The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-12-07

tion 70 accomplish annexation By accept
ing the offered cession and Incorporating
the ceded territory into the union, was
adopted by the congress and approved
July Z. 1888 | thereupon directed the
United States ship Philadelphia to convey
Rear Admiral Miller to Honolulu and
intrusted In his hands this important
legislative act, to be delivered to the
president of the republic OF Hawaii, with
whom the admiral and the United States
minister were authorized to make ap-
propriate arrangements for transferring
the sovereignty Of the island to the United
State. This was accomplished on Aug.
u last.
The report Of the commission appointed
to consider the proper laws for the new
territory will be laid before congress at
an early date.
may refer to the necessity of some
amendments Of our existing extradition
statutes. 1t Is a common stipulation Of
such treaties that neither party shall be
bound to give up its own citizens. with the
added proviso In one of our treaties. that
with Japan. that It may surrender II It
see fit. 1t Is held in this country by an
almost uniform course of decision that
where a treaty negatives the obligation
to surrender the presidentyis not invested
with legal authority to act The confer
line OF that sound morally which shrinks
from affording secure asylum to the au-
thor of heinous crime.
The claims of owners Of American seal
ing vessels for seizure by Russian cruis-
ers in Bering sea are being pressed to a
settlement. The equities of the cases
justify the expectation that a measure of
reparation win eventually be accorded In
harmony with precedent and In the light
OF the proven facts
The Czar's Peace Proposal.
Tho proposal Of the czar for a general
radnPfiOn Of militia IN h
ments that weigh so heavily upon many
peonies In time of peace was communi-
Gated to this government, with an earnest
Invitation to be represented in the con-
ference which 1t Is contemplated to as
semble with a view to discussing the
means of accomplishing a desirable re-
suit. His majesty was at once informed
of the cordial sympathy of this govern
ment with the principal involved In his
exalted proposal and or the readiness OF
conference. The active military force OF
the united States, as measured by our
population, territorial area and the tax
abe wealth. Is and must continue to be,
In time of peace, so conspicuously less
than that Of the armed powers to whom
sle cars appeal Is essentially addressed
that the question can have for US no
practical Importance, save as marking
an auspcious step toward the betterment
| OF the condition of the modern peoples.
The arb!tral tribunal appointed under
the treaty of Feb. 2 1897, between Great
Britain and Venezuela, to determine the
boundary line between the latter and the
colony Of British GuiaNa,. Is to convene
at Paris during the present month.
/ have the satisfaction of being able
| to state that the bureau Of the American
| republics, created in 1890 as the organ
| for promoting commercial intercourse
and fraternal relations among the nations
of the western hemisphere. has become q
more efficient instrument of the wise pur-
pose OF Its founders.
Commerce Should be Respected.
The experiences OF the last year bring
forcibly home to US a sense OF the burdens
and the waste of war. We desire to re-
duce to the lowest possible point the
| damage sustained in time Of war by
peaceable trade and commerce. 1t should
/ be our object, therefore, to minimize, Sc
far as practicable, this inevitable loss and
| disturbance. This purpose can probably
| be best accomplished by an international
| agreement to regard all private property
| at sea as exempt from capture or de-
| struction by the forces Of belligerent pow
| ers. l suggest that the executive be au-
thorized to correspond with the govern
ments of the principal maritime powers
with view of incorporating into the per-
| manent law Of civilized nations the prin-
| cple of the exemption Of all private prop
erty at sea, not contraband OF war, from
capture.
Our Finances.
| The secretary of the treasury reports
that the receipts of the government from
all sources for the fiscal year ending June
3O 1893, including SCAT ,223 received from
sale of Pacific railroads, amounted to
S4O5. .321 1886. and its expenditures to S44S,-
1884, ,5s2. There was collected from GUS
toms $149,575.O62 and from internal reve-
nue. $170, 0,900,541. Our dutiable imports
amounted to 1924, ,635, ,479, a decrease of $685.
| 156,690 over the preceding year, and Inn
portations free of duty amounted to $29l,
| 4l4,175, decrease from the preceding veal
Of $50, ,524,O76. Internal revenue receipts
exceeded those of the preceding year by
| $24, ,2l2,067.
We exported merchandise during thu
year amounting to 81, ,2S1, ,4S2, $780, an increas
of $3.50, ,4S8. TIA from the preceding year. l
is estimated on the basis of present reve
nue. laws that the receipts Of the govern
| ment for the year ending June 30. 1893
will be $577S74,647 and its expenditure
ssSs, ,S74s47, resulting In a deficiency o
$122, 100000.
On the 1st Of December, 1898, there wa
In the treasury gold coin amounting t
$13S. al, ,547 gold bullion amounting t
$13S, ,5O2. .545 silver bullion amounting t
$93, 339, ,250. and other forms OF none!
amounting to $451963,5S1.
Recommendation.
l renew so much of my recommendation
of December. 1897, as follows: That whei
anw of the United States notes are pre-
sented for redemption In gold and are re
deemed in gold such notes shall be KEEP
and set apart and only paid out in eX
change for gold. This Is an obvious duty
II the holder of the United States not
prefers the gold and gets 1t from tn
government, he should not receive bacl
from the government United States not
without paving gold in exchange for It.
In my judgment the present condition
of the treasury amply justifies the imme
diate enactment OF the legislation recon
mended one year ago, under which p0r
tion of gold holdings should be place
should be redeemed upon presentation
but when once redeemed should not there
after be paid out except for gold.
1t Is not to be inferred that other leg
isiation relating to our currency is nc
required; on the contrary there Is an oh
vious demand for 1t.
The Importance Of adequate provislo
which will insure to our future a none
standard related as our money standar
now is to that Of our commercial rival
Is generally recognized.
The companion proposition that ou
domestic paper currency be kept safe an
yet be so related to the needs of our ir
dustrles and internal commerce as to
adequate and responsive to such need
Is a proposition scarcely less importan
The subject In all Its parts is commende
to the wise consideration Of congress.
Our Merchant Marine.
The annexation of Hawaii and tn
changed relations of the United State
to Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine
resulting from the war compel the promp
adoption Of a maritime policy by tn
United States. There should be estah
llshed regular and frequent STEAMSHIP
communication, encouraged by us un
der the American flag to the newly at
quired Islands.
In my last message recommended tina
congress authorize the appointment OF
commission for the purpose Oh MAXIM
systematic investigations with referenc
to the cause and prevention Of yelloy
fever. This matter has acquired an In