Newspaper Page Text
Established in 1826.
MACON, GA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 4,1895.
Daily, $7.00 a Year.
SMB IB Of HISS.
Xiie Honse and Senate Listened Atten-
tively to the Reading ol the
RESOLUTIONS FOR THE CDBABS.
Jhe Jtonree Doctrine Emphnirsd byEeiolu-
tiona—Jndge Peckham'i Kamo Bet erred
te the Judiciary Conumttee—OIney
and Harmon CenSrmed.
Washington, Dec. 3.—The senate
plunged into re^. business today. Natu
rally, the president’s message attract
ed the main attention of the day. but
aside from this there were stirring
resolutions upon the Monroe doctrine
and the Cuban rebellion, and after that
the usual deluge of bills and resolu
tions. running far up into the hun
dreds. The message was given the clos
est attention by all.
At Its conclusion, Mr. lodge of Mas
sachusetts offered a resolution, vigor
ous In terms, reaffrming the principles
of the Monroe doctrine and presenting
them in such form as to permit their
enactment as a permanent law rather
than an expression of the policy advo
cated by President Moroe. In the same
line was a resolution by Mr. Cullom
of Illinois, and another by Mr. Alleu,
Populist, of Nebraska.
The Cuban sltuat'on received atten
tion also. The Call resolution will ,bo
called up tomorrow so that Cuba and
the Monroe doctrine will receive early
attention. I i U >1
At the brief executive session the
nominations of Mr. OIney as secretary
of state and Mr. Harmon as attorney
general were confirmed and that of Ru-
fus H, Peckham to the i jpreme bench
referred to the Judicial committee.
IN THE SENATE.
The senate galleries were again well
filled, but there was not the struggle
for places incident to the opening.
Formal proceedings over. Mr. Vilas
and Mr. Allison, the oommlttee ap
pointed to wait on the president,
stepped together into the middle aisle
and Mr. Vilas addressed the presiding
officer:
"The president desires us to convey
his respectful salutations to the houses
of congress and to say that he will
Immediately communicate his views In
writing to congress."
Then Mr. Prudons. the executive
clerk, stepped forward, and made the
formal transfer of the expected mess
age to the senate. Its reading was lis
tened to with marked attention.
There was considerable interest on
the Republican side in the reference to
the Waller case. When the Behring
Sea cla'ms were reached, Mr. Morgan,
■ who has been conspicuous In opposing
I the claims, smiled at the announcement
I that a new treaty had been made, and
leaned forward for an animated whis
pered conference with Mr. Gray.
The treatment of the Brttlsh-Vene-
xuelan question also received marked
attention. The statement of the status
of the Cuban conflict was especially in
teresting as it gave the first official ut
terance on the subject.
At 1:40 o’clock the reading of the
message was completed, and on motion
of Sir. Gorman, Democrat, of Mary
land it was laid on the table and or
dered printed.
Mr. Cullom, Republican, of Illinois
presented a communication from
Evanston, Ill., asking government ac
tion concerning the deplorable condi
tion of affairs in Turkey.
Sir. Gallinger. Republican, of New
Hampshire offered a similar communi
cations from citizens of New Hamp
shire.
A resolution of the Idaho legislature
urging the election of United States
senators by popular vote was presented
by Mr. Dubois. Republican, of Idaho.
Mr. Lodge, Republican, of Massachu
setts was the first to secure recogni
tion on the introduction of bills and
resolutions. He sent to the deBk a reso
lution forcibly approving, In the form
of a Joint resolution of congress, the
principles of the Monroe doctrine.
There was a ripple of laughter as
Mr. Stewart, Populist of Nevada re
introduced his time-honored bill foi
the "free and unlimited coinage of sil
ver."
Mr. Call, Democrat, of Florida gave
notice that he would call up his Cuban
resolution tomorrow.
Mr. Cullom, Republican, of Illinois,
Introduced a resolution on the Monroe
doctrine similar to that presented by
Mr. Lodge, He gave notice that he
would call up the resolution as soon
as permissable for the purpose of ad'
dressing the senate thereon.
