While it has not yet been practicable to enforce all the provisions of the act of June 28, 1898 "for the protection of the people of the Indian Territory, and for other purposes," it is having a salutary effect upon the nations composing the Five Tribes. The Dawes Commission reports that the most gratifying results and greater advance toward the attainment of the objects of the Government have been secured in the past year than in any previous year. I can not too strongly indorse the recommendation of the Commission and of the Secretary of the Interior for the necessity of providing for the education of the 30,000 white children resident in the Indian Territory.

The Department of Agriculture has been active in the past year. Explorers have been sent to many of the countries of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres for seeds and plants that may be useful to the United States and with the further view of opening up markets for our surplus products. The Forestry Division of the Department is giving special attention to the treeless regions of our country and is introducing species specially adapted to semiarid regions. Forest fires which seriously interfere with production, especially in irrigated regions, are being studied that losses from this cause may be avoided. The Department is inquiring into the use and abuse of water in many States of the West and collating information regarding the laws of the States, the decisions of the courts, and the customs of the people in this regard, so that uniformity may be secured. Experiment stations are becoming more effective every year. The annual appropriation of $720,000 by Congress is supplemented by $400,000 from the States. Nation-wide experiments have been conducted to ascertain the suitableness as to soil and climate and States for growing sugar beets. The number of sugar factories has been doubled in the past two years and the ability of the United States to produce its own sugar from this source has been clearly demonstrated.

The Weather Bureau forecast and observation stations have been extended around the Caribbean Sea, to give early warning of the approach of hurricanes from the south seas to our fleets and merchant marine.

In the year 1900 will occur the centennial anniversary of the founding of the city of Washington for the permanent Capital of the Government of the United States by authority of an act of Congress approved July 16, 1790. In May, 1800, the archives and general offices of the Federal Government were removed to this place. On the 17th of November, 1800, the National Congress met here for the first time, and assumed exclusive control of the Federal Dis

trict and City. This interesting event assumes all the more significance when we recall the circumstances attending the choosing of the site, the naming of the Capital in honor of the Father of his Country, and the interest taken by him in the adoption of plans for its future development on a magnificent scale.

These original plans have been wrought out with a constant progress and a signal success even beyond anything their framers could have foreseen. The people of the country are justly proud of the distinctive beauty and government of the Capital, and of the rare instruments of science and education which here find their natural home.

A movement lately inaugurated by the citizens to have the anniversary celebrated with fitting ceremonies, including perhaps the establishment of a handsome permanent memorial to mark so historical an occasion, and to give it more than local recognition, has met with general favor on the part of the public.

I recommend to the Congress the granting of an appropriation for this purpose and the appointment of a committee from its respective bodies. It might also be advisable to authorize the President to appoint a committee from the country at large, which, acting with the Congressional and District of Columbia committees, can complete the plans for an appropriate national celebration.

The alien contract law is shown by experience to need some amendment; a measure providing better protection for seamen is proposed; the rightful application of the eight-hour law for the benefit of labor and of the principle of arbitration are suggested for consideration; and I commend these subjects to the careful attention of the Congress.

The several departmental reports will be laid before you. They give in great detail the conduct of the affairs of the Government during the past year and discuss many questions upon which the Congress may feel called upon to act.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

December 5, 1898.

CORRESPONDENCE.

ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.

ARGENTINE-CHILE BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

[Telegram.]

Mr. Day to Mr. Buchanan.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, D. C., July 29, 1898.

BUCHANAN, Minister, Buenos Ayres: Learning with great regret of the tension which has arisen in regard to the boundary demarcation between the Argentine Republic and Chile, the Government of the United States charges you to express the earnest hope that the parties may find it practicable to compose their differences in accordance with the agreement already existing for marking the boundary by the commissioners, and for arbitrating any point on which the commissioners may be unable to agree.

DAY.

Mr. M. Garcia Mérou to Mr. Hay.

[Translation.]

ARGENTINE LEGATION, Marblehead Neck, Mass., September 25, 1898.

MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have the honor to inform your excellency that I am just in receipt of a telegram from my Government advising me that the boundary question pending between the Argentine Republic and Chile, by mutual agreement of both Governments, is to be submitted to the arbitral decision of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, in conformity with the stipulations in existing treaties, and particularly with the agreement of 1896, which I had the pleasure of communicating to your excellency with one of my earlier notes. According to said compacts the line whose fixation is given into the hands of an arbitrator is that which runs from the twenty-sixth parallel to the fifty-second-the definitive tracing of the frontier in the region known as "Puna de Atacama" being yet to be determined by means of direct negotiations which are now proceeding without hindrance. This solution, which removes, Irappily, all fear of conflict between the two countries while satisfying the wishes of both, in no way diminishes the gratitude which my Government feels for the interest shown by that of your excellency for a pacific settlement of the long standing and complicated difficulty.

1

In begging your excellency to transmit these sentiments to His Excellency the President of the United States I reiterate to your excellency the assurance of my highest and most distinguished consideration.

M. GARCIA MÉROU.

No. 29.]

Mr. Adee to Mr. M. Garcia Mérou.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, September 28, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 25th instant, in which you are pleased to inform me that you have received a telegram from your Government stating that the boundary question pending between the Argentine Republic and Chile is, by mutual accord of both Governments, about to be submitted to the arbitration of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, in conformity with the stipulations of existing treaties, and in particular of the agree ment of 1896, according to which compacts the lines submitted to arbitration run from the twenty-sixth to the fifty-second parallels of south latitude, leaving for future settlement by means of direct nego tiations, which are forthwith to be undertaken without interruption, the definitive location of the frontier in the regions known as "Puna de Atacama."

The gratifying information which you thus convey has been confirmed by telegrams which I received from the United States minister at Buenos Ayres, who has been careful to keep the Department advised of the progress of the negotiations in conformity with the instructions which have been sent to him from time to time expressing the great interest felt by this Government in a just and peaceful solution of the pending controversies.

Accept, etc.,

ALVEY A. ADEE,

Acting Secretary.

Mr. M. Garcia Mérou to Mr. Hay.

[Translation.]

LEGATION OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC,

Washington, December 15, 1898.

MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: In compliance with instructions from my Government, I have the honor to officially confirm the information which I was able to give you in the conversation had with your excellency two weeks ago respecting the designation by the Governments of the Argentine Republic and of Chile of his excellency, Mr. William Buchanan, to form part of the commission which shall definitely determine the boundary line in the region called Puna de Atacama, it being his function to act as third arbitrator if the conference of the delegates of both nations, which is to meet on the 10th of March, shall not succeed in reaching an accord concerning the demarcation of the said boundary.

My Government charges me, moreover, to make known to your excellency that up to this time the two Governments have not communicated to Mr. Buchanan the designation which has been agreed upon in the protocols drawn up to that end, as the Government of the Argentine