The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

message read to congress today Is as fol-
lows;
TO the congress OF the United States:
The constitutional duty which requires
the president from time to time to give 60
the congress Information of the state Of
the Union and recommend to their consid.
Grafton such measures ms lie shall judge
necessary and cxpedient is Gttingly en-
tered upon by commencing to the con-
press careful examination OF the detailed
statements and well supported recommen-
dations contained In the reports OF the
heads of departments who are chiefly
charged with the executive work Of the gov
ernment.
While our foreign relations have not at
all times during the past year been entirely
free from perplexity, no embarrassing stu
alton remains that will not yield to the
spirit Of fairness and love Of justice. which,
ioined with consistent firmness, character
ize truly American foreign policy.
Brasil and Chilli iir
The outbreak Of domestic hostilities In
the republic of Brazil found the United
States alert to watch the interests Of our
citizens In that country, with which we
carry on important commerce. Several
vessels Of our new navy are now, and for
tOIlt tiiut huNo otNsi, stutioutu ~ tiO ue
Janeiro.
The struggle being between the estab-
lished government which controls the
machinery Of administration and with
which we maintain friendly relations, and
certain officers of the navy employing the
vessels of their command In an attack upon
the national capital and chief seaport, and
lacking, as It does, the elements of divided
administration, have failed to see that
the insurgents can reasonably claim recog-
milton as belligerents. e- rf.t-,
Thus far the position OF our government
has been that of an attentive but impartial
observer Of the unfortunate conflict. EN-
phasizing our fixed policy of impartial neu-
trality In such condition of affairs as now
exists, i deemed 1t necessary to disavow, In
manner not to be misunderstood, the un-
authorized action of our late naval COM
mander in those waters in saluting the re-
volted Brazilian admiral, being indisposed
to countenance an act calculated to give
gratuitous sanction to the local insurrec-
tion.
The convention between our government
and Chill having for its object the settle
ment and adjustment Of the demands of
the two countries against each other, has
been made effective by the organization Of
the claims commission provided for. The
two governments failing to agree upon the
third member of the commission, the good
offices of the president of the Swiss repub-
lie were invoked, az provided in the treaty,
and the selection Of the Swiss representa-
tive in this country to complete the organ
ization was gratifying alike to the United
States and Chilli.
The Geary Law.
The legislation of last year known as the
Geary law met with much opposition from
Cinnamon in this country. Acting upon
the advice OF eminent counsel that the law
was unconstitutional, the great mass Of
Chinese laborers, pending judicial inquiry
as to its validity, In good faith declined to
apply for the certificates required by its
provisions. A test case upon proceeding
by habeas corpus was brought before the
supreme court, and on May Is. 1898, de-
cision was made by that tribunal sustain
ing the law.
1t is believed that under the recent amend
ment Of the act extending the time for reg
istration the Chinese laborers thereto en-
titled who desire to reside in this country
will now avail themselves of the renewed
privilege thus afforded of establishing by
lawful procedure their right to remain, and
that thereby the necessity of enforced de-
portation may to great degree be avoided.
The Nicaragua Canal.
Nicaragua has recently passed through
two revolutions, the party at first success
full having in turn been displaced by an
other. Our newly appointed minister, by
his timely good offices, aided In a peaceful
adjustment of the controversy involved in
the first conflict. The large American in
terests established in that country in con-
nection with the Nicaragua canal were not
molested.
The canal company has unfortunately
become financially seriously embarrassed,
but generous treatment has been extend
ed to 1t by the government Of Nicaragua.
The United States are especially interested
in the successful achievement of the vast
undertaking this company has In charge.
That it should be accomplished under dis
tinctively American auspices, and its en-
5oyment assured not only to the vessels Of
this country as a channel of communica-
tion between our Atlantic and Pacific sea-
boards, but to the ships of the world in the
interests Of civilization, is a proposition
which, in my judgment, does not admit OF
question.
Guatemala has also been visited by the
political vicissitudes which have afflicted
her Central American neighbors, but the
dissolution of its legislature and the proc
lamation of a dictatorship have been un-
attended with civil war.
An extradition treaty with Norway has
recently been exchanged and proclaimed.
The extradition treaty with Russia, signed
In March, 1887, and amended and confirmed
by the senate in February last, was duly
proclaimed last June.
The Hawaiian Matter.
1t Is hardly necessary forme to state that
the questions arising from our relations
with Hawaii have caused serious embar-
rassment. just prior to the installation
OF the present administration the existing
government Of Hawaii had been suddenly
overthrown, and treaty of annexation
had been negotiated between the provision
al government Of the islands and the Unit
ed States and submitted to the senate for
ratification. This treaty l withdrew for
examination and dispatched Hon. james
II. Blount Of Georgia to Honolulu as