Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-17
UNCLE SANS STATUS
1t is Fully Discussed by the President
in His Message to
Congress.
Suggestion Thrown Out that the
Gillian Matter is by no Means
Settled
Attention is Called to Russian and
Chinese Observation-Disclosures
Canal Favored.

WASHINGTON, Dec. s. President Har
rison transmitted his annual message to
congress to-day. In opening he said that
the report of the heads of the several
executive departments furnish compre,
hensive view Of the administrative works
of the last fiscal year relating TO in
ternal affairs. The work of the state
department, he says, has been character
lied by an unusual number of important
negotiations and by diplomatic results of
a notable and highest benefit character.
Among those are reciprocal trade ar
rangements concluded with various
countries. Like negotiations with other
countries have been much advanced and it
is hoped will be concluded before the close
of the year. Referring to the seal fish
cries question the president says he is
glad to be able to announce that terms
satisfactory to this government have
been agreed upon and that an agreement
as to the arbitration is all that is neces-
sary to the completion of the negotiation.
On the meat inspection question the presi-
dent says: sit is gratifying to state that
Germany, Denmark, Italy, Australia
and France have opened their ports to
inspected American pork upon this
government providing for the adequate
inspection of the same"
Anept Brazil.
''The recent political disturbance in
Brazil says the president, "have ex-
cited much regret and solicitation, the
information possessed was meager, but
this government expressed it's solicitude
for the peace of the country and the
maintenance of its free political institu-
tions and advised that moderation be
used in the contest for leadership. These
counsels were received in the most
friendly spirit. -
Referring to the lynching of the Ital-
ians at New Orleans, the president states
it did not originate in any general ami
mostly to the Italian people, nor in any
disrespect to the Italian cover nent,
with which relations were the most
friendly. The hope is expressed that the
matter will soon be amicably settled.
The suggestion is made that it is entire
ly competent for congress to make
offences against the treaty rights of for
eigners domiciled in the United States
cognizable in the federal courts, which
is not now the case.
Riot act read to Chill.
Much space is given to the CHILEAN
question. After detailing what is al
ready known regarding the overthrow Of
Balmaceda, the seizure, escape and sub
sequent capture of the Itata, etc., the
message says: "During the presidency
of this civil contest frequent direct ap-
peals were made to this government to
extend belligerent rights to the insur
gents. This was declined and that poll
cy pursued throughout which this gov
eminent, when wrenched by civil wars
SO strenuously insisted upon on the part of
European nations. During the progress
of the war this government rendered it's
good offices to bring about a peaceful
adjustment but in this we were disap
pointed. The instructions to our naval
officers and ministers enJOined upon
them the most impartial treatment and
absolute interference, and | am satisfied
these instructions were observed, and
that their influence was used partially
but effectively in the interest of hui
mainly on more than one occasion. No
official complaint of the conduct of our
minister or naval officers has been pre-
sented, and l regret that so many of our
people have given ear to unofficial charges
and complaints that manifestly had their
origin in rival interests and in a wish to
pervert the relation between the United
States and Chill. With the overthrow
of Balmaceda, he and many of his Off
GERS became fugitives for their lives, and
at once appealed to the commanding
officers of foreign vessels in the harbOr
and the resident foreign ministers for an
asylum. This was freely given by those
appealed to, including the American
minister and the United States naval
officers acting upon the impulses of hui
mainly. | have not been willing to di-
rect the surrender of the political
refugees who are still in the American
legation without suitable conditions. 1t
is believed that the government of Chill
is not in opposition in view of the prece-
dents, with which it has been connected
to broadly deny the right of asylum, and
the correspondence has not thus far pre-
sented any denial. The treatment of
our minister for a time was such as to
call for a decided protest, and it was
gratifying to observe that unfriendly
measures, which were undoubtedly the
result of the prevailing excitement, were
at once rescinded or suitably relaxed"
After detailing at length the attack on
American sailors in Valparaiso, the pres
ident saws: $50 far as | have yet been
able to learn, no other explanation of
this bloody work has been suggested
than that it had its origin in hostility TO
these men as sailors of the United States
wearing the uniform of their govern
ment, and not in any individual act or
personal animosity. The attention of
the CHILEAN government was at once
called to this affair, and statement of
facts obtained by the investigation we
had conducted was submitted, accom-.
panied by request to be advised by any
other or qualifying facts in the posses
sion of the CHILEAN government that
might tend to relieve this affair of the
appearance of an insult to this govern
ment. The CHILEAN government was also
advised that if such qualifying facts did
not exist this government could cont
IDENTIFY expect full and prompt repara-
ton. 1t is to be regretted that the reply
of the secretary for foreign affairs of the
provisional government was cOuched in
an offensive tone. To this no response
has BEEN made. Our government is
awaiting the result of an investiga
ton which has been ordered by
the criminal court of Valparaiso
1t is reported unofficially that the
investigation is about completed
and it is expected that the result will
soon be communicated to this govern
ment, together with some adequate and
satisfactory response to the note by which
the attention of Chill was called to this
incident. If these just expectations
| should be disappointed or further need
less delay intervene, l will, by a special
message, bring this matter again to the
| attention of congress for such action as
| may be necessary. The entire CORES
pondence with the government of Chill
will. at an early day, be submitted tc
CONGRESS- a"