St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-06

To promote the disarmament of the
Cuban volunteer army and in the inter-
est of public peace there was disbursed
s2,547 $50, paid from the emergency fund
provided for that purpose. Out Of the
Cuban island revenues during the six
months ending June 30, 1899, 81, 712, 014.20
was expended for sanitation; 1898, SS1.7O
FOR charities and hospitals, and $SS, 944.03
Ter aid Of the destitute.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
In response to the invitation Of his
ajesty 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 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 61,999 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
As, 966 men. When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
comprise 2051 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,
we'll 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 AL officers and 3,O51
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 30, 1899, numbered 991, 519.
The number added during the year was
40,991 the number dropped from all
causes was 4S.1S6 Claims disallowed
numbered 107, 919. The amount disbursed
for army and navy pensions during the
year was $13S, 1855, 052.95, which was 1851,
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 q, 1890, which prescribes the
amount of income that determines pen
sionable status Of a dependent widow
The president recommends that the
amount of income allowed independent
. H. dc of lo,. 4 ilty Lob cl, vi
not be less than $3.50 per annum, and lie
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 $20,000,000 and says: have
every reason to believe, and stih be-
lieve that this transfer of sovereignt!
was in accordance with the wishes apC
aspirations of the great mass of thu
Filipino people. From the earliest mo
ment no opportunity was lost of assur
ing the people of the islands of sur al
dent desire for their welfare AMI of tn
intention of this government to do every
thing possible to advance their interests
The president quotes from various
orders issued to those in command o
, the United States military and nava
forces at Manila to show that it was tn
object of the United States to protec
, the people and to establish beneficen
, government, even before the treaty q
I peace was signed. After the treaty ha
, been ratified, the message says, order
We're sent to the commander to proclaim
the kindly intention of the government
9 and saying it was most important tina
there should be no conflict with the in
+ surgents." The president then gives a.
= account of the appointment of the PhiliI
pine commission who, assisted by Ad
n miral Dewey and General Otis, were
facilitate the most humane and effec
tive extension of authority Throughout
=, the islands," and says: But before thei
arrival in Manila the sinister ambitio
of a few leaders of the F'ilipinos ha
. created a situation full Of enlbarrass
: ment for us and most grievous in its con
:, sequences to themselves. The clear an
a impartial preliminary report of the com
missioners which 1 transmit herewit
q gives so lucid and comprehensive his
~ tory of the present insurrectionar
= movement that the story need not b
- here repeated. 1t is enough to say thf
- the claim Of the rebel leader that he wa
% promised independence by any officer {
" the United States in return for his as