Among the large number of bills of
fered by Mr. Feffer, Populist of Kan
sas were those limiting the president's
term to six years without re-election;
repealing ail laws permitting the Is
suance of bonds; the limitation of the
power of injunction.
Mr. Xllen, Populist, of Nebraska of
fered a concurrent resolution for the
Immediate recognition of the Cuban In
surgents, the annexation of all Islands
in proximity to the United States; the
upholding of the Monroe doctrine and
a firmer foreign policy respecting the
protection of American citizens abroad.
Mr. Allen wished to make a ten min
utes’ speech on. the passage of the res
olution but it went over with others
without debate. Following Is the full
text of the resolutions:
"Resolved, That It Is the sense of the
senate that the government of the
United States of America should
promptly recognize the revolutionists
of Cuba who are now honestly strug
gling to secure their Independence of
the Spanish government, as composing
an Independent nation, possessing all
the rights thereof according to the
laws of nations.
“Resolved. That all Islands In close
proxlmlnty to the mainland of the
United States should as speedily as
possible, by treaties of purchase, be an
nexed to this government as essential
to our sarety in times of war and the
convenience and necessity of our com
merce in times of peace.
‘•Reeoivi-d. Tlt.it the .wise declara
tion of President Monroe, known as
the Monroe doctrine. Is a well-estab
lished policy of the United States and
should be promptly, and effectually
maintained by the government In Its
original purity and purpose. ,
Resolved, That while the govern
ment of the United 8tatee should not
needlessly or hsstlly embroil itself
with any foreign power and should
only resort to extreme measures in
cases of absolute necessity, a firmer
and more prompt policy on the part
of this government In maintaining the
rights of American citizens abroad
should be Introduced and pursued."
Mr. Squire (Republican) of Washing
ton introduced a silver coinage bill,
which, be stated, sought to be a fair
solution of the present coinage prob
lem.
Mr. Morgan (Democrat) of Alabama
gave notice that on next Monday he
would address the senate on the Brit
ish claims for Behring sea seizures. In
this connection he offered a resolution
for an Investigation and report on the
subject by the committee on foreign
relations.
At 2:50 p. m.. on motion of Mr.
Faukner (Democrat) of West Virginia
the senate went into executive session,
and at 3 o'clock adjourned until to
morrow.
•IN THE HOUSE.
The Reading of the President's Mes
sage Consumed the Day.
Washington, Dec. 3.—The session of
the house today was very brief and
was consumed enetlrely by the read
ing of the president’s message. It
was listened to with fair attention,
but the features of the document re
ceived no sign either of approval or
disapproval from the members until
the conclusion of -the reading, when
several Democrats created a slight
demonstration-.
The Rev. H. N. Condon, the new
chaplain, a blind Unlversalist preacher
from Port Huron, Mich, delivered the
Invocation after Speaker Reed had
rapped the members to order.
Mr. Payne (Republican) of New
York, chairman of the committee ap
pointed to wait upon the president, re
ported that Mr. Cleveland had sent his
respectful salutations to congress and
would communicate in writing. Im
mediately thereafter Mr. Pruden, the
president’s executive clerk, appeared
with tho message, which the speaker
forthwith laid before the house. As
the clerk commenced its rending the
house became quiet and the members
listened, some Intently, but all respect
fully, to the words of the chief execu
tive.
Five thousand copies of the messago
were ordered printed.
The first movement in congress upon
the Venezuelan boundary dispute came
in tho form of a resolution Introduced
by Representative Livingston of Geor
gia whose name has been somewhat
Identified with the question by reason
of his resolution recommending arbi
tration. which was adopted by the last
congress, and his recent visit to Vene
zuela.
The resolution recites that by a res
olution of the last congress. It was re
commended that the boundary dispute
bo submitted to arbitration, that tho
action was brought to the attention of
her Brltanlc majesty’s sight by the
president, courteously and with kindly
Intent, and declares that her mejesty’s
government "has failed to give tho
prompt consideration to the Important
request contained In- that Joint resolu
tion or to answer tho same In any
manner, such as was due and becoming
to the dignity of United States as a
great nation and to tho friendly rela
tions existing between the two govern
ments."
