The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-12-17

= the parity between the metals anil klndre
! questions may yet be solved by further ne
: gotiatlons
. Meanwhile II gives me satisfaction /
8 state that the special ENJOYS have alread
= demonstrated their abilities and fitness L
deal with the subject and it Is TO be earn
estly hoped that their labors may result IL
, an international agreement which will
bring about recognition of both gold ant
, silver as money upon such terms and will
such safeguards as will secure the use o
both metals upon basis which shall worA
no Injustice to any class of our citizens.
Legislation for Alaska.
The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of Congress
The conditions now existing demand ma
terial changes In the laws relating to the
territory.
co 1cur with the Secretary of War in his
suggestions as to the necessity for mill
tary force in the territory of Alaska for the
protection of persons and property.
The startling, though possibly exagger-
ated reports from the Yukon river 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 atten-
ton OF Congress Access to that country
this winter can be had only by the passes
from Dyea and vicinity, which Is a most
difficult and perhaps impossible task. How
ever, should these reports of the suffering
of our fellow citizens be further verified
every effort at any cost should be made to
carry them relief.
Reciprocity and Seals
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth Sec
| lions of the revenue act approved July "a,
1897, appointed the Hon John A. Kasson
of Iowa special commissioner plenipoten-
tiary TO undertake the requisite negotiations
with foreign countries desiring to avail
| thems Ives of these provisions The nego-
! tlations are now proceeded with several
governme nts, both Europe an and American.
1t Is believed that by careful exercise OF
the powers conferred by that act some
grievances of our own and of other coun-
tries in our mutual trade relations may be
either removed or largely alleviated, and
that the volume of our commercial ex-
changes may be enlarged, with advantages
to both contracting parties.
To Extend Foreign Commerce.
Most deslrab from every standpoint of
national interests and patriotism Is the eff
fort to extend our foreign commerce. To
this end our merchant marine should be
improved and enlarged.
The efforts which have been made during
the two previous years by my predecessor
to secure better protection to the fur seals
in the North Pacific ocean and Boring sea
were renewed at an early date by this ad-
ministration, and have been pursued with
earneStneSs.
International arbitration cannot be omit
ted from the list of subjects claiming our
consideration. Events have only served to
strengthen the general views on this ques-
~ sod in, tina t-o1 I'D
The acceptance by this government of the
invitation of the republic of France to par
ticipate In the universal exposition of 1900
at Paris was Immediately followed by the
appointment of special commissioner to
represent the United States in the proposed
exposition and liberal appropriation is
urged.
The Merry Case.
AS to the representation of this govern
ment to Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa
Rica, have concluded that Mr. William l.
Merry, confirmed as minister of the United
States to the states of Nicaragua Salvador
and Costa Rca, shall proceed to San Jose,
Costa Rica and there temporarily establish
the headquarters of the United States to
those three states.
took this action for what regarded as
the paramount interests of this country. 1t
was developed upon an investigation by the
Secretary of State that the governor of Mic
aragus, while not unwilling to receive Mr..
Merry In his diplomatic quality, was unable
to do so on account of the compact con-
cluded June 20, 1895, whereby that repub-
lie and those of Salvador and Honduras
forming the Greater Republic of Cen
trail America, had surrendered to the
representative diet thereof the right to re-
ceive and send diplomatic agents. The diet
was not willing to accept him because he
. Goa 70 InN 1,1. a
not accredit him to that boly because the
appropriate law of Congress did not permit
Mr.. Baker, the present minister at Mana
qua has been directed to present his letters
of recall
Mr. w. Godfrey Hunter has likewise been
accredited to the governments OF Guatemala
and Honduras the same as his predecessor.
Guatemala Is not member of the Greater
Republic of Central America but Honduras
is Should this latter government decline
to receive him, he has been instructed to
report this fact to his government and
await its further Instructions
The Indian Problem.
For number of years past 1t has been
apparent that the conditions under which
the five civilized tribes were established in
the Indian territory under treaty provisions
with the United States, with the right of
self-government and the exclusion of all
white persons from within their borders,
have undergone so complete a change as
to render the continuance of the system
thus Inaugural ted practically impossible
The total number of the five civilized tribes
as shown by the last census, Is 49, 494 and.
this number has not materially increased,
while the white populat ton is estimated at
from 90, 900 to 100000, which, by permis-
sion of the Indian government, has settled
in the territory The present area of the
Indian territory contains 25,69l,564 acres,
much of which is very fertile land.
The United States citizens residing n the
territory most of whom have gone there
by invitation or with the consent of the
tribal authorities, have made permanent
homes for themselves Numerous towns
have been built in which from 500 to 5000
white people now reside. Valuable resi-
dences and business houses have been
erected in many of them. Large business
enterprises are carried on in which vast
sumo of money are employed.
Injustice to the Whites.
And yet these people. who have invest ed
their capital in the developm en- t of the pro-
ductive resources of the country, are with
out title to the land they occupy and have
no voice whatever In the government either
of the nations or tribes. Thousands of their
children, who were born in the territory.
are of school age, but the doors of the
schools If the n alton are shut against them
ald what education they get is by private
contribution. No provision for the prJtec-