Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-12-14
President Cleveland Discusses
The Nations Affairs.
FOR FREE COAL AND IRON.
Favors Repeal Of the Difersntial
Duty on Refined Sugar.

Relations and the Condition of
Our Governmental Departments.
To the Congress of the United States:
The assemhlage within the Nations legis-
Iative halls of those charged with the duty
of making laws FOR the benefit OF a generous
and free people imprpssively suggests the
exalting Obligation and ineXorahle respoDs''
bility involved in their task. At the thres'
hold Of such labor now to he undertaken by
the Congress of the United States. and in
the discharge OF an executive duty enjoined
by the Constitution, I submit this communi-
cation. containing n brief statement of the
condition of our National affairs, and recon-
mending such legislation as seems to me
necessary and expedient.
The history of our recent dealings with
other Nations, and our peaceful relations
with them at this time, additionally DEM
onstrate the advantage OF consistently ad-
herring TO firm but inst fornlgn policy. free
from envious or ambitious National schemes
anl characterized by entire honesty and
sincerity.
A serious tension OF relations having arisen
nt the close of the war between Brazil and
Portugal by reason OF the escape Of the in
surgent Admiral da Cana and his followers,
the friendly Offices OF our representatives 10
those countries were exerted for the protec-
tlOn OF the SunlectS OF eilloF WltulH lHo seL~
rltory OF the other.
Although the Governor OF Brazl was duly
notified that the commercial arrangement
existing between the United States and that
country, based on the third section OF the
Tariff act OF 1890, was abrogated on August
2S, 1894 by the taking effect OF the Tariff
law now in force, that Government subse-
uuently notine us OF its intention to termin-
ate such arrangement on the first day OF jan
uary, 1895, in the exercise Of the right re-
served in the agreement between the two
countries.
The commission organized under the con-
vention which we had entered into with
Chile for the settlement OF the outstanding
claims of each Government against the
other adjourned Mt the end of the period
STIPULATED for its continuance, leaving un-
determined a number of American cases
which had been duly presented. These
claims are not barred and negotiations are
in progress for their submission to new
tribunal.
TRTATY WITH CHINA.
On the 18th of March last, q new treaty
with CHM in further regulation of emigra-
tion was signed at WASHINGTON, and on August
l3, 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.
gratifying recognition OF the uniform
jmpartially o. this country towards all
foreign States was manifested by the coinci'
dent 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 dur
ing the suspension Of diplomatic relations
due 10 state OF war. This delicate Office
was accepted, and a amisapprehension. which
gave rise TO the belize that in affordin9
this kindly unofficial protection our
agents would exercise the same au-
thority which the withdrawn agents OF the
beligerents had exercised, was promptly
corrected. Although the war between CHINA
and Japan endangers no policy OF the
United States. il deserves our greatest con-
sideratioD, by reason OF It's disturbance OF
our growing commercial interests in the two
countries and the increased dangers wnich
may result to our citizens domclled or So
journiag in the interior OF China.
Acting under a stipulation in our treaty
with Korea 0he first concluded with a West
ern poWer) felt constrained at tho begin
ming 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 re-
forms in Korea but the unhappy preciplta-
tion OF actual hosiililies defeated this kindly
purpose.
Dsploring the destructive war between
the most powerful of the Eastern Nations
and anx Gus that our commercial interests
in these countries may be preserved, and
that the safety OF our citizens there shall not
he jeopardzsd, 1 would not hesitate to heed
any intimation that our friendly aid tor
the honorable termination Of hostll1ties
would be acceptable TO both belligerents.
Our relations with the Republic OF France
continue to be such as should exist between
Nations so long bound together by friendly
sympathy and similarity in their form OF
government.
The recent cruel assassination Of the Presi-
dent OF this sister Republic called forth such
universal expressions OF sorrow and condo
lence from our people and Govern nnent as
TO leave no doubt of the depth and sincerity
OF our attachment. The resolutions passed
by the Senate and House o; Representatives
cn the occasion have been communicated TO
the widow of President Carnot.
Aching upon the reported discovery ol
Texas lever in cargoes OF American cattle,
the German prohibition against importations
OF live stock and fresh meats from this coun-
try has been revived. Ii is hoped that Ger
many will soon become convinced that the
inhibition is as needless as it is harmful to
mutual interests.
REPEATING DISSEMINATING DUTIES.
The German Government has protested
against that provision of the customs tariff
act which imposes a discriminationg duty Of
one-tenth of one cent a pound on sugars
coming from countries paying az export
lounty thereon, claiming that the exaction
OF such duty is in coltraventiOn of articles
five and nine ofthe treaty Of 1923 with Prus-
sia.
In the interests OF the commerce of both
countries and 10 avoil even the accusation
o. treaty violation. [ rac1mmen the appeal
of so much Of the status as imposes that
Guiy. AMI invite attention TO the accom-
panying report OF the Secretary of State con-
tanning n discussion OF the questions raised
Ly the German protests.
Early in the present year an agreement
was reached with Great Britain concerning
instructions to he given 10 the naval COM
manders Of the two Governments in Bering
Sea and the contiguous North Pacific Ocean,
for their guidance in the execution of the
award of the Paris Tribunal ot Arbitration
md the en- forcement of the regulations
therein prescribed }, forthe protection OF seal
life in the waters mentioned. An under
standing has also been reached for the pay
ment by the United States OF $425,OO0, IN
full satisfaction of all claims which may be
made by Great Britain for damages growing
out of the controversy as to fur seals in Ber-
ing Sea, or the seizure of British vessels
engaged in taking ssa in those waters.
The award and findings ofthe Paris Tribunal
10 a great extent determined tae facts and
principles upon which these claims should