The resolution also recites that after
this communication, tho colonial secre
tary instructed the government of Brit
ish Guiana to take forcible! possession
of certain territory of Venezuela In
volved In the dispute, "an act which
has been officially declared to be the
manifestation of an unfriendly disposi
tion toward the United States.”
In conclusion it provides for a Joint
committee of two senators and three
members to Investigate the facts and
recommend proper action to congress,
to vindicate and preserve the dignity
and rights of the United States In the
premises.
At 1:60 p. m„ on.motlon of Mr. Payne
Republican (New York) the house ad
journed until Friday.
A HALF MILLION BLAZE.
Indianapolis Business House* and Con
tents Destroyed by Fire.
Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 3.—A fire in
the heart of tho wholesale district today
destroyed property valued at a half mill
ion dollars.
Tho fire hegan in thn wholesale grocery
store of Sehnull A Co., Nos. 63 to 68
South Meridian street.
At noon, when the fire had been got
ten under'control, but was still fiercely
burning, the burned territory extended
from No. 52 to 74 South Meridian street.
The following firms were burned out:
Sehnull A Co., wholesale grocers; Ward
Bros., druggists; Fairbanks, Morse A
Co., scales; Eckhouse A Co., liquors;
Woodford A Pobhnan, liquors; Indiana
Coffee Company, Hildebrand Hardware
Company.
The bulldlnga were all brick, and were
three and four stories high. A number of
accidents occurred. Several firemen were
carried down by falling walls. Ono and
probably two, it is believed, who have
been taken to the hospital will die.
The estimated value of the stock de
stroyed Is 3372,000. which, together with
the buildings, will make a loss of 5540,-
000. There is a total of about 5300,000 of
insurance.
GEORGE CLARKE DYING.
The Hero of “Uncle Tom's Cabin la
Near Life's End.
Lexington, Ky.. Dec. 3.—Louis George
Clarke, the 84-year-old mulatto who
was the original of Mrs. Stowe's George
Harris In "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," has
been sent to the Infirmary. He has
been falling rapidly during the past
few weeks and Is not likely to live long.
WHY THE ROAD WITHDREW.
New York, Dec. .3—Regarding the
withdrawal of the 8L Louis Southwest
ern railway from the Southwestern
Passenger Association. Edwin Gould
said today:
"We withdrew because we did not
think that we were getting a fair
share of the business. I do not believe
there will be a rate war of consequence
as there Is yet time to adjust differ
ences. I do not know whether we will
meet the Increased rate of commission
offered by the M. K. A T. railroad, but
I suppose wo wtU.”
jKEiinra.
The Secretary Discussed the Financial
Question Belore aa Immense
Audience.
DID NOT &GREF WITH MR, HARYEI
The Silver Fallacy Exposed by Citing the
Intrinele Valuei of the White and Yellow
Metala-The Seoretary Favored ■
State Banks.
Atlanta, -Dec. 8.—Cold as was the
weather tonight, tho welcome extendod
to Secretary of the Interior Hoko
Smith on his appearance before the
general assembly to discuss the finan
cial question -was of . the warmest.
Standing room only was available in
the hall of representatives, where both
branches of the legislature, distin
guished men from various portions of
the state and several hundred cltlens,
Including many ladles, were gathered,
and loud and lengthened applause
made frequent interruptions In his re
marks.
Tho secretary had been Invited to
discuss "The Issues of the Day,” but
like cx-Spcaker Crisp, who spoke before
tho same body two weeks ago, ho con
fined himself'to the money question,
taking strong round against the free
and Unlimited coinage of silver and de
fending the course of the administra
tion In financial matters. Mr. -Smith
was Introduced by State Senator W.
