The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-06

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49, W NICARAGUA CANAL.
A" subject OF large, Importance TO our
country and increasing appreciation on
the part OF the people IN the compilation OF
the great highway OF trade between the
Atlantic and Pacific known as the Nicara~
qua canal. Its utiiity and valuo TO Amer
ican commerce Is universally admitted.
The commission appointed under the date
of July "a last ito continue the surveys
and examinations authorized by the act
approved March 2. 1885, In regard TO tho
proper route. feasibility and cost Of con-
struction of the Nicaragua canal. with .
view OF making complete plans for the chs
tire work OF construction Of such a canal" "
IL now employed in the undertaking. In
the future l shall take occasion 10 trane-
nit TO congress the report OF this CONF
mission making at the same tame such furs
ther suggestions as may then seem advise
able.
BIMETALLIsM.
Under the provisions OF the act OF cone
gress approved March 3. 1897. for the proc
motion Of an international agreement re-
specting bimetalism, I appointed on the
18th day of April. 1897. Hon. Edward o.
Wolcott OF Colorado. Hon. Adlai n. Stu.
yenson OF Illinois and Hon. Charles r.
Paine of Massachusetts, as special envoys !
to represent the United States. They have
been diligent I'm their efforts to secure the
concurrence and cooperation OF Euro>
pean countries i'm the international settles
ment of the question, but up to this time
have not been able 10 secure an agreement
contemplated by their mission. The grat-
flying action OF our great sister republic
of France In Joining this country In an
attempt to bring about an agreement
among the principal commercial nations
OF Europe whereby fixed and relative
value between gold and silver should bo
secured, furnishes assurance that we are
not alone among the larger nations of the
world in realizing the international char
acter OF the problem and In the desire Of
reaching some wise and practical solu-
tion OF IL. The British government has
published a resume of the steps taken
jointly by the French ambassador in Lon
don and the special envoys OF the United
States, with whom our ambassador at
London actively co-operated. in the pres-
entation of this subject to her majestys
government. This will be laid before con.
gress
Our special ENJOYS have not made their
final report as further negotiations te-
tween the representatives of this governs
ment and the governments of other coun.
tries are pending and In contemplation.
They believe that doubts which have been
raised in certain quarters respecting the.
position of maintaining the stability of
the parity between the metals and kim
dred questions may yet be solved by fur
ther negotiations. Meanwhile IL gives me
satisfaction to state that the special cn-
voys have already demonstrated their
ability and fitness y deal with the subject.
and IL is TO be earnestly hoped that their
labors may result i'm an international
agreement which Will bring about recog-
milton OF both gold and silver as money
upon such terms and with such safeguards
as will secure the Use OF both metals upon
basis which shall work no Injustice to
any class OF our citizens.
RECIPROCITY.
In order TO execute as early rs possible the
provisions OF the third and fourth sec-
iions of tho revenue act approved atfiy e.
1897. j appointed the Hon. John A. Kasson
Of Iowa a special commissioner plenipo-
tentiary TO undertake the requisite nego-
tiations with foreign countries DESIRING
TO avail themselves OF these provisions.
The negotiations are now proceeding with
several governments. both European and
American. 1T is believed that by a care
full exercise of the powers conferred hy
that act some grievances Ct our own and OF
other countries i'm our mutual trade reia-
tions may he either removed or largely al
leviated. and that the volume OF otr
commercial exchanges may be enlarged
with advantage 10 both contracting par
ties. Most desirab BILE from every stand
point of national interest and patriotism
Is the effort 10. extend our foreign com
merce. To this end our merchant marine.
should be improved and enlarged We
should do our fun share of the carrying
trade of the world: we do not do II now.
We should be the Iaggard no longer. The
inferiority OF our merchant marine Is JUST
ly humiliating TO the national pride. The
government by every proper constitutions
al means should aid In making our ships 4
familiar visitors at every commercial port (
OF the world. thus opening up new and :
valuable markets to the surplus products
OF the farm and factory.
SEALING QUESTION
The efforts which had been made during
the two previous years by my predecessor
10 secura better protection of fur seals IN
the north Pacific ocean and Bering sea
were renewed at an early date by this ad-
ministration and have been pursued with
earnestness. Upon my invitation the
governments OF Japan and Russia nent
delegates to Washington and an inteSna-
tional conference was held during the
months of October and November last,
wherein it was unanimously agreed that
under the existing regulations this species
OF useful animals was threatened with ex-
tincton and that an International agree
men. Of all the interested powers was
necessary FOR their adequate protection.
The government OF Great Britain did rot
see proper TO be represented at this con-
ference, but subsequently sent to WASH
ington as delegates the expert commits
sioners OF Great Britain and Canada who
had during the past two years visited the
Pribilof islands and who met I'm confer
ence similar commissioners on the part OF
the United States. The result OF this con-
ference was an agreement on important
facts connected with the condition of the
seal herd heretofore in dispute, which
should place beyond controversy the duty
OF the governments concerned to adopt
measures without delay for the preserva-
tion and restoration OF the herd. Nego-
tiations to this end are now in progress.
tho result of which hope 10 he able 10
report TO congress al an early date.
ARBITRATION. 8
International arbitration cannot be
omitted from the list of subjects claiming
our consideration. Events have only
served TO strengthen the general views ON
this question expressed in my inaugural
address The best sentiment of the civil