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't. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO FIFTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS ?*# V..." •=• i'«>i»v«i'i ^®8i Chief Executive Recommends Passage of Important Legfsl&tion--Causes Leading to the Formation of die New Republic of Panama--No Obstruction Now (O the Building of the Isthmian Canal--Venezuelan Dispute a Triumph for International Arbitration-- -Extension of Purposes of Appropriation for Enforc­ ing Trust and Interstate Commerce Laws Favored ; - | - P u b l i c L a n d a n d P o s t a l F r a u d s -- N e e d f o r Treaties Making Bribery Extraditable--Relations fef the Government to Capital and Labor. President Charges the Colombian Government with Acting in Bod Faith in Repudiating the Treaty Between That Country and the United States--Precedents Brought Forward to Explain •he Attitude of the State Department in the Recent Crisis-- Country Has Been in an Almost Constant State of Turmoil lor Many Years--'The Importance of Preserving Peace in the Isthmus Declared of Paramount Importance. President Rosevelt's message to the second session of the Fifty-eighth Con­ gress is substantially as follows: To the Senate atn? Hopse of Repreten- • -tatives: The country is to be congratulated on the amount of substantial achievement which hafi marked the past year both as lugards our foreign and as regards bur domestic policy. With a nation as with a man the most Important things are those of the house­ hold, and therefore the country is espe­ cially to be congratulated on what has been accomplished in the direction of pro­ viding for the exorcise of supervision over the great corporations and combina­ tions of corporations engaged in inter- State commerce. The Congress has cre­ ated the Department of Commerce and Labor, including the Bureau of Corpora­ tions, with for the first time authority to secure proper publicity of such proceed­ ings of these great corporations as the public has the right to know. It has pro­ vided for the expediting of suits for the •enforcement of the Federal anti-trust law; and by another law it has secured «qual treatment to all producers in the transportation of their goods, thus taking a long stride forward in making effective (he work of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Department of Commerce and Labor. The establishment of the Department Of Commerce and Labor, with the Bureau of Corporations thereunder, marks a real advance in the direction of doing all that la.posslble for the solution of the questions vitally affecting capitalists and wage- workers.. Functions of New Department. The preliminary work of the Bureau . ft Corporations in the department has shown the wisdom of its creation. Pub­ licity in corporate affairs will tend to do away with ignorance, and will afford facts upon which intelligent action may be taken. Systematic, intelligent inves­ tigation is already developing facts the knowledge of which is essential to a right Understanding of the needs and duties of the business world. The corporation Which is honestly and fairly organized. Whose managers in the conduct of its business recognize their obligation to deal tjuarely with their stockholders, th^ir competitors, and the public, has nothing «b fear from such supervision. The pur­ pose of this bureau is not to embarrass or assail legitimate business, but to. aid In bringing about a better industrial con­ dition--a condition under which there shall be obedience to law and recognition of public obligation by all corporations, great or small. The Department of Com­ merce and Labor will be not only the clearing house for information regarding the business transactions of the nation but the executive arm of the government to aid in strengthening our domestic and foreign markets, in perfecting our trans­ portation facilities, in building up our merchant marine, in preventing the en­ trance of undesirable immigrants. In im­ proving commercial and industrial condi­ tions, and in bringing together on com­ mon ground those necessary partners in Industrial progress--capital and labor. Commerce between the nations, is stead­ ily growing in volume, and the tendency of the times is toward closer trade rela­ tions. Constant watchfulness is needed to secure to Americans the chance to par­ ticipate to the best advantage in foreign trade; and we may confidently expect that the new department will Justify the expectation of its creators by the exer­ cise of this watchfulness, as well as by the businesslike administration of such laws relating to our internal affairs as are intrusted to its care. In enacting the laws" above enumerated the Congress proceeded on sane and con­ servative lines. Nothing revolutionary 'was attempted; but a common-sense and successful effort was made in the direc­ tion of seeing that corporations are so handled as to subserve the public good. The legislation was moderate. It was characterized throughout by the Idea that we were not attacking corporations, but endeavoring to provide for doing away with any evil in them; that we drew the line against misconduct, not against Wealth; gladly recognizing the great good done by capitalists who alone, or In conjunction with his fellows, does his work along pruper and legitimate lines The purpose of the legislation, which pur­ pose will undoubtedly be fulfilled, was to favor such a man when he does well, and to supervise his action only to prevent him from doing ill. Publicity can do no harm to the honest corporation. Thj on'y corporation that has cause to dread It is the corporation which shrinks from the light, and, about the welfare of such corporations we need not be oversensitive. The work of the Department of Com­ merce and Labor has been conditioned Upon this theory, of securing fair treat- Blent alike for labor and for capital. { Capital and Labor. The consistent policy of the national vernment, so far as it has the power, to hold In check the unscrupulous man, 'Whether employer or employe; but to re­ fuse to weaken individual initiative or to hamper or cramp the industrial devel­ opment of the country. We recognize jjf that this is an era of freedom and comr binatlon. In which great capitalistic cor­ porations and labor unions have become factors of tremendous importance in ftll industrial centers. Hearty recognition Is given the far-reaching, beneficent work , Which has been accomplished through , both corporations and unions, and the tine as between different corporations, S* between different unions, is drawn as • It Is between different individuals; that Is. it is drawn on