The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-12-08


ss%s's'a si''ss. 4 3ssh haa1as q sfsaaaU s;aaaU ssIaa
pines aud elsewhere during tns asx.
few days necessltate wiiIib@haaHe. I,
was read at Yesterdays cabinet meet.
ing. 1t is the longest message eyei
sent to congress by President Mex imn-
ley, comprising more than 10000
words.
| The most important features of the
message relate to the new dependen-
cies and to the financial question. The
essential features on these topics were
thus outlined today by a member Of
the cabinet;
Sovereignty is to be established
throughout all the Philippine islands
and not be permanently maintained
Civil government is to be extended
throughout the islands as rapidly as
possible OH lines somewhat similar to
the arrangements affected for the gov
ernment of the Island of Negrus.
Attention is invited to the report OF
the Philippine commission as to why
it is impossible for the United States
on par with the islands and as to the
great commercial advantages in hold
ing them.
Civil government in Cuba under
military control is recommended until
some substantial progress has been
made through the medium of suffrage
toward the establishment of an indie
| pendent form of government.
Attention is called to the fact that
the census will not be completed until
December !, and as the Spaniards have
under the treaty, until April next to
decide whether they will become citi-
zens OF the island, it will not he posi-
BILE until that time to hold general
elections to determine upon the fu-
ture government of the island. The
question of annexation is, therefore,
left open. Great stress is LAID upon
the improvement in the island during
the year, not only commercially and
agriculturally, but also in the sanitary
condition of the cities and towns.
| President Mckinley recommends
that civil government Immediately re-
place the military in Porto Rico-a
civil governor to be appointed and a
council or legislature to be elected by
the people, property and educational
qualifications to be prescribed for vot-
ers.
AS to Hawaii, the president suggests
immediate legislation to put in effect
a territorial form Of government. and
the modification of the pending bills
to correspond more nearly with the
political government of the islands.
The Hague conference is pointed to
with satisfaction and statement
made that the treaty agreed to at this
conference will be submitted at once
to the senate. Qualification is express
ed over the final settlements OF the
| Venezuelan boundary controversy.
Samoa comes in for large share of at
tention, the exciting events of the year
are reviewed and the sta atement made
that new treaty will soon be sent to
the senate for the partition of che is
lands.
The president refers to the trade sit
uation in China and the verbal assur-
ances received by this government
from powers having spheres of infiu-
ence in that empire that American
trade rights will be respected. He
will also announce that be has re-
quested that these verbal assurances
be placed in writing but beyond stat
| ing that favorable answers are expect
! ed he will be unable to inform con-
gress that he has received the formal
communications desired.