The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-06

,493 900 rations at a cost of 81 All, 554.07.
To promote the disarmament of the
Cuban volunteer army and in the inter-
est of public peace there was disbursed
81, SAT $50, paid from the emergency fund
provided for that purpose. out of the
Cuban island revenues during the six
months ending June 80, 1899, SLIP, 014.2o
was expended for sanitation; s293, SS1.70
for charities and hospitals, and ssS, 944.o3
for aid of the destitute.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
In response to the invitation Of his
majesty the Emperor of Russia a COM
mission from the United States attended
the peace conference at The Hague.
The occasion seemed opportune for the
serious consideration of a plan for the
pacific adjustment of international diff
ferences and a definite project for a
permanent international tribunal. The
final act of that conference, in short, pro-
vided for maintenance of general peace,
the exercise of good offices and media
ton, formation of commissions Of in
quiry and international arbitration. The
mediation provided for is purely volun-
tary and advisory.
THE ARMY.
Since my last message and In obedi-
ence to acts of congress the remaining
volunteer force enlisted for the Spanish
war has been discharged. OF the volun-
teers 667 officers and 1881 men serving
in the Philippines and 1850 of the regu-
lars, who were entitled to be mustered
out voluntarily, remained at the front
until their places could be filled by new
troops. By virtue Of the authority Of
congress the regular army has been in
creased to 81, 999 enlisted men and 2243
officers, and new volunteer regiments
have been organized aggregating $1,000
men and 1924 officers. The force in Ma
Mia now consists of 1899 officers and
40 ,966 men. When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
comprise POSI- officers and 63,4S3 men.
| The muster out of the great volunteer
army and the creation of a new army
has been the work of great magnitude,
well and ably done, for which too much
credit can not be given the war depart
ment During the year past the force
in Cuba and Porto Rico has been re-
duced to a total of 421 officers and 1861
men.
THE NAVY
The message refers to the spirit and
high efficiency" which has characterized
the service and the pride of the nation
in its achievements. The president says
the people will justify liberal appropria-
tons and he unites with the secretary
in recommending that congress enact
such special legislation as may be neces-
sary to enable the department to make
contracts early in the coming year for
armor plate of the best quality that can
be obtained in this country for the
Maine, Ohio and Missouri, and that the
act limiting the price of armor to $500
per ton be removed.
PENSION DEPARTMENT.
The pensioners of the United States In
all wars, June 80, 1899, numbered 991, $40
The number added during the year was
4O991; the number dropped from al
causes was 43,1S6 Claims disallowed
numbered 1O7 ,919. The amount disbursed
for army and navy pensions during the
year was $13S, $50, 05295, which was $1,651,
46161 less than the appropriations. Thu
president, in accordance with the wisl
of the national encampment. G. A. r.
recommends the modification of the &C
of June 81 1890, which prescribes tn,
amount of income that determines pen
sionable status of a dependent widow
The president recommends that tn,
amount of income allowed Independent
of the proceeds of her daily labor Should
not be less than $3.50 per annum, and h
urges that the congress shall so amenC
the act as to make this provision.
THE PHILIPPINES.
The president introduces the subjec
with a reference to the treaty of peac
between Spain and the United State
under the provision Of which the Philip
pine archipelago was coded to the Unite
States for $20,000,00 and says: hav
every reason to believe, and 1 stin be
lieve, that this transfer of sovereignt
was in accordance with the wishes an
aspirations of the great mass OF tn
Filipino people From the earliest me
ment no opportunity was lost of assul
ing the people of the islands of our al
dent desire Tor their welfare and of tn
intention of this government to do ever.
thing possible to advance their interests
The president quotes from variou
; orders issued to those in command c
the United States military and navs
forces at Manila to show that 1t was til
object of the United States to protet
: the people and to establish beneficei
government, even before the treaty
] peace was signed. After the treaty ha
been ratified the message says. order
were sent to the commander to proclai
? the kindly intention of the governmeI
S and saying it was most important tn;
= there should be no conflict with the il
t surgents," The president then gives a
= account of the appointment of the Phil
= pine commission who, assisted by Al
Q miral Dewey and General Otis, were
Facilitate the most humane and effe
tive extension of authority througho
s the islands, and says: But before the
g arrival in Manila the sinister ambitiC
= of a few leaders of the Filipinos h;
4 created a situation full of enibarras
= ment for US and most grievous in its col
Il sequences to themselves. The clear al
d impartial preliminary report of the con
T. missioners which l transmit herewi
II gives so lucid and comprehensive hi
v tory of the present insurrectiona