Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-05

Washington Dec. 3.-President
Cleveland's message to congress today
dealt with two SUBJECTS foreign re-
lations and local financial conditions.
In brief he says: The present as
semblage of the legislative branch of
our government occurs at a time when
needs of the country give a special
prominence to the conditions of our
foreign relations and the eXigencies of
our national finances. | therefore
deem it my executive duty adequately
performed at this time by presenting
to congress the important phrases of
our situation as related to our inter
course with foreign nations and
statement of the financial problems
which confront U.S." President Cleve-
land notes the opening of the free
wool market in the Argentine Repub-
lie and also that the boundary differ
ences between that nation and Brazil
have been settled by arbitration in
which this country acted as arbitrator.
The resumption of specie payment by
Chill is regarded as evincing the as
cendancy of sound financial principles
in that republic. The close of the
Chinese-Japanese war has developed
a domestic condition in the Chinese
empire which has called for prompt
attention. Owing to the manifestation
of aversion of the Chinese to all for
eign ways and undertakings, mob at
tacks on foreign missions causing
much loss of life and property have
been the result. Although but one
American suffered it is plainly the part
of this government to take prompt
action and a special American com
mission has gone overland from Tien
Tien to demonstrate the readiness of
our government to check similar out
bursts. The cordial relations with
France have been undisturbed with
the exception that a full explanation
of the treatment of John L. Waller, for
merly United States consul at Tama-
tava, Madagascar, remains to be Of
fered. Mr.. Waller remained in Mad
agascar after his term of Office expired,
having procured business concessions
Of value and upon the declaration of
martial law by the French he was
arrested upon various charges, tried
and convicted by a military tribunal
and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
This government requested the records
of that tribunal. The record of the
court proceedings and charges have
/ been procured but the evidence is still
missing. Meanwhile it appear Mr.
Walters confinement was not onerous
The president recommends the ac
| ceptance of the French invitation to
! participate in the Paris exposition of
! 1900. He especially cOmmends the re-
| cent resolution of the French chambers
/ favoring a permanent treaty Of arbi-
tration between the two countries.
The close rivalry of competing in
dustries, the consequence of the delu-
siVe doctrine that the internal develop
ment Of a nation is promoted and its
wealth increased by a policy which
undertakes to reserve it's home mar
kets for the exclusive use of it's own
!
sales in foreign markets and prevents
free access to the products of the
world. The president presents a sum-
mary of the trade conditions with
/ Germany. The exports affected are
! largely American cattle and food prod.
ucts. But insurance companies are
also suffering. The president sug-
gests retaliatory measures, should an
examination warrant them, while de-
claring the policy Of this country as
producing nation should be marked
with national good faith and recipro-
cal fOrbearance.
An appropriation for the survey of
the Alaskan boundary is recommended,
as is also the sum of $3.50 in full
settlement of British sealing claims
A commission to settle the boundary
lines with Canada is urged. In ref
erence to Venezuela the president
maintains the Monroe doctrine in OBJ
posing a forcible increase by any Eu-
ropean nation Of it's territorial power
on this continent and suggests that
Great Britain submit it's claims to ar
bitration. The president touches
briefly on the Hawaiian question, end
ing by saying Mr.. Thurston, the Ha-
waiian minister, furnished abundant
reasons for asking that he be recalled.
A change in the alien laws is sug-
gested which will check the viceroy
system which at present overcomes
the immigration and contract labor
laws. The president has no sugges-
tons in the Nicaraguan case but ex-
poets peaceful settlement with such
consideration and indulgence toward
Nicaragua as are consistent. The
president asks legislation to break the
treaty or agreement by which this
country is Jointly bound with Eng
land and Germany to assume the man
agement in Samoa
Special attention is called to the
situation in Cuba and the strict neu-
trality of this government is advised,
despite the sentimental sympathy and
adventurous support aroused in Ameri-
cans by stories of cruelty and the nat
ural love OF liberty, military arrests
OF American citizens, the rights of the
American consular officers to protect
property and the Alliance incident
have been recognized and explained
Of the occurrences in Turkey, while
they excite concern, information is
hard to obtain. But our consul at