The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-12-22
OF THREE PARTS
4 Trio Of Sections From MESSAGE
Of President.
Construction of Waterway Urged.
Islands Factor-VoIunteer
Ships for the Navy.
From the Mesa sc.
CANAL.

uDQer the cl2lrm21Snlp OF Rear AL
1niral John C. Walker, appointed July |
"a, 1897, under the authority Of pro-
vision N the sundry civil act Of June
Attn of that year, has nearly completed
its labors, and the results OF its ex-
haustive inquiry into the proper route,
the feasibility and the cost OF con-
struction OF an interoceanic canal by
a Nicaraguan route, will be laid De-
fore You. In the performance OF its
work the commission received all pos
Sible courtesy and assistance from the
Governments of Nicaragua and Costa
RIGA. which thus testified their appre-
citation Of the Importance of giving
speedy and practical outcome TO the
project.
AS the scope OF recent inquiry en-
braced the whole subject, with the aim
of making plans and surveys for a
canal by the most convenient route, it
necessarily included a review of the re-
suits OF previous surveys and plans,
and in particular those adopted by the
Maritime Canal Company, under its eX-
listing concessions from Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, so that TO this extent these
grants necessarily neld an essential
part in the deliberations and conclu-
sionS Of the Canal Commission as they
have held and must needs hold in the
discussion OF the matter by Congress.
Under these circumstances and in
view of overtures made to the Govern
ment of Nicaragua and Costa RIGA by
other parties for new canal cOnces-
sion uredicated on the assumed ap-
preaching lapse OF the contracts OF the
Maritime Canal Company with those
states, ! have not hesitated TO express
nv convictions that considerations OF
eXpediency and international policy, as
between the several governments IN
terested in the construction and con-
troll of an interOceanic canal by this
route, require the maintenance OF the
status quo until the Canal Commission
shall have reported and the United
States Congress shall have had the OPP
portunity to pass finally upon the
whole matter during the present ses-
sion without prejudice by reason OF
any change in the existing conditions.
Neverth eless il appears that the Gov
eminent Of Nicaragua, as one OF its
last sovereign acts before merging its
powers in those OF the newly formed
United States of Central America, has
granted an optional concession to an
other association. to become effective
on the expiration OF the present grant.
II does not appear what surveys have
been made Or what route is proposed
under this contingent granted. so that
an examination OF the feasibility Of it's
plans is necessarily not embraced in
the report of the Canal Commission.
All these circumstances suggest the
urgency Of some definite action by the
Congress at this session if the iabors OF
the past are to be utilized and the link
ing OF the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
by practical waterway is to be real
lied.
That the construction of such
maritime highway is now more than
ever indispensable to that intimate and
ready intercommunication between our
Eastern and Western seaboards de-
manded by the annexation OF the Ha-
waiian Islands and the prospective eX-
pansion Of our influence and commerce
to the Pacific, and that our national
policy now more imperatiyely than
ever calls for it's control by this Gov
eminent, are propositions which, I
doubt not, the Congress will duly ap-
preciate and wisely act upon
ARMY.
The importance Of legislation for the
permanent increase of the army is,
therefore, manifest, and the recon-
mendation of the Secretary of War for
| that purpose has my unqualified APP
prevail. There can be no question that
at this time, and probably for some
time in the future, 900 men will be
none too many to meet the necessities
of the situation. At all events, whether
that numbe shall be required perma
nently or not, the power should be Civ
en- TO the President to enlist that force
if, IN his discretion, it should be nee
essary, and that further discretion
should be given him to recruit within
the above limit from the inhabitants
of the islands with the government Of
which we are charged.
1t is my purpose to muster out the
entire volunteer army as soon as the
Congress shall provide for the increase
Of the regular establishment. This will
be only an act OF justice, and will be
much appreciated by the brave men
who left their homes and employments
20 help the cOuntr yin its emergency.
NAVY
The following recommendation Of
fthe Secretary of the Navy relative TO
increase OF the navy have my earnest
approval:
1. Three sea going sheathed and
coppered battleshipS Of about 1880
tons trial displacement, carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerful
ordnance, for vessels of their class, and
TO have the highest practicable speed
and great radius OF action. Estimated
cost, exclusive Of armor and armament,
s.. 500, 600 each.
?. Three sheathed and coppered ar
mored cruisers of about 10000 tons
trial displacement, carrying the heav-
lest armor and most powerful ordnance
for vessels of their class and to have
the highest practicable speed and great
radius Of action. Estimated cost, exclu-
sive OF armor and armament, $4,000, 900
each.
3. Three sheathed and coppered pro-
tected cruisers of about 5000 tons trial
displacement, to have the highest prac-
ticabIe speed and great radius OF action