. 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