Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-07

Joih' fcSoiutlOn adopted by congress- by
which the United States disclained any
disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control owe,
Cuba.
BY the treaty of peace the Spanish moo.
pie OF the island have until April IT, 1900
to elect whether they will remain citi.
Zens of Spain or become citizens of China
BY that time the result of the census "a nj
be @abulated and we shall proceed IN
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 10
the West india islands. For the rellet
OF the distressed in the island OF Cuba
the war department has issued supplies
to destitute persons which amounted to
6,493,0OO rations at a cost Of 81 Az 1854. OF
To promote the disarmament OF the
/ Cuban volunteer army and in the inter
| est OF public peace there was dsbursod
S2,5i7 $50, paid from the emergency fund
provided for that purpose. out of the
Cuban island revenues during the six
months ending June 80, 1899 q, 712 OH &c
was expended for sanitation; 1898 SS1 "a
for charities and hospitals, and sSs, 944. o.
for aid OF the destitute.
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 tho
serious consideration of plan for the
pacific adjustment Of international diff.
ferences and 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 voIun-
tary and adviory.
THE ARMY.
Since my last message ana in obedi-
encc to acts Of congress the remaining
volunteer force enlisted for the Spanish
war has been discharged. OF the volun-
teers 667 officers and 1851 men servinc
In the Philippines and 1850 of the regu-
lars, who We're entitled to be mustered
out voluntarily remained at the front
until their places could he filled by new
troops. BY virtue of the authority of
congress the regular army has been in
creased to 61.959 enlisted men and rai3
officers, and new volunteer regiments
have been organized aggregating B.. 90
men and 1924 officers. The force I'm Ma
Mia now consists of 1899 Officers ard
1906 men. When the troops now under
orders shall reach Manila the force will
comprise 205l officers and 63,4S3 men.
The muster out Of the great volunteer
army and the creation of a new arm V
has been the work of great magnitude
well and ably done for which too much
credit can not be given the war depart
m"nt. During the year past the force
In Cuba and Porto Rico has been re-
duced to a total Of 421 officers and 1861
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 saws
the people Will justify liberal appropria-
lions, and he unites with the secretary
In recommending that congress enact
such special 'Aislation 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 $40
per ton be removed.
PENSION DEPARTMENT.
The pensioners of the United States in
all wars, June 80, 1899 numbered g9l .5lg.
The number added during the year was
causes was 1856 Claims disallowed
numbered l01, S19 The amount disburs d
for army and navy pensions during the
year was $l3S, $50, 052 50. which was 81 Col. =
46l.6l less than the appropriations. The
president, in accordance with the wish
OF the national encampmeut, G.. A. r.,
recommends the mobilization of the act
of June q, 1890. which prescribes the
amount of income that determines pen
sionable status of dependent widow.
The president recommends that the
amount of income allowed independent
OF the proceeds of her daily la Dor 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 IA reference to the treaty of peace
between Spain and the United Statt :
under THE provision of which the Philip
pine archipelago was ceded to the United
States for S2U,00U00O, ana says: IhaNe
every reason to believe, and stiE he
lieve, that this transfer of soVeroignty
was In accordance with the wishes and
aspirations of the great mass Of the
Filipino people. From the earlicst mo-
ment no opportunity was lost of assur-
ing the people of the islands of sur ar
dent desire for their welfare ana 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 ii was the
object Of the United States to protect
the people and to establish benehcent
government, even before the treaty Of
peace was signed. After the treaty had
been ratified, the message says, orders
We're sent to the commander to proclaim
the kindly intention of the government
and saying it 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-
IN ~