conduct, the effort be­ ing to treat both organized capital and Organized labor alike; asking nothing Save the Interest of each shall be brought Into harmony with the Interest of the general public, and that the conduct of '•> each shall conform to the fundamental Jles of obedience to law, of individual eedom. and of justice and fair dealing . Jtpwards all. Whenever ' either corpora­ tion, labor union, or individual disre- ; , jfarr's the law or acts In a spirit of arbi­ trary and tyrannous interference with > . flhe rlglrts of others, whether corpora- £;• ^ions or individuals, then where the federal Government has jurisdiction, it 'tyill see to it that the misconduct Is st°PP®d. paying not the slightest heed to i< ;:. *ihe position or power of the corporation, |£si£.i • Jhe union or the individual, but only to 5- one vital fact--that is, the question whetta- er or not the conduct of the individual &&Y, >Sr - aggregate of individuals is in ac- 'fcordance with the law of the land. Every %• man must be guaranteed his liberty snd i:"*. . *ils right to do as he likes with his prop- ^/.^•/-..•rtjr or his labor, so long as he does not W l f : §>> ko\ »t infringe the rights of others. No man Is above the law aa£ no man is below It; nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor. Receipts and Expenditures. Prom all sources, exclusive of the pos­ tal service, the receipts of the govern­ ment for the last fiscal year aggregated $560,396,674. The expenditures for the same period were $506,099,007. the surplus for the fiscal year being J54.297.667. The indications are that the surplus for the present fiscal year will be very small, if Indeed there be any surplus. From July to November the receipts from customs were, approximately, nine million dollars less than the receipts from the same source for a corresponding portion of last year. Should this decrease continue at the same ratio throughout the fiscal year, the surplus would be reduced by. approximately, thirty million dollars. Should the revenue from customs suffer much further decrease during the fiscal year, the surplus would vanish. A large surplus is certainly undesirable. Two years ago the war taxes were taken off with the express intention of equalizing the government receipts and expenditures, and though the first year thereafter still showed a surplus, it now seems likely that a substantial equality of revenue and expenditure will be attained. Such being the case It is of great moment both to exercise care and economy In appro­ priations, and to scan sharply any change in our fiscal revenue system which may reduce our income. The need of strict economy in our expenditures is empha­ sised by the fact that we can not afford to be parsimonious in providing for what is essential to our national well-being. Careful economy wherever possible will alone prevent our income from falling below the point required in order to meet our genuine needs. , Needs of Financial Situation. The integrity of our currency Is beyond question, and under present conditions it would be unwise and unnecessary to at­ tempt a reconstruction of our entire mon­ etary system. The same liberty should be granted the Secr3tary of the Treasury to deposit customs receipts as is granted him In the deposit of receipts from other sources. In my message of Dec. 2, 1902, I called attention to certain needs of the financial situation, and I again ask the consideration of the Congress for these questions. Gold and 8ilver Standard. During the last session of the'Congress, at the suggestion of a joint note from the Republic of Mexico and the Imperial Government of China, and in harmony with an act of the Congress appropriat­ ing $25,000 to., pay the expenses thereof, a commission was appointed to confer with the principal European countries in the hope that some plan might be devised whereby a fixed rate' of exchange could be assured between the gold-standard countries and the silver-standard coun­ tries. This commission has filed its pre­ liminary report, which has been made public. I deem it important that the commission be continued, and that a sum of money be appropriated sufficient to pay the expenses of its further labors. With regards to the improvement of the American merchant marine the President recommends that the Con­ gress direct the Secretary of the Navy, the Postmaster-General, and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, as­ sociated with such a representation from the Senate and House of Repre­ sentatives ns the Congress in its wis­ dom may designate, to serve as a com­ mission for the purpose of investigat­ ing and reporting to the Congress at its next session what legislation is de­ sirable or necessary for the develop­ ment of the American merchant ma­ rine and American commerce, and in­ cidentally of a national ocean mail service of adequate auxiliary naval cruisers and navel reserves. On the subject of immigration the message calls attention to the report of a committee of New York citizens or high standing, Messrs. Arthur v. Vriesen, Lee K. Frankel, Eugene A. Philbin, Thomas W. Hynes, and Ralph Trautman, which deals with the whole situation at length, and concludes with certain recommendations for adminis­ trative and legislative action. It is now receiving the attention of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The message continues: Anti-Trust Laws. On the subject of the anti-trust measures which have been dealt with by the Congress the President says: In my last annual message, in connec­ tion with the subject of the due regula­ tion of combinations of capital which are or may become injurious to the pub­ lic, I recommended a special appropria­ tion for the better enforcement of the antl-trust law as it now stands, to be expended under the direction of the At­ torney-General. Accordingly (by the leg­ islative. executive, and judicial appro­ priation act of February 25, 1903, 32 Stat., 854, 904), the Congress appropriated, for the purpose of enforcing the various Federal trust and interstate-commerce laws, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, to be expended under the direc­ tion of the Attorney-General' in the em­ ployment of special counsel and agents in the Department of Justice to conduct proceedings and prosecutions under said laws in the courts of the United States. I now recommend, as a matter of the ut­ most importance and urgency, the exten­ sion of the purposes of this appropria­ tion, so that it may be available, under the direction of the Attorney-General, and until used, for the due enforcement of the laws of the United States In general and especially