The Portland daily press., 1900-12-04

pending dispute relative 10 the admission
Of our LIE insurance companies 70 Prus-
sia has been reached. The conditions
surrounding exporting Of meats 70 Ger
many are still unfavorable, and II IL yet
uncertain II this business can revive
under the new burdens which the Ger
man inspection law has imposed.
The President calls attention TO the
Alaska boundary dispute, and urges the
need of permanent settlement, pointing
out that the present temporary arrange
ment IL in many ways unsatisfactory.
He urges again upon Congress the ad-
Visibility Of comforting upon the federal
courts Jurisdiction in class OF inter-
national cases where the ultimate respon-
sibility of the federal government may be
involved, like those growing out OF tins
/ lynching OF Italians at Talluiah.
Satisfactory progress has been made
toward the conclusion of new treaty Of
commerce, and friendship with Spain
Turning to domestic affairs, the Presi-
dent points out that there has been con
siderable decline In the expenditures
OF the government, and that a reduction
OF taxation is now possible. A reduction
OF $50, 600. COD is advised, the reduction to
bs made by the removal of those taxes
most burdensome TO the people. He
specifically urges the removal Of taxes on
lsgacies to charitable and educational ir-
situations. Legislation to control the
trusts is recon me nded-or rather such
trusts as are injurious to the people.
Inc Philippine situation Is reviewed at
great length, the President giving the
text of his instructions TO the recently
appointed commission. He speaks OF the
Filipinos as the wards OF the nation, and
says our obligation as guardian must not
be othsrwiss than faithfully fulfilled,
aiming first of all to benefit those who
have come under our fostering care.
The President snys that the reports FROM
the commission are favorable, and sho.
an encouraging advance toward ensuring
the benefits of liberty ana good govern
ment to the Filipinos, In the interest OF
| humanity, and with the aim OF building
up an enduring, self-suppoTtlng and self
administering community in those far
eastern seas. Affairs in Porto Rico are
Il
reported as rogressing satisfactorily, and
briel references Is made to the constitu-
tional convention now In session In
Cuba. He thinks that during present oon-
ditions in Cuba aud the Philippines the
President should have authority to In
crease the force to leo, 900 men, and au-
thoIity should be given to raise and equip
native troops in the Philippines to the
number OF 1900 men. The President
speaks a good word for the rural delivery
service, though Its full Development will
require So large an outlay that 1t should
not be undertaken except after careful
study and thorough understanding OF all
that it involves, Though not endorsing
the ship subsidy in terms, the President
virtually recommends legislation OF
that kind. The recommendations OF the
Secretary OF the Navy are reviewed and
approved. Many other topics are treated
and many minor recommendations made;
but the more important features are
summarized above. The policy OF ex-
panslon Is having its effect upon official
messages, and to read and digest this one
Is the work OF days rather than Of
| hours.