The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-10


Louis. subject to our congress extend
in. am invitation Like The Hague
tribunal tLi~ ntcrparllamcntary union
is one uf the forces tending toward
peace among the nations Of the earth.
and % E, entitled 10 our support
trust the invitation can be- extended.
Early in July. having received intel
ligcncc. which happily turned ont To he
erroneous OF the assassination OF our
vice consul at Beirut. | dispatched
small squadron to that port for shch
service as might hc found necessary on
arrival Although the attempt on the
life OF our vice consul had not been
successful. yet the outrage was synp-
tomaiic of state of excitement ana
disorder which demanded immediate
attention. The arrival of the vessels
had the happicst result \ feeling OF
security az once took the place OF the
former alarm and disQuIct. our OIL
ccr~ were cordially welcomed 10y the
consular body aud the leNng mer-
chants and ordinary business resumed
ns activity. The government Of the
sultan gave "a considerable hearing TO
the representations Of our ministers the
official who was regarded as RESPONSE
bile for the disturbed condition of ar
fairs was removed our relations with
tine Turkish government remain friend
t.. our claims founded on inequitable
treatment of some Of our schools and
missions appear TO Doe I'm process OF
amicablc adjustment
Relations with ChInn.
The signing of q new commercial
treaty with China. which took place at
Shanghai ON the Sth 81 October. is
cause for satisfaction This act the
result of long discussion and ncgotia-
ton. places our commercial relations
with the great oriental empire on a
moro satisfactory footing than they
have ever heretofore enjoyed. II pro
vidcs not only for The ordinary rights
and privileges Of diplomatic ana con
sullr officers. but also FOR an important
extension OF our commerce 10y increas-
od facility Of access 10 Chinese ports
and for the relief Of trade by the re-
moval Of some Of the obstacles which
have embarrassed IL in the past
trust that the congress will con
tinuc to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase exposition. This
exposition commentaries the Louisi-
ana purchase. which was the first great
step in the expansion which made MS a
continental nation The expedition Of
Lewis and Clark across the continent
followed thereon and marked the be-
. ginning of the process Of exploration
and colonization which thrust our ma
tional boundaries TO the Pacific.
The acquisition Of the Oregon coun-
try. including tine pres ut states OF
Oregon aud Washington. was a fact Of
immense Importance In our history.
first giving Us our place on the Pacific
scaboard and making ready the way
FOR our ascendency IN The commerce
OF the greatest of the oceans. The cen
tcnnial OF our establishment upon the
western coast 10y the expedition OF
Lewis and Clark is TO be celebrated nj
Portland Ore. 10y an exposition in the
summer Of 1909. and this event should
receive recognition and support from
the national government.
Development OF Alaska.
/ call your special attention TO the
territory Of Alaska. ghc country Is
developing rapidly, and It has an as
surcd future. Tho mineral wealth is
great and has as yet hardly been tap
ped The fisheries. II wisely handled
and kept under national control. will
be business as permanent rs any 9th
or and Of the utmost importance TO the
people. Tie forests. If properly guard
ed. will form another great source Of
wealth. Portions Of ALASKA are fitted
for farming and stock raising although
the methods must bee adapted 10 the
peculiar conditions OF the country.
Proper land laws should be enacted
and the survey Of the public lands I'm
mcdiutcly begun Coal land laws
should De provided whereby the coal
land cntryman may make his location
and secure patent under methods kin
drcd to those now prescribed for home
stead and mineral cntrymcn. Salmon
hatcherlcs. exclusively under govern
ment control. should be established.
The cable should be extended from
Sitka westward. Wagon roads and
trails should Dee built and the building
OF railroads promoted in all legitimate
ways. Lighthouses should be built
along the coast. Attention should be
paid TO thee needs Of the Alaska In.
dams. Provision should be made FOR
an officer. with deputies. TO study their
needs. relieve their immediate wants
and help them adapt themselves to the
new conditions.
I recommend that an appropriation
I've made FOR building lighthouses in
Hawaii and taking possession of those
already built. The territory should be
reimbursed for whatever amounts 1t
has already expended for lighthouses.
The governor should be empowered to
suspend or remove any official appoint
Cd by him. without submitting the
matter 10 the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
or our iusular possessions, the Philip
pines and Porto Rico il Is gratifying
to say that their steady progress has
been such as to make it unnecessary
IN euand much fine i'm discussing them
Yet the congress should ever keep in
mind that a peculiar obligation rests
upon MS 10 further in every way the
welfare Of these communities. The
Philippines should he knit closer to Us
by tariff arrangements. 1t would, Of
course. be impossible suddenly TO raise
the people of the islands TO the high
pitch of industrial prosperity and Of
governmental efficiency to which they
will i'm the end by degrees attain. AMI
the caution and moderation shown in
developing them have been among the
main reasons why this development
has hitherto gone on so smoothly.
Scrupulous care has been taken in the
choice Of governmental agents and the
entire elimination Of partisan politics
from the public service. The condition
IEIYlYNZ NJ.
.aLEWIS'EI