The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-06

CASA. $50, paid from the emergency fund
provided for that purpose. Out OF the
Cuban island revenues during the six
months ending June 90 1899. u.7i2.elAzo
was expended for sanitation; s2as.ssl.1e
for charities and hospitals. and sss,s44os
for aid OF the destitute.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
In response 10 the tnvitstion OF his
majesty the Emperor of Russia 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
permanent international tribunal. The
final act or 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 voiun-
teers 667 officers and IA. S31 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, 99s enlisted men and 22i3
officers. and new volunteer regiments
have been organized aggregating $3.50
men and 1924 officers. The force in Ma
Mia now consists of 1899 officers and
1896 men. When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
comprise POSI- officers and 6s,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 1901
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-
lions. 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 30. 1899. numbered 991.5l9.
The number added during the year was
i0.99i the number dropped from all
causes was 4S.1S6. Claims disallowed
numbered l0Ss1s. The amount disbursed
for army and navy pensions during the
year was s13s. 1855, 052. So. which was 81. 65l.-
461.61 less than the appropriations. The
president. in accordance with the wish
of the national encampment, G. A. r..
recommends the modification of the act
OF June "a. 1880. which prescribes the
amount OF income that determines pen
oAtitOiG ohahd5 "a a aSPtAdGAt WiQON.
The president recommends that the
amount of income allowed independent
of the proceeds of her daily labor should
not be less than $3.50 per annum, and he
urges that the congress shall so amend
the act as to make this provision.
THE PHILIPPINES.
/ The president introduces the subject
with a reference to the treaty of peace
between Spain and the United States
under the provision of which the Philip
pine archipelago was coded to the United
States for $4,000. 600. and says: Ihave
every reason to believe. and 1 stir be-
lieve, that this transfer of sovereignty
was in accordance with the wishes and
aspirations of the great mass of the
Filipino people. From the earliest mo-
ment no opportunity was lost of assur-
ing the people of the islands of our ar
dent desire for their welfare AMI of the
intention of this government to DO every
thing possible to advance their interests.
The president quotes from various
orders issued to those in command of
the United States military and naval
forces at Manila to show that 1t was the
object OF the United States to protect
the people and to establish beneficent
government. even before the treaty OF
peace was signed. After the treaty had
been ratified. the message says. orders
were sent to the commander to proclaim
the kindly intention of the government
and saying 1t was most important that
there should be no conflict with the in
surgents." The president then gives an
account of the appointment of the Philip
pine commission who, assisted by Ad-
miral Dewey and General Otis. were to
facilitate the most humane and etfec-
tive extension of authority throughout
the islands" and says: But before their
arrival In Manila the sinister ambition
of few leaders of the Filipinos had
created a situation full of enlbarrass-
ment for US and most grievous In its con-
sequences TO themselves. The clear and
impartial preliminary report OF the COM
missioners which / transmit herewith
gives so lucid and comprehensive his
tory of the present insurrectionary
a..