may then seem advisable.
 Bimeta!lism.
 Under the provisions of the act of congress approved March 3, 1897, for the promotion of an international agreement respecting bimetal- lism, appointed on the l4th day of April 1s97 Hon. Edward O WalcoCt of Colorado; Hon. Adlai E. 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 our great sister republic of France in joining this country fha at mt tn ri ment between the principal commercial nations of Europe whereby a fixed and relative value between gold and silver shall be secured furnishes assurance that we are not alone among the larger nations of the world in realizing the international character of the problem and in the desire or reacning some wise and practical solution of it. The British government has published 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 majesGy's govern ment This will be laid before congress Cur special enyoys have not made their final re- port as further negotiations between the rep resentatives of this government and the gov ernments of othsr countries are pending and in contemplation. They believe that dcubts which have been raised in certain quarters re- speeting the poss billty of maintaing the stabil- itg of the parity between the metals and kim Grea questions may vet De solved by further pegaiationf
 Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction 70 state that tne special enyoYs nave aireaav mon strated their abilltg ana atna-s te VI with tpa syh5eet end it istob be eara- Apta iA4f
 helr iaborA may result ia m IteAaii0na1 agresmn which will heng I ? nt ion 70 both @oa and silver as noueg gpOn such
 glns aaa with such ssfaf9ars as Nii saaura tue use of both metals t05n pasls which nall work TO niastiee 70 an4 class Of orr citizens
 vHr tofnlgn onawer-e.
 Tn orGer to exeenta IS aAslv as possible the nroyisians Qf ta taiEl and fou ions Of tac revenue aet approFai July zi e17 ap- pointed HDn. John A iSasson, of Iowa fl sDe- cial commissioner pleninotsntiary io undes- ta&e the requisite nego.iations with foreign eopntri 5 aesi ing Co avail themselves Of these provisions. The negotiations are now pro- ceediftg with several governments. both Euro penn and American It is believed that by a careful exercise of the powers conferred by that act some grievances of our own and of other countries in our mutual trade rela- tions may be either removed or largely ale- viated 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 it now We should be the laggard no longer The inferiority 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 the world. thus opening up new and valuable markets to the surplus products of the farm and the factory
 International Arbitration.
 Infarnaffona1 arbitratfnn cannot ha on,ittad from the list of subjects claiming our consider ation. 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 withoutre- sorting to the horrors of war. Treaties embody- ing these humane principles on broad line: without in any way imperillng our interests or our honor shall have my constant encourage nent. .t
 The present immediate effective forces of the navy consists or four battleships of th9 first class. two or the eond and 48 other vessels. ranging from arm0red cruisers to torpedo bosts. There are under construction five battleships of tho first class, 15 torpedo boats and one sub~ marine boat No provision has yet been made for tho armor of threo of the battleships as it has been impossible to obtain 1t at the price fixed by congress It is of great importance that congress provide this arInor as until then the ships are of no fighting value The pres ent naval force. especially in view of it's increase by ships now under construction. while not as large as that of a few other pow CTS, is formidable force it's 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 1t in high state of efficiency and repair. it is well adapted to the necessities of the country.
 There should also be ample provision for