of the civil and criminal laws relating to public lands and the laws relating to postal crimes and offense3 and the subject of naturalization. Recent in­ vestigations have shown a deplorable state of affairs in these three matters of vital concern. By. various frauds and by forgeries and perjuries, thousands of acres of the public domain, embracing lands of different character and extend­ ing through various sections of the coun­ try, have been dishonestly acquired. It is hardly necessary to urge the Import­ ance of recovering these dishonest acqui­ sitions, stolen from the people, and of promptly and duly punishing the of­ fenders. Postal Frauds. I speak In another part of this message of the widespread crimes by which the sacred right of citizenship is falsely as­ serted and that "Inestimable heritage" perverted to base ends. By similar means --that Is, through frauds, forgeries, and perjuries, and by shamelesB briberies-- the laws relating to the proper conduct of the public service in general and to the due administration of the Postofllce department have been notoriously vio­ lated, and many indictments have been foui^. and the consequent proset ltions are in course of hearing or on the eve thereof. For the leasons thus indicated, and so that the Government may be pre­ pared to enforce promptly and with the greatest effect trfe du< penalties for such violations of law, and to this end may be furnished with sufficient instrumentali­ ties and competent legal assistance for the investigations and trials which will be necessary at maijy different points of the country, I urge upon the Congress the necessity of making the said appro­ priation available for immediate use fof all such purposes, to be expended under the direction of the Attorney-General. Needs for Treaties Making Bribery Extraditable. Steps have been taken by the fiitate Department looking to the making of bribery an extraditable offense with for-' elgn powers. The need of more effective treaties covering this crime Is manifest. The exposures and prosecutions of of­ ficial corruption In St. Louis, Mo., and other cities and states have resulted in a number of givers and takers of bribes becoming fugitives in foreign lands. Brib­ ery has not been included in extradition treaties, heretofore, as the necessity for it has not arisen. While there may hav.e been as much official corruption in former years, there has been more developed and brought to light in the immediate past than in the preceding century of our country's history, it should be the policy of the United States to leave no place on earth where a corrupt man fleeing from this country can rest in peace. There 14 no reason why bribery should not be included in all treaties as extraditable. The recent amended treaty with Mexico, whereby this crime was put in the list of extraditable offenses, has established a salutary precedent In this regard. Under this treaty the State Department has asked, and Mexico has granted, the extradition of one of the St. Louis bribe givers. There can be no crime more serious than bribery. Other offenses violate one law, while corruption strikes at the foun­ dation of all law. Under our form of gov­ ernment all authority is vested in the people and by them delegated to those who represent thein in official capacity. The exposure and punishment of public corruption is an honor to a nation, not a disgrace. The shame lies In toleration, not in correction. No city or state, still less the nation, can be injured by the enforcement of law. As long as public plunderers when detected can find a haven of refuge in any foreign land and avoid punishment, just so long encour­ agement Is given them to continue their practices. If we fail to do all that in us lies to stamp out corruption we can not escape our share of responsibility for the guilt. The first requisite of successful self-government is unflinching enforce­ ment of the law and the cutting out of corruption. Alaskan Boundary. The message gives in detail the causes which led to the appointment of the Alaskan boundary commission, and congratulates both countries on the satisfactory termination of the sessions of the tribunal. It continues: The result Is satisfactory In every way. It is of great material advantage to our people in the far Northwest. It has re­ moved from the field of discussion and possible danger a question liable to be­ come more acutely accentuated with each passing year. Finally, It has furnished a signal proof of the fairness and good will with which two friendly nations can approach and determine issues Involving national sovereignty and by their nature Incapable of submission to a third power for adjudication. Claims Against Venezuela. Referring to the success which crowned the efforts of the United States to have the Venezuelan dis­ pute submitted to impartial arbitra­ tors the President says: There seems good ground for the be­ lief that there has been a real growth among the civilized nations of a senti­ ment which will permit a gradual sub­ stitution of other methods than the method of war In the settlement of dis­ putes. It Is not pretended that as yet we are near a position In which it will be possible wholly to prevent war, or that a Just regard for national interest and honor will In all cases permit of the settlement of international disputes by arbitration; but by a mixture of pru- dencc and firmness with wisdom we think it is possible to do away with much of the provocation and excuse for war, and at least In many cases to substitute some other and more rational method for the settlement of disputes. The Hague court offers so good -an example of what can be done in the direction of such settle­ ment that It should be encouraged in every way. President McKinley, in his mes­ sage of Dec. 5, 1898, urged that the Executive be authorized to correspond with the governments of the principal maritime powers with a view of in­ corporating into the permanent law of civilized nations the principle of the exemption of all private property at sea, not contraband of war, from cap­ ture or destruction by belligerent powers. President Roosevelt says he cor­ dially renews this recommendation, as a matter of humanity and morals. Consular 8ervice. I call your attention to the reduced co«<t in maintaining the consular service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, as shown In the annual report of the Aud­ itor for the State and other departments, as compared with the year previous. For the year under consideration the excess of expenditures over receipts on account of the consular service amounted to $26,- 125.12, as