At the present time we have so few of our own ships sailing the seas, that
we can be said to have no merchant marine at all. The ships that crowd our
ports are from foreign countries.

President McKinley said he would like Congress to take the matter in hand,
and assist in restoring our merchant navy to its former greatness.

Then he spoke on _Foreign Policy_. This is also a very interesting
subject, because it shows us the attitude President McKinley will take
toward poor little Cuba.

He said he believed in peace and friendship with other countries, and that
war should never be entered upon until every effort for peace had failed.

He believed in a policy of non-interference, and of leaving to foreign
countries the business of settling their own quarrels with their colonies.

He believed, however, in being just and impartial, ever watchful of our
national honor, and always insisting on the lawful rights of our citizens
every where.

About _Arbitration_, President McKinley said that he considered it the
only true method of settling international quarrels, and that he was in
favor of ratifying the treaty with Great Britain, and hoped the Senate
would do so at a very early date.

He then said he should call an extra session of Congress for March 15th,
to attend to various important affairs that needed immediate attention.

His closing words were: