Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-12-12


ment of BritiAh claims for damages,
which was refused by the last Congress,
the President recommends that 1t can
again be considered and sanctioned. If
this Is refused we are bound by every
consideration Of honor and good faith, he
says, to provide for speedy settlement
by arbitration. A treaty of arbitration
is, accordingly, to he laid before the Sen
ate. An appropriation for the completion
of the Alaska boundary survey, which
follows the contour of the coast is earnest
ly recommended. The Importance of an in
ternational agreement as to the line of the
141st meridian. which forms the rest of
the boundary, is dwelt upon. Attention is
also called to the unsatisfactory condition
of the boundaries with Canada in the
great lakes and the necessity for joint
commission on the subject.
The Venezuela Controversy.
OF Venezuela the message simply states
that statement of the interest and pol
icy Of the United States regarding the
boundary dispute was sent to Great Brit
ain in July last
''rhe general conclusions therein reach
cd and formulated" says the President,
''are in substance that the traditional
and established policy of the Government
is firmly opposed to forcible increase by
any European power of its territorial
possessions on this continent; that this
policy is as well founded in principle as
| it is strongly supported by numerous
pfccedcnts; that as consequence the
| United States is bound to protest against
| the enlargement of the area of British
| Guiana in derogation of the rights and
| against the will of Venezuela; that, con-
sidering the disparity in strength of Great
| Britain and Venezuela, the territorial
| dispute between them can be reasonably
| settled only by friendly and impartial
| arbitration, and that the resort to such
| arbitration should include the whole con-
| troversy, and it is not satisfied if one of
| the powers concerned be permitted to
| draw an arbitrary line through the terri
| tory in debate and declare that it will sub
| nit to arbitration only the portion lying
| on one side of it. In view of these con-
clusions, the dispatch in question called
upon the British Government for def
mite answer to the question whether il
| would or would not submit the territorial
| controversy between itself and Nenezue-
In in its entirety to impartial arbitra-
! ton. The answer of the British Govern
ment has not been received, but is expect
ed shortly, when further communication
on the subject will probably be made 10
| the Congress.
| Hawaii is dismissed with a reference 10
the uprising last January, the demands
made upon the Hawaiian Government for
! the rights of American citizens concerned
I therein, and the demand for the recall of
Minister Thurston.
The padrone system is denounced as re-
| sponsible for such manifestations against
helpless aliens as the lynching of Italians
in Colorado. Congratulations are offered
on our good relations with Japan, in view
of her vast gains in greatness. Unimpor-
tant references are made to our relations
with Mexico, Nicaragua and Russia. The
recommendation for an abandonment OF
| the Samoan agreement is renewed.
| OF Cuba the President says the United
States must preserve international faith
whatever the sympathy of our citizens
with the insurgents. He continues:
| Though neither the warmth of our
peoples sympathy with the Cuban insur-
| gents nor our loss or material damage
consequent upon the futile endeavors thus
| far made TO restore peace and order, nor
| any shock our humane sensiblities may
| have received from the cruelties which
appear TO especially characterize this san
| culinary and fiercely conducted war. have
in the least shaken the determination OF
the Government. to honestly fulfill every
international obligation, yet it is to be
earnestly hoped on every ground that the
devastation of armed conflict may speed
lily be stayed and order and quiet restored
to the distracted island, bringing in their
train the activity and thrift of peaceful
pursuits
The Allianca incident and Spain's dis
avowal of il and assurances of a non-re-
currence of similar interferences are stat
ed.
The President then expresses his regret
| that the Turkish Government should have
thwarted the purpose to send to the dis
turbed quarter of the empire the United
States consul at Sivas i'm order to investi-
gate and report. Every effort, he says. is
put forth to insure the safety of Ameri-
can citizens and the United States minis
ter is alert. But. he goes on, several of
the most powerful European powers have
assumed duty as agents Of the Christian
world in Turkey to restrain fanatica bru-
tality. and lit is earnestly hoped that
prompt and effective action on their part
will not be delayed"
The message recommends at length an
Improvement in the consular service by
some plan of appointment and control
Delicate Financial Situation.
Fully half the message Is devoted to q
discussion of the financial situation.
by command of the people," the mes.
sage says. "a customs revenue system de.
signed for the protection and benefit OF
favored classes at the expense of the great
mass Of our countrymen, and which. while
inefficient for the purpose of revenue
curtailed our trade relations and impede,
our entrance TO the markets of the world
has been superseded by Il tariff policy
which in principle is based upon denial
of the right of the government TO obstruct
the avenues TO our peoples cheap living
or lessen their comfort aud contentment
for the sake of according especial advant
ages to favorites. and which. while en-
cOuraging our intercourse and trade with
other nations, recognizes the fact that
American self-reliance, thrift and ingenu
ity can build up our country's industry
and develop its resources more surely thar
enervating paternalism."
But this and the repeal Of the silver
purchase law, it is said, fall far short OF
curing the financial evils from which W,
suffer.
of our currency. especially the United
States notes and treasury notes, and tn,
consequent endless drain on the gold re
serve of the treasury.
The President states that ''among the
causes for this constant and uniform
shrinkage in this fund may be mentioned
4 II.