The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-03

they are entitled. Whether 1t Is now in,
cumbent upon the United States to amend
their general laws ordevise new measures
IN this regard | do not consider in the
present Communication, but conhne my
self TO the particular point raised by the
outrage at Rock springs,s
THR CHINESE NINlsTRR's COMPLAINT,
The note Of the Chinese Minister and
the documents which accompany II give,
as believe, IN unexsgggerated statement
OF the lRmeptable incident, and present
impressiYely the readable circumstances
that the proceedings in the name Of JUS
tiCe Tor the ascerlainment OF the crime and
fixing the responsibility therefor, were q
ghastly mockery OF Justice. SO long as the
Chinese Minister, under his instructions,
makes this the basis OF an appeal to the
principles and convictions OF mankind no
exception can be taken, but when he goes
further, and taking as his pre-.
cedent the action Of the Chinese
government in past instances, where
the lives oil American citizens and their
property in China have been endangered
argues reciprocal obligation on the part
OF the United Statss 10 indemnify the
Chinese subjects who suffered at Rock
Springs, 1t became necessary to meet his
argument and to deny most empllRtlGally
the conclusions he seeks to draw as TO the
existence ol such liability and ths right
Of the Chinese government to insist upon
It. l draw the attention ol Congress to
the matter in the latter part OF the nots
of the Secretary Of State on February Is,
1885, In reply 10 the Chinese Minister'S
representation, and invite especial Cou-
alteration to the Cogent reaaons by
which he reaches tho conclusion that
whilst the United States Government
IL under no obligation, whether by the ex-
press terms Of It's treaties with China on
the principle ot international law to in.
demnify these Chinese subjects for Losses
caused by such means and under the ad-
tnitted circumstances, yet that iu view OF
tho palpable disCreditable failure OF the
authorities Of Wyoming Territory W bring
to justice the guilty parties or to assure
the sufferers an impartial form in which
TO seek and obtain compensation for the
losses which those subjects have incurred
by lack OF police protection !. and
considering further the entire absence
Of proYocatlon or contribution OH the part
OF the victims the Executive may be In.
duced to bring the matter to tho beneyo.
lent consideration OF Congress In order
that that body in ils high discretion may
direct the bounty OF the Government In
aid OF innocent and peaceful Btrangers,
whose material maltreltment has brought
disCreditupou the country, with the dis,
tnCt understanding that such action, is in
no wise TO be held US a precedent, but is
wholly gratuitous, and IL resorted to In a
spirit Of pure generosity toward those who
are otherwise helpless. The correspond
ance exchanged is herewith submitted for
the information Of the Congree.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive AansiOn, Washington, March 9,
1886.
The letter Of the Secretary OF State to
the Chinese Minister referred to is an ex.
haustive statement OF the whole Chinese
question and Its main points are fully
covered In the message,