The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06

cihc railroad subsidy claims are: Union
Pacific, cash, SIS AS 223.74; Kansas Pacific,
cash, 100000; Central and Western Pa
cfic, cash, 81, 79S, S14.14; Notes secured, $4f-
050,17236; Kansas Pacific dividends for de-
ficiency due United States, cash, 1921 1910;
making a total of $12I 421 ,607.9
The whole Indebtedness was about $780,
100000 more than half of which consisted
of accrued interest, for which sum the gov
eminent has realized the entire amount,
less about six million, within period of
two years.
On June 30, 1898, there were thirty reser-
vations (forest-excusve of the Afognak
forest and fish culture reservation in Alas
ka) embracing an estimated area of 40
719,4H acres During the past year two OF
the existing forest reserves, the Tracubo
canyon California; and Black hills South
Dakota and Wyoming), have been consid-
erably enlarged, the area of the mountain
Ger reserve in the state of Washington has
been somewhat reduced and six additional
reserves have been established namely:
The San Francisco mountains 6Arizona);
the Black Mesa (Arizona); Lake L@hoe
California;; Gallatin (Montana). ella river
(New Mexico) and Fish Lake CUtah), the
total estimated area of which is 5,25O,775
acres.
Forest Reservations
This makes at the present time a total
of SO forest reservations, embracing an es-
minated area of 46021S99 acres This esti-
mated area Is the aggregated areas WllnLl
the boundaries of the reserves.
The lands actually reserved are, however,
only the vacant public lands therein, and
these have been set aside and reserved for
sale or settlement in order that they may
be of the greatest use to the people.
Protection of the national forests inau-
gurated by the department of the interior
in 1897 has been continued during the past
year. and much has been accomplished in
the way of preventing forest fires and the
protection of timber. There are now large
tracts covered by forests which will event.
ually be reserved and set apart for forest
uses. Until that can be done congress
should increase the appropriate lions for the
work of protecting the forests. the de-
partment of agriculture is constantly con-
sulting the needs of producers in all the
states and territories. 1t is introducing
seeds and plants of great value and pro-
moting fuller diversification of crops.
Grains, grasses, fruits and vegetables are
imported from all parts of the United
States.
Under this encouragement the sugar beet
factory multiples in the north and far
west semi tropical plants are sent TO the
south and congenial climates are sought Lor
the choice productions of the far east Inc
hybridizing of fruit trees and grams Is
conducted in the search for varieties adapt
ed to the exact conditions The introduce
tion of tea gardens in the southern states
promises to provide employment LOT lule
hands as we'll as to supply the nome mar
ket with tea The subject of Irrigation
where it is of vital Importance to the peo-
nile is being carefully studied, steps are
being taken to reclaim injured and aoan-
doned lands and Information for the people
along these lines is being printed and dis
tributed.
Markets are being sought and opened up
for surplus farm and factory products in
Europe and in Asia. The outlook for the
educa ton of the young farmer through aS-
riculturaI colleges and experimental sta
tons with opportunity given to specialize
in the department of agriculture Is very
promising. The people of Hawaii, Porto
Rico and the Philippine islands should be
helped by the establishment of experiment
stations to a more scientific knowledge OF
the prosecution of Coffee India rubber and
other tropical products for which there is
a demand in the United States.
The Peace Treaty
The treaty of peace was ratified by the
senate on the 9th OF February, 1899, and by
the government of Spain on the 18th of
March following The ratii1cations were
exchanged on the 18th of April, and the
treaty publically proclaimed. On the sec
ond of March the congress voted the sum
contemplated by the treaty and the amount
was paid over to the Spanish government
on the first of May
In this manner the Philippines came to
the United States. The islands were coded
by the government of Spain, which had
been in undisputed possession of them for
centuries They were accepted, not merely
by our authorized agents in Paris under
the direction of the executive, but by the
constitutional and we'll considered action OF
the representatives of the people III both
houses of congress.
I had every reason to believe, and still
believe that this transfer of sovereignty
was in accordance with the wishes and the
aspirations of the great mass of the FIJI
pino people.
From the earliest moment, no opportuni-
ty was lost of assuring the people of the
islands of our ardent desire for their well
fare and of the intention of this govern
ment to do everything possible to advance
their interests. In my order OF the l9tn OF
May, 1898, the commander of the expedition
was dispatched to the Philippines and IN
structed to declare that we came not to
war upon the people of that country, nor
llpon any party or faction among them,
but to protect them in their homes In their
enployments and in their personal and re-
ligious rights; that there should be
no doubt as to the paramount authority
there on the 18th of August, and l directed
that there must be no joint occupation with
the insurgents; that the United states must
preserve the peace and protect persons
and property with the territory occupied
by their military and naval forces; that the
insurgents and all others must recognize
the military occupation and authority of
the United States.
AS early as December q before the ses-
sion and in anticipation of that event the
commander in Manila was urged to restore
peace and tranquility and to undertake the
estab lshment of beneficient government
which should afford the fullest security for
life and property.
On the 21st of December, after the treaty
was signed, the commander of the forces
of occupation was instructed ito an
nounce and proclaim in the most public
manner that we came, not as invaders and
conuuerors hut as friends, to protect the
natives in their homes, in their employ
ments; and in their personal and religious
nights
Admonished of Conflict
On the same day, while ordering General
Otis to see that the peace should be pre-
served in Iloilo, he admonished that
ait is most important that there should be
no conflict with the insurgents On the
first day of January, $780, urgent orders
were reiterated that the kindly intentions
of this government should be in every pos
sihle way communicated to the insurgents.