Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06


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 solution
OF it, The British Government has pub
l1shed resume of the steps taken jointly
| by the French Ambassador in London and
the Special ENJOYS of the United States,
with whom our Ambassador at London
actively co-operated in the presentation of
| this subject to Her Majesty's Government.
This will be laid before Congress.
Our Special ENJOYS have not made their
hral report, as further negotiations be-
tween the representatives of this Govern
naent and the governments of other coun-
| tries are pending and~in contemplate
Ihey believe that doubts which have been
raised in certain quarters respecting the
| position of maintaining the stability of the
| parity between the metals and kindred
questions may yet be solved by further
| negotiations.
Meanwhile 1t gives me satisfaction to
| state that the Special Enjoys have already
demonstrated their ability and fitness to
| deal with the subject and it is to be earn
eStly hoped that their iabors may result
IN an international agreement which will
bring about recognition of both gold and
silver as money upon such terms and with
! such safeguards will secure the use of
Doth metals upon basis which shall work
| no injustice to any class of our citizens.
RECIPROCITY NEGOTIATIONS.
| In order to execute as early as possible
! the provisions of the third and fourth sec
| tons of the Revenue Act approved July
"a, 1897, appointed the Honorable John A
| kaSson of Iowa a Special Commissioner
| Plenipotentiary to undertake the requisite
| negotiations with foreign countries desiring
| 10 avail themselves CT these provisions
| Inc negotiations are now proceeding with
| several Governments, both European and
| American. 1t 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-
| lions may be either removed, or largely
| alleviated, and that the volume of our
commercial exchanges may be enlarged,
| with advantage to both contracting parties.
| Most desirable from every standpoint of
national interest and patriotism is the eff
fort to extend our foreign commerce. To
| this end or merchant marine should be
| improved and enlarged. We should do our
| tull 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 prid-. Tie 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.
| TO PROTECT SEALS.
| r off
the two previous years by my predecessor
| TO secure better protection to the fur seals
| in the North Pacific Ocean and Boring Sea.
| We're renewed at an early date by this Ad-
m!nistration and have been pursued with
| earnestness. Upon my invitation the Gov
| ernments OF Japan and Russia sent dele
gates to Washington ard an international
| conference held during the months of
October and November last wherein it was
| unanimously agreed that under the exist
| ing regulations this species of useful ami
| mails was threatened with extinction and
| that an international agreement Of all the
| interested powers was necessary FOR their
adequate protection.
| The Government of Great Britain did not
| see proper to he represented at this con-
| ference, but subsequently sent TO Wash
| ington, as delegates, the expert commits
| sioners of Great Britain and Canada VINO
| had during the past two years visited the
| Pribilof Islands. and who met in confer
| cnce 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 10 adopt
| measures without delay for the preserva-
| ton and restoration of the herd Negotia-
tons to this end are now in progress, the
result of which 1 hope to be able 10 report
| to Congress at early day.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
International arbitration can not be omit
ted from the list of subjects claiming our
consideration Events have only served to
strengthen the general views on this ques-
| ton expressed in my inaugural address,
The best sentiment of the civilized world is
moving toward the settlement of differ
ences between nations without resorting to
the horrors of war. Treaties emooGying
these humane principles on broad lines
without in any way imperiling our interests
honor shall have my constant en-
enlargement
FRENCH EXPOSITION.
The acceptance by this Government of
the invitation of the Republic of France to
participate in the Universal Exposition OF
1899 at Paris was Immediately followed by
the appointment of Special Commissioner
to represent the United States in the pro-
posed Exposition, with special reference to
the securing CT space for an adequate ex-
hibit on behalf of the United States
The Special Commissioner delayed his de-
rarture for Paris long enough TO ascertain
the probable demand for space by Ameri-
can exhibitors. His inquiries developed an
almost unprecedented interest in the pro-
posed Exposition, and the information thus
acquired enabled him to justify an applics-
ton for much larger allotment of space
for the American section than had reen
reserved by the Exposition authorities The
result was particularly gratifying in view
of the fact that the United States was ore
OF the last countries to accept the invitation
of France.
The reception accorded our Special Com
missioner was most cordial and he was
given every reasonable assurance that The