The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-12-12
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AND FIN
ANCES.
The Discussion is Confined Mainly
to the Financial Condition OF tho
Country and our Relations With
Foreign Powers.

Foreign Powers.
10 the Congress OF the United States:
The present assemblagc Of the legis-
lative branch Of our Government oc-
ours at a time when the interests of
our people and tho needs Of tho coun-
try give especial prominence to the
condition of our foreign relations and
the exigencies of our national finances.
The reports Of the heads of the several
administrative departments Of the
Government fully and plainly exhibit
what has been accomplished within
the scorey}of their respective duties,
and prese1t such recommendation for
the betterment Of our country's condi-
tiOns us patriotic and Intelligent labor
and observation suggest.
L, therefore, deem my Executive
duty adequately performed ut this
time by presenting to Congress tho
important cases OF our situation as
related to our intercourse with foreign
nations, and statement of the imam
cial problems which confront us,
emitting, except as they are rotated to
these topics, any reference to depart
mental operations.
OUR MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.
The close of the momentous strug gle
between China and japan, while re-
lieving 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 befligerent
within the territorial limits of the
other as our neutral position permitted,
developed u domestic condition in the
Chinese Empire which has caused
much anxiety and called for prompt
and careful attention. Either as a
result OF q weak control by the Central
Government over the provincial ad-
mlnlstratipns, following the diminu-
tlOn OF Traditional Cover nmental au-
thority under the stress of an over
whelming national disaster, or us u
manifestation upon good opportunity
OF the aversion Of the Chinese popula-
tlon to all foreign ways and undertake
lngs, there have occurred IN widely
separated provinces OF China serious
outbreaks of the old fanatical spirit
against foreigners, which, unchecked
by the local authorities, if not actually
connlved at by them, have eliminated
In mob attacks on foreign missionary
stations, causing much destruction of
property and attended with personal
injuries as we'll us loss of life.
Although but one American citizen
was reported to have beon actually
wounded, and although the destruc-
tlon OF property may have fallen more
heavily upon the missionaries of other
natlonalltles than our own, it plainly
behOOVed this Government to take the
most prompt and decided action to
guard against such Or more dreadful
calamities Detailing the hundreds of
American mission stations which have
grown up in the interior of China
under the temperate rule of liberation,
custom and imperial edict. The de-
manda Of the United States and other
powers for the degradation and push
ment OF the responsible officials of the
respective cities and provinces who by
neglect Or otherwise had permitted
uprisings, and for the adoption of stern
measures by the Emperor's Govern
ment for the protection of the life and
property of foreigners, we're followed
by the disgrace and dismissal Of GER
tain provincial officials found derelict
in duty, and the punishment by death
OF number of those adjudgcd guilty
of actual participation in the outrages
This Government also insisted that
q special American commission should
visit the province whore the first dis
turbances occurred for the purpose of
investigation. This latter commission,
formed after much opposition, has
Il
panied by suitable Chinese escort,
and by its demonstration OF the readi-
ness and ability Of our Government to
protect its citizens will act, it is be-
loved, as q most influential deterrent
OF any similar outbreaks. The ener-
getic stops we have thus taken are all
the more likely to result in future
safety to our citizens in China because
the asSmperial Government is. | am
percH&aded, entirely convinced that We
desire only the liberty and protection
of our own citizens and redress for any
wrongs they may have suffered, and
that we have no ultorior designs or
objects, political or otherwise. China
will not forget 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 the negotiation Of a peace be-
tween her and Japan, we sought no adj
vantage and interpNsed no counsel.
The Governments Of buth China and
Japan have, in special dispatches
transmitted through their respective
diplomatic representatives, expressed
In q most pleasing manner their CRATE
full appreciation of our assistance to
their citizens during the unhappy
struggle and of the value Of our aid in
phVAHB GHo way 10 Iuelf resumption Ol
peaceful relations.
THE RESURRECTION IN CUBA.
Cuba 10 again gravely disturbed.
An insurrection, in some respects more
active than the last preceding revolt,
which continued from 1868 to 1878,
pow exists in large part of the
Eastern interior of the island, menac-
Ing even some populations on the coast.
BESIDES deranging the commercial
exchanges Of the island, of which our
country takes the predominant share,
thls hagrant condition Of hostilities,
by arousing sentimental sympathy and
lncitlng adventurous support among
our people, has entailed earnest effort
on the part Of this Government to en-
force obedience to our neutrality laws
and to prevent the territory of tho
United States from being abused as a
vantage ground from Which 70 90 aid 4
those In arms against Spanish sove.
reignty. Whatever may be the tradi. oTi
tional sympathy Of our countrymem ne
individuals with q people who seem to T."
be struggling for larger autonomv
greater freedom, deepened "a sncb