Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

on Monday, reviews the controversy which
led 10 the war with Spain and discusses the
military and naval operations and the meas
ures which were taken to prosecute the war
70 successful Close 1t will prove q dis
tinct disappointment 70 those who expected
that 1t would fully outline the policy of the
Administration in regard TO territorial &C
quisition and other important issues con-
nected with the war with Spain.
The President makes no Recommendations
In regard TO the future of our new posses
siOns or the form Of government to be estab-
lished therein. Discussion Of this subject,
the President says, will be appropriate after
the treaty of peace shall be ratified. "In
the meantime, and until Congress has legis.
lated otherwise" he will continue the mil.
itary governments which have existed since
our occupation, and give TO the people Sc
curity in lie and property and encourage.
ment under q just and bene6cent rule"
AS TO Cuba the President states that "as
soon as we are 10 possession and have paci.
fed the island, 1t will be necessary TO give
aid and direction to It's people 70 form agov
eminent Tor themselves. This should be
undertaken ct the earliest moment consist
ent with safety and assured success"
In respect TO currency reform the Presi-
dent says: In my Judgment the present
condition of the treasury amply justifles the
immediate enactment Of the legislation rec
commended year ago, under which por.
ton OF the gold holdings should be placed
in trust, and from which greenbacks should
be redeemed upon presentation, but when
once redeemed should not be paid out there
after except for gold. 1t is not TO BE- inferred
that other legislation relating to our curren
cy Is not required On the contrary there
10 an obvious demand for It,"
The recommendation made by the Score.
tary of War for the increase of the regular
standing army has the Presidents hearty
approval. "rhere can be no question" be
declares, shat at this time and probably for
some time 10 the future 100000 men will be
none too many to meet the necessities Of the
situation. AT all events, whether the mum.
Der shall be required permanently, the pow.
or should be given TO the President 70 enlist
that force II, in bis discretion, it should be
necessary; and the further discretion should
be given him TO recruit for the army within
the above limit from the inhabitants Of the
islands with the government Of which we
are charged" The President adds that II Is
his purpose ITO muster out the entire volun.
teer army as soon as Congress shall provide
for the increase of the regular establish.
ment"
The President also gives his Endorsement
to the recommendations of the Secretory Of
the Navy relative TO the increase Of the navy.
Secretary Long recommends that the con
structIon Of the following warships be au-
thoriEed: Three battle ships of 1880 tons
displacement, to cost $500. 900 each three
armored cruisers OF 1900 tons displacement,
at an estimated cost Of "a, 0OO, 900 each three
protected cruisers Of 5000 tons displace-
ment, to cost o., 150, 900 each, and six cruis
ers of $500 tons, at q cost Of $1,141 800
each. These estimates do not include the
cost of armor and armament.
President Mckinley also joins with Secre-
tary Long In recommending that the grades
5i q aam sisi' al &c. seels j er teRazsrilv
revived, ITO be filled by officers who have
specially distinguished themselves in the
war with Spain"
The President urges upon Congress the |
Importance Of early legislation providing for |
the taking Of the twelfth census. He points |
out that during the fiscal year total OF $148,
082 .892 was expended In the payment of
pensions. The total receipts OF the patent
Office were 81, 263, 948, and the receipts from
the sale OF public lands $9.277995. He
recommends an appropriation TO celebrate
the one-hundredth anniversary Of the found.
ing Of the city Of Washington for the perms
nent capital of the government Of the United
States.
The alien contract law, he says, Is shown
by experience to need some amendment; q
measure providing better protection for sea.
men 10 proposed, and "the rightful applica.
ton Of the eight hour law for the benefit Of
labor, and application Of the principle Of
arbitration. are suggested for consideration
The annexation Of Hawaii and the changed
relations of the United States TO Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines render II necessary,
In the Presidents opinion, for the United
States to adopt maritime policy "There
should be established" he saws, Irregular
and frequent steamship communication, en-
couraged by the United States. under the
American Gag, with the newly acquired
colonies" .et
The President renews his recommendation
that Congress authorize the appointment of
g commission for the purpose Of making
systematic investigation with reference 10
the cause and prevention Of yellow fever.
The sanitary promblems connected with the
islands are Of no less importance, he says,
than those relating TO finance, commerce
aud administration. t .d9
In commenting upon the development of
the postal service the President remarks
that within twenty years Doth the reve'
nues and the expenditures Of the Postoflce
Department have multiplied three fold"
Discussing our foreign relations, the Pres
ident states that the United States minister
at Constantinople has been instructed to
"press for just settlement Of our claims for
indemnity by reason Of the destruction of
the property Of American citizens resident
10 that country during the Armenian trou.
bles in 1895, as we'll as for the recognition
of older claims OF equal justice" The arbi
trail tribunal appointed under the treaty Of
February 3. 1897, between Great Britain and
Venezuela, TO determine the boundary line
between the latter and British Guiana, will
meet In Paris this month. The President
states that ait Is source Of much gratifica-
ton 10 this government TO see the friendlv