The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 59, December 23, 1897

"The prospect from time to time that the weakness of Spain's hold upon the island might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a continental power called forth, between 1823 and 1860, various emphatic declarations of the policy of the United States to permit no disturbance of Cuba's connection with Spain, unless in the direction of independence or acquisition by us through purchase; nor has there been any change of this declared policy since upon the part of the Government.

"The revolution which began in 1868 lasted for ten years, despite the strenuous efforts of the successive Peninsular governments to suppress it. Then, as now, the Government of the United States testified its grave concern and offered its aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba. The overtures made by General Grant were refused, and the war dragged on, entailing great loss of life and treasure and increased injury to American interests, besides throwing enhanced burdens of neutrality upon this Government. In 1878 peace was brought about by the truce of Zanjon, obtained by negotiations between the Spanish commander, Martinez de Campos, and the insurgent leaders.

"The present insurrection broke out in February, 1895."

He goes on to say that the friendly offers of mediation made in April, 1896, by this Government, were refused by Spain. He mentions the cruel policy of driving the peasants into the towns, the abuse of the rights of war which were perpetrated, speaks of Minister Woodford's mission, and finally shows that action on our part was rendered unnecessary by the death of Canovas and the coming in to power of Sagasta.

He declares that the present Government of Spain seems determined to give liberal Home Rule to the island of Cuba, and to give it in spite of the serious objections raised by certain powerful political parties in Spain.

In the face of these facts, he asks Congress to give Spain time, before making any demands, to end the war.

He refuses to recognize the belligerency of Cuba, and bases his decision on the action taken by President Grant in 1875, when the situation in Cuba was similar to the present state of affairs.

He quotes the following words of General Grant:

"A recognition of the independence of Cuba being, in my opinion, impracticable and indefensible, the question which next presents itself is that of the recognition of belligerent rights in the parties to the contest. In a former message to Congress I had occasion to consider this question, and reached the conclusion that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful and devastating as were its incidents, did not rise to the fearful dignity of war...."

He declares that as regards filibustering, he thinks the Government has simply done its duty. He leaves the Cuban question practically as it was, asking Congress to wait and see how the Home Rule principle works before taking any further steps.

He promises that if, in the future, intervention in the affairs of Cuba seems necessary, he will face the necessity without hesitation.

Hawaiian Annexation is treated very clearly by President McKinley.

He thinks the time is ripe for annexation, and recommends that the treaty shall be confirmed as speedily as possible.

He seems to think there is no doubt that Congress will pass the treaty, for he goes on to recommend that Home Rule shall be given to Hawaiians as soon as the islands shall belong to the United States.

He reports progress on The Nicaragua Canal, states that the surveys and examinations are being made, and that he hopes soon to have a full statement to submit to Congress.

The Sealing Question received some consideration. The Message gives the history of the matter, with which we are all familiar (or can easily become so by looking up the back numbers of The Great Round World, from page 732, and through several numbers following).

The President announces the treaty arranged between Russia, Japan, and the United States, and that on certain important points England is also agreed. He thinks there will be little difficulty in getting measures adopted for the preservation of the seal herd.

Arbitration.—On this matter he states that the "best sentiment of the civilized world is moving toward the settlement of differences between nations without the horrors of war."

He adds that he will give his constant encouragement to all such treaties, provided they do not endanger our interests.

The Exposition of 1900, which will be held in Paris, also comes in for consideration.

President McKinley states that from the reports received from the special commissioner who was appointed to look into the matter, he is of opinion that the coming event in Paris will be one of the most important of the many wonderful expositions which the world has seen.

He therefore asks Congress to make a liberal appropriation of money, so that the United States may be properly represented.

In regard to The Navy, the President says:

"The present force of the navy consists of 4 battleships of the first class, 2 of the second, and 48 other vessels, ranging from armored cruisers to torpedo-boats. There are under construction 5 battleships of the first class, 16 torpedo-boats, and 1 submarine boat. No provision has yet been made for the armor for three of the five battleships, as it has been impossible to obtain it at the price fixed by Congress. It is of great importance that Congress provide for the purchase of this armor, as until then the ships are of no fighting value."

Considering that five battleships of the largest class are now on the stocks, the President only recommends the building of one more battleship, which shall be for the Pacific Coast.

He also asks for several torpedo-boats, in connection with the system of coast defence, and recommends that floating-docks for the repairing of battleships be provided on all our coasts.

As to Alaska, the government of the territory is, the President says, not strong or effective enough to take care of the crowds that have hurried into the country since the discovery of gold.

He therefore suggests that a more thorough system of government shall be established.

He states that he agrees with General Alger, the Secretary of War, that Alaska also needs a military force for the safety of her citizens. A military post is about to be established at St. Michaels, which, as you probably remember, is on Norton Sound, and is one of the principal seaports of Alaska.

The Civilized Tribes of Indians were next in consideration.

President McKinley recommends that the relations with the five civilized tribes shall be readjusted, giving the Indians citizenship and individual ownership of their lands.

The five civilized tribes are the Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Muscogees or Creeks, and the Seminoles.

(This latter point opens a very interesting subject for us. We have not space to talk about it now, but hope to do so shortly. We should all of us be familiar with the history of the Indians.)

The President recommends that to prevent the further invasion of the United States by yellow fever it is important to discover the exact cause of the disease. He suggests that investigations to that end shall be made.

The quarantine laws, he thinks, should also be amended and improved.

He expresses a hope that now that the Congressional Library has been finished, and is such a magnificent building, and so perfect in its form and detail, Congress will appropriate sums sufficient to develop it, until it shall be among the richest and most useful in the world.

Begging Congress to keep its expenditures within the limit of its receipts, President McKinley brought his Message to a close.

    G.G.H. Rosenfeld.

INVENTION AND DISCOVERY

This is a good idea for house plants, which are such a trouble to keep properly watered.

All gardeners tell you that plants never do so well in jardinières as in the red earthen pots. It is for the reason that the common pots are porous and allow evaporation, so that the water does not become stagnant and injure the plant, while the glazed jardinières effectually prevent it.

The great objection to the red pots is that they need a saucer under them, and when moved are difficult to handle without spilling the contents of the saucer.

Plants are not a bit greedy. They don't drink all the water that is given them at once; they love to let a little water run through and remain in the saucer until they need it. It is therefore necessary to the health of plants to let them stand in a vessel that will permit them to make their little reserve store if they wish to.

The new invention accomplishes all of these purposes.

It is a deep saucer, which gives room for an ample reservoir. Attached to it are two uprights with hinged handles at the top.

These handles are to clasp the flower pot and attach it firmly to the saucer.

The pot is placed in the saucer, and the uprights are bent toward the plant until they touch it. Then the spring handles are turned down and clasp the inside rim of the pot, making pot and saucer practically one piece, giving all the advantages of the jardinière, with the health qualities of the earthen pot.

Clothes-pin.—The old-fashioned clothes-pin is such a clumsy, unhandy thing, that this new invention should be hailed with delight by housekeepers.

Any one who has tried to hang out washing knows the trick that clothes-pins have of standing on their heads just when they seem most firmly gripping the rope—slipping off and letting the clothes fall to the ground.

The new pin will allow no such pranks. It is a double affair, and can grip the whole of a stocking or the shoulder of a garment, and hold it with absolute security.