The Penn's Grove record., 1895-12-06

ical scrutiny of the Congress and mJ fell
low-countrymen to the reports CONCERNING
these departmental operations. If justly
and fairly examined they will furnish
proof of assiduous and painstaking care for
he public welfare.
press the recommendations they contain.
upon the respectful attention of. those
charged with the duty of legislation, be.
cause I believe their adoption would pro
mote the peoples good.
By amendatory tariff legislation in Jan.
nary last the Argentine Republic, recog-
nizing the value of the large market opened
to the free importation of its woods under
our last tariff act, has admitted certain
products of the United States to entry at
reduced duties. 1t is pleasing to note that
the efforts we have made to enlarge the
exchanges of trade on q sound basis of
mutual benefit are in this instance appre-
ciated by the country from which our
woollen factories draw their needful sup
oily of raw material.
Boundary Disputss.
The missions boundary dispute between
the Argentine Republic and Brazil, re-
ferred to the President of the United States
as arbitrator during the term of my pre-
decessor, and which was submitted to me
for determination, resulted In an award
in favor of Brazil upon the historical and
documentary evidence presented, thus end
ing a long-protracted controversy and
again demonstrating the wisdom and disa-
bility of settling international boundary
disputes by recourse to friendly arbitra-
lion.
Negotiations are progressing for a re-
yiyal of the United States Chilean Claims
Commission, whose work was abruptly ter
minated last year by the expiration of the
stipulated time within which awards could
be made.
The chinese-Japan War.
The resumption of specie payments by
Chile Is a step of great interest and i'm
portance, both in its direct consequences
upon her own welfare and as evincing the
ascendency Of sound financial principles
in one of the most influential Of the South
American Republics. The close of the mo-
mentous struggle between China and ia
pan; while relieving the diplomatic agents
of this government from the delicate duty
they undertook at the request of both
countries, of rendering such service to the
subjects of either belligerent within the
Territorial limits of the other as our neu-
trail position permitted, developed a domes-
tic condition in the Chinese empire which
has caused much anxiety and called for
prompt and careful attention. Either as a
result of a weak control by the central gov
eminent over the provincial administra-
tons, following a diminution of traditional
governmental 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 pro-
yinces of China serious outbreaks of the
old fantical spirit against foreigners which,
unchecked by the local authorities, If not
actually c~onnived at by them, have Gull
minated in mob attacks on foreign mission
airy stations, causing much destruction of
property, and attended with personal inju-
ries as well as loss of life.
Although but one American citizen was
reported to lave been actually wounded,
and although the destruction of property
may have fallen more heavily upon the
missionaries of other n~ationalities than our
own, it plainly behooved this government
to take the most prompt and decided action
to guard against similar or, perhaps, more
dreadful calamities Detailing the hundred
of American mission stations which have
grown up throughout the interior of China
under the temperate rule of federation,
custom and imperial edict. The demands
Of the United States and other powers
for the degradation and punishment of the
responsible officials of the respective cities
and provinces, who, by neglect or other
wise, had permitted uprisings, and for the
adoption of stern measures by the Empe-
ror's government for the protection of the
life and property of foreigners, who were fol-
lowed by the disgrace and dismissal of GER
tain provincial officials found derelict in
duty, and the punishment by death of u
number of those adjudged guilty of actual
participation in the outrages.
This government also insisted that a
special American commission should visit
the, province where the first disturbances
for the purpose Of investigation.
This latter commission, formed after much
opposition, has gone over land from
Tientsin, accompanied by a suitable Chinese
escort, and by its demonstration of the
readiness and ability of our government
to protect its citizens will act, 1t is be-
lieved. as a most influential deterrent of
any similar outbreaks. The energetic
steps we have thus taken are all the more
likely to result in future safety to our citi-
gems in China, because the Imperial Gov
eminent is, l am persuaded. entirely con-
WINGED that we desire only the liberty and
protection of our citizens and redress for
any wrongs they may have suffered, and
that we have no Interior designs or OBJ
jects, political, or otherwise. China will
not soon forget either our kindly service
to her citizens during her late war, nor
the further fact, that. while furnishing all
the facilities at our command to further