The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-04

Free Coinage of Silver,
To the Congress of the United States:
The present assemblage of the legisla-
tive branch of oar government occurs at
time when the interest of our people
and the needs of the country give especial
prominence to the condition of our foreign
relations and the exigency of our ma.
tional finances The reports of the heads
OF the several administrative departments
of the government fully and plainly ex-
hibit what has been accomplished within
the scope of their respective duties and
present such recommendations for the
botternent of our country's condition as
patriotic and intelligent labor and obser-
walton suggest. l therefore deem my
executive d1ty adequately performed at
this time by presenting to the Congress
the important phases of cur situation rs
regard to our intercourse with foreign ma
tions and statement of the financial
prob lens which confront us emitting ex-
cept as they are related to these TOPICS any
reference to departmental operations. l
earnestly invite, however, not only the
careful consideration but the severely
critical scrutiny Of the Congress and my
fellow countrymen Go the reports ooncer
ming these departmental opera tions. 1t
justly and fairly examined, they win fur
nfsh proof of assiduous and painstaking
care for the public welfare.
The recommendations they contain
deserve the respectful attention of those
charged with the duty of legislation, be-
cause l believe their adoption would pro-
mote the peoples good.
THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
By amendatory tariff legislation in
10 Io
recompensiLg the value of the large mar.
ket opened to- the free importation of it's
woods under our last tariff act, has ad-
mitted certain products of the United
States to entry at reduced duties. 1t is
pleasing to note that the efforts we have
made to enlarge tie exchanges of trade
on sound basis of mutual benefit are in
this instance, appreciated by the country
from which our wooden factories draw
their needful supply of raw material.
The missions boundry dispute between
the Argentine Republic and Brazil, re-
ferred to the President Of the United
States as arbitrator during the term of
my predecessor, and which was submit
ted to me for determination, resulted in
an award in favor of Brazil upon the his
torical and documentary evidence pre-
sented, thus ending long -protracted con-
troversy and again demonstrating the
wisdom and desirability of settling inter
national boundary disputes by recourse to
friendly arbitration.
THE CHILEAN CLAIMS.
Negotiations are progressing for re-
vival of the United States and CHILEAN
claims commission, whose work was alb
ruptly terminated last year by the expira-
ton of the stipulated time within which
awards could be made
The resumption of specie payments by
Chill is step of great interest and i'm
portance both in its direct consequences
upon her own welfare and as eyincine
the ascendancy of sound financial princi-
pies in one of the most influential of the
South American republics.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The close OF the momentous struggle
between China and Japan, while re-
lieving the diplomatic agents Of this gov
eminent from the delicate duty they un-
dertook at the request of the countries of
rendering such protection of the billig-
erents, within the territorial limits of the
other as our neutral position permitted,
developed a domestic condition in the Chi
nese empire which has caused much
anxiety and called for prompt and care
full attention. Either as d result of a
weak control by the central government
over the provincial administrations, follow
ing a diminution of traditional govern
mental authority under the stress of an
overwhelming national disaster, Or as a
manifestation upon good opportunity of
the aversion of the Chinese population to
all foreign ways and undertakings, there
have occurred in widely separated PROV
inces Of China serious outbreaks of the
old fanatical spirit against foreigners.
which, unchecked by the local authori-
ties, IL not actually connived at by them,
have oulminatd in mob attacks on foreign
missionary stations, causing much de-
struction of property. and attended with
personal injuries as we'll as loss of life.
Although but one American citizen
was reported to have been actually
wounded, and although the destruction
of property may have fallen more heavily
upon Tho missionaries of other nation
ONE InMCcr MANI