The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-07

seals In the North Pacific ocean and Ber-
| ing Sea, were renewed At an early date
| by This administration, and have been
nursued with earAestness. Upon my IN
| vitauon, the governments OF Japan and
] Russia sent delegates TO Washington
and an International conference he'd
| during the months Of October and No
vember last wherein It was unontmous-
~ agreed that under the existing regula-
lions this species of useful animals was
threatened with extinction, and that an
International agreement Of all the inter
ested powers was necessary for their
adequate protection. m
The government OF Great Britain DID
not see proper to be represented at THIS
conference, but subsequently sent to
Washington, az delegates, the expert
commissioners OF Great Britain and Can
| ada. who had during the past two years
visited the PribiioH Islands, ana VINO
met In conference similar commissioners
| on the part Of the United tSates The re-
suit of this conference was an agreement
on important facts connected with the
condition of the seal herd heretofore In
dispute, which should place beyond con-
troyersy the duty OF the governments
concerned TO adopt measures without de-
lay for the preservation and restoration
of the herd Negotiations to this end are
now In progress. the result of which ]
hope to be able to report TO Congress at
an early day.
International arbitration can not be
omitted from the list ofsubjects claimlns
our consideration. Events have only
served to strengthen the general views
on this question expressed In my iaau-
gural address, The best sentiment OF the
civilized world Is moving toward the SGT
Element Of differences between nations
! without resorting to the horrors OF war.
Treaties employing these humane prln-
ciples on broad lines without In any way
lmperlling our interests or our honor
shall have my constant encouragement.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The acceptance by this government of
the invitation OF the Republic Of France
to participate tn the Universal ExPos!-
ton of 1900 at Paris, was Immediately
followed by the appointment of special
commissioner to represent the United
States in the proposed exposition, with
special reference to the securing OF space
for an adequate exhibit on behalf OF the
United States,
The special commissioner delayed his
departure for Paris long enough TO ascer-
tain the probable demand for space by
American exhibitors. His inquiries de-
veloped nm almost unprecedented interest
In the proposed exposition, and the infOr-
nation thus acquired enabled him to
Justify an application for much larger
allotment OF space for the American Sec
ton than had been received by the expo
sltIon authorities. The result was par
ticuiariy gratifying In view Of the fact
that the United States was one of the last
countries TO accept the invitation of
France
The reception accorded our special
commissioner was most cordial ana he
was given every reasonable assurance
that the United States would receive
consideration commensurate with the
proportions OF Our exhibit. The report of
the special commissioner, rs to the mag
R!tgde and Importance OF the coming e%-
position and the great demand for space
by American exhibitors supplies new ar
gumcnts for liberal and judiclous APP
preparation by Congress to the end that
an exhibit fairly representative Of the In
dustries and resources of our country
may be made In an exposition which VIII
illustrate the worlds progress during the
nineteenth century. That exposition Is
Intended to be the most important and
comprehensive OF the long series Of inter-
national expeditions, of which our own
at Chicago wa. a brilliant example, and
1t IL desirable that the United States
should make worthy exhibit OF Amerl-
can genius and skill and their uhEvallsd
achievements in every branch of indus
try.
NAVAL AFFAIRS.
The present Immediately effective
force of the navy consists Of four bat
tleshlps of the first class; two of the
second, and forty-eIght other VESSELS,
ranging from armored cruisers to tor
pedo boats. There nrc under construc-
ton 1--WE battleshlps Of the first class.
sixteen torpedo boats and one subma-