St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-12-05

Panama canal.
The Algeciras Convention.
The Algeciras convention, which was
signed by the United States as well as
by most of the powers of Europe, su-
persedes the previous convention of
1880, which was also signed both by
the United States and majority of
the European powers. This treaty
confers upon us equal commercial
rights with all European countries and
does not entail single obligation of
any kind upon us, and earnestly hope
1t may be speedily ratified.
Sealing.
The destruction of the Pribilof is
land fur seals by pelagic sealing still
continues The herd, which, according
to the surve Y made in 1874 by diree-
tion of the congress. numbered 4,T00,-
900, and which, according to the sur
vey of both American and Canadian
commissioners in 1891, amounted to
100000. has now been reduced to
about 10000, This result has been
brought about by Canadian and some
other sealing vessels killing the female
seals while in the water during their
annual pilgrimage to and from the
south or in search of food.
The process Of destruction has been
accelerated during recent years by the
appearance of number of japanese
vessels engaged in pelagic sealing.
Suitable representations regarding
the incident have been made to the
government of Japan. and we are as
sured that all practicable measures will
be taken by that country to prevent
any recurrence Of the outrage.
We have not relaxed our efforts to
secure an agreement with Great Brit
ain for adequate protection Of the seal
herd, and negotiations with Japan for
the same purpose are in progress.
The laws for the protection of the
seals within the Jurisdiction Of the
United States need revision and
| amendment.
Second Hague Conference.
| In my last message advised you
that the emperor Of Russia had taken
the initiative in bringing about sec
ond peace conference at The Hague.
Under the guidance Of Russia the ar
rangement Of the preliminaries for
such conference has been progressing
| during the past year. Progress has
necessarily been slow, owing to the
great number of countries to be con-
suited upon every question that has
arisen. 1t is matter of satisfaction
that all Of the American republics have
now, for the first time, been invited to
join in the proposed conference.
Army and Navy.
1t must ever be kept in mind that
war is not merely justifiable, but i'm
perative upon honorable men, upon an
honorable nation, where peace can
only be obtained by the sacrifice of
conscientious conviction or of national
I welfare.
The United States navy is the surest
! guarantor Of peace which this country
possesses. do not ask that we con
tinue to increase our navy. ask
merely that it be maintained at Its
present strength, and this can be done
only If we replace the obsolete and out
worn ships by new and good ones. the
equals Of any atloat in any navy. Tt
stop building ships for one year means
that for that year the navy goes bach
instead Of forward.
In both the army and the navy there
Is urgent need that everything possible
should be done to maintain the highes
standard for the personnel alike as re
CARDS the officers and the enlisted men
| do not believe that In any servic,
there is finer body of enlisted mel
and of junior officers than we have II
both the army and the navy, including
the marine corps.
West Point and Annapolis alread,
turn out excellent officers. We do no
need to have these schools made NOR
scholastic. On the contrary. we shout
never lose sight of the fact that tn
aim of each school is to turn out
man who shall be above everythin
else fighting man.
There should soon be an increase i
the number of men for our coast dc
lenses. These men should be of tn
right type and properly trained. an
there should therefore be an lncreas
Of pay for certain skilled grades, esp,
cially In the coast artillery. None
should be appropriated to permit troop
to be massed In body and exercised |
maneuvers. particularly In marching.