Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1899-12-14
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.
strength of the Army, Alaskan boundary,
Relations with Germany, Etc.

The regular army has been increased
81, g99 enlisted men and 2,2iS officers, ana
new volunteer regiments have been organ
lied, aggregating 80, $50 enlisted men and
l,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
Mia to the number of 6Sl officers and 90
322 enlisted men of the regular army, and
594 officers and 153SS enlisted men of the
new volunteer force, while 50i officers and
.ll9 men of the volunteer force are on
the ocean en- route to Manila.
The force now in Manila consists of 9C5
officers and 3057S regulars and 59i officers
and l5,3SS of the volunteers, making an
aggregate number of l,499 officers and as
900 men. When the troops now under or
ders have reached Manila the force in
the archipelago will comprise 2,O5l officers
and GO, 4S3 men.
During the past year we have reduced
our forces in Cuba and Porto Rico. In
Cuba we now have 33i officers and 10 1856
enlisted men; in Porto Rico, 81 officers and
2,S55 enlisted men and a battalion of 400
men composed of native Porto Ricans;
while stationed throughout the United
States are 80 officers and 1871 men, AMI
in Hawaii II officers and 453 enlisted men.
About the Alaskan boundary.
by means of an executive agreement,
a joint high commission had been created
for the purpose of adflsting all unset
tied questions between the United States
and Canada embracing II subjects, among
which were the question OF fur seals, the
fisheries of the coast and contiguous in
land waters, the Alaskan boundary, The
transit of merchandise in bond, the alien
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity in
trade, revision of the agreement respect
ing naval vessels in the great lakes, a
more complete marking of parts of the
boundary, provision for the conveyance
of criminals, and for wrecking and salv-
age. Much progress had been made by
the commission toward the adjustment
of many of these questions, when IL be-
came apparent that an irreconcilable diff
ference OF views was entertained respect
ing the delimitation OF the Alaskan boun-
Diary. In the failure of an agreement as
to the meaning of articles and 4 OF the
treaty Of 1875, between Russia and Great
Britain, which defined 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 be
proceeded with, some of which were so
far advanced as to assure the probability
of a settlement This being declined by
the British commissioners, an adjourn
inert was taken until the boundary should
be adjusted by the two governments. The
subject has been receiving the careful at
tention which its Importance demands,
with the result that modus vivendi for
provisional damarkatlon In the region
about the head of Lynn canal, has been
agreed upon; and 1t is hoped that the ne
gotlations now in progress between the
two governments will end in an agree
ment for the establishment and deimita-
ton of a permanent boundary
Our relations with Germany continue to
be most cordial The increasing intimacy
Of direct association has been marked
during the year by the granting permits
sion in April for the landing on our shores
OF cable from Borkum, Emden, on the
North sea, by way or the Azores, and
also by the conclusion, on September 2
of a parcels post convention with the
German empire. In all that promises
closer relations of intercourse and COM
merce and a better understanding be-
In common" the president says, Ger
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 gener-
Gus ana open, ever aiming toward the
mutually beneficial advancement of each
in the line of its especial adaptabilities.
1t il to be hoped that in time the two
governments will act In common accord
toward the realization OF their comIoon
purpose to safeguard the public health
and to insure the purity and wholesome
ness or all food products imported by
either country from the other. Were the
Germany, in connection with the pending
reciprocity negotiations, for the constitu.
ton or a joint commission OF scientific ex-
perts and practical men OF affairs to con-
duct a searching investigation OF food
production and expectation 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
eminent that the rights OF American mis-.
sionaries and traders there would be con-
siderately observed
our Neutrality In the Boer War.
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-
taLgling alliances as TO affairs not of our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
gested that the parties TO the quarr,
would have welcomed any kindly expires.
sion OF hope OF the American people that
war might be averted, good offices would
have been gladly rendered The United
states representative at Pretoria was
early instructed 10 see that all neutral
American interests DO 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 at Pretoria, the United
states consul was authorized upon tile
request OF the British government nnc
with the assent Of the South African nnd
Orange Free state yovornments, to exer-
OIL. "a