Ben Harrison: “I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, respecting the International Marine Conference which was held…”

I transmit herewith a communication of the 13th instant from the Secretary of the Interior

If it meets the approval of the Senate, peace and good order will be secured in the islands under existing laws until such time as Congress can provide by legislation a permanent from of government for the islands.

The law should at least have contained a provision for the continued discharge of their duties by the incumbents until the new officers were appointed and qualified.

I have felt that it was not only essential as a matter of national defense, but that there was a prestige and influence for peace and good neighborhood between the nations of the earth in the completion and equipment of these great ships…