Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-12-11

chises of citizenship and having due
regard TO the geographical conditions
the most s0ss provisions for self rule
In local matters with the largest po-
litical liberties as an integral part Of
our nation VIII be accorded 10 the Ha-
waiians No less is due to a people
who after nearly five years of demon
strated capability to fulfill the obiiga-
tions Of self governing statehood. come
Of their free viii to merge their des-
TIMES in our body polite.
The questions which have arisen be-
tween Japan and Hawaii, by reason of
the treatment OF japanese laborers en-
/ igrating 10 the islands under the Ifa-
waiian-Japanese convention Of 1883, are
In satisfactory stage OF settlement
Z by negotiation. This government has
not been invited to mediate. and on the
other hand has sought no intervention
Z in that matter, further than to cvince its
kindliest disposition toward a speedy
Z and direct adjustment by the two SOW
( ercign states In interest as shall COM
port with equity and honor. 1t is graft
Z flying to learn that the apprehensions
at first displayed on the part Of Japan
I lest the cessation Of Hawaii's national
life through annexation might impair
I privileges TO which Japan honorahly
laid ciainl, have given place to conf
dence in the uprightness Of this gov-
I eminent. and in the sincerity of its
purpose 20 deal with an possible ul-
terror questions in the broadcast spirit of
/ friendliness
The president declares that he has
concluded that Mr.. William J.. Merry
shall proceed TO San Jose, Costa Rica,
as minister to Nicaragua, Salvador and
4 Costa Rica. and Mr.. Godfrey Hunter
/ as minister TO Guatemala and Hon
duras.
The message deals but lightly with
the Nicaragua canal project, declaring
that in the future he will transmit 10
I congress the report of the special COM
mission now employed in making plans
for it's construction.
4 Regarding the appointment of Messrs.
! Wolcott, Stevenson and Paine as BIZ
metallic commissioners the message
says:
4 THE BIMETALLIC COMMISSION.
/ The gratifying action of our sister re-
/ public of France in joining this coun-
/ try in the attempt to bring about an
( agreement among the principal COM
mercial nations of Europe, whereby a
/ fixed and relative value between gold
/ and silver shall be secured. furnishes
i assurance that we are not alone among
I the larger nations Of the world in re-
alizfng the international character of
the problem and in the desire Of
reaching some wise and practical So
luton of il. our special ENJOYS have
not made their final report, as further
4 negotiations between the representa-
( tives of this government and the gov
ernments of other countries are pending
and in contemplation. They believe that
doubts that have been raised in certain
quarters respecting the position Of
maintaining the stability of the parity
between the metals and kindred ques-
tions may yet be solved by further ne
gotiations.
Il Meanw lille it gives me satisfaction to
state that the special ENJOYS have al
ready demonstrated their ability and
4 fitness to deal with the subject, and ii
i is to be earnestly hoped that their la
4 bors may result in an International
4 agreement which will bring about rec
4 ognition of both gold and silver as
money upon such terms and with such
4 safeguards as will secure the use Of
\ 10th metals upon a basis which shall
] NoEk no liiJQSiiCC " any Ni1iSS VI our
citizens.
4 Referring to the appointment Of Hon.
John A. Kasson as a special commits
sioner to negotiate for the execution
I of The reciprocity provisions of the
tariff law the president believes that
nv "a careful exercise of the powers of
that act our commercial exchanges
may be enlarged with advantage to
both contracting parties.
The president urges that special eff
fort be made to extend our merchant
marine, and then discusses the recent
Bering sea seal negotiations, and re-
/ ferring to the conference with Can
adam commissioners says:
The result of this conference was an
agreement of important facts connected
with the condition of seal herd here
tofore in dispute, which should place
beyond controversy the duty of the
governments concerned to adopt meas
ures without delay for the preservation
and restoration of the herd. Nego-
tiations to this end are now in progress,
( the result of which | hope to be able
to report to congress at an early day.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
4 International arbitration cannot be
4 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
inaugural address. The best sentiment
of the civilized world is moving toward
the settlement of differences between
nations without resorting to the horrors
of war. Treaties embodying these hui
name principles on broad lines without
I in any way imperiling our interests or
our honor shah have my constant en-
enlargement
Referring to the acceptance by this
government of the invitation to par
ticipate in the French exposition OF
1900, the message declares that our
merchants will make gratifying ex-
hibit.
Urging the need for additional APP
preparation for the armor of three of
the five battleshins now in course OF
construction. the president says.
4 The present naval force, especially
I in view of its increase by the ships now
under construction, while not as large
as that Of few other powers, is a
formidable force; it's vessels are the
very best of each type, and with the