The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-08
CLEVELANDS MESSAGE
The Presidents Views On A
Great Many Topics.
SAYS VERY LITTLE ABOUT HAWAII,

nut PROMISES more Later Oh-Ahe fresi-
dents Views Upon the Tariff, Foreign
Relations, Etc.-Is Gratided to Note the
Results In the scheme of Defense and
Fortifcation.
To the Congress of the United States
The constitutional duty which requires the
gress information of the state of the Union and
recommend to their consideration such meas
<slres as he shall judge necessary and expedient,
is fittingly entered upon by commencing
30 the congress careful examination or the
detailed statements and well supported recon-
mendations contained in the reports of the
heads of departments. who are chiefly charged
with the executive work of the government.
In an effort 10 abridge this communication as
much as Is consistent with its purpose, shall
supplement- brief of reference to the contents
of these departmental reports by the mention
Of such executive business and incidents as are
not embraced therein. and by such recon-
mendations as appear to be at this particular
time appropriate.
Foreign Relations.
While our foreign relations have not at all
times during the past year been entirely free
from perplexity, no embarrassing situations re-
main that will not yield to the spirit of fai rness
and love of Justice, which, Joined with consistent
frmness, characterize truly American for
Ny predecessor having accepted the office of
arbitrator of the long standing missions
by the Argentine Republic and Brazil, it has
been my agreeable duty to receive the special
ENJOYS commissioned by those to lay before
me evidence and arguments in behalf of their
respective governments. The outbreak of
domestic hostilties in the republic of Brazil
found the United States alert TO watch the in
terests of our citizens in that country, with
which we carry on important commerce. Sew
eral vessels OF our new navy are now and for
some time have been stationed at Rio Janeiro;
The struggle being between the established
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 recognition as belligerents. Thus far
the position of our government has been that
of an attentive, but impartial, observer of the
unfortunate conflict. Emphasizing our fixed
policy OF impartial neutrality in such cond1-
tion OF affairs rs now exists, deemed IL neces-
sary to disavow. in manner not TO be mis-
understood, the unauthorized action of our
late naval commander III those waters IN salut-
ing the revolted Brazilian admiral, being in
disposed to countenance an act calculated TO
give gratuitious sanction TO the local insurrec-
ton.
The convention between our government
and Chilli, having for its object the settlement
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 govern
ments failing to agree upon the third member
of the commission, the good offices of the pres
ident of the Swiss republic were invoked as
eprovided in the treaty, and the selection of the
Swiss representative in this country to COM
plete the organization was gratifying alike to
the United States and Chill. The vexatious
question of so-called legation asylum for Of
presented anew in Chill by the unauthorized
action of the late United States minister in
receiving into his official residence to persons
who had just failed in an attempt at revolu-
ton and against whom criminal charges were
pending growing out of a formor abortive dis
turbance The doctrine of asylum as applied
to this case is not sanctioned by the best
precedents, and, when allowed, tends to en-
courage sedition and strife Under no circum-
stances can the representatives of this govern
ment be permitted, under the ll-defined fiction
of extra territory, to interrupt the admins
tration of criminal justice in the countries TO
which they are accredited. A temperate de-
mand having been made by the Gillian gov
eminent for the correction of this conduct in
the instance mentioned, the minister was in
structed no longer TO harbor the offenders.
Chinese Deportation.
The legislation of last year, known as the
Geary law, requiring the registration of all
Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the
United States, and the deportation of all not
complying with the provisions of the act
within the time prescribed, met With much
opposition from Ghinamen of this country.
Acting upon the advice in eminent counsel
that the law was unconstitutional the great
mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial i'm
quiry as 10 its validity, in good faith declined
provisions. A test case, upon proceeding by
habeas corpus was brought before the supreme
court and on May Is, 1888, decision was made
by that tribunal sustaining the law.
IL is believed that under the recent amend
ment of the act extending the time for regis
tration, the Chinese laborers hereto entitled
who desire to reside I'm this country, will now
avail themselves of the renewed privilege and
thus effect publishing by lawful procedure
their right to remain, and that thereby the
necessity of enforced deportation may to
great degree be avoided. 1t has devolved upon
the United States minister at Pekin as dean
of the diplomacy body and in the sense or
a representative of Sweden and Norway, to
press upon the Chinese government reparation
for the recent murder OF Swedish missionaries
at Sung-Pu. This question is OF vital interest
TO all countries whose citizens engage in mis-
si0nary work in the interior.
% III ISM 9i s sc anpnres e of the
slave trade and the restriction of certain in
furious commerce in the independent state of
the Congo and in the adjacent zone of central
Africa, the United States and the other
signatory powers agreed to adopt appropriate
means for the punishment of persons selling
arms and ammunition to the natives and for
the confscation of the inhibited articles. II
, being the plain duty OF this government TO aid
in suppressing the nefarious traffic, importing
as it does the praisewOrthy and civilizing
efforts now in progress in that region, recon-
mend that an act 9e 10 the the
regulated zone by our citizens
The Honduras Affair.
Upon receiving authentic information of the
firing upon an American mail steamer touch
ing at the port of Amapala, because her cap
tain refused To deliver up passenger in tran
sit from Nicaragua to Guatemala upon de-
mand of the military authorities of Honduras,
our minister TO that country, under instruc.
tions, protested against the wanton act and
demanded satisfaction The government of
Honduras, actuated by sense of Justice, and
in spirit OF the utmost friendship, promptly
disavowed the Illegal conduct of its officers,
and expressed sincere regret for the occur.
renee.
1t is confidently anticipated that a satisfac-
tory adjustment will soon be reached OF the
questions arising ont of the seizure and use OF
American vessels by insurgents in Honduras
and the subsequent denial by the successful
government of commercial privileges to those
vessels on that account
The Nicaragua Canal.
The canal ccmpsny has unfortunately be-
come financially, seriously embarrassed, but
generous treatment has been extended 70 II by
the government of Nicaragua. The United
States are especially interested in the success
full achievement of the vast undertaking this
company has In charge. That II should ne ac-
complshed Under distinctively American
auspices, and it's enjoyment assured not only
to the vessels Of this country as channel o1
communication between our Atlantic and IA,
cifc seaboards, hat to the ships of the world
in the interests Oh civilization, is proposition
which, in my Judgment, does not admit OF
question. -
Guatemala has also been visited by the vicis
STUDIES which have afflicted her Cenlra
hut tf,o