W. Osborne of Savannah.
Ho rehearsed the uses and functions
of money and gave a rimnlng review
of the history of currency In this coun
try. The advocates of free coinage, ho
said, professed to want gold and silver
treated with equality, and yet the pol
icy they proposed would put 100 cents
worth of one In a dollar and only 50
cents of the other. He was not against
silver. He wanted Just as many golf
and silver or paper dollars circulated
In this country as could be kept as
good as every other dollar. Ho In
dorsed the bimetallic policy of Thomas
Jefferson, he said, but he did not agree
with the blmetalllo fallacy of "Coin”
Harvey, and he argued elaborately to
show that the free and unlllmtcd coin
age of both gold and sllyer at the pres
ent ratio would result In tho estab
lishment of a sliver standard and the
disappearance of all our gold. The
tide of population and capital was now
setting toward the South, and tho
Southern people, of all others, had oc
casion to dread a revolution. Free
coinage would benefit no one and
work vast hardships to all, especially
to the cotton planters of the South,
who would have to soli their product
at a gold standard price and buy their
goods at an Inflated silver standard
valuation. •
FOR STAE BANKS.
The most slgniflcnt part to Secretary
Smith's address was his reference to
Etate banks. The repeal of the 10 per
cent, tax on their circulations would,
he believed, be one remedy for our
financial ills. He took great pleasure
In telling his auditors that of a great
number of great lawyers In the na
tional capitol with whom he associated
all were agreed that tho prohibitory
tax waa unconstitutional. President
Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle had
both recommended its repeal to the last
congress, and their recommendation
would have been renewed but that It
would have been useless to appeal to
the present congress for such action.
He spoke of tho provision of tho ena
bling act passed by the Georgia legis
lature providing for the establishment
of backs of Issue whenever congress
should repeal the tax theron, and de
clared that If ho were a member of tho
general assembly he would work to re
peal that clause, and if the clause
were repealed he would be one of a
number to organize a bank and Issue
notes to test Ihe question of constitu
tionality before the supreme court.
The applause that greeted this decla
ration was loud and long.
The secretary closed by announcing
his assurance that the next national
convention would take advanced ground
against free coinage, and counselling
calmness of discussion and harmony
wlth'n party lines, so that after tiie
battle was over there might not be too
many scars.
The latter is supposed to be nn A. P. A.
aggregation in combination with tho
working classes. Tho A. P. A.. which
was recently organized here, claims to
havo two thousand and more votes
pledged on its roll, though the other
sido concedes that tho A. P. ,A. vote
will not exceed 800. Tho total registra
tion Is'something over seven thousand,
and from indications the vote polled will
be nearly that large.
Aside from .the A. P. A: combination
another feature of nbsorbln'g Interest In
tho election Is the faet that' it is nn
open secret that if the combination wins
there will be a revolution'lii the office
holding list of the city government, so
far as tho offices are at the disposal of
tho city council, chief of Police Con
nolly will also is- decapitated, as he is
a Catholic, and the fight has been made
on him directly. The new council will
elect a new member of the pollOe hoard,
and If the combination is successful, the
now commissioner will bo their mah,
which will give Ihe majority of the po
lice Commission mid enable them to d<>
what they please with the department.
AT THE EXPOSITION TODAY. •
The Buckeye Boys Will Be Atlanta’s
Honored Guests Today and Tomor
row.
Atlanta, Deo. 3.—Tomorrow is Ohio
day at the exposition and the Colum
bus Board of 'Trade, forming tho ad
vance guard of the visitors, arrived
this afternoon. The first regiment
Ohio National Guard, numbering 500,
will come by a special over the South
ern railway about midnight. The party
from Cincinnati Including the Cham
ber of Commerce, Hon. M. E. Ingalls
"and Gen. Hlckenlooper, will arrive to
morrow morning at 9 o’clock.
- Thursday Is Cincinnati day, and Fri
day Is Maryland day. Director Gen
eral Brackett of the Baltimore centen
nial has engaged quarters tor 1,100 mil
itary and 400 prominent citizens of Bal
timore, including Governor Frank
Brown, Mayor Hooper and Cardinal
Gibbons. There will be a reception In
honor of the Cincinnati party at the
Cpltal City Club Wednesday evening
and one In honor of Maryland day
Thursday evening.
