lear presentation of the situation. He recommends
that an appropriation of $919,600 be granted, so that a creditable
exhibit on behalf of the United States may be made. The details of this
report will show how this appropriation may be profitably expended.

Besides securing a much larger amount of space than had been reserved,
Major Handy obtained the gratifying assurance that the United States
will be placed on a footing with the most favored nations, and "that in
the installation of every important department the United States will
have a location commensurate with the dignity and importance of the
country and adjoining in every case countries of the first rank."

In view of the magnitude and importance of the approaching exposition,
and of our standing among the nations which will be there represented,
and in view also of our increased population and acknowledged progress
in arts, science, and manufactures, I earnestly commend the report of
Major Handy to your consideration, and trust that a liberal
appropriation may be made.

Moreover, the magnificent exhibit of the French Republic at Chicago
in 1893, on which a million dollars were expended, should be a strong
incentive to reciprocal liberality on the part of the Government of the
United States, and suggests to our citizens the necessity as well as the
propriety of installing at the Paris Exposition an exhibit on a par with
that of the Government and people of France at Chicago, and in keeping
with the scope and extent of the preparations which are being made by
nearly all the important nations of the earth for their proposed
exhibits in that exposition.

I suggest that the subject be given timely and favorable consideration.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 14, 1898_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State in regard to
the award of the commissioners appointed pursuant to the stipulations of
the convention of February 8, 1896, between the United States and Great
Britain, providing for the settlement of the claims presented by the
latter against the former in virtue of the convention of February 29,
1892.

The report of the Secretary of State presents a clear epitome of the
award and renders unnecessary any extended observations on my part
further than to say that I cordially coincide with his recommendation
and that our treaty obligations demand prompt and favorable