davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
American Vessels Carry 8 Per Cent. OF
Our Exports and Imports.

American Vessels Carry Fer Cent. OF
Our Exports and Imports.
American vessels during the past
three years have carried about 9 per
cent. of our exports and imports. For
eign ships should carry the least, not
the greatest, part of American trade.
The remarkable growth of our steel in
dustries, the progress of shipbuilding
for the domestic trade, and our stead
lily maintained expenditures for the
navy have created an opportunity to
place the United States in the first
rank Of commercial maritime powers.
Besides realizing proper rational
aspiration this will mean the esta blish-
ment and healthy growth along all our
coasts of a distinctive national indus
try, expanding the field for profitable
employment of labor ans capital. It
will increase the transportation facili-
ties and reduce freight charges on the
vast volume of products brought from
the interior to the seaboard for export,
and will strengthen an arm Of the ma
tional defense upon which the founders
of the government and their successors
have relied. In again urging immedi-
ate action by the congress on measures
to promote American shipping and for
eign trade. I direct attention to the
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
FINANCIAL ACT OF 1900.
It's Effect as to Modification of National
banking Act Is APPARENT


The beneficial effect Of the financial
act of 1900, so far as it relates to the
modification of the national banking
act, is already apparent. The provision
for the incorporation of national banks
with capital Of not less than $25 600 in
places not exceeding 5000 inhabitants
has resulted in the extension of bank.
ing facilities to many small commun-
tiles hitherto unable to provide them
selves with banking institutions under
the national system. There were or
eanized from the enactment Of the law
up to and including Nov. 80, 1863 nation
al banks, of which 266 were with cap
ital less than $4,000, and 103 with CAPT.
tai of $4,000 or more.
It is worthy of mention that the
greater number of banks being organ
lied under the new law are in sections
where the need Of banking facilities has
been most pronounced Iowa stands
first, with thirty banks of the smaller
class, while Texas Oklahoma, Indian
Territory, and the middle and western
sections of the country have also
awaited themselves largely of the priv
ileges under the new law.
A large increase in national bank
note circulation has resulted from the
provision Of the act which permits ma
tional banks to issue circulating notes
to the par value Of the United States
bonds deposited as security instead Of
only go per cent. thereof, as heretofore.
The increase in circulating notes from
March IA to Nov. 80 is ST., 889 $40
The party in power is committed to
such legislation as will better make the
currency responsive to the varying
needs of business at all seasons and in
all sections
Our foreign trade shows a renarka-
ole record Of commercial and industrial
progress. The total Of imports and ex
ports for the first time in the his
tory of the country exceeded So 600, 000-
O00 The exports are greater than they
have ever been before, the total for
the fiscal year 1900 being 81 49,, 49,, 082,
an increase over 1899 of $167. 459 $780, an
increase over 1898 Of $163 000,752. over
1897 of s343 489, 526, and greater than 1895
by $511, SIG, IA.
I recommend that congress at it's
present session reduce the internal rev.
enue taxes imposd to meet the expenses
of the war with Spain in the sum of
$50, 100000 This reduction should be
secured by the remission Of these taxes
which experience has shown to be the
most burdensome to the industries Of
the people.
I specially urge that there be in
Guided in whatever reduction is made
the legacy tax, requests for public uses
of literary educational or charitable
q otnr
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
REVIEW OF TROUBLE IN CHINA.
What the Administration Has Been
Doing to Straighten Matters
Out Again
GRATIFYING SURPLUS REVENUES.
Congress Recommended to Reduce
Internal Revenue Taxes -Af-
fairs in the Philippines
The Army.
TO the Senate and House of Represen-

