The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-03


vinced that we desire only the liberty and pro.
lection OF our own citizens and redress for any
wrongs they may have suffered, and that we
hsvo no ulterior designs or objects political
or otherwise. China will not forget either our
kindly service 10 her citizens during her late
war, nor the further fact that, while furnish.
ing all the facilities at our command 10 fur.
ther the negotiation Of peace between her and
japan, VIC sought no advantages and inter.
posed DO counsel.
The Waller Case.
The customary cordial relations between
this country and France have been undis-
turbed, with the exception that a full explana.
ton OF the treatment Of John l. Waller by the
expeditionary military authorities OF France
still remains g be given. Mr. Waller, for.
merly United States consul az Tamatave. re.
manned in Madagascar after his term Of office
expired, and was apparently successful in pro.
curing business concessions from the HoYas al
greater or less value.
After the occupation OF Tamatave and the
declaration OF martial law by the French he
was arrested upon various charges, among
them that Of communicating military infurnA.
tion 70 the enemies OF France was tris,, and
convicted by military tribunal and sentenced
TO 20 years imprisonment Following the
course justified by abundant precedents, this
government requested from that Of France the
record Of the proceedings Of the French tribu
nal which resulted in Mr.. Walters condemna
tion. This request has been complied with 10
the extent Of supplying a copy OF the official
record, from which appear the constitution and
organization of the court, the charges as for
muated and the general course and result OF
the trial. and by which IL is shown that the ac
cused was tried in open court and was de-
Tended by counsel.
But the evidence qdduced in support Of the
charges-which not received by the
French minister for foreign affairs till the first
week in October-has been withheld the
French government taking the ground that
its production in response 10 our demand
would establish bad precedent. The efforts
Of our ambassador TO procure IL, however,
though impeded by recent changes in the
French ministry, have not been relaxed. and il
is confidently expected that some satisfactory
solution OF the methods will shortly be
reached. Meanwhile IL appears that Mr..
Walters confinement has every alienation
which the state OF his health and all the other
circumstances of the case demand or permit.
In agreeable contrast TO the difference above
noted, respecting a matter OF common con-
Germ where nothing is sought. except such
mutually satisfactory outcome as the true
merits of the case require is the recent reso-
l,non OF the French chamber favoring the
conclusion OF n permanent treaty OF arbitra-
tion between the two countries
An invitation has been extended by France
10 the government and people OF the United
States 10 participate in a great international
exposition at Paris in 1900, a suitable com.
memoration Of the close of this, the worlds
marvellous century of progress i heartily
recommend its acceptance, together with such
legislation as will adequately provide for
due representation OF this governments and its
people on the occasion.
Relations with Germany.
Our relations with the states of the German
empire are. in some aspects. typical OF n con-
dition of things elsewhere found in countries
whose productions and trade are similar TO our
own. The close rivalry of competing indus
tries; the influence of the delusive doctrine
that the internal development OF nation is
promoted and its wealth increased by policy
which, in undertaking 10 reserve its home
markets for the exclusive use of its own pro-
ducers, necessarily obstructs their sales In
foreign markets and prevents free access TO
the products Of tte world; the desire to retain
trade in tinicworn ruts, regardless OF the
inexorable laws of new needs and changed
conditions of demand and supply, and our own
halting hardness in inviting freer exchange
of commodities, and by this means importing
our footing in the external markets naturally
open To us. have created a situation somewhat
Injurious TO American export interests, not
only in Germany, where they are perhaps
most noticeable, but in adjacent countries.
IL is not to be forgotten that international
trade cannot be one-sided. Its currents are
alternating and its movements should be hon
estly reciprocal. Without this 1t almost nee
essarly degeneratos into device to gain ad-
vantage n contrivInce TO secure benefits
with only the sembance of return. In our
dealings with other nations we ought 20 be
open handed and scrupulously fair This
should be- our policy a. producing nation,
and 10 plainly becomes us as a people who
love generosity and the moral aspects of ma
tonal good faith and reciprocal forbearance.
constrain us to submit TO unfair discrimina-
tion nor 20 silently acquiesce in vexatious him
drances TO the enjoyment OF our share