CITY ELECTION TODAY.
•Atlanta, Dec. 3.—(Special.)—Tomorrow
ono of the most important and exciting
city elections thst have ever been held
since the days when prohibition was the
battlerry will be held. The campaign
baa been a short One, because of a de
sire to avoid anything that would tend
to detract from the expoaltfon, but while
it haa been brief, it has been red hot at
the same time. For the same reason
that the campaign was made a short one
there was no primary, and no nomina
tions for the seven councilman and two
ihlermen. As.a consequence, It Is a free-
for-all race, with many Independent en
tries, although the main fight is be
tween two regular tickets, the Citizens'
•nil another known as the Combination.
LYNCHERS AFTER THE NEGRO.
Atlanta, Dec. 3.—(Special.)—it- turn
ed out today that the negro Will Will
iams, who appeared at the executive
department yesterday and begged the
governor to grant him protection from
a mob that was bent upon lynching
him. did not far overstate the facts.
Information from Homo, where the ne
gro oamo.frdm, today Is that ho nar
rowly estapetl'avlth his life there last
Saturday ulg4t, as ho had stated to
the governor when ho arrived here.
Williams; It appears. Insulted an es
timable whinf lady who lives in the
suburbs of Rqme, and a posse was or
ganized to whip or lynch him Saturday
night. ‘ '$
'From the Information submitted to
tho govornorp'tho people of the neigh
borhood were;lnccnsed because the Jus-
ttco of the peace there refused to Issuo
a warrant for the negro’s arrest after
the insult was passed, and they pro
posed to 'take the law Into their own
hands. When Judge Harris of the city
court was applied to. however, ho had
the warrant Issued for tho negro,
charging him with assault, And his bai
liff set out ahead of the mob to bring
him to Jail for safe keeping. The mob
was too elose behind him .however,
and the negro escaped by Jumping
through a window. As he ran several
shots were fired at him. He walked to
Kingston and there took the train for
Atlanta Sunday morning. Williams
was turned over to Assistant Keeper
of tho Penitentiary Moore today and
tomorrow will 1k> sent back to Rome
to stand trial on thn warrant Issued
for him by Judge Harris’ court. It Is
not probable that thero will bo any
further attempt made to lyitch tho ne
gro.
COMMENTS'ON THE MBS8AOE.
What Our English Editorial Writers
Think of the President’s Views,
London, Deo. 3.—Tho newspapers to
morrow will very generally contain
editorial- ooq»ra£.nta_ ppon President
Cleveland’s message to congress.
Tho Graphio-says: "The crudities
and Indiscretions of President Cleve
land’.! prtsent pronouncements on for
eign affairs might have been evolved
by tho late Mr. Blaine In his worst
mood. Can anything bo more absurd
than the proposal that tho Schom-
burgh lino (In Venezuela) should bo
submitted to arbitration? The reference
to Cuba Is Infinitely more Judicious. It
Is virtually an expression of sympathy
with filibustering."
Tho Standard tho Conservative or
gan, says: "We cannot but regret tho
tone of President Cleveland's refer
ences to Venezuela. If we may Judge
of the tone and substance of Mr. Ol-
ney's dispatch from tho paraphrase
thus Imparted to congress, wo are not
surprised that no answer has been re
ceived and we further undertake to
predict that when the reply reaches
the White House It will furnish the
president with a deal of matter for se
rious reflection. We must bo pardoned
if we venture to say that tho whole
passage referring to Venezuela ts a tis
sue of unreal assumptions and unsup
ported deductions. It the Americans
desire to carry out the views thus ex
pressed they will do so after duly cal
culating tho cost. Even If wo are eager
for arbitration, the experience In the
Behring Sea controversy would hardly
encourage us. It Is not easy to arguo
calmly when we find that President
Cleveland has already prejudiced tho
merits of tho dispute. But evon strong
states have rights, and though Great
Britain Is able to maintain Its dignity
and interests, it ought not to bo a
mark for public affront In a president
ial message. We are not much Im
pressed with his currency proposals.
