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.