The Monticellonian., 1899-12-15
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.
Strength of the Army, Alaskan Boundary,
 Relations with Germany, Etc.

The regular army has been increased 6l, ,999 enlisted men and 7, ,2iS officers, and new volunteer regiments have been organ ized, aggregating 33, ,050 enlisted men and 1,54 officers. Two of these volunteer reg iments are made up of colored men, with colored line officers. The new tropS 10 the places of those returning from the Philippines have been transported to Ma nila to the number of 5Sl officers and 26, 522 enlisted men of the regular army, and 55i officers and 15,3sS enlisted men of the new volunteer force, while o0i officers and IA l19 men of the volunteer force are on the ocean en route to Manila.
 The force now in Manila consists of 9U5 officers and 5d,5tS regulars and 59i officers and l5,3Ns of the volunteers, making an aggregate number of l.ig9 officers and D. 966 men. When the troops now under or ders have reached Manila the force in the archipelago will comprise ?, ,051 officers and G., 4A3 men.
 During the past year We have reduced our forces in Cuba and Porto Rico. In Cuba We now have 334 officers and 10 196 enlisted men. in Porto Rico. S' officers and 2,S55 enlisted men and battalion of 4DU men composed of native Porto Rieans, while stationed throughout the United States are 9l0 officers and l7.3l1 men, and in Hawaii F officers and 453 enlisted men.
 About the AInsI>an Boundary.
 By means of an executive agreement. q joint high commission had been created for the purpose ot adluStiuE all unset tied questions between the United States and Canada embracing I2 sublects. amuaS which were the question Of fur seals, the
 
 land waters, the Alaskan boundary, the transit of merchandise III bono. the alien labor laws. mining rights, reciprocity in trade, reN isiOn Of the agreemeu nit respect inS naval vessel In ths greu- lakes, more cnmPIeta marking ei parts of the boundary provision for the conveyance of criminals, aud fur WreekiH9 and sdiv- age Much progress had been made by the commission toAsara tAc adjustment of many et these qle stiuAS When ' be came apparent that an irreauDcilable dir- . ts 4fH 2 ft r1f fHt ing the dellmitaiiun of the Alaskan bUtIn- d@rY. In the failure of an agreement as to the meaning of articles g and 1 of the treaty Gl lo-1- between Russia and Great Britain which Gctned the boundary be- tween Alaska and Canada. the American commissioners proposed that the subject of the boundary be laid aside and that the remaining questions of difference De proceeded with, some of which Were so far advanced as to assure the probability of settlement. This being declined by the British commissioners, an adjourn meEt Was taken uatll the boundary should be adjusted y the two governments. The subject has been receiving the careful at tentlon which its importance demands with the result that modus ViVendf for provisional damarkation in the region about the head of Lynn canal, has been agreed upon, and it is hoped that the nc- geuations now i'll progress between the two governments will end in an agree meut for the establishment and delinita- ton of permanent boundary
 Our Relations With Germany.
 Our relations with Germany continue to be most cordial The increasing intimacy of direct association has been marked during the year by the granting pernls- sion in April for the landing on our shores of cable from Borkum Emden, on the North sea, by way of the Azores, and also by. the conclusion, on September : of a parcels post convention with the German empire. In all that promises closer relations of intercourse and com merce and better understanding pe- tween two races having SO many traits Ill common, the president says, e many can be assured of the cordial CO., operation of this government and people. We may be rivals in many material paths, but our rivalry should be geUer- ous and open. ever aiming toward the mutually beneficial advancement of each In the line of it's especial adaptabilities It IS to be hoped that in time the two governments will act in common accord toward the realization of their comrlon purpose to safeguard the public health and to insure the purity and wholesome ness of all food products imported by either country from the other. Were the congress to authorize an invitation to Germany, in connection with the pending reciprocity negotiations for the ConstitlI- uon of a joint commission of scientific eX- perts and practical men of affairs to con duct searching investigation of food production and eNportation in both coun- tries and report to their respective legls latures for the adoption of such remedial measures as they might recommend for either, the way might be opened for the desirable result indicated
 Subsequent to the exchange of our peace treaty with Spain, Germany acquired the Caroline islands by purchase. Assurances have been received from the German gov ernment that the rights of American mis- sionaries and traders there would be con sideratelY observed.
 Our Neutrality in the Boer Wnr.
 This government has maintained an at titude of neutrality in the unfortunate contest between Great Britain and the Boer states of Africa. We have remained faithful to the precept of avoiding en- ttLglinS alliances as to affairs not of our direct concern. Had circumstances SEE gesteG that the parties to the quarrel would have welcomed any kindly express sion of hope of the American people that war might be aVerted, good offices would have been gladly rendered. The Uuited States representative at Pretoria WlS early instructed to see that all neutral American interests be respected by the combatants. This has been an easy task in view of the positive declaration that the property rights of our citizens should be observed, Upon the withdrawal of the British agent al Pretoria, the United States consul was authorized upon the request of the British government and with the assent of the South African and Orange Free State governments, to eXer- else the customary good offices of peu-