The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


tation OF the more important topics
which are selected for treatment, Presi-
dent McKinley's message sent TO Con
gress yesterday is admirable. To DO sure
IL is no more than was TO be expected
from a man who has from time to time
given ample evidence of capacity 10
grasp important subjects ana talent for
their elucidation in sound, simple and
convincing English.
The President heads his message with
discussion Of the currency question,
broadly and roundly, but onitting not to
punctuate his observations with essen
tials while leaving the details of cur
rency plan TO be elaborated by his secre-
tary of the treasury. AS, of course. was
assumed TO be the case. and as now Is
demonstrated by the utterance OF the
President, the Gage proposition is entirely
in accord. aud reflection of the Presi-
dents own views As further demonstrat-
ing the necessity of currency reform, the
President is at pains to point out the
difficulty which constantly besets the gov.
ernment TO maintain the integrity OF It's
currency issues, supported only by small
and vague gold reserve" and while un-
able to demand gold from its creditors,
pledged to pay out gold without any re-
striction when IL is asked. Admitting
what Is clear enough that ample receipts
above expenditures lessen the strain of
government flnanciering. yet the danger
OF a vast amount of currency itself far re-
moved from parity with gold yet TO be
maintained ever as good as gold" is
always present The government and the
government alone promises TO pay gold
and not only would the President have
make the promises easier 10 keep in
time of emergency, but he would also re-
qulre the further assistance of law that
the national banks be required to redeem
their notes in gold. incidentally. it is
observed that the President docs not yet
despair of the assistance that would come
from an international agreement TO fix
the ratio between gold and silver.
The topic that commands the greater
portion of the message devoted to any one
subject is Cuba. The important feature
of this Is that the government should not
yet recognize the bellieerency OF the
Cubans. 1t is likely that. at this time
the President will be spared much adverse
comment that such position would
have prompted IL taken few months
ago. The death Of Canovas and the re-
tirement of his ministry, the coming into
power of u new leader at Madrid. the re-
calling OF weyler and tho appointment of
Blanco In his stead, the entire reversing
OF the Spanish policy for the conduct of
the war, and the offer Of terms Of peace,
lease of American prisoners and the re-
ception of oyertures by our government
in cordial spirit. completely revolution
ize the Cuban situation so far rs 1t in
wolves the United States As the Presi-
dent points out, the sincerity OF this
change of policy on the part of Spain can
not be questioned. at least pending the
test but reviewing the possibility OF fu-
ture contingencies that may arise, the
President does not hesitate to answer one
question in advance and fatty, that force
able annexation cannot be thought Of. I"
This is one feature OF the case that the
President does not hesitate to deny the
propriety of discussion for all time. 1t Is
indeed good thing to put aside in view
OF the complications of the past and their
possible repetition In the future.
As to Hawaii the PRESIDENT briefly but
unequivooably recommends the treaty
now before the Senate for Its confirma-
tion, las every consideration of dignity
and honor requires"
There is little else in the message except
a brief reference to certain topics about
which current information is proved to
be justified by the executive utterance.
Alaska naturally comes in for more full
consideration than ordinary, but tho war
department report has already reflected
the Presidents views both as to the dis
position of affairs in light OF the new
features in that territory, and the care
of the fortune seekers who have gone
there. Kansas Pacific Is still a problem
to the government and the President
states the position OF matters with rela-