against $96,972.50 for the year ending June 30, 1902, and $147,040.16 for the year ending June 30, 1901. This is the best showing In this respect for the con­ sular service for the past fourteen years, and th'e reduction in the cost of the serv­ ice to the Government has been made In spite of the fact that the expenditures for the year In question were more than $20,000 greater than for the previous year. Rural Free-Delivery 8ervice. The rural free-delivery service has been steadily extended. The attention of the Congress is asked to the question of the compensation of the letter carriers and clerks engaged in the postal service, es­ pecially on the new rural free-delivery routes. More routes have been installed since the first of July last than in any like period In the department's history. While a due regard to economy must be kept In mind in the establishment of new routes, yet the extension of the rural free-delivery system must be continued, for reasons of sound public policy. No governmental movement of recent years has resulted in greater Immediate benefit to the people of the country districts. Rural free delivery, taken in connection with the telephone, the bicycle, and the trolley, accomplishes much toward les­ sening the Isolation of farm life and mak­ ing It brighter and more attractive. In the Immediate past the lack of just such facilities as these has driven many of the more active and restless young men and women from the farms to cne cities; for they rebelled at loneliness and lack of mental companionship. It is unhealthy and undesirable for the cities to grow at the expense of the country; and rural free delivery is not only a good thing In itself,. but Is good because it is one of the causes which check this unwhole­ some tendency towards the urban con­ centration of our population at the ex­ pense of the country districts. It is for the same reason that we sympathize with and approve of the policy of building good roads. The movement for good j roads Is one fraught with the greatest I benefit to the country districts. In the Philippines and Porto Rico, it is declared, steady progress is being made and the condition of the island­ ers already has been materially ad­ vanced. Recsipts of General Land Office. On the subject of the public lands of the country the message says: The cash receipts of the General Land Office for the last fiscal year were $11,- 024,743.65, an increase of $4,762,816.47 over the preceding year. Of this sum, approx­ imately, JS.4C1.4P3 will go to the credit of the fund for the reclamation of arid land, making the total of this fund, up to the 30th of June, 1908, approximately, $16,191,836. A gratifying disposition hfes been evinced by those having unlawful in- closures of public land to remove their fences. Nearly two million aereB so in­ closed have been thrown open on ae- mand. In but comparatively few cases has It been necessary to go Into court to accomplish this purpose. ThJs work will be vigorously prosecuted until all unlaw­ ful inclosures have been removed. Irrigation. The work of reclamation of the arid lands of the West is progressing steadily and satisfactorily under the termd of the law setting aside the proceeds from the disposal of public lands. The corps of engineers known as the Reclamation Service, which is conducting the surveys and examinations, has been thoroughly organized, especial pains being taken to secure under the civil-service rules a body of skilled, experienced, and efficient men. Surveys and examinations are progressing throughout the arid states and territories, plans for reclaiming works being prepared and passed upon by boards of engineers before approval ̂ by the Secretary of the Interior. In ArUona and Nevada, in localities where such work is pre-eminently needed, construc­ tion has already been begun. In other parts of the arid West various projects are well advanced toward the drawing up of contracts, these being delayed in part by necessities of reaching agree­ ments or understanding as regards rights of way or acquisition of real estate. Most of the works contemplated for construc­ tion are of national importance, Involv­ ing interstate questions or the securing of stable, self-supporting communities In the midst of vast tracts of vacant land. The Nation as a whole is of course the gainer by the creation of these homes, adding as they do to the wealth anjl sta­ bility e* the country, and furnishing a home market for the products of the East ana South. The reclamation law, while perhaps not ideal, appears at present to answer the larger needs for which it is designed. Further legislation is not rec­ ommended until the necessities of change are more apparent. >3 Preservation of Forests. The President points out the neces­ sity of taking steps for the preserva­ tion of our forests, especially at the headwaters of streams. Of the cotton- weevil he says: The cotton-growing States have re­ cently been Invaded by a weevil that has done much damage and threatens the entire cotton Industry. I suggest to the Congress the prompt enactment of such remedial legislation as its judgment may approve. The Philippines and Porto Rico. Of our insular possessions the Philip­ pines and Porto Rico it is gratifying to say that their steady progress has been such as to make it unnecessary to spend much time in discussing them. Yet the Congress should ever keep In m|nd that a peculiar obligation rests upon us to further in every way the welfare of these communities. The Philippines should be knit closer to us by tariff arrangements. It would, of course, be impossible sud­ denly to raise the people of the islands to the high pitch of industrial prosperity and of governmental efficiency to which they will in the end by degrees attain; and tne caution and moderation shown in developing them have been among the main reasons why this development has hitherto gone en so smoothly. Scru­ pulous c-are has been taken in the choice of governmental agents, and the entire elimination of partisan politics from the public service. The condition of the islanders is in material things far better than ever before, while their govern­ mental, intellectual, and moral advance has kept pace with their material ad­ vance. No one people ever benefited an­ other people more than we have bene­ fited the Filipinos by taking possession of the Islands. Isthmian Canal. The causes leading up to the estab­ lishment of the new republic of Pan­ ama, and its recognition by the United States are given in much de­ tail, as follows: By the act of June 28, 1902, the Con­ gress authorized the President to enter into treaty