Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

70 the Congress of the United States:
The assemblage within the nations legislative
halls of those charged with the duty of making,
laws for the benefit of a generous and free peo-
pie, impressively suggests the exacting obltga-
ton and memorable responsibility involved in
their task. At the threshold of such labor
to be undertaken by the congress of the United
States and in the discharge of executive duty
enjoined by the constitute IN, submit this COM
munication containing a brief statement of the
condition of national affairs and recommend
Ing such legislation seems to me necessary
and expedent.
Our Foreign Relations.
The history of recent dealings with other
nations and peaceful relations with them at
this time additionally demonstrate the advantage
of consistently adherng to firm but just for
eign policy, free from envious ambitious ma
tional schemes and characterized by entire hon
esty and sincerity
During the past year, pursuant to law Of con-
gress, commissioners were appointed to the Ant
werp industrial exposition. Though the rart1cf-
patton of American exhibitors fell far short of
completely illustrating national ingenuity
and industrial achievements, yet it was gu tie
creditable in view of the brief time allowed for
preparation.
l have endeavored to impress upon the Bel
gian government the needlessness and positive
harmfulneSs of its restrictions upon the impOrta-
ton of certain of food products, and have
strongly urged that the rigid supervision and
inspection under laws amply sufficient
to prevent the expectation from this country OF
diseased cattle and unwholesome meat.
The termination of the civil war in Brazil
has been followed by the general prevalence
of peace and order. 1t appearing at an early
stage of the insurrection that its course would
call for unusual watchfulness on the part of
this government, our naval force in the harbor
Of Rio de Janeiro strengthened. This pre-
caution, 1 satisfied, tended restrict the
Issue to simple trial of strength between the
Brazilian government and the insurgents and to
avert complications which at times seemed
imminent. Our firm attitude of neutrality was
maintained to the end. The insurgents received
no encouragement of eventual asylum from our
commanders and such opposition they
countered for the protection of COM
merce and fully justified by public law.
A serious tension of relations having arisen
at the close of the war between Brazil and
Portugal, by. OF the escape of the in
Edrgent admiral, Da Cana, and his followers
the friendly offices of our representatives to
those countries were exerted for the protection
of the subjects of either within the territory
of the other
notified that the commercial arrangement ex-
listing between the United States and that coun-
try based on the third section of the tariff act
of 1880, was abrogated on Aug. %, 1894, by
the taking effect of the tariff law in force,
that government subsequently notified US of it's
intention to terminate such arrangement on the
list day of January, 1895, in the exercise of the
right reserved in the agreement between the
spondence between the secretary of state and
the Brazilian minister on this subject
The commission organized under the conven-
ton which had entered into with Chill for
the settlement of outstanding claims of each
government against the other, adjourned at the
end of the period stipulated for its continu-
ance, leaving undetermined number of A1lert-
can cases which had been duly presented. These
claims not barred, and negotiations in
progress for their submission to tribunal.
The 18th of March last the new treaty with
China, in further regulation, signed at
Washington. On Aug. 13 it received the sanction
of the senate Ratification on the part of China
and formal exchange are awaited to give effect
to this mutually beneficial convention.
China and Japan.
A gratifying recognition of the uniform i'm
Partially of this country towards all foreign
states manifested by the coincident re-
quests of the Chinese and Japanese governments
that the agents Of the United States, should
within proper limits, afford protection to the
subjects of each during the suspension of diplo-
matte relations due to a state of war. This
delicate office was accepted, and misapprehen-
sion which gave rise to the belief that in afford
Ing this kindly unofficial protection our agents
would exercise the same authority which the
withdrawn agents Of the belligerents had exer-
rised, was promptly corrected. Although the
war between China and Japan endangers no
policy of the United States, it deserves our
graveSt consideration, by reason Of its disturb
Rnce of growing commercial interests in the
two countries and the increased dangers which
may result to citizens domiciled sojourn-
Ing in the interior of China. Acting under a
stipulation in our treaty with COrea { the first
concluded with a Western power) 1 felt con-
strained at the beginning of the controversy to
tender good Offices to induce amicable
arrangement of the initial difficulty growing out
Of the japanese demands for administrative re-
forms in Corea; but the unhappy precipitation
Of actual hostilities defeated this kindly pur-
pose.
Dep1oring the destructive war between the
two most powerful of the Eastern nations and
anxious that our commercial interests in those
countries may be preserved and that the safety
Of citizens there shall not be ieopardized, 1
would not hesitate to heed any intimation that
friendly aid for the honorable termination
Of hostiliues would be acceptable to both bel
tgerents.
A convention has been finally concluded for the
settlement by arbitration of the prolonged dis
pute with Ecuador growing out OF the proceed
ings against Emile Santos, a naturalized citizen
Of the United States
Our relations with the republic of France con-
tinue to be such should exist between nations
long bound together by friendly sympathy
and similarity in their form of government. The
recent cruel assassination of the president of
this sister republic called forth such universal
expressions of and coincidence from our
people and government to leave doubt of
the depth and sincerity of our attachment. The
resolutions passed by the senate and house of
representatives on the occasion, have been COM
municated to the widow of President Carnot.
Differences With Germany.
Acting the reported discovery of Texas fe-
yer in cargOes Of American cattle, the German
prohibition against impcrtations of live stock
and fresh meats from this country has been re-
yived. 1t is hoped that Germany will soon be-
come convinced that the prohibition is need
less as it is harmful to mutual interests
The German government has protested against
that provision of the customs tariff act which
imposes discriminating duty of One-tenth of
cent a pound sugars coming from countries
paying export bounty thereon, claiming that
the exaction of such duty is in contraventiOn
of Articles and TX of the treaty of 1928 with
Prussia. In the interests of the commerce of
both countries and to avoid even the accusation
of treaty violation, recommend the repeal of so
much of the statute imposes that duty, and
invite attention to the accompanying report Of
the secretary of state containing discussion
of the questions raised by the German protests.
Behring Sea Award.
Ealiy in the present year agreement was
reached with Great Britain concerning in
structions to be given to the naval commanders
OF the two governments in Behr1ng sea and the
contiguous North Pacific ocean for their guild
S . H. ~