TO the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives:
At the outgoing of the old and the
incoming .Gf@thg2neW century you beg n
the last session Of the Fifty-siXth con-
gTeSS with evidences on every hand OF
Individual and national prosperity and
with proof of the growing strength and
increasing power for good Of republic
an institutions Your cOuntrymen Will
Join With you in felicitatiOn that Amer
lean liberty is more firmly established
than ever before, and that love for 1t
and the determination to preserve it
are more universal than at any former
period of our history.
The republic was never so strong, be-
cause never so strongly intrenched in
the hearts Of the people as now. The
constitution, with few amendments, eX-
fists as it left the hands of it's authors.
The additions which have been made to
IT proclaim larger freedom and more
extended citizenship. Popular govern
ment has demonstrated in its 124 years
Of trial here its stability and security,
and its efficiency as the best instrument
OF national development and the best
safeguard to human rights.
When the sixth congress assembled
in November, 1900, the population of
the United States was 5,308, 483. It is
states. Now we have forty-fve. Then
our territory consisted Of 900 CSC square
miles. It is now 3846, 595 square miles.
Education, religion and morality have
kept pace with our advancement in 9TH
er directions, and while extending its
power the government has adhered to
its foundation principles and abated
none of them in dealing with our new
peoples and possessions. A nation so
preserved and blessed gives reverent
thanks to God and invokeds His guild
ance and the continuation Of His care
and favor.
In our foreign intercourse the don7t-
nant question has been the treatment
OF the Chinese problem. Apart from
this our relations with the foreign pow
ers have been happy.
The recent troubles in China spring
from the anti-foreign agitation, which
for the past three years has gained
strength in the northern provinces.
Their origin lies deep in the character
Of the Chinese races and in the tradi-
lions of their government. The Taip-
ing rebellion and the opening of Chi
nese ports to foreign trade and settle
ment disturbed alike the homogeneity
and the seclusiOn of China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made it
self felt in all quarters, not alone on
the coast, but along the great river ar
teries and in the remoter districts car
rying new ideas and introducing new
associations among a primitive people
which had pursued for centuries ma
ffOnal policy of isolation.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY.
1t Was Taken Advantage of by Many of
the Insurgents.


Coincidentally with the entrance of
the commission upon it's labors I caused
to be issued by General Macarthur.
the military governor of the Philip
pines on June q, 1900, proclamation
of amnesty in generous terms, Of which
many Of the insurgents took advantage,
among them number of important
leaders.
This commission composed of emf
net citizens representing the diverse
geographical and political interests of
the country, and bringing to their task
the ripe fruits Of long and intelligent
service in educational, administrat tive
and judicial careers, made great prog
ress from the outset. AS early as Aug.
81 1900, it submitted a preliminary re-
port, which will be laid before the con-
gress, and from which it appears that
already the good effects of returning
order are felt; that business, interrupt
ed by hostilities, is improving as peace
extends; that a larger area is under
sugar cultivation than ever before;
that the customs revenues are greater
than at any time during the Spanish
rule; that economy and efficiency in the
military administration have created a
surplus fund Of Sc, O00,000 available for
needed public improvements; that a
stringent civil service law is in prepar-
alton; that railroad communica lions
are expanding, opening up rich dis
tr1cIS, dl4U CLdI d comprehensive
scheme of education is being organized.
Later reports from the commission
show yet more encouraging advance to-
ward insuring the benefits Of liberty
and good government to the Filipinos,
in the interest of humanity and with
the aim of building up an enduring,
self-supporting, and self administering
community in those far eastern seas
I would impress upon the congress that
whatever legislation may he enacted in
respect to the Philippine islands should
be along these generous lines. The fort
une of war has thrown upon this ma
ton an unsought trust which should be
unselfishly discharged, and de1olved
upon this government a moral as we'll
as material responsibility toward these
millions whom we have freed from an
oppressive yoke.
I have upon another occasion called
the Filipinos ''the wards of the nation"
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
PROPOSALS TO THE POWERS.
Seriousness of the Situation in China A p.
pTeciated.

pTeciated.
The increasing gravity of the condi-
lions in China and the imminence of
peril to our own diversified interests
in the empire as we'll as to those of all
the other treaty governments, were
soon appreciated by this governme nj,
causing it profound solicitude. The
United States from the earliest days of
foreign intercourse with China had fol-
lowed policy of peace, emitting no oc
casions to testify good will, to further
the extension of lawful trade, to respect
the sovereignty of it's government, and
to insure by all legitimate and kindly
but earnest means the fullest measure
of protection for the lives and property
of our w-abiding citizens and for the
exercise of their benefcent callings
among the Chinese people.
Mindful of this, it was felt to be APP
propriate that our purposes should be
pronounced in favor Of such course as
would hasten united action of the pow
ers at Pekin to promote the administra-
tive reforms so greatly needed for
strengthening the imperial government
and maintaining the integrity of China,
in which we believe the whole western
world. to be alike concerned. To these
ends caused to be addressed to the sew
eraI powers occupying territory and
maintaining spheres Of influence IN
China the circular proposals of 1899,
inviting from them declarations of their
intentions and views as to the desira-
bility of the adoption Of measures in
surfing the benefits of equality Of treat
ment Of all foreign trade throughout
China
With gratifying unanimity the re-
spOnseS conceded in this common pol
ICY enabling me to see in the successful
termination of these negotiations proof
of the friendly spirit which animates
the various powers interested in the
untrammeled development of commerce
and industry in the Chinese empire as
a source Of vast benefit TO the Whole
commercial world.
In this conclusion, which 1 had the
qualification to announce as a cCmplet-
ed engagement to the interested powers
on March 20, 1900, hopefully discerned
g potential factor for the abatement of
the distrust of foreign purposes which
for a year past had appeared to in
spire the policy Of the imperial gov
eminent in the northern provinces
most Immediately Influenced by the
Manchu sentiment
Seeking to testify confidence in the
Willingness and stability of the inpe-
rial administration to redress the wrongs
and prevent the evils we suffered and
feared, the marine guard, which had
been sent to Pekin in the summer Of
1899 for the protection of the les alton,
was withdrawn at the earliest pra tica-
BILE moment and all pending questions
were RENTED, as far as we were con-
cerned, to the ordinary resorts Of dip
IOmatic intercourse
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10