with Colombia for the build­ ing of the canal across the Isthmus of Panama; it being provided that In the event of failure to secure such treaty after the lapse of a reasonable time, re­ course should be had to building a canal through Nicaragua. It has not been necessary to consider this alternative, as I am enabled to lay before the Senate a treaty providing for the building of the canal across the Isthmus of Panama. This was the route which commended itself to the deliberate judgment of the Lcngress, and we can now acquire by treaty the right to construct the canal over this route. The question now, there­ fore, is not by which route the isthmian canal shall be built, for that question has been definitely and irrevocably de-" elded. The question is simply whether or not we shall have an isthmian canal. When the Congress directed that we should take the Panama route under treaty with Colombia, the'essence of the condition, of course, referred not to the Government which controlled that route, but to the route itself; to the territory across which the route lay, not to the name which for the moment the territory bore on the map. The purpose of the law was to authorize the President to make a treaty with the power in actual control of the Isthmus of Panama. This purpose ha3 been fuli'ill<sd. In the year 1846 this Government en­ tered into a treaty with Wew Granada, the predecessor upon the Isthmus of the Republic of Colombia and of the present Republic of Panama, by which treaty it was provided that the Govern­ ment and citizens of the United States should always have free and open right of way or transit across the Isthmus of Panama by any modes of communication that might be constructed, while In re­ turn our Government guaranteed the perfect neutrality of the above-mentioned isthmus with the view that the free tran­ sit from the one to the other sea might not be interrupted or embarrassed. The treaty vested In the United States a substantial property right carved out of the rights of sovereignty and property which New Granada then had and pos­ sessed over the said territory. The name of New Granada has passed away and Its territory has been divided. Its successor, the Government of Colombia, has ceased to own any property in the Istnmus. A new republic, that of Panama, which was at one time a sovereign state, and ft another time a mere department of the successive confederations known as New Granada and Colombia, has now suc­ ceeded to the rights which first one and then the other formerly exercised over the isthmus. But as long as the Isthmus endures, the mere geographical fact of Its existence, and the peculiar Interest there­ in which Is required by our position, perpetuate the solemn contract which binds the holders of the territory to re­ spect our right to freedom of transit across it, and binds us In return to safe­ guard for the isthmus and the world the exercise of that Inestimable privilege. The true Interpretation of the obliga­ tions upon which the United States en­ tered in this treaty of 1846 has been given repeatedly in the utterances of Presi­ dents and Secretaries of State. Secretary Cass in 1858 officially stated the position of this Government as follows; "The progress of events has rendered the Interoceanic route across the narrow portion of Central America vastly impor­ tant to the commercial world, and espe­ cially to the United States, whose pos­ sessions extend along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and demand the speediest and easiest modes of communication. While the rights of sovereignty of the states occupying this region should al­ ways be respected, we shall expect that these rights 'be exerciser .*n a spirit be­ fitting the occasion and (he wants and circumstances that have arisen. Sover­ eignty has its duties as well as its rights, and none of these local governments, even if administered with more regard to the just demands of other nations than they have been, would b« permitted. In a spirit of eastern Isolation, to close the gates of Intercourse*on the great high­ ways of the world, and justify the act by the pretension that these avenues of trade and travel belong to them and that they choose to shut them, or, what Is almost equivalent, to encumber them with such unjust relations as would pre­ vent their general use." Seven years later, In 1865, Mr. Seward In different communications took the fol­ lowing position: "The United States have taken and will take no interest in any question of Internal revolution in the State of Pan­ ama. or any State of the United States of Colombia, but will maintain a perfect neutrality in connection with such do­ mestic altercations. The United States will, nevertheless, hold themselves ready to protect the transit trade across the Isthmus against invasion of either do­ mestic or foreign disturbers of the peace of the State of Panama. • • * Neither the text nor the spirit of the stipulation in that article by which the United States engages to preserve the neutrality of the Isthmus of Panama, imposes an obliga­ tion on this Government to comply with the requisition [of the President of the United States of Colombia for a force to protect the Isthmus of Panama from a body of Insurgents of that country]. The purpose of the stipulation way to guar­ antee the isthmus against seizure or in­ vasion by a foreign power only." Attorney-General Speed, under date of Nov. 7, 1865, advised Secretary Seward as follow^ : "From tins treaty It can not be sup­ posed that New Granada Invited the United States to become a party to the intestine troubles of that Government, nor did the United States become bqnnd to take sides in the domestic broll^ of New Granada. The United States did guarantee New Granada In the sovereign­ ty and property over the territory. This was as against other and foreign govern­ ments." For four hundred years, ever since shortly after the discovery of this hem­ isphere, the canal across the Isthmus has been planned. For two score years it has been worked, at. When made It is to last for the ages. It is to alter the geography of a continent and t.ie trade routes of the world. We have shown by every treaty we have negotiated or at­ tempted to negotiate with tne peoples in control of the isthmus and with foreign nations In reference thereto our consis­ tent good faith in observing odr obliga­ tions; on the one hand to the peoples of the Isthmus, and on the other hand to the civilised world whose commercial rights we are safeguarding and guaran­ teeing by our action. We have done our duty to others in letter and in spirit, and we have shown the utmost