He suggests a palliative and not a
cure.”
The Times, editorially, says: "Presi
dent Cleveland has drawn a startling
picture of the difficulties created by
the vicious currency system, and we
shall be greatly surprised If the plans
he suggested are not warmly welcomed
by business men thr ughout th« states.
But, flushed by electoral victories, It Is
probable enough that tho Republicans
will refuse to allow anything t6 be
done In the direction Indicated, Mean
while, the remainder or the message,
especially the reference to foreign re
lations, will give tho impression that
he Is marking time. Nothing, he says,
commits him to a new or aggressive for
eign policy, whilst It will task the In
genuity of his opponents to make out
that he has In any way compromised
the dignity or besmirched the Interests
of his country."
The Dally News, tho Liberal • organ,
will say: "President Cleveland knows
better than to treat the Monroe doc
trine as If It were a rule of Interna
tional law. It Is neither dignified nor
politic for the administration at Wash
ington to take up the quarrels of
South American communities which do
not deserve the usages of civilised na
tions. America will flpd some day that
this sort of patronage Involves a cor
responding responsibility and they will
not like that at all.” .
A representative of the Associated
Press showed President Cleveland's
message to congress to the United
States ambassador here, the Hon.
Thomas F. Bayard, shortly after It waa
delivered to congress. Mr. Bayard
read It with Interest and said: "I have
nothing to say now, except that It Is
a most Impressive utterance and chat-
aceristlc of the able, tl.-zfgitforward
man who made It.”
PRESIDENT’S 1
Our Relations With Foreign Govern
ments Maintained on Friendly
Terms,
URGES NEUTRALITY AS TO CUBA
The Financial Syitem of the Country Folly
Blicutied-Oppoied to the Silver Scheme
ef thoPopulleti-Gold thoUnlveraal
Standard of Sound Currency.
Washington, Dec. 3.—President Cleve
land sent his message to congress today,
which wos rend to tho houso and sen
ate. Following is a full text of tho docu
ment:
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
To tho Congress of the United States:
This assemblage of the legislative
branch of our government occurs al a
time when the Interests of our people
and tho needs of tho country give es
pecial prominence to tho condition of
our foreign relation* and tho exigen
cies of our national finances. The re
ports of the heads of the several ad
ministrative departments of tho gov
ernment fully and plainly exhibit what
has been accomplished within tho scope
of their respective duties and present
each recommendations for tho better
ment of our country's condition as pa-
'trtoyc and Intelligent labor and obser
vation suggest. I therefore deem my
executive duty adequately performed
at tills time by presenting to the con
gress the Important phases of our situ
ation as related to our Intercourse
with foreign' nations and statement of
the financial problems which confront
us, omitting, except as they arc re
lated to these topics, any reference to
departmental operations. I earnestly
Invite, however, not only the careful
consideration, but the severely critical
scrutiny of the congress and my fel
low countrymen to tho reports con
cerning these departmental operations.
If Justly and (airly examined, they will
furnish proof of assiduous and pulns-
taking care (Or tho public welfare. I
press the recommendations of theso
upon tho respectful attention of those
charged with the duty of legislation,
because I bcllevo their adoption would
promote the people’s good.
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
By amendatory tariff legislation In
January last, the Argentine Republic,
recognizing the value of tho large mar
ket opened to the free Importation nf
Its wool under our last tariff act, has
admitted certain products of tho
United States to entry at reduced du
ties. It is pleasing to note that tho
efforts we have made to enlarge the
exchange of trade on a sound basis of
mutual benefit are to thin Instance‘ap
preciated by the country from which
our woolen factories draw their need
ful supply of raw material.
Tho missions boundary dispute be
tween the Argontino Republic and Bra
zil, referred to the president of tho
United States for arbitration during
the term of my predecessor, nnd which
was submitted to me for determination,
resulted to an award In favor of Bra
zil upon the historical and documentary
evidence presented, thus ending a long
protracted controversy and again dem
onstrating tho wisdom nnd desirability
of settling International boundary dis
putes by recourse to friendly arbitra
tion.