lightly assumed; it must not be other
wise than honestly fulfilled, aiming
first of all to benefit those who have
come under our fostering care. 1t is
our duty so to treat them that our flag
may be no less beloved in the noun
tains of Luzon and the fertile zones of
Mindanao and Negroes than it is at
home, that there as here it shall be the
revered symbol Of liberty, enlighten-
men, and progress in every avenue Of
development.
The Filipinos are a race quick to
learn and to profit by knowledge. He
would be rash who, with the teachings
would fix a limit to the degree of Gull
ture and advancement yet within the
reach of those people if our duty to-
ward them be faithfully performed.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
OvertnreS for Convention to Effect Its
Building by the United States.

The all-important matter Of an inter-
oceanic canal has assumed a new phase.
Adhering to it's refusal to reopen the
question Of the forfeiture of the con-
tract of the Maritime Canal company,
which was terminated for alleged nom
execution in October, 1899, the govern
ment of Nicaragua has since supple
mented that action by declaring the So
styled Eyre-Cramin option void for
non-payment of the stipulated advance
Protests in relations to these acts have
been filed in the state department and
are under consideration. Deeming it,
self relieved from existing engage
ments the Nicaraguan government
shows a disposition to deal freely with
the canal question either in the way of
negotiations with the United States or
by taking measures to promote the wa
terway.
Overtures for a convention to effect
the building Of a canal un6er the aus
pieces of the United States are under
consideration. In the meantime the
views Of the congress upon the general
subject, in the light of the report of
the commission appointed to examine
the comparative merits Of the various
trans-isthmian ship canal projects may
be awaited.
I commend to the early attention Of
the senate the convention with Great
Britain to facilitate the construction Of
Sucn canaI ana 10 remove any ODJec-
ton which might arise out of the con-
vention commonly called the Clayton
BulWer treaty.
The long standing contention with
Portugal growing out of the seizure of
the Delagoa Bay railway, has been at
last determined by a favorable award
of the tribunal of arbitration at Berne
to which it was submitted. The amount
Of the award which was deposited in
London awaiting arrangements by the
governments of the United States and
Great Britain for its disposal, has re-
Gently been paid over to the two gov
.n,n4c.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
SPAIN AND UNITED STATES.
Progress Toward Treaty of General Friend
ship and Intercourse.

ship and Intercourse.
Satisfactory progress has been made
toward the conclusion Of a general
treaty of friendship and intercourse
with Spain, in replacement of the old
treaty, which passed into allegiance by
reason of the late war. A new conven-
ton of extradition is approaching COM
pletion and I should be much pleased
were a commercial arrangement to fol-
low. | feel that we should not suffer to
pass any opportunity to reaffirm the
cordial ties that existed between us and
Spain from the time Of our earliest in
dependence, and to enhance the mutual
benefits of that commercial intercourse
which is natural between the two COun-
tries.
By the terms of the treaty Of peace
the line bounding the ceded Philippine
group in the southwest failed to in
clude several small islands lying west
of the Sulus, which have always been
recognized as under Spanish control
The occupation Of Sibutu and Cagayan
Sulu by our naval forces ELECTED a
claim on the part of Spain, the essen
tial equity of which could not be gain
said. In order to cure the defect Of the
treaty by removing all possible ground
of future misunderstanding respecting
the Interpretation of its third article,
| directed the negotiation Of a supple
mentary treaty, which will be forth
with laid before the senate, whereby
Spain quits all title and claim Of title
to the islands named as we'll as to any
and all islands belonging to the Philip
pine archipelago lying outside the lines
described in said third article, and
agrees that all such islands shall be
comprehended in the cession Of the
archipelago as fully as if they had been
expressly included within these lines.
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Our Forces Successfully Control the Great
err Part of the Islands.