forbearance in exacting our own rights. Last spring, under the act above re­ ferred to, a treaty concluded between the representatives of the Republic. of Co­ lombia and of our Government was rati­ fied by the Senate. This treaty was en- - tered into at the urgent solicitation of the people of Colombia and after a S>ody of experts appointed by our Government especially to go into the matter of the routes across the Isthmus had pronounced unanimously in favor of the Panama route. In drawing up this treaty every concession was made to the people and to the Government of Colombia. We were more than Just In dealing wltn them. Our generosity was such as to make it a se­ rious question whether we had not gone too far in their interest at the expense of our own; for in our scrupulous desire to pay all possible heed, not merely to the real but even to the fancied rights oi our weaker neighbor, who already owed so much to our protection and forbearance, we yielded in all possible ways to her desires in drawing up the treaty. Never­ theless the Government of Colombia not merely repudiated the treaty, but repu­ diated it in such manner as to make it evident by the time the Colombian Con­ gress adjourned that not the scantiest hope remained of ever getting a satis­ factory treaty from them. The Govern­ ment of Colombia made the treaty, and yet when the Colombian Congress was called to ratify it the vote against rati­ fication was unanimous. It does not ap­ pear that the Government made any real effort to secure ratification. Revolution in Panama. Immediately after the adjournment of the Congress a revolution broke Out In Panama. The people of Panama had long been discontented with the Republic of Colombia, and they had been kept quiet only by the prospect of the conclusion of the treaty, which was to them a mat­ ter of vital concern. When It became evident that the treaty was hopelessly lost, the people of Panama rose literally as one man. Not a shot was fired by a single man on the isthmus in the interest of the Colombian Government. Not a life was lost in the accomplishment of the revolution. The Colombian troops stationed on the isthmus, who had long been unpaid, made common cause with, the people of Panama, and with aston­ ishing unanimity the new republic was started. The duty of the United States in the premises was clear. In strict ac­ cordance with the principles laid down by Secretaries Cass and Seward in the of­ ficial documents above quoted, the United States gave notice that It would permit the landing of no expeditionary force, the arrival of which would mean chaos and destruction along the line of the rail­ road and of the proposed canal, and an interruption of transK as an inevitable consequence. The de facto Government of Panama was recognized in the follow­ ing telegram to Mr. Ehrman: "The people of Panama have, by ap­ parently unanimous movement, dissolved their political connection with the Re­ public of Colombia and resumed their In­ dependence. When you are satisfied that a de facto government, republican In form and without substantial opposition from Its own people, has been established in the State of Panama, you will enter Into relations with it as the responsible government of the territory and look to It for all due action to protect the per­ sons and property of citizens of the United States and to keep open the Isthmian transit, in accordance with the obligations of existing treaties govern­ ing the relations of the United States to that territory." Disturbances on Isthmus 8ince 1846. When these events happened, fifty-seven years had elapsed since the United States had entered into its treaty with New Gra­ nada. During that time the Governments of New Granada and of its successor, Colombia, have been in a constant state of flux. A long list of the disturbances and revolutions which have convulsed the isthmus is given, and the report con­ cludes: The above Is only a partial list of the revolutions, rebellions, insurrections, riots, and other outbreaks that have oc­ curred during the period in question; yet they number 53 for the 57 years. It will be noted that one of them lasted for near­ ly three years before It was quelled; an­ other for nearly a year. In short, the experience of over half a century has shown Colombia to be utterly Incapable of keeping order on the isthmus. Only the active interference of the United States has enabled her to preserve so much as a semblance of sovereignty. Had it not been for the exercise by the United States of the police power In her Interest, her connection with the isthmus would have been sundered long ago. In 1856. in 1860, In 1873, in 1886, In 1901, and again in 1902, sailors and marines from United States war ships were forced to land in order to patrol the Isthmus, to protect life and property, and to see that the transit across the isthmus was kept open. In 1861. in 1862. in 1886, and In 1900, the Colombian Government asked that the United States Government would land troops to protect its Interests and main­ tain order on the isthmus. Perhaps the most extraordinary request is that which has Just been received and which runs as follows: "Knowing that revolution has already commenced in Panama [an eminent Co­ lombian] says that If the Government of the United States will land troops to pre­ serve Colombian sovereignty, and the transit, if requested by Colombian charge d'affaires, this Government will declare martial law; and. by virtue of vested con­ stitutional authority, when publlo order is restored, will approve fcr decree the ratification of the canal treaty as signed; or, if the Government of the United States prefers, will call extra session of the Congress--with new and friendly members--next May to approve the treaty. [An eminent Colombian] has the perfect confidence of vice-president, he says, and if it became'necessary will go to the Isthmus or send representative there to adjust matters along above lines to the satisfaction of the people there." This dispatch is noteworthy from two standpoints. Its offer of immediately guaranteeing the treaty to us is in sharp contrast with the positive and contemp­ tuous refusal of the Congress which has just closed its sessions to consider fa­ vorably such a treaty; it shows that the Government which made the treaty really had absolute control over the situation, but did not choose to exercise this con­ trol. The dispatch further calls on us to restore order and secure Colombian supremacy In the Isthmus from which the Colombian Government has Just by its action dcclded to bar us by preventing the construction of the canal. Importance