The evening times., 1897-12-06

| the Interested poweIs was necessary tor
their adequate protection.
The Government Of Great Brita In dai not
See proper tc be represented at this con-
ference. hut subsequently sent to WASH
| ingt0n. as delegates, the expert COM
| nisstoners OF Great Britain and Cauida
| who had during the past two years visited
| tire PribilOf Islands. and who met In Con-
| ference similar commissioners on the part
of the United States. The result of this
| conference was an agreement on important
| facts connected with the condition OF
| the seal Lerd, heretofore in dispute. which
should place beyond controversy tie dnty
Of the Governments concerned to adopt
measures without oela y for the preservation
and restoration Ct the herd. Negotiations
| to this end are now in progress. the re-
suit of which l hore to be able tc report
| t0 Cong,ess at an early day.
FAvoRs ARBITRATION.
Interna tiunal arbitration can not be
omitted from the list OF subjects claiming
our consideration. Events have only ser".;d
| to strengthen the general views on this
question ex pressed in my inaugural address.
| The best sentiment Of the civilized W rid
| Is moving toward the settlement Of dill
| fCreDces between nations without resort
| ing to the horrors of war. Treaties en-
bnd wing these humane principles on 5ruad
lines without In any way importing ',uf
interests nr our honor shall have my con-
| slant encoura cement.
The acceptance by this Government of
the invitation OF the Republic Of France TO
| participate ill the Universal Exposition Of
1900 at Paris was Immediately followed by
4 ~
| to represent the United States In the pro-
| posed Exposition, with special reference TO
| the securing of space for an adequate ex-
| hibit on behalf of the United States.
The Special Commissioner della yed his de-
| parturc for Paris long enough to ascertain
| the probable demand for space by Aineri
Can exhibitors. Hisinquiries developed an al
most unprecedented interest in the proposed
| Exposition, and the Information thus ac
! quirel cnatled him to justify an appiicl:ion
for 4 much larger allotment of space for
the American section than had been re-
served by the Exposition authorities. rhe
result was particularly gratifying in view
| Of the fact that the United States vas me
| Of the last countries to accept the INVITA-
| ton of France.
! Tie reception accorded our Speria: Com
1
gwen every reasonable assurance that the
| ULi;ed States would receive a consideration
commensurate with the proportions of our
exhibit. The report of tie Special Com
r:rissioner as to TIE magnitude lnd import
ancc of the coming Exposition anI the
great demand for space by American ex-
mbitors supplies new arguments Tor a ibt-aI
and iudicious appropriation by Congress to
the endthan an ea hibit 70 irl Representative
OF the h.: dust res and resources of our cou.i.ry
may ne made in an Exposition which viii
| Illustrate the Worlds progress during he
nineteenth century. That Exposition is in
| tended 10 be the most important and eum-
preEensive &C the long series Of int erna tional
| exhibitions, OF which cur own at chicago
| was 4 brilliant example, and il Is desir' Die
| tha the United States should make a worthy
| exhibit OF American genius and skill and
| their unriv aled achievemen ever branch
| of industry
AMERICAS NAVAL FORCE.
The present immediately effective rorce
Of the Navy CONSISTS of four 3aitlesiiips OF
the first class. two OF the second, and
| forty eight other vessels. ranging from
| a-noreI cruisers to torpedo !ioats. There
| are under construction five battieships OF
the first class, sixteen torpedo boats and
| one subuiarine boat. No provision tas
| yet been made for tile arrnoc of three OF
| TIC five battlrshps, as it has been i'r'porsi-
| bic 10 obtain it at the price fixed By Con-
| eress. 1t is OF great iinpurtau that :ou-
gress provice this arinor. as until then the
| slips are OF uo fighting value.
| The present naval force especially in
view of Its increase by the ships now under
4
a few other powers, is Formidable force
its vessels are the very best of each type.
ard with the increase that should I've made
| TO it from time to time in TIE future. and
| careful attention to keeping it in high
| state OF efficiency and repair. it IS wei
| adapted to the necessities Of the country.
| The great increase of the Navy which
| has taken place ia recent years was justi
| fled by the requirements for national dc
! fense. and has received public npproba.
| tion. The time has now arrived. however,
| when this increase, to which the country
| is committed, should, for II time, take
the fornr of increased facilities cu:nmcn-
| surate with the increase Of our naval yes
sells. l. is an unfortunate fact that
| there is only one deck on tue Pacific Co st
| capable of docking cur largest ships. and
Y
| The latter iias for the last six or Seven
| months been under repair and therefore
! incapable OF use. Immediate steps shuuld
| be taken to provide three or four docks
| OF this capacity on the Atlantic Coast, at
| least one on the Pacific Coast, and / flu;.t-
| ing cneg in the Gulf. THIS is the rec,!n-
| mepd;,tiun of a very competent Board,
| appointed to Investigate the subject. Tter.
should a;so be ample provision made Sor
| powder and prniectiles, and other munitions
| of war, and for an increa sed number Of
| officers and enlisted men. Some additions
are ais necessary IL our navy yards, for
| the repair and care OF our larger nuilhc-
Of vessels. As there are now oil the stocks
| five battlesIips OF the largest class, which
can not be completed for year or two. !
concur with the recommendation Of the
| Secretary Of the Navy for an appropriation
authorizing the construction of one battle
| ship fct the Pacific Coast, where, at present,
| there /" only one in commission AMI one
| under construction, while on tile Atlantic
| Coast there are three In commission AMI
| four under construction; and also ti.at
several torpedo boats be authorized in
| connection with our general systeIu of coast
| defense.
ALASKA'S GOVERNMENT.
The Territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention oil Congress.
| The conditins now existing demand material