Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-09
RNAIw1IN1NGToN. THURSDAY. DECEMBER

Wolcott OF Colorado; the Hon. Adlai Il.
Stevenson Of Illinois. and the Hon. Charles
]. Paine of Massachusetts. as special en-
voys to represent the United States. They
have been diligent in their efforts to secure
| the concurrence and cooperation of Euro
pean countries in the international settle
| ment Of the question, but up to this time
| have not been able to secure an agreement
contemplated by their mission.
INTERNATIONAL BlMETALLIsM
| The gratifying action of our great sister
republic of France in joining this country
In the attempt to bring about an agreement
| among the principal commercial nations of
| Europe, whereby a fixed and relative value
between gold and silver shall be secured.
| furnishes assurance that we are not alone
among the larger nations Of the world In
realizing the international character OF tho
problem. and in the desire of reaching some
wise and practical solution of 1t. The
British Government has published resume
of the steps taken jointly by the French
\ Ambassador in London and the special en-
voys 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
| final report, as further negotiations be-
| tween the representatives of this govern
mcnt and the governments OF other coun-
tries are pending and in contemplation.
/ They believe that doubts that have been
raised in certain quarters resnecting the
position of maintaining the stability Of the
parity between the metals and kindred
questions may be solved by further negoI
tiatious.
Meanwhile II gives me satisfaction I'd
state that the special ENJOYS have already
demonstrated their ability and fitness I'd
deal with the subject, and 1t is to be earnt
estly hoped that their labors may result irl
an international agro ement which will
bring about recognition of both gold and
silver as money upon such terms and will
such safeguards as Will secure the use %
both metals upon a basis which shall worl4
no injustice to any class of our citizens.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions OF the third and fourth secF
lions Of the revenue act approved July al
1897, | appointed the Honorable John AL
Kasson of Iowa. special commissioner
plenipotentiary to undertake the requisite
negotiations with foreign countries desiring
to avail themselves of these provisions.
The negotiations are now pending with sew
eral governments, both European and
American. II is believed that by n careful
exercise of the powers conferred by that act
some grievances of our own and OF other
countries In our mutual trade relations may
be either removed, n largely alleviated,
and that the volume OF our commercial ex-
changes may be enlarged, with advantage
to both contracting parties.
Most desirable from every standpoit Of
national interest and patriotism Is the ef-
fort to extend our foreign commerce. To
this end our merchant marine should be
improved and enlarged we should do our
full share Of the carrying trade OF the
world. We do not do 1t now, We should
be the laggard no longer. The inferiority
Of our merchant marine is justly humiliat-
ing to the national pride. The government
! by every constitutional means should aid
in making our ships familiar visitors at
every commercial port of the world, thus
opening IN new and valuable markets to
the surplus products Of the farm and the
factory.
THE SEAL FISHERIES
The efforts which had been made during
, the two previous years by my predecessor
$ to secure better protection of 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. Unon my invitation the gov
ernments of Japan and Russia sent dele
! gates to Washington and an international
$ conference was held during the months of
; October and November last wherein II 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
I interested powers was necessary for their
= adequate protection.
The Government Of Great Britain did
e not see proper to be represented at this
Y conference. but subsequently sent to
& Washington, as delegates. the expert COM
missioners of Great Britain and Canada
b who had during the past two years visited
a the Prhilof Islands and who met In con-
4 ference similar commissioners on the part
Y Of the United States. The result OF this
| conference was an agreement of important
g. facts connected with the condition of a
I seal herd heretofore in dispute, which
p place beyond controversy the duty of the
h governments concerned to adopt measures
D without delay for the preservation and
e restoration of tho herd Negotiations to
this end are now in progress, the result
Z of which l hope TO be able 10 report TO
r Congress AT an carly day.
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 hest sentiment of the civil
;, lied world is moving toward the settle
s ment of differences between nations with
il cut resortinG to the horrors of war. Trea-
!, ties embodying these humane principles on