Madison times., 1885-12-19


mainly to the development of the
vast resources of the great area COM
mitted to our charge and to the cultivation of
the arts of peace within our border although
zealously alert In preventing the American
from being Involved in the po-
litical problems and complications of dis
tant Governments, therefore am unable to
recommend propositions involving para
mount privilege of ownership or right out
side OF our own territory when coupled with
absolute and unlimited engagements to de-
fend the territorial integrity OF our State
where such interests lie. While the general
project OF connecting the two oceans by
means of a canal Is to be encouraged, am
of the opinion that any scheme to that end
to be considered with favor should be free
from the features alluded to.
THE rEHUANTEPEC ROUTE
Is declared by engineers OF the highest re-
pute and by competent scientists to afford
an entirely practicable transit for vessels
aud cargoes by means OF a ship railway from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. The obvious ad =
vantages OF such a route, IL feasible, over
ot er5 more remote from the axial lines of
traffic between Europe and the Pacific, and
particularly between the Valley of the Mis-
slssIppi and the western coast of North and
south America. are deserving OF considera-
tion. Whatever highway may be construct
ed across the barrier dividing the two great
est maritime areas of the world, must be for
the worlds benefit-a trust for mankind to be
removed from the charge OF domination by
any single power, nor become point OF In
VltatlOn Tor nOstllftleS or prize IOr Wdrilke
ambition. An engagement combining the
construction, ownership and operation of
such a work by this Government, with An
offensive and defensive alliance for Its pro-
lection with the foreign State, whose re-
sponsibilities and rights we would share, Is,
In my Judgment. inconsistent with such dedi.
cation to universal and neutral use, ana
would, moreover. entail measures for It's
realization beyond the scope of our Ma
tional politics or present means.
The lapse OF years has abundantly con-
hrmed 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 inter
oceanic transit across the American lsthmus
and consecrated in advance to the common
use of mankind by their positive declara.
tions and through the formal obligations OF
treaties.
TOWARD SUCH REALIZATION
the efforts of my administration will be ap-
piled, ever bearing in mind the principles
on which 1t must rest, and which were de-
clared in no uncertain tones by Mr.. Cass
who while Secretary of State. in 1858, an
nounced that "what the United States wants
in Central America, next to the happiness
of its people, Is the security and neutrality
of the inter oceanic routes which lead
through it,"
The construction of three transcontinenta
lines of railway, all in successful operation
wholly within our territory and uniting the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been &C
companied by results of a most interesting
and impressive nature, and has created new
conditions, not in the routes OF commerce
only, but In political geography, which pow
erfuly affect our relations toward and nee
essarily increase our interest in any trans
isthmian route which may be opened and
employed for the ends of peace and traffic
or in other contingencies for uses inimica
to both.
TRANSPORTATION
10 a factor in the cost of commodities scarce
ly second to that Of their production, ant
weighs as heavily upon their consumer. Oul
existence already has proven the great i'm
portance OF having the competition between
land carriage and water carriage fully devel
against the tendencies Of monopoly, which
Is inherent in the consolidation of wealth
and power In the hands of vast corpora
tions. These suggestions may serve to en-
phasize what I have already said on th'
score of the necessity of a naturalization o
any inter oceanic transit, and this can onl,
be accomplished by making the uses of th'
route open to all nations and subject to th'
ambitions and warlke necessities of none
The drawings and report OF a recent surve,
of the Nicaragua Canal route made by Chic
Engineer Menocal will be communicated TO
your information.
The claims of citizens of the United State
for losses by reason of the late military Op
erations of Chill in Peru and Bolivia are tn
subject OF negotiation for claims conven
ton with Chilli, providing for their submis
sion to arbitration.
The harmony of our relations with Chin
Is fully sustained in the application of tn
acts lately passed to execute the treaty o
1880, restrictive of the immigration of Chi
nese Iaborers into the United States. Indi
vidual cases of hardship have occurred be
yond the power of the Executive to remedy
and calling for judicial determination. In
condition of
THE CHI INEsE QUESTION
in the Western States and Territories is. de
spite this restrictive legislation, far from be
ing satisfactory. The recent outbreak II
Wyoming Territory. where numbers of un
offending Cinnamon, indisputably within
the protection of the treaties and the law
were murdered by mob, and the still NOR
recent threatened outbreak OF the sam
character in Washington Territory, ar
fresh in the minds OF all, and there Is appre
henson lest the bitterness of feeling agains
the Mongolian race on the Pacific slope ma
find vent In similar lawless demonstration
All the power Of this Government should
exerted to maintain the amplest goo
faith toward China in the treatment of thes
men, and the inflexible sternness of tn
law In bringing the wrongdoers to tustiC
should be insisted on. Every enort mas bee
made by this Government to prevent thos
violent outbreaks and to aid the represents
tives of China In their Investigation or thes
outrages, and 1t Is but justice to say they ar
traceable to the lawlessness OF men lot cit
zens of the United States engaged in con
petition with Chinese laborers. Race prejr
dice is the chief factor in originating thes
disturbances, and 1t exists In q large part (
our domain, teopardizing our domest
peace and the good relationship we strive
maintain with China The admitted right OF
Government to prevent the inhux OF element
hostile to its internal peace and securit
may not be questioned even where there
no treaty stipulation on the subject. Tn,
the exclusion of Chinese labor Is demande
In other countries where like conditions pr,
Of Canada, where Chinese immigration
now regulated by laws more exclusive ths
our own II existing laws are inadequate
compass the end In view, I shall be prepare
ther remedial measures within the treat
limits which the wisdom of Congress ms
devise.
THE CONGO.
The independent State of the Congo hs
been oIganzed & as goyernmeRt nm RtI under M q q
Belgians, who assumes Its chief magistrac
| in his personal character only, withol
making the new State dependency G
| Belgium. It Is unfortunate that a benighte
| region, owing all it has Of quickening civil
| zatlon TO the benefcence and philanthr,
| pic spirit of this monarch. should have tf
| advantage and security OF his benevolel
ment last year in being the first to reco,
| nlze the nag of the International Assoc
alton of the Congo has been followed
formal rec ognition OF the new natiol
pow powers. % A Conference Of delegat
| Of the principal commerci
nations was held AZ Berlin last winter TO di
| cuso methods whereby the Congo bas
| might be kept open to the worlds trad
Delegates attended on behalf OF the Uuitt
States on the understanding that their pa
should be merely deliberative, without In
posing to the results any binding characte
! 80 far as the United States were concerne
! This reserve was due to the indisposition
! this Government to share In any disposal
an international congress OF Jurisdiction
| questions In remote foreign territories. II
| results Of the conference was embodied In
! formal act of the nature OF an internatio n
convention, which laid down certa
! oblig atIons purporting to be binding
the signatores, subject to ratification with
one year Notwithstanding the reservatit
I under which the delegates OF the Unit
| States attended. their signaturea were 3