The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1900-12-14
Message of the President


That part OF President McKinley's
message to congress which deals with
the external concerns of the country will
probably be turned to first by most
readers. Naturally a large space is
given to the Chinese trouble, saws the St.
Louis GlObe-Democrat. The president,
rejecting the extreme claims of most of
the other nations for indemnity from
China, says that educ compensation
may be made in part by increased guar
antees Of security for foreign rights and
immunities, and most important OF all,
by the opening of China to the equal
commerce of the world" Military con
troll of the Philippines, he points out, is
imperative until the rebellion ia ended.
Meanwhile civil government is to be or
ganized by the commission 10 the larger
administrative divisions of the islands,
az far as this can be safely done, even
before the disturbances cease ali over the
archipelago, and in the selection of civil
officers the natives will be preferred
wherever practicable. When the Cubans
finish their constitution, the president
says, he will submit it to congress for
such action as may be deemed advisable
at the time.
The question of army reorganization,
OF course, is given prominent place in
the message. AS a permanent establish
ment $4,000 soldiers, he SAYS, will be
needed, and while the unsettled condi-
lions in Cuba and the Philippines last
authority should be given to him to in
crease the army to the 100 900 mark, as
at present. An increase in the ships and
the men in the navy is urged. The
necessity for the early construction of an
interOceanic canal is dwelt upon, and
the senate is urged to give attention to
the convention with England designed to
| remove any obstruction which NAV be
put in the way of the building of a canal
by the Clayton BuIwer treaty. Congress
ia asked to provide whatever legislation
| it may deem necessary to strengthen
the gold standard act of March IA,
| 1900, though no specific recommended
| ton is presented. encouragement for
American shipping is recommended; a
reduction Of the war taxes Of 1898 if
suggested, to the extent of $4,000, 900;
| legislation to curb the trusts ia asked
rural mail deliveries are favored, and
jurisdiction Tor the federal courts in
cases OF outrages on foreigners in this
country is again insisted upon.
1t is a long message, but the country
is growing larger and it's concerns, at
home and abroad, naturally keep pace
with this expansion, The presidents
recommendations will in most cases
find favor from congress, it is safe tic
| predict. The message is broad, sane
and thoroughly American. The courage
and humanity shown by the administra.
ton in dealing with the Chinese issue
will be applauded by the country. Nc
reasonable person will find fault with
the policy which is outlined for the gov.
eminent of the Philippines. The coun
try, thanks to the administration, is
| keeping its promise to Cuba, in letter
and spirit. Porto Rico is prospecting
under the treatment accorded by the
| United States, and further advances are
certain when the new regime in the is
land gets fully in operation Measures
are recommended to strengthen the ties
between the United States and the prin-
cpal nations of Europe that will appeal
to Americans of all shades of political
opinion. The injunction OF the cOnstitu-
ton that the president ''shall, from time
to time, give to the congress informa.
| ton OF the state of the union and recon-
mend to their consideration such meas
ures as he shall Judge necessary and ex.
| pedient' is observed by Mr. Mckinley
with mprehensiYenPss 8pd intelligence