The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-05
THE MESSAGE.
To the Congress of the United States ;

ing laws for the benefit of generous and free
people, impressively suggests the exaoting
obligation and memorable r. responsibility in
volved in their task. AT the threshold Of such
labor now to be undertaken by the congress Of
the United States and in the discharge of an
executive duty enjoined by the constitution,
l submit this communication, containing q
brief statement Of the condition of our ma
tional affairs, and recommending such legis-
lation as seems to be necessary and eXpedient.
The history of our recent dealings with
other nations, and our peaceful relations with
them at this time, additionally demonstrate
the advantage of consistently adhering to
firm, but just, foreign policy, free from envi-
GUS or ambitious national schemes and charac-
terized NV entire honesty and sincerity.
Dealings with Belgian.
During the past year, pursuant to a law OF
congress, commissioners were appointed to the
Antwerp industrial exposition Though the
participation of Amer ican exhibitors fell far
short of completely illustrating our national
ingenuity and industrial achievements yet it
was quite credtable in view of the brief time
allowed for preparation
have endeavored to impress upon the Bel
gian government the needessness and positive
harmfulness of its restrictions upon the i'm
portation of certain of our food products, and
have strongly urged that the rigid supervision
and inspection under our laws are amply suf-
icient TO prevent the expectation from this
country of diseased cattle and unwhoesome
meat
Neutrality In Brazilian War.
The termination of the civil war in Brazil
has been followed by the general prevalence
of peace and orler. 1t appearing at an early
stage of the instruction that its course would
call for unusual watchfulness on the part of
this government, our naval force in the harbor
OF Rio de Janeiro was strengthened.
Precaution tended to restrict the issue to a
l.. r Al
government and the insurgents and to adjust
complications which at times seemed imminent.
Our firm attitude of neutrality was main
tanned to the end. The insurgents received
no encouragement of eventual asylum from
our commanders, and such opposition as they
encountered was for the protection of our
commerce and was clearly justified by public
law.
A serious tension of relations having arisen
"a tine close of the war with Brazil and Portu-
gal by reason of the escape of the insurgent
Admiral Da Cana and his followers, the
friendly offices of our representatives to those
countries exerted for the protection Of
the subjects of either within the territory Of
the other Although the government of Bra
I'll was duly notified that the commercial ar
rangement existing between the United States
and that country, based on the third section of
the tariff act of 1890 was abrogated on Aug. 2S,
1894, by the taking effect of the tariff law now
III force, lndU government subsequently no.
titled US of its intention to terminate such ar
rangement on JAN |, 1885, in the exercise of
the right reserved in the agreement between
the two countries. l invite attention to the
correspondence between the secretary of state
and the b . lillian minister on this subject.
Claims Against Chill.
The commission organized under the con-
vention which we had entered into with Chilli,
for the settlement of the outstanding claim Of
~
at the end of the period stipulated for its con.
thu nee, leaving undetermined a number Of
American which had been duly pre-.
sented. These claims are not barred, and ne
gotations are in progress for their submission
to a new tribunal.
The Eastern War.
On the 18th of March last, new treaty with
China in further regulation of emigration was
signed, and on Aug, ID 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.
A gratifying recognition of the uniform inn
Partially of this country toward all foreign
states was manifested by the coincident re-
quest of the Chinese and Japanese govern
ments that the agents of the United States
should within proper limits, afford protection
to IA subjects Of the other during the srspen-
sion of diplomatic relations, due to a state of
war.
This delicate Office was accepted and mis-
apprehension, which gave rise to the belief
that on affording this kindly unofficial protec-
ton our agents would exercise the same au.
thority which the Withdrawn agents of the
belligerent had exercised, was promptly cor
rested. Although the war between China and
Japan endangers no policy of the United
States, 1t deserves our gravest consideration
by reason of its disturbance of our growing
I'D nj f,,t,,
and the increased dangers which may result
TO our citizens domiciled or sojourning in the
interior of China.
Acting under stipulation in or treaty with
Corea, (the first concluded with Western
power felt constrained at the beginning of
the controversy to
Tender Our Good Offices
to induce an amicable arrangement of the
initial difficulty growing out Of the Japanese
demands for administrative reforms In Corea !;
bus the unhappy precipitation of actual hostil-
tiles defc ated this kindly purpose
Deploring 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 our citizens there shall not be
jeopardized, would not hesitate to head any
intimation that our friendly aid for the honor
able termination of hostiities would be ac.
ceptable to both belligerents.
A convention has been finally concluded for
the settlement by arbitration of the prolonged
dispute with Ecuador, growing out of the pro-
ceedings against Emilio Antos, naturalizsd
citizen of the United States.
Friendly with France.
Our relations with the republic of France
continue to be such should exist between
stations so long bound together by friendly
Sympathy and similarity in their form of gov
eminent. The recent cruel assassination Of
the president of this sister republic called
forth such universal expressions of sorrow
and coincidence from our people and govern
ment as to leave no doubt of the depth and
sincerity OF our attachment.
The Cattle Embargo.
Acting upon the reported discovery Of Texas
lever in cargoes of American cattle, the Ger
man prohibition against imrortations of live
stock and fresh meats from this country has
been revived. 1t is hoped that Germany will
soon become convinced that the inhibition is
needless, as il 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
one cent pound on sugars coming from coun-
tries paying an export bounty thereon, claim.
ing that the exacton of such duty is in contra
vsntion of articles and of the treaty Of
1928 with Prussia. In the interests of the com
meroe of both countries and to avoid even the
accusation of treaty violation, i recommend
the repeal of 80 much of the statute as imposes
that duty.
Protection of Seals.