PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S MESSAGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 41, 8 February 1884, Page 3

PRESIDENT ARTHUR'S MESSAGE.

(Dublin Freeman, Dec 8.) President Akthxir on Tuesday delivered his opening Message to the Congress of the United States. Wholly unlike what we call a Queen's Speech to her Majesty's faithful Commons, the President's Message has a backbone in it. It has nothing of the hollowness of mere formality, but acquires the strength and ct aracter of an authoritative utterance by its general fulness, the directness of its sketches of what the Government has done, and of what it purposes, and oxight, to do. We give eleswhere the heads of this exhaustive address, and it will be observed that the President refers briefly, but with emphasis, to the question of pauper immigration. It appears the correspondence on the subject between the British and the United Governments, part of which we published not long since, has been continued, and will be shortly submitted to Congress. Meanwhile the action of the States Government has not been stayed. The "objectionable visitors," as tne President, with polite candour, dubs the poor immigrants, have been everywhere sent back, and the Government has insisted upon precautions being taken against further deportation of such persons without a gaurantee of their support by their relatives. The " ineffective action "of England is alluded to, especially with reference to emigration via Canada, and the necessity it entailed, last May, of a revibion of the legislation on the subject. We shall await with interest the publication of the diplomatic correspondence, in order that we may learn upon what new economic principles Great Biitain justifies the support of a share of its poverty by the people of the United States. There is a notable and significant allusion in the Message to the condition of the National navy and the coast defences. The President complains of the weakness of these defences, and suggests their immediate strengthening. He also hopes that suitable facilities will be provided for the manufacture of such guns and torpedoes as are now needed. Three cruisers are being constructed, he says, and already four ironclads have been launched. This is new language on the lips of the President. The Government of the United States has hitherto prided itself on its characteristic economy iD military and naval affairs during times of peace, having little in common with the national "standing armies," and repudiating the empty aphorism that the best way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. The President is careful to observe that "it is no part of our policy to create or maintain a navy capable of coping with those of other great nations. We do not wish for foreign conquo t, nor is there any danger of peace being iut- r uptcd ; but we should have a navy capable of defending our habours, protecting our commerce, aud maintaining the national honour." The fact remains, however, that the United States Republic has heretofore been content with its natural defences.