pt Peacc in Isthmus, The control, in the Interest of the com­ merce and traffic of the whole civilized world, of the means of undisturbed tran­ sit across the Isthmus of Panama has become of transcendent importance to the United States. We have repeatedly exercised this control by intervening in the course ot domestic dissension, arifl by protecting the territory from foreign Invasion. In J&53 J Sir." Everett assured the Peruvian "minister that we should not hesitate to maintain the neutrality of the Isthmus in the case of war be­ tween Peru and Colombia. In 1864 Co­ lombia, which has always been vigilant to avail Itself of its privileges conferred 'by the treaty, expressed its expectation that in the evenlt of war between Peru and Spain the United States would carry Into effect the guaranty of neutrality. There have been few administrations of the State Department in which this treaty has not, either by the one side or the other, been used as a basis' of more or less Important demands. It was said by Mr. Fish In 1871 that the Depart­ ment of State had reason to believe that an attack upon Colombian sovereignty on the isthmus had, on several occa­ sions, been averted by warning from this Government. In 1886, when Colombia was under the menace of hostilities from Italy in the Cerruti case, Mr. Bayard ex­ pressed the serious concern that the United States could not but feel, that a European power should resort to force against a sister republic of this hemis­ phere, as to the sovereign and uninter­ rupted use of a part of whose territory we are guarantors under the solemn faith of a treaty. The above recital of facts establishes beyond question: First, that the United States has for over half a century pa­ tiently and in good faith carried out its obligations under the treaty of 1846; sec­ ond, that when for the first time it bet came possible for Colombia to do any­ thing in requital of the services thus re­ peatedly rendered to it for fifty-seven years by the United States, the Colombian Government peremptorily and Offensively refused thus to do its part, even though to do so would have been to its advan­ tage and immeasurably to the advantage of the State of Panama, at that time under its jurisdiction: third. that throughout this period revolutions, riots, and factional disturbances of every kind have occurred one after the other In al­ most uninterrupted succession, some of them lasting for months and even for years, while the central government was unable to put them down or to make peace with the rebels; fourth, that these disturbances instead of showing any sign of abating have tended to grow more nu­ merous and more serious In the imme­ diate past; fifth, that the control of Co­ lombia. over the Isthmus of Panama could not be maintained without the armed in­ tervention and assistance of the United States. In other words, the Government of Colombia, though wholly unable to maintain order on the Isthmus, has nev­ ertheless declined to ratify a treaty the conclusion of which opened the only chance to secure its own stability and to guarantee permanent peace on, and the construction of a canal across, the isth­ mus. Under such circumstances the Govern­ ment of the United States would have been guilty of folly and weakness, amounting in their sum to a crime against the nation, had it acted otherwise than it did when the revolution of Nov. 3 last took place in Panama. This great enterprise of building the interoceanic canal can not be held up to gratify the whims, or out of respect to the govern­ mental Impotence, or to the even more sinister and evil political peculiarities, of people who, though they dwell afar off, yet. against the wish of the actual dwel-1 lera on the isthmus, assert an unreal supremacy over the territory. The pos­ session of a territory fraught with such peculiar capacities as the isthmus in question carries with it obligations to mankind. The course of events has shown that this canal can not be built by private enterprise, or by any other na­ tion than Our own; therefore it must be built by the United States. Treaty With Republic'of Panama. Every effort has been made by the Gov­ ernment of the United States to persuade Colombia to follow a course which was essentially not only to our Interests and to the Interests of the world, but to the Interests of Colombia itself. These ef­ forts have failed; and Colombia, by her persistence in repulsing the advances that have been made, has forced us, for tne sake of our own honor, and of the inter­ est and well-being, not merely of our own people, but of the people of tne Isthmus of Panama and the people of the civilized countries of the world, to take decisive steps to bring to an end a condition of affairs which had become intolerable. The new Republic of Panama Immediate­ ly offered to negotiate a treaty with us. This treaty I herewith submit. By It our interests are better safeguarded than to the treaty with Colombia which was rati­ fied by the Senate at its last session. It is better in its terms than the treaties of­ fered to us by the Republics of Nicara­ gua and Costa Rica. At last the right to begin this great undertaking is made available. Panama has done her part. All that remains is for the American Con­ gress to do its part and forthwith this Republic will enter upon the execution of a project colossal in its slse and of well-nig- incalculable possibilities for the good of this country and the nations of mankind. Provisions of Treaty. • By the provisions of the treaty the United States guarantees and will main­ tain the Independence of the Republic of Panama. There is granted to the United States in perpetuity the use, occupation, and control of a strip ten miles wide and extending three nautical miles into the sea at either terminal, with all lands ly­ ing outside of the zone necessary for the construction of the canal or for its aux­ iliary works, and with the Islands in the Bay of Panama. The cities of Panama and Colon are not embraced in the canal zone, but the United States assumes their sanitation and. In case of need, the maintenance of order therein; the United States enjoys within the granted limits all the rights, power, and authority which It would possess were it the sovereign of the territory to the exclusion of the ex­ ercise of sovereign rights by the Republic. All railway and canal property rights be­ longing to Panama and needed for the canal pass to the United States, includ­ ing any property of the respective com­ panies in the cities of Panama and Co- ion; the ^ror.is, property, and personnel of the c^nal and railways are exempted from taxation