The record-union., 1894-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The messages of the Presidents appear
to grow in length disproportionately to
the growth of the country and the expan-
sion Of its interests. President Cleve-
lands is no exception. Very largely it is
recital of the facts set out in the depart
ment reports, some of which we have al
ready treated, and which will have fur
ther consideration from time to time.
The message is not a striking docu-
ment, but is a simple and business-like g
review of the affairs of the nation. With
some of the more important explanations
and recommendations of the Executive
we have now to do, not so much in the
way of criticism as in review, that they
may be emphasized before the people
and secure greater measure of thought
ful consideration.
Generally our foreign relations are
satisfactory, though the friction with
Spain relative to Cuban exactions con-
tinues. The President hopes for an early
adjustment, but does not shed much
light upon the present status of this con-
tention. 1t is gratifying to learn that the
President approves of the action our naval
commanders in the harbor of Rio in the
time of the Brazilian rebellion. At the
time the understanding was that Mr..
Gresham's construction of strict neu-
trality went to the extent of refusing
escort to American ships with cargoes to
discharge at the wharf in Rio, and when
Admiral Stanton conveyed a Boston
ship to wharf beneath the guns of the
rebel ships, the people understood that
the gallant commander of the fleet was
frowned upon by the State Department.
The President recounts that prior to
the outbreak Of the war and under the
permissive clauses of treaty with Corea,
he did attempt to intervene with kindly
offices for the settlement of the issue be-
tween China and Japan, but was unsuc-
cessful. Since then it would appear we
have not acted in the Oriental war except
as go-between by request of either
party, and to afford the shelter of our flag
to such refugees as either Nation would
have protected, had not their respective
Legation headquarters been closed by
the state of war.
Legislation is advised to remove the
irritation felt by Germany towards US be-
cause of the discriminating duty on sugars
from countries paying an export bounty
thereon. The sum we are to pay Great
Britain as sweat money for claims against
US, growing out of the Behring Sea diff
Guilty, is stated to be S425,O 900. This practi-
cally closes the Behring Sea incident, and
the enforcement of agreed regulations of
the fur seal industry alone remain and
will, OF course, be continuing.
1t must be confessed that the explana-
ton of the Bluefelds incident is not Iucid,
and we must content ourselves with the
statement that our citizens exiIed have
been restored to the Mosquito territory.
and that We have no reason for interfer-
ence in the claim of sovereignty right by
Nicaragua over the Mosquito strip.
The President, against the recommend
ations of the General commanding, ad-
vises that there shall be no increase in the
regular army, though he recommends
that its legal limit be filled, which will
place between four and five thousand
more men ia the ranks. In this the bet
ter thought of the country will feel disap-
pointment. We believe that it is the
general desire that the army shall be aug
the expansion of the country and the
need for proper care of the military prop
erty, and for the protection OF our from
tiers and the suppression of insurrection
and lawlessness without need to move
troops long distances and at the risk of
greatly interrupted lines of transporta-
ton and communication.
Action Is advised by Congress with
a view to agreement with Mexico
for the use of the waters of the Rio
Grande in irrigation. The public is suffi-
ciently familiar with the case of the Sal
vadoran refugees, so that the Presidents
reference to that incident need not be set
out. The President confesses, with i'll
concealed disgust, that the tripartite ad-