Negotiations at* pending for a revi
val of the United States and Chllllan
claims commission, whoso work was
abruptly terminated last year by tho
expiration of the stipulated time with
in which awards could bo made. Tho
resumption of specie payments by Chill
S i a step of great Interest and Import-
nee, both In its direct consequences
upon her own welfare and as evincing
the ascendency of sound financial prin
ciples 4n one of the most Influential of
the South American republics.
THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE.
Tho close of the momentous struggle
between China and Japan, while reliev
ing the diplomatic .agents of this gov
ernment from tho delicate duty they
undertook at tho request of both coun
tries. of rendering such service to the
subject of either belligerent with the
territorial limits of eaoh other as our
neutral position permitted, developed
a domestic condition in the Chinese em
pire which has caused much anxiety
and called for prompt and careful at
tention. Either as a result of a weak
control by thn central government over
the provincial administration following
a diminution of traditional government,
at authority under the stress of an
overwhelming natfonal disaster, or as
a manifestation upon good opportunity
of the aversion of tho Chinese popula
tion to all foreign ways and undertak
ings, there have occurred In widely
separated provinces of China serious
outbreaks of the old fanattoal spirit
against foreigners, which, unchecked
by the local authorities, if not actually
connived at by them, have culminated
In mob attacks on foreign missionary
stations, causing much destruction ol
property and attended with personal
Injuries aa well as loss of life. Although
but one American citizen was reported
to have been actually wounded, and
although the destruction of property
may have fallen more heavily upon
the mlselonarles of other nationalities
than our own, that plainly behooved
this government to take most prompt
and decided action to guard against
similar or perhaps more dreadful ca
lamities befalling the hundred! of
American mission stations which have
grown up through the Interior of China
under the temporato rule of toleration,
custom and Imperial edict.
Tho demands of the United Btatns
and other powers for the degradation
and punishment of the responsible of
ficials of the respective cities and prov
inces who, by neglect or otherwise, had
permitted uprisings, ohd for the adop
tion of stem measures by tho Imperial
government for the protection for the
life and property of foreigners, were
followed by the disgrace and dlsmlasal
of certain provincial officials found der
elict to duty and the punishment by
death of a number of those adjudged
guilty of actual participation in (the
outrages.
This government also insisted that
a special American commission should
visit the province where the first dis
turbances occurred for the purpose of
investigation. This latter commission,
after much opposition, has gone over
land from Tien Tslen, accompanied by
a suitable Chinese escort, and by its
demonstration of tho readiness and
ability of our government to protect
Its citizens, will act, It Is beUeved, aa
a most Influential deterent of any sim
ilar outbreaks. The energetfo steps wo
have thus taken are all the more likely
to result In future safety to our citi
zens In China, because tho Imperial
government Is, I am persuaded, en
tirely convinced that wo desire only
tho liberty and protection of our own
citizens and redress for any wrongs
they may have suffered, and that we
havo no ulterior designs or objects, po
litical or otherwise. China will not
forget either our kindly service to her
citizens during her late war nor the
further fact that while furnishing all
the facilities at our command to fur
ther the negotiations of peace between
her nnd Japan wo sought no advan
tages and Interposed no counsel.
Tho governments of both China and
Japan have In special dispatches.trans-
mltted through tho respective diplo
matic representatives, expressed to a
most pleasing manner their gratoful
appreciation of our assistance to their
citizens during the unhappy struggle
and of the value of our aid to paving
the way to their resumption of peaceful
relations, .
RELATIONS WITH FRANCE
Tho customary cordial relations be
tween this country and Franco havo
boon undisturbed, with tho exception
that n full explanation of the treat
ment of John L. Waller by the expe
ditionary military authorities of Franco
still remains to bo given. Mr. Waller,
formerly United State* consul at Tant-
atlvc, remained In Madngascar Bfte*
hi* term of office expired, and was ap
parently successful In obtaining busi
ness concessions from thn Hovo* of
greater or less value. After tho occu
pation of Tamativc and the declaration
of martial law by tho French, he was
arrested upon various charges, among
them that of communicating military
Information to tho enemies of France,
was tried and convicted by a miliary
tribunal and sentcncod to twenty
years' Imprisonment. Following tho
course Justified by abundant prece
dents, tills government requested from
that of France tho record of the pro
ceedings of tho French tribunal which
resulted In Mr. Waller's condemnation.
