Semi=weekly graphic., 1895-12-11
~ ABLE- Dol NNENT.

A ~ ABLE Df1CHWENY
The message of President Cleve-
land upon the converting Of Congress
was like all of his State papers, an
able document, based upon thor
ough knowledge of our foreign re-
lations and our financial status. In
treating of domestic affairs the Pres
ident refers to the reports of the sew
eral chiefs Of the departments, and
he we'll may do so for his message
was very long, necessarily so, to
give his views on the subjects Of
which he treats.
The Administration is insisting
that France shall furnish this coun-
try with the full evidence in the
Waller case, and the President feels
confident that iG will be obtained.
In the meantime it is in evidence
that ex-Consul Waller is now being
treated with consideration by the
French government and all his rea-
sonable requirements supplied. An
invitation to participate in the Paris
Exposition in 1900 has been received,
and the President recommends that
it be accepted. Our relations to
Russia continue pleasant, though
there is slight. difficulty regarding
the issue of passports which it is be-
lieved will be removed.
Our relations with Great Britain
are treated calmly but forcefully.
The President alludes to the uncer-
tainty of the boundary between
Alaska and Canada and the unsatis-
factory delimitation of the respect
i've jurisdictions of the Dominion
and the United States in the great
lakes and advises that commissioners
be appointed to settle these
matters. He condemns Great
Britain 5 eneroachments upon Nene-
zuela and demands that the trouble
be settled by impartial arbitration.
The message calls for Congressional
action which will lead to relief from
our unnatura land irksome obfga-
tions in regard to joint interference
with England and Germany in the
government of Samoa.
The President states his determi-
nation to enforce the neutrality
laws in connection with the Cuban
war in spite of the sympathy of our
people with the revolutionists. A
man of less character and determin-
alton TO do what he believes TO be
right would not have declared him
self SO openly on this subject. Most
men would have treated the matter
with a greater show of sympathy for
Cuba, whether they had felt it or
not, and his course is certainly i'm
polite however wise it may be con
sidered automatically. In our view
Mr.. Cleveland has decided the third
term business against himself by
this action, if he ever had any such
ambition, which we have always
doubted.
Minister Terrell is praised for his
indefatigable work in behalf of
Americans in Turkey, and the Presi-
dent deplores the condition of affairs
there and expresses the wish that
peace will soon be restored to that
distracted country. Various other
of our complicated relations with
the smaller foreign countries are
plainly stated, and then the Presi-
dent closes the message with very
clear statement of our financial
affairs. His views on this subject
and his recommendations to retire
the greenbacks, etc, will meet with
the approval of all sound-money
men.
The message, take itall in all, will
be disappointment to the Presi-
dents especial friends. 1t is want
ing in any element which will make
their idol popular with the people.
1t is sound, straightforward, and
honest, but as we read between the
lines, we look upon it as deelina-
ton of all third-term proposals. The
President means to do right, accord
ing to his idea, and he does not utter
a single word which viii invoke pop
ularity or enthuse the people.
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