The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-06


over the island. the products Of cuba
should have a market in the United States
on as good terms, and as with favorable
rates Of duty as are given 10 the West
India Islands under treaties Of reciprocity
which shall De n1ade.''
in the Turkish Empire the situation Of
our citizens remains unsatisfactory. The
arbitrary treatment In some instances Of
American productions in Turkey has at
tracted attention Of late notably IN re-
gard to our -four. This government will
use its earnest efforts to secure fair and
equal treatment for its citizens and their
goods. Failing this, it viii not hesitate
to apply whatever corrective measures
may be provided by the statutes.
The Peace Conference.
Referring to the work of the Peace Con-
ference, -stlThe Hague, last May, the mes
sage says:
While earnestly promoting the idea of
establishing a permanent international trl-
bunal, the delegation of the United States
was net unrrfindful of the inconvenience
which might aarise from an obtrusive eX-
ercisc Of mediation, and in signing the con-
vention, carefully guarded the historic po-
stion of the United States by the follow
ing declaration:
Nothing contained In this convention
shall be so construed as to require the
| United States Of America to depart from
its traditional policy of not intruding up
| on, interfering with or entangling itself
| in the political questions or policy or in
tenal administration Of any foreign state;
nor shall anything contained in the said
convention be construed to imply a relin-
quishment by the United States of Amer
lea of its traditional attitude toward pure
ly American questions
Thus interpreted the convention for the
| pacific settlement of international con-
fiicts may be regarded as realizing the
earnest desire of great numbers of Amer
| lean citizens, whose deep sense of justice
expressed in numerous resolutions and me-
MORALS, has urged them to labor for this
noble achievement. The general character
| of this convention already signed by the
delegates of more than twenty sovereign
| states, further commends it to the favor
able action of the Senate of the United
States, whose ratification it, stil awaits
Men in the Philippines.
The President recommends that Con-
gress provide a special medal of honor
for the volunteers, regulars. sailors and
! marines on duty in the Philippines who
voluntarily remained in the service after
their terms Of enlistment had expired.
"The force now in Manila con-
sists of Dos officers and 3O,57S regu-
lars, and 594 officers and 15,3SS of
the volunteers, making an aggregate
of 1,409 officers and 1896 men.
When the troops now under orders
shall reach Manila the force in the
Archipelago will comprise 2,O51 Om-
GERS and 63,4S3 men.
"The muster out of the great volunteer
army organized for the Spanish war, and
the creation of new army, the transpor-
tation from Manila to San Francisco Of
| nr,iff 1aI to 4 h. t,,,,
! porta ton of the new troops to take their
| places, have been a work of great magni-
tude weh and ably done, for which too
much credit cannot be given the war de-
partment.
During the past year ave have reduced
our force In Cuba and Porto Rico In Cuba
we now have 1874 officers and 1875 enlist
ed men; in Porto Rico, 81 officers and 1855
enlisted men, and a battalion of 400 men,
composed of native Porto Ricans while
stationed throughout the United States are
$40 officers and 1917 men, and in Hawaii,
u officers and 453 enlisted men.
THE operations of the army are fully
presented in the report of the Secretary
of War l cannot withheld from officers
and men the highest commenda ton for
their soldierly conduct in trying situations
their willing sacrifices for their country
and the integrity and ability with which
| they have performed unusual and difficult
duties in our island possessions.
"In the organization of the volunteer reg
iments authorized by the act of March 2
1899, IL was found that no provision had
been made for chaplains. This omission
was doubtless from inadvertence I rec
| ommend the early authorization for the
appointment of one chaplain for each Of
said regiments. These regiments are now
in the Philippines, and il is important that
immediate action be had.
''In restoring peaceful conditions, order
ly rule and civil progress in Cuba, Porto
Rico and so far as practicable, in the
Philippines, the rehabilitation of the pos
| tai service has been an essential and i'm
portant part of the work. 1t became nee
essary TO provide mail facilities both for
our forces of occupation and for the ma
tive population. To meet this requirement
has involved a substantial reconstruction.
The existing systems were so fragmen-
tary defective aud inadequate that a new
and comprehensive organization had to be
created American trained officials have
been assigned to the directing and exec
utive positions, while natives have been
chiefly employed in making up the body
of the force. In working out this plan
the merit rule has been vigorously and
faithfully applied.
Importance of the Navy.
''The navy has maintained the spirit and
high efficiency which have always char
of the gallantry in heroic action which
has signalized it's brilliant and glorious
past The nation has equal pride in its
early and late achievements.
Its habitual readiness for every emerg-
ency has won The confidence and admira-
ton Of the country. The people are inter
ested in the continued preparation and
pre- ice of the navy and will jus ify lib
Grad app opr atoms fer its maintenance and
improvement. The officers have shown pc
GUITAR adaptation for the performance oil
new and del cafe duties which our recent
war has imposed.
at cannot be doubted that Congress will
at once make necessary provision for the
amor plate fcr the vessels now under con-
tact and building. Its attention is re-
spectfully called to the report Of the Sec
retey of the Navy, in which the subject
is fully presented. l unite in his recon-
mendation that Congress enact such spe-
cial legislation as may be necessary to en-
N.o1rs ,t-,.. -