6r EaFC u GAIo ASAStIuSs
In my last annual message I dwelt at
some length upon the condition of af-
fairs in the Philippines. While seek
ing to impress upon you that the grave
responsibility of the future govern
ment of those islands rests with the
congress of the United States, I alb
stained from recommending at that
time a specific and final form of gov
eminent for the territory actually held
by the United States forces and in
which as long as insurrection contin-
ues the military arm must necessarily
be supreme. | stated my purpose, I'M
til the congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its will, to use
the authority vested in me by the con-
stitution and the statutes to uphold the
sovereignty Of the United States in
those distant islands as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats,
placing. to that end, at the disposal of
the army and navy all the means
which the liberality Of the congress
and the people have provided. No con-
trary expression Of the will of the con-
gress having been made, I have stead
tasty pursued the purpose so declared,
employing the civil arm as we'll toward
the accomplishment of pacification and
the institution of local governments
within the lines Of authority and law
Progress in the hoped-for direction
has been favorable. Our forces have
successfully controlled the greater part
of the islands, overcoming the organ
lied forces of the insurgents and car
rying order and administrative regular
ity to all quarters. What opposition
remains is for the most part scattered.
chewing no concerted plan Of strategic
action, operating only by the methods
common to the traditions of guerrilla
warfare, which, while ineffective to al
ter the general control now established,
are still sufficient to beget insecurity
among the populations that have felt
the good results of our control and
thus delay the conferment upon them
of the fuller measures of local Self-gov-
eminent, of education, and of industrial
and agricultural development which we
stand ready to give them.
BY the spring of this year the effec-
tive opposition of the dissatisfied Ia
States was virtually ended. thus open
ing the door for the extension Of STA
the administration over much of the
territory of the archipelago Desiring
to bring this about, / appointed in
March last a civil commission COM
posed of the Hon. William H. Taft Of
Ohio; Professor Dean G. Worcester of
Michigan; the Hon. Luke E. Wright of
Tennessee: the Hon. Henry G. I6e of
Vermont and Professor Bernard Moses
Of California. The aims Of their mis-
sion and the scope of their authority
are clearly set forth in my instructions
Of April 7, 1900, addressed to the Sec
rotary Of war to be transmitted to
them.
1.-THE president then quotes what he
said in regard to the Philippines and
the duties of the commission in his mes
sage to congress Of December, 1891
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
CoMhERcIAL RELATIONS.
countries with; which Special Agreements
Have Been Proclaimed.

Have Been Proclaimed
Gince my last communication to the
.:.ngress on this subject special COM
rercial agreements under the third
section Of the tariff act have been pro-
claimed with Portugal with Italy and
Germany. Commercial conventions
under the general limitations Of the
fourth section Of the same act have
been concluded with Nicaragua, with
Ecuador, with the Dominican republic,
with Great Britain on behalf of the
Island Of Trinidad, and with Denmark
on behalf Of the Island of st. Croix.
These will be early communicated to
the senate. Negotiations with other
governments are in progress for the
improvement and security Of our COM
marcial relations.
The policy of reciprocity SO manifest
ly rests upon the principles of interna-
tionaI equity and has been so repeated
ly approved by the people of the Unit
ed States, that there ought to be. no
hesitation in either branch of the con-
gresa in giving to it full effect.
This government desires to preserve
the most Just and amicaole commercial
relations with all foreign countries, I'M
moved by the Industrial rivalries neces-
sariIy developed in the expansion of
international trade Tt is believed that
the foreign governments generally en-
tertain the same purpose, although in
some instances there. are clamorous de-
mands upon them for legislation specifi-
cally hostile to American interests.
Should these demands prevail I shall
communicate with the congress with
the view Of advising such legislation as
may be necessary to meet the emer-
gency
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10
PRINCE TUAN THEjLEADER.
Anti Foreign Influences Held Sway Under
His Power.

The Chinese government proved how
ever, unable to check the rising
strength of the Boxers and appeared
to be a prey to internal dissensi5 .
In the unequal contest the anti-foreign
influences soon gained The ascenGancy
under the leadership Of Prince Tuan.
Organized armies of Boxers. with
which the imperial forces afil' ated.
held the country between Pekin and
the coast, enetrated into MAJ churia
up to the lssian border, and through
their emss. cies threatened a like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks pom foreigners, destruction
of their property, and slaughter of ma
tive converts were reported from all
Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10

recommendations on the subject in
previous messages, and particularly to
the opinion expressed in the message of
1929.
am satisfied the judgment of the
country favors the policy of aid to our
merchant marine, which will broaden
our commerce and markets and up
build our sea-carrying capacity for the
products Of agriculture and marufact-
ure, which, with the increase Of our
navy, mean more work and wages to
our countrymen, as we'll as q safeguard
to American interests in every Part OF
the world.
The attention of congress is invited
to the recommendation CT the secretary
of the treasury in his annual report
for legislation in behalf of the revenue
service. and favorable action is urged