Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-16

connecting the two oceans by means OF d
canal is to be encouraged, I am OF opinion
that any scheme to that end to be considered
with favor should be free from the features
alluded to-
The Tehuantepec route is declared, by en-
gineers of the highest repute and by COM
petent scientists, to afford an entirely prac-
ticable transit for vessels and cargoes, by
means of ship-railway, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. The obvious advantage OF such a
route, if feasible, over others more remote
from the axial lines of traffic between Europe
and the Pacific, and particularly between the
valley of the Mississippi and the western coast
of North and South America, are deserving
of consideration.
Whatever highway may be constructed
across the barriers dividing the two greatest
maritime areas of the world must be for the
worlds benefit, a trust for mankind to be re-
moved from the chance of a domination by
any single power, nor become a point OF 1nvl-
tation for hostilities or q prize for warhke
ambition. An engagement combining the
construction, ownership and operation OF such
work by this government, with an offensive
and defensive alliance for its protection, with
the foreign state whose responsibilities and
rights we would share, is, in my judgment,
inconsistent with such dedication to universal
and neutral use, and would, moreover, entail
measures for its realization beyond the scope
of our national polity or present means.
The lapse of years has abundantly con-
frmed the wisdom and foresight of those
earlier administrations which, long before the
conditions of maritime intercourse were
changed and enlarged by the progress of the
age, proclaimed the vital need of interoceanic
transit across the American isthmus and con-
Secrated it in advance to the common use OF
mankind by their positive declarations and
through the formal obligation OF treaties.
Toward such realization the efforts of my adj
ministration will be applied, ever bearing In
mind the principles on which it must rest,
and which were declared in no uncertain
tones by Mr.. Cass, who, while secretary OF
state, in 1858, announced that " What the
United States want in Central America, next
to the happiness of its people, is the security
and neutrality of the interoceanic routes
which lead through it."
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
In the application of the acts lately passed
to execute the treaty of 1880, restrictive of
the immigration of Chinese laborers into the
United States, individual cases of hardship
have occurred beyond the power of the Exec
utive to remedy, and calling for judicial de-
termination
The condition of the Chinese question in
the Western States and Territories is, despite
this restrictive legislation, far from be-
ing satisfactory. The recent outbreak
in Wyoming Territory, where numbers
of inoffending Cinnamon, indisputably
within the protection of the treaties
and the law, were murdered by a mob, and
the still more recent threatened outbreak of
the same character in Washington Territory,
are fresh in the minds of all, and there is ap-
prehension lest the bitterness of feeling
against the Monaghan race on the Pacific
slope may find vent in similar lawless demon
strations. All the power of this government
should be exerted to maintain the amplest
good faith toward China in the treatment of
tbacn and t1,a irfioyih1a of tho
law in bringing the wrong-doers to justice
should be insisted upon.
Every effort has been made by this gov
eminent to prevent these violent outbreaks
and to aid the representatives of China in
their investigation of these outrages: and it is
but just to say that they are traceable to the
lawlesSness OF men not citizens of the United
States engaged in competition with Chinese
laborers
Race prejudice is the chief factor in origi-
mating these disturbances, and it exists in a
large part of our domain, jeopardizing our do
nestle peace and the good relationship we
strive to maintain with China.
The admitted right of a government to
prevent the influx of elements hostile to its
internal peace and security may not be ques
toned, even where there is no treaty stipula-
ton on the subject. That the exclusion of
Chinese labor is demanded in other countries
where like conditions prevail is strongly evil
denced in the Dominion of Canada, where
Chinese immigration is now regulated by
laws more exclusive than our own. If ex-
isting laws are inadequate to compass the end
in view l shall be prepared to give earnest
consideration to any further remedial meas
ures, within the treaty limits, which the wis
dom of Congress may devise.
regret to say that the restrictions upon
the importation of our pork into France con-
time; notwithstanding the abundant demon
stration of the absence of sanitary danger in
its use; but l entertain strong hopes that with
better understanding of the matter, this
vexatious prohibition will be removed. 1t
would be pleasing to be able to say as much
with respect to Germany, Austria and other
countries, where such food-products are abSo-
lutely excluded, without present prospect of
reasonable change.
The Interpretation of our existing treaties
of naturalization by Germany during the past
year has attracted attention by reason of an
apparent tendency on the part of the imperial
government to extend the scope of the resi-
Dental restrictions to which returning natu-
rallied citizens of German origin are asserted
to be liable under the laws of the empire. The
temperate and just attitude taken by this gov
eminent with regard to this class of questions
will doubtless lead to a satisfactory under
standing.
The dispute of Germany and Spain rela-
tive to the domination of the Caroline Islands
ment, by reason of extensive interests of
American citizens having grown up in those
parts during the past thirty years. and be-
cause the question of ownership involves jur-
isdiction Of matters affecting the status of
our citizens under civil and criminal law.
Whilst standing wholly aloof from proprie-
tary issue raised between powers to both of
which the United States are friendly, the
government expects that nothing in the pres
emit contention shall unfavorably affect our
there domiciled, and has SO informed the
governments of Spain and Germany.
An international conference to consider the
means of arresting the spread of cholera and
other epidemic diseases was held at Rome in
May last, and adjourned to meet again on fur
Their notice: An expert delegate on behalf of
the United States has attended its sessions
and will submit report.
Our relations with Mexico continue to be
most cordial, as BELTS those of neighbors be-
tween whom the strongest ties of friendship
and commercial intimacy exist, as the natural
and growing consequence of our similarity of
institutions and geographical propinquity.
The relocation of the boundry line between
the United States and Mexico, westward on
the Rio Grande, under the convention of July
20, 1882, has been unavoidably DELAYED: but I
apprehend no difficulty in securing a pro-
longation of the period for its accomplishment.
The lately concluded commercial treaty
with Mexico still awaits the stipulated legis-
lation to carry its provisions into effect for
which one years additional time has been
secured by q supplementary article signed if
February last and since ratified on both Sides
IL II