I also transmit a copy of a cable dispatch from General Otis, sent from Manila February 8, 1899, received in Washington February 9, 1899, being the same dispatch to which he refers in his reply of May 1, 1900 as misleading.  So far as I am informed, General Otis did not afterwards reply, except as set forth in his dispatch of May 1, 1900.  He was not directed by the Secretary of War to reply, and no answer was made by him or the Secretary of War to an application to cease fighting.  There appears to have been no such application.

I further transmit a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Admiral George Dewey, dated May 14, 1900, and a copy of the Admiral’s reply, dated May 17, 1900.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 22, 1900.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, relative to the status of Chinese persons in the Philippine Islands.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 22, 1900.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of Agriculture, forwarding a report on the progress of the beet-sugar industry in the United States during the year 1899.  It embraces the observations made by a special agent on the various phases of the beet-sugar industry of the Hawaiian Islands; also the results of analyses of sugar-beets received by the Department of Agriculture from the different States and Territories, together with much other information relating to the sugar industry.

Your attention is invited to the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture that 20,000 copies of the report be printed for the use of the Department, in addition to such number as may be desired for the use of the Senate and House of Representatives.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, May 26, 1900.

To the Senate: 

I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of May 22, 1900, a report from the Secretary of State showing that the consul of the United States at Pretoria was directed on May 8, 1900, to forward copies of the constitutions of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State by return mail.  Translations thereof will be communicated to the Senate at the earliest practicable date.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, June 2, 1900.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith, in further reply to the resolution of the Senate of April 10, 1900, having reference to Senate Document No. 336, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session, a further report from the Secretary of State, showing the places of residence of experts, clerks, officers, and employees of the Commission of the United States to the Paris Exposition of 1900, as well as the items of expenditures of the Commission for the months of January, February, and March, 1900, amounting to $211,583.25.