Tills request has been compiled with to
the extent of supplying a copy of tho
official record, from which It appears
the constitution nnd organization of
the court, tho charges as formulated,
and the general course and result of
tho trial, and by which It In shown
that the accused was tried In open,
court and was defended by counsel.
|But tho evidence adduced In support
of thn charges, which was not received
by the French minister of foreign af
fairs till the first week In October, has
thus far been withheld, tlie French
government taking tho ground that 11*
production In response to our de
mand would establish a bad precedent,
Tito efforts of our ambassador to pro
cure It, howover, though Impeded by
recent changes In tho French ministry,
have not boon relaxed, and It Is confi
dently expected that Rome satisfactory
solution of the matter will shortly bo
reached. Meanwhile, It appears that
Mr. Waller's confinement has every al-
lovlatlon which the stato of his health
and all the other circumstances of tho
ease demand or permit. i
In un ugreenblo contrast to the differ
ence above noted, respecting a matter
of common concern, where nothing In
sought except such a mutually satis
factory outcome as the truo merits of
the case require, Is tho recent resolu
tion of tho French chamber's favoring
the conclusion of a permanent treaty
of arbitration between tho two coun
tries, nn Invitation bos been extended
by Franco to the government and peo
ple of the United States to participate
In a great International exposition at
Paris In 1900 an a suitable commemora
tion of the closo of this, tho world’n
marvellous century of progress. I
heartily recommend Its acceptance, to
gether with such legislation as will ad
equately provldo for a duo representa
tion of this government and its people
on the occasion.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
Our relations with the states of the
Gorman empire are In some respects
tpylcal of a condition of things else
where found In countries whoso pro
ductions and trade are similar to our
own. Tho close rivalries of competing
Industries tho Influence of tho deluslvo
doctrine that the International develop
ment of a nation la promoted and Its
wealth Increased by a policy whloh, In
undertaking to reserve Its homo mar
kets for the exclusive uso of Its own
producers, necessarily obstructs their
nalcs to foreign markets unit prevents
free access to the products of thn
world. The desire to retain trade In
time-worn ruts, regardless of the Inex
orable laws of new needs and changed
conditions of demand and supply, and
our own halting tardiness to Inviting
a free exchange of commodities, and
by this means Imperilling our footing
in the external markets naturally
open to us, havo created a situation
somewhat Injurious to American ex
port Interests, not only In Germany,
where they aro perhaps more notice
able, but In adjacent countries. Tho
exports affected are largely American
cattle and other food products. Tho
reason assigned for unfavorable dis
crimination being that their consump
tion Is deleterious to the public health.
This Is all the more Irritating In view
of the fact that no European state Is
os Jealous of the excellence and whole
someness of Us exported food supplies
of the United States, no so easily able,
on account of Inherent soundness, to
guarantee thoso qualities. ' Nor aro
these difficulties confined to our food
products designed for exportation. Our
great Insurance companies, for exam
ple, having built up a vast .business
abroad and Invested a large share nf
their gains In foreign countries. In com
pliance with the local laws and regula
tions there existing, now find them
selves within a narrowing circle of on
erous and unforeseen conditions, and
are confronted by the necessity of re-
tlrement from a field thus made un
profitable, If. Indeed, they are not sum
marily expelled, as some of them havo
lately been from Prussia. It Is not to
be forgotten that International trado
cannot be one-sided. Its currents are
alternating and Its movements should
be honestly reciprocal. Without this It
almost necessarily degenerates Into a
device to gain advantage iy a contri
vance to secure benefits with only tho
semblance of a return.
In our dealings with other nations
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