The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-07

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Observation-Disclosures
of war Treaties embodying these hui
name principles of broad lines without
in any way imperilling our interests or
our honor shall have my constant en-
couragement. ...,
Paris Exposition.
The acceptance by this government Of
the invitation of the republic of France
to participate in the Universal EXPOSE
ton of 1900 at Paris was Immediately
followed by the appointment of a spe-
cial commissioner to represent the
United States in the proposed exposi-
ton with special reference to the secur-
ing of space for adequate exhibit on
behalf of the United States.
The special commissioner delayed his
departure for Paris long enough to as
certain the probable demand for space
by American exhibitors. His inquiries
developed an almost unprecedented in
terest in the proposed exposition and
the information thus required enabled
him to justify an application for much
larger allotment of space for the Amer
lean section that had been reserved
by the exposition authorities. The re-
suit was particularly gratifying in view
of the fact that the United States was
one of'the last countries to accept the
invitation of France.
The Navy.
The present Immediately effective force of
the navy consists of four battleships of the
first class, two of the second and fOrty-eight
other vessels ranging from armored cruisers
, to torpedo boats. There are under con-
sixteen torpedo boats and one submarine
boat. No provision has vet been made for
the armor of three of the five battleships as
it has been impossible to obtain it at the
portance that congress provide this armor
as until then the ships are Of no fighting
value.
The present naval force, especially in
view of its increase by the ships now under
construction, will not be as large as that
Of few other powers. but is formidable
force; its vessels are the very best In each
type; and with the increase that should be
made to it from time to time in the future
and careful attention to keeping it in 4
high state of efficiency and repair, it is
well adapted to the necessities of the coun
try.
The great increase of the navy which has
taken place in recent years was justified by
tie requirements for national defense and
has received public appreciation. The time
has now arrived, however, when this in
crease, to which the country Is committed
should for time take the form of increased
facilities commensurate with the increase OF
our naval vessels.
1t is an unfortunate fact that there Is
but one dock on the Pacific coast capable oil
| docking our largest ships and only one or
| the Atlantic coast, and that the latter has
| for the last six or seven months been under
repair and therefore. incapable of use. I'm
mediate steps should be taken to provide
three or four docks. of this capacity on thu
Atlantic coast, at least one on the Pacific
coast ana floating dock in the gulf.
| Alaska.
| The territory of Alaska requires thu
prompt and early attention of congress. The
conditions now existing demand materia
changes in the laws relating to the territory
The influx of population. during the pas
summer and fall and the prospects of {
still larger Immigration in the spring viii
not permit us longer to neglect the eXten
sion of civil authority within the territory
or postpone the establishment of mort
| thorough government.
| | concur with the secretary of war In hi
suggestion as to the necessity of military
| force in the territory of Alaska for the pro
lection of persons and property. Already
| small force, consisting of twenty-tiv men
with two officers under command of Lieut.
col Randall of the Eighth infantry ha.
been sent to st. Michaels to establish a mil
itary post.
The startling though possibly exaggerated
reports from the Yukon river country Of thu
| probable shortage of food for the large mum
Der of people who are wintering there with
out the means of leaving the country, ar
confirmed in such measure as to justf,
bringing the matter to the attention of con
gress Access to that country in winter cal
be had only by the passes from Dyea ant
vicinity, which is most difficult and per
haps an impossible task. However, SHOULD
these reports of the suffering of our fel
low citizens be further verified, every effor
at any cost should be made to carry then
relief.
The Indians.
For a number of years past it has beef
apparent that the conditions under whic
the five civilized tribes were established i
the Indian territory under treaty provision
with the United States with the right o
self government and the exclusion Of al
white persons from within their border
have undergone so complete change as t
render the continuance of the system thu
inaugurated practically impossible. The tt
tai number of the five civilized tribes a
shown by the last census Is 45, 494, and thi
number has not materially increased; Will
the white population is estimated at froI
100000 to 100000 which, by permission Q
the Indian government has settled in th
territory. The present area of the India
territory contains q, 1854. 564 acres, much {
which is very fertile land
The secretary of the interior reports tha
| leaulnS lnnlanS nave absorbed great tract
of land to the exclusion of the common pc,
pie, and government by an Indian aristocr:
cy has been practically established to tn
detrimcnt of the people. 1t has been in
possible for the states to keep its citizen
out of the territory and the executory cor
dtions contained in the treaties with thes
nations have for the most part become in
possible of execution. Nor has it been moss
bic for the tribal governments to secure
each individual Indian his full enjoyment
common with other Indians of the commo
property of the nations.
| But ] concur with the secretary of til
interior that there can be no cure for til
evils endangered by the perversion of til
great trusts except by their resumption b
the government which created them
Yellow Fever.
The recent prevalence Of yellow fever
a number of cities and towns throughout til
south has resulted in much disturbance
commerce and demonstrated the necessit
of such amendments to our quarantine law
as will make the regulations of the nj
al quarantine authorities paramount. I'll
secretary of the treasury in the portion
his report relating to the operation of IL
marine hospital service, calls attention
a MI