Cherry County independent. (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 18??-1896, 1895-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
GROVER SUBMITS HIS ANNUAL
REPORT TO CONGRESS.
General Synopsis OF the Views and
Recommendations Of the Head of
the Nation-Financial Problem Dis.
cussed at Length.
The Message.

-
to the Senate and House of Representa-
tives Tuesday.
To the Congress Of the United States:
The present assemblage of the legislative
time when the interests of our people and
the needs OF the country give especial
prominence to the condition Of our foreign
relations and the exigencies OF our nation-
a finances. The reports OF the government
officials fully and plainly exhibit what
has been accomplished within the scope
such recommendations for the betterment
Of our countrys condi;ton as patriotic
and intelligent labor ahS observation
suggest.
therefore deem my executive duty ade-
Quately performed at this time by pre-
senting to congress the important phases
Of our situation as related to our inter
course with foreign nacaons and a state
ment Of the financial problems which con-
front us, omittlng, except as they are re-
lated to these topics. any reference to de-
vlte, however, not only the careful con-
sideration, but the severely critical scru-
tiny Of congress and my fellow country
men to the reports CONCERNING these hes .oie de-
ly examined they will furnish proof of as
siduous and painstaking care for the pub
lic welfare. press the recommends, !,
attention Of those charged with the
duty of legislation, because believe their
adoption would promote the peoples sooo.
The Oriental Struggle.
The close of the momentous struggle
between China and Japan, while relieving
from the delicate duty they undertook at
the request of both countries Of render
Ing such service as the subjects OF either
belligerent within the territorial limits or
the other as our neutral position per-
mitted, developed a domestic condition in
the Chinese empire which has caused
much anxiety and called for prompt ana
careful attention. Either as a result of
a weak control by the central government
over the provincial administration, follow
ing a diminution of traditional govern
mental authority under the stress OF an
overwhelming national disaster, or as q
manifestation, upon good opportunity, OF
the aversion of the Chinese population to
all foreign ways and undertakings, there
inces of China serious outbreaks of the
old fanatical spirit against ssoreisners,
which, if unchecked by the local authori-
ties, il not actually connived at by them,
have eliminated in mob attacks on for
eign missionary stations, causing much
destruction of property and attended with
personal injuries as well as loss of life.
Although but one American citizen was
reported to have been actually wounded,
and although the destruction of property
may have fallen more heavily upon the
missionaries of other nationalitieS than
our own, it plainly behooves this govern
ment to take the most prompt and decided
action to guard against similar or per-
haps more dreadful calamities Detailing
the hundreds of American mission sta
tions which have grown UP throughout
the interior of China under the temperate
rule of liberation, custom and imperial
edict.
The demands of the United States and
other powers for the degradation and pun
ishment of the responsible officers of the
respective cities and provinces who by
neglect or otherwise had permitted up
vic IN o6nltfnY1 nf
measures by the imperial government for
the protection Of the life and property Of
foreigners, were followed by the disgrace
and dismissal of certain provincial Of
fcials found derelict IN duty and the pun
ishment by death OF q number of the Of
hcials adjudged guilty of participation in
the outrageS.
This government insisted that a special
American commission should visit the
province where the first disturbance oc-
Cured for the purpose of investigation.
This latter commission. formed after
much opposition. has gone overland from
Tien Tsin. accompanied by q suitable Chi
nese escort. and by its demonstration Of
the readiness and ability OF our govern
ment to protect it's citizens is believed to
be a most influential deterrent Of any
similar outbreaks. The energetic step
we have thus taken are all the more likely
to result in future safety to our citizens in
China because the imperial government is,
am persuaded, 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 10 Interior designs or objects, po-
litical or otherwise. China will not 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 the negotiation
of peace treaty between her and Japan
We sought no advantages and interposed
no counsel.
The governments of both China and ia
pan have in special dispatches, transmit
ted through their respective diplomatic
representatives, expressed in a most pleas
- manner their grateful appreciation
the unhappy struggle and of the value
of our aid in paving the way to their re-
of peaceful relations.
Uncle sam and Great Britain.
Our relations with Great Britain, al
ways intimate and important, have de-
manded during the past year even a
greater share of consideration than is
usual. Several vexatious questions were
left undetermined by the decision Of the
Behring sea arbitration tribunal. The ap-
plication of the principles laid down by
that august body has not been followed by
the results they were intended to accom-
plish, either because the principles them
selves lacked in breadth and defniteness
DR. because their execution had been more
Or less imperfect. Much correspondence
has been exchanged between the two gov
ernments on the subject of preventing
he extermnating slaughter Of seals. The |
of the British patrol OF Behr- |
ng sea under the regulations agreed on |
oy the two governments has been pointed |
)ut, and yet only two British ships have |
been on police duty during this season in |
.heSe waters.
The need of a more effective enforce |
nent of existing regulations, as well as |
he adoDtion of such additional regula- |
ions as experience has shown to be alb |
;olutely necessary to carry out the intent |
IF the awards, have been earnestly urged |
lpon the British government, but thus |
ar without effective results. In the |
Meantime the depletion of the seal herds |
W means of pelagic hunting has so
liarningly progressed that unless their |
slaughter is at once effectively checked |
heir extinction within a few years seems
o be matter Of absolute certainty.
Should Pay the Behrine Claim.
The understanding by which the United
states was to pay, and Great Britain to
eceive, lump sum of si250O0 in full
ettlement of all British claims for dam
.ges arising from our seizure Of a British
ealing vessel, authorized under the
ward of the Paris tribunal Of arbitra
ion. was not confirmed by the last con-
,ress, which declined to make the neces-
ary appropriation. l am still Of the optn-
on that this arrangement was a judicious
nd advantageous one for the govern
nent and I earnestly recommend that it
e again considered and sanctioned. If,
lowever, this does not meet with the
issent from the proposition that the gov
rnmcnt IS bound by every consideration
( honor and good faith to provide for
ha sneeGv adjustment OF these claim
~ arbitration as the only other alterna-
iVe A treaty of arbitration has there