The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-05


ized to invite competitive bids for the
establishment OF cable.
OUR PLEDGE TO CUBA.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily de'oted to the results of the
| Spanish war and the conditions IL i'm
| posed for the future. The treaty of
] peace has restored friendly relations be-
tween the two powers. The withdrawal
| of the authority Of Spain from the island
f! of Cuba was effected by the 1st of Janu-
| AIRY. so that the fun re-establishment of
| peace found the relnquished territory
| held by us In trust for the inhabitants.
| under the direction OF the executive TO
build up that tranquil development OF
the domestic state as proclaimed in the
| joint resolution adopted by congress. by
| which the United States disclaimed any
| disposition or intention TO exercise
sovereignty. Jurisdiction or control over
Cuba
BY the treaty Of peace the Spanish peo-
| pie of the Island have until April Ii. 1900.
| TO eieci whether ,hoy wnl remain ,it!.
ZcnE Of SPAN or become citizens OF Cuba.
J by that time the result of the census viii
be tabulated and we shall proceed to
| provide for elections which will commit
the municipal government OF the island
TO the officers elected by the people In
the meantime and so long as we exercise
/ control over the island the products OF
Cuba should have market in the United
States on as good terms as are given to
the West India islands. For the relief
of the distressed in the island OF Cuba
the war department has issued supplies
| TO destitute persons which amounted TO
5,493.000 rstions at cost Of 81 Az 554e7
To promote the disarmament OF the
Cuban volunteer army and in the inter-
est of public peace there was disbursed
! S254I,150, paid from the emergency fund
| provided for that purpose out OF the
| Cuban Island revenues during the six
| months ending June 80. 1S9A$1. az, 1920
was expended for sanitation; s293.Ss170
FOR charities and hospitals. and SIS, S,944.03
for aid OF the estitute.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
In response to the invitation of his
majesty the Emperor of Russia a 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 a
permanent international tribunal The
hnal 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 yolun-
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 voun-
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 filed by new
troops. BY virtue OF the authority OF
congress the regular army has been in
creased to 6l,999 enlisted men and 2ei3
officers, and new volunteer regiments
nave been organized aggregating 80 $50
men and 1924 officers. The force in Ma
Mia now consists OF 1899 officers and
4o'9oo men When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
- -N"i ohitcIS and b3,4S3 men.
Inc muster out Of the great volunteer
army and the creation OF n new army
mas been the work of great magnitude.
Wen ana ably done. for which too much
creult can not be given the war depart.
meht' During the year past the force
In cuba and Porto Rico has been re-
duced to total OF 42l officers and l3.O5i
men.
THE NAVY.
The message refers to the "spirit and
high efficiency" which has characterized
the service and the pride OF the nation
In It's achievements. The president says
the people viii Justify liberal appror,ia-
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, Onto ana Missouri. and that the
act limiting the price OF armor TO $3.50
per ton be removed.
PENSION DEPARTMENT.
The pensioners OF the United States In
all wars. June 30, 1899. numbered e9l .5ls. |
The number added during the year was
4O.9sl the number dropped from all |
causes was 45.lS6. Claims disallowed |
nnrpharad fO- GtQ The ap,nttpt i