Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-12-14


The Presidents message in the main
is Us follows:
The assemblage within the nations s
legislative hall of those charged with
the duty of making laws for the bene-
tit OF a generous and free people i'm
pressively suggests the exacting Obli-
CATION and memorable responsibility
involved in their task. At the thres-
hold of such labor now to be under
taken by the Congress of the United
States and in the charge OF an execu-
tive duty enjoined by the constitu-
ton, l submit this communication
containing a brief statement OF the
condition of our national affairs and
recommending such legislation as
seems to me necessary and expedient.
FIRM FOREIGN POLICY ADVOCATED.
The history Of our recent dealings
with other nations, and our peaceful
relations with them at this time, ad-
ditionally demonstrate the advantage
of consistently adhering to firm but
just foreign policy, free from envious
or ambitious national schemes and
characterized by entire honesty and
sincerity.
During the past year, pursuant to
law Of Congress-, Commissioners were
appointed to the Antwerp Industrial
Exposition, though the participation
OF American exhibitors fell far short
of completely illustrating our national
ingenuity and industrial achieve
ments, yet it was still creditable, in
view of the brief time allowed for
preparation.
have endeavOred to impress upon
the Belgian government the needless.
ness and positive harmfulness of it's
restrictions upon the importation OF
certain Of our food products and have
strongly urged that the rigid super
vision and inspection under our laws
are amply sufficient to prevent the
expectation from this country of
diseased cattle and unwholesome
meat.
The termination OF the cival war in
Brazil has been followed by the gem
eral 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 was strengthened
which served to avert serious compli-
cations.
A serious tension of relations hav.
ing arisen at the close OF the war be-
tween Brazil and Portugal by reason
of the escape OF the insurgent admiral
Da Cana and his followers, the friend
ly Offices of our representatives to
these countries were excited for the
prevention of the subjecte of either
within the territory Of the other.
Although the government OF Brazil
was duly notified that the CONNER
cial arrangement existing between the
United States and that country, based
on the third section of tho tariff act
of 1890, was abrogated on August 26,
1894, by the taking effect OF the tariff
law in force, that government subse-
quently notified us of its intention to
terminate such arrangement on the
first day of January, 1895, in the
exercise of the right reserved in the
agreement between the Secretary of
State and tho Brazilian minister on
this subject.
The commission organized under
the convention which we have entered
into with Chill for the settlement of
the outstanding claims of each gov
ernment against the other adjourned
at the end OF the period stipulated for
its continuation leaving undetermined
a number of cases which had been
duly presented. These claims are not
barred, and negotiations are in pro-
gress for their submission to a tribu-
nal.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
On the 18th of March last the new
treaty with China was signed at Wash
ington, and on August 13 it received
the sanction of the Senate. Ratifca-
ton Oh the part of China and formal
exchange are awaited to give effect to
this mutually beneficial treaty.
A gratifying recognition OF the uni
form impartiality of this country to-
wards all foreign States was manifest
ed by the coincident request OF the
Chinese and japanese governments
that the agents of the United States
should, within proper limits, afford
protection to the subjects of the other
during the suspension of diplomatic
relations due to state of war. This
delicate Office was accepted, and
misapprehension which gave rise to
the belief that in affording this kindly
unofficial protection our agents would
exercise the same authority which the
withdrawn agents of the belligerents
had exercised was promptly corrected.
Although the war between China
and Japan endangers no policy OF the
United States it deserves our gravest
consideration by reason bits disturb
ance of our growing commercial inter-
ests in the two countries and the in
creased dangers which may result to
our citizens domiciled or sojourning
in the interior of China.
Acting under a stipulation in our
treaty with Korea (the first concluded
with q Western power) l felt con-