The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-12-10

our friendly relations with Spain that
she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations and
to prove the asserted efficacy of the
new order of things to which she stands
frrevocably committed. She has re-
called the commander whose brutal or
ders inflamed the American mind and
shocked the civilized world. She has
modified the horrible order of concen-
tration and has undertaken to care for
the helpless and permit those who de-
sire to resume the cultivation of their
fields to do So and assures them of the
protection of the Spanish government
In their lawful occupations. She has
just released the Competitor prisoners,
heretofore sentenced to death, and who
have been the subject of repeated diplo-
matte correspondence during both this
and the preceding administration. Not
single American citizen is now in ar
rest or confinement in Cuba of whom
this government has any knowledge.
The president treats of the Hawaiian
annexation as a matter practically ac-
complished and says:
If the treaty is confirmed. as every
consideration of dignity and honor re-
quires. the wisdom of congress will see
to 1T that, avoiding abrupt assimilation
OF elements perhaps hardly yet fitted
to share in the highest franchises of
citizenship and having due regard to
the geographical conditions, the most
just provisions for self rule in local
matters with the largest political liber-
ties as an integral part Of our nation
he ID - H. IN
less is due to a people who, after near
ly five years of demonstrated capacity
to fulfill the obligations of self govern
ing statehood, come of their own free
will to merge their destinies in our
body politlc.'
Upon the matter of reciprocal trade
the president says:
Most desirable from every stand
point of national interest and patriot
ism is the effort to extend our foreign
commerce. To this end our merchant
marine should be improved and enlarg-
ed 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 mer-
chant 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 valua-
BILE markets to the surplus products of
the farm and the factory"
Referring to conditions in the terrific
ry of Alaska, the president says:
"The startling, though possibly exag-
fa1 nr.fe. h. al .,;r
country of the probable shortage Of
food for the large number Of people who
are wintering there without the means
of leaving the country are confirmed in
such measure as to justify bringing
the matter to the attention of congress.
Access to that country in winter can be
had only by the passes from Dyea and
vicinity, which is a most difficult and
perhaps an impossible task. However,
should these reports of the suffering
of our fellow citizens be further veri-
fed, every effort at any cost should be
made to carry them relief"
The president strongly commends the
Paris exposition of 1900 and praises the
present civil service system. He also
urges the Strengthening of the navy,
and especially the construction of large
drydocks, which are now greatly
needed.
In conclusion. the president says:
"The estimates of the expenses of the
government by the several departments
will, l am sure, have your careful scru-
tiny. While the congress may not find
it an easy task to reduce the expenses
of the government, it should not en-
courage their increase. These expenses
will, in my judgment, admit of de-
crease in many branches of the govern
ment without injury to the public serv-
ice. 1t is a commanding duty to keep
the appropriations within the receipts
of the government, and thus avoid
deficit"