as well in the cities of Panama [and Colon as in the canal sone and Its dependencies. Free immigration of the personnel and importation of sup- piles for the construction and operation of the canal are granted. Provision is made for the use of nrilltary force and the building of fortifications by the Unit­ ed States for the protection of the tran­ sit. In other details, particularly as to the acquisition of the interests of the New Panama Canal company and the Panama railway by the United Statef and the condemnation of private property for the uses of the canal, the stipulations of the Hay-Herran treaty are closely fol­ lowed. while the compensation to be given for these enlarged grants remains the same, being ten millions of dollars payable on exchange of ratifications; and, beginning nine years from that date, an annual payment of $250,000 during the life of the convention. THEODORES ROOSEVELT. Whits Rouse, Dec. 7, 1903. The Social Duties of a President's Wife. That the position of President's wife Is no sinecure, any one will be con­ vinced, after reading Mrs. Abbjr G. Baker's article in December Pearson's, bhe is hedged about with a wall of precedents, and bound by a social code as immutable as the laws of the Medes and Persians. A tactless wom­ an can do much to jeopardize her hus­ band's interests in the White House, while a tactful wife may be of ines­ timable assistance. Mr. Baker gives an interesting account of Mrs. Roose­ velt's charming hospitality, and of the close co-operation between her and the ladies of her Cabinet. Prefer American Plows. • In Castile, Spain, agriculturists Itiv* ing made practical experiments, pre- fer American to English implements, though the latter have been most pro­ fusely offered. The agriculturists, not­ ing that American machinery is bet­ ter fitted for the uses for which it was intended, though not considered so strong as the English, give it the preference, as it requires less power to work it--a most decisive reason in this country, forced to reiy on animal motive power. - Beware of Ointments for Catarrh that Contains Mercury. aaiwrrclry will surely destroy the seuse of amrtl aaS completely derange the whole eyste® v.heu entering It through tbe mucous surfaces. Such articles should never be used except on prescription; from reputable physicians, aa the damage they will do la ten fold to the good you can possibly derive from them. Hall's Catarrh Cure, manufactured by F. J. Cheney & Co.. Toledo, O.. contains no mercury, wd Is taken internally, acting directly upon the blood and mucous (surfaces of tint By stem. In buying UaU'a Catarrh Cure be sure 'you get the genuine. It Is taken luteiaally and made in Toledo, Ohio, by T.J. Cheney & Co. Testimonials free. Sold by Druggists. Price ?f>c p«r bottle Hall's Family Fill* are tbe beat. 'i 0. 4? ZJi "Ballads of the Busy Days,** S. E. Kiser, is a collection of one hun­ dred poems, representing the best work of this well-known poet. Many of them are humorous, some of them have a delicate vein of pathos that makes a sure-appeal to the heart, and all possess that charming human quality which has made Mr. Kiser's verses widely popular. t. f '4 The Best Results In 8tarehlng can be obtained only by aaing Deflanos Starch, besides getting 4 ot. more for mm money--no cooking required. A new typewriting machine returns the carriage automatically when the J }•; end of a line is reached, so that the "4: operator is not compelled to pause.. ^ All Up to Date Housekeepers Defiance Cold Water Starch, becaassft la better, snd 4 os. mors of it for mmm money. • A diplomat is a man who pretends that the other fellow's way fs kta when he can't have his own. If you want creamery prices do as the creameries do, use JUNB TINT BUTTER COLOR. More than one-third of the inmates of the Elmlra (N. Y.) state's prison are well educated. Mrs. Austin's Quick raising buckwheat makes tender, crispy, brown cakes. Your grocer cau tell you all about it. Pessimists thrive on disappoint­ ments. " - Eleventh Hour Repentsnce. It was in a Massachusetts town, re­ lates Senator Depew. Mr. Blank's mother-in-law had just died, and the funeral was to be the following day. Late in the afternoon one of the friends, taking a last look at the de­ ceased, was surprised to see a |10 bill inside the casket. Shortly afterward Mr. Blank was interviewed and, when asked if he could account for the pres­ ence of the' money in the casket, he replied: "She frequently accused me of be­ ing stingy and mean, and that I never gave her anything, so for once, I want to have it said that she has money to bum."--Philadelphia Ledger. Truly Unfortunate. A very charming foreign actress, who has not been fortunate in her marriage, was at Washington not long ago, and meeting an old friend, made sundry inquiries concerning tbe wel­ fare of their common acquaintances. "How ees A?" asked the actress. "A? Oh, he died about a year ago." "And how eea B?" "B? Why, didn't you know? He has been dead these three years." "Has he, eendeed! And zat good C* how ees he?" "Poor C! He died last month." "Ah!" said the lady sadly, "eftaff^ body dies--eferybody dies--except" (with deeper melancholy)--"mine has* band!" ABOUT FEAR Often Comes From Lack «f' Right Food. Nspoleon said that the best fed soldiers were his best soldiers, for fear and nervousness come quickly when the stomach is not nourished. Nervous fear is a sure sign that the body is not supplied with the rlffht food. A Connecticut lady says; "For many years I had been a sufferer from i digestion and heart trouble and in almost constant fear of sudden death, the most acute suffering possible. Dieting brought on weakness, emacia* tion and nervous exhaustion and K was a complete wreck physically and almost a wreck mentally. "1 tried many foods, but could not avoid the terrible nausea followed by vomiting that came after eating until I tried Grape-Nuts. This food agreed with my palate and stomach from the start. This was about a year ace. Steadily snd surely a change from sickness to health came until now ( have no symptoms of dyspepsia and can walk 10 miles a day without belnc greatly fatigued. 1 have not taken a drop of medicine since I began Um use ot Grape-Nuts and people s%y I look many years younger than I really am. "My poor old sick body has but made over and I feel ai though say head had been too. Life la worth liv* ing now and 1 expect to enjoy it tor many years to come If I can keep away from bad foods and have Grape* Nuts." Name given by Postum Co^ Battle Creek, Mich. ^ There's a reason. Look in each package lor a vtfff at the famous little book, "The Road to ttellvHle.M •7^