Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-08

not lose q gun or a flag or a transport
or a ship, and with the exception OF the
crew OF the Merrimac, not soldier or
sailor was taken prisoner. Aug. Z. forty
six days from the date OF the laading or
Gen. Skaters army in Cuba, and TWEEN
ty-one days from the surrender OF San
tiago. the United States troops COM
menced embarkation for home and our
entire force was returned TO the United
States as early as Aug "a. They were alb
sent from the United States only two
months. IL is fitting that / should bear
testimony 10 the patriotism and devotion
of that large portion of our army which,
although eager to be ordered 10 the post
OF greatest exposure, fortunately was not
required outside of the United States.
They did their whole duty. and, like their
comrades at the front, have earned the
gratitude OF the nation. In like manner
the officers and men OF the army and
OF the navy who remained In their de-
partments and stations of the navy, per-
forming most important duties connected
with the war, and whose requests for as
signment In the field and at sea II was
compelled to refuse because their serv-
ices were indispensable here, are entitled
to the highest commentator. II is my
regret that there seems to be no provision
for their suitable recognition.
Relations with Great BritAin.
Referring to Great Britain, he says:
"Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly footing.
Asserting to our request, the protection
of Americans and their interests in Span
ish jurisdiction was assumed by the oil
plomatic and consular representatives OF
Great Britain, who fulfilled their delicate
and arduous trust with tact and zeal,
eliciting high commendation. i may be
allowed to make fitting allusion TO the
instance Of Mr. Ramsden, her majestys
consul at Santiago de Cuba, whose I'M
timely death after distinguished service
and untirng effort during the siege OF
that city was sincerely lamented.
I'm the early part Of last April, pur-
suant to a request made at the instance
OF the secretary of state by the British
ambassador at this capital, the Canadian
government granted facilities for the pas
sage of four United States revenue cut
tiers from the great lakes TO the Atlantic
coast by way of the Canadian canal and
the st. Lawrence river. The vessels had
reached Lake Ontario and were there
awaiting the opening of navigation when
war was declared between the United
States and Spain. Her majesty's gov
eminent thereupon, by communication
OF the latter part of April, stated that
the permission granted before the out
break of hostilities would not be with
drawn, provided the United states gov
eminent gave assurance that the vessels
in question would proceed direct TO a
United States port without engaging IN
any hostile operation This government
promptly agreed TO the stipulated condi-
ton. ii being understood that the vessels
would not be prohibited from resisting
any hostile attack.
cit will give me especial satisfaction If
! shall be authorized TO communicate TO
YOU a favorable conclusion OF the pend
ing negotiations with Great Britain in
respect TO the Dominion Of Canada. 1t Is
the earnest wish Of this government to re-
move all sources of discord and irritation
i'm our relations with the neighboring do
minion The trade between the two coun-
tries is constantly increasing and 1t is inn
portant to both countries that all reason
able facilities should be granted for its
Development
The New Possessions.
81 do not discuss at this time the gov
eminent or the future of the new pos
sessions which will come TO US as the re-
suit of the war with Spain. Such dis
cussion will be appropriate after the
treaty OF peace shall be ratified. In
the meantime and until the congress has
legislated otherwise it will be my duty TO
continue the military governments which
have existed since our Occupation ana
government OF the people, security In life
and property, and encouragement under
a just and beneficial rule.
Condition of the Treasury.
Referring 10 the condition OF the ma
tional treasury the message says:
1.-THE secretary of the treasury reports
that the receipts Of the government from
all sources during the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1898, including sS4, 751,223 receiv-
ed from sale of Pacific railroads amount
ed TO Sl05 321. 1886, and its expenditures 10
s443. 1868. $50. There was collected from GUS
toms Sl49,575,0 62 and from internal rev.
enue $40. 900. Gal. Our dutiable imports
amounted to 1924. I35.479 decrease of $685.
1856 $50 over the preceding year. and inn
portations free of duty amounted TO
1921, An, 175, a decrease from the preceding
year Of S90, 524 ,O6S. Internal revenue re-
ceipts exceeded those of the preceding
year by S24 2l2. O6S. The total tax collect
ed on distilled spirits was 500. 546.999, on
manufactured tobacco $50. 230. 500 and on
fermented liquors $50 515.421 We exported
merchandise during the year amounting
to ST. 231 4S2. $3.50. an increase of $50. ASS. IA
from the preceding year 1t is estimated
upon the basis Of present revenue laws
that the receipts of the government for
the year ending June 80. 1899. will be
s577 S74, COZ and it's expenditures $3.50, S746 47.
resulting i'm a deficiency of $ll2,0 900.
on the list Of December, 1885, there was
held in the treasury gold amounting 10
Sl3S, AL. 547. gold bullion amounting TO
S13S, SOP 545. silver bullion amounting to
500. 359 $50 and other forms OF money
amounting TO $451, 963, 9S1. on the same
date the amount of money of all kinds
In circulation or not included i'm treasury
holdings was 81, 1896 $40 5Ol. an increase for
the year Of S165, 794, $3.50. Estimating our
population at 75 19i 600 at the time mem
toned the per capita circulation was
$25 90. The provisions made for strength
ening the resources OF the treasury I'm
connection with the war have given in
creased confidence i'm the purpose and
power of the government to maintain the
present standard and has established
more firmly than ever the national credit
at home and abroad. A marked evidence
of this Is found i'm the inflow of gold 10
the treasury. It's net gold holdings Nov.
1, 1898 were $239. 100, compared with
s153573,14 Nov. l. 1897. and an increase
OF net cash of s207. 756, 100 Nov l. 1897, ia
5000 23S. 275 Nov. /. 1898. The present ratio
OF net treasury gold TO outstanding gov
eminent liabilities. including United
States treasury notes of 1890. silver GER
tificates. currency certificates, standard
silver dollars and fractional silver coin
pared with 1886 per cent Nov. I, 1897.
Quotes Message OF OF.
at renew so much OF my recommends
ton OF December. 1897. as follows: That
when any OF the United States notes are
presented for redemption in gold and are
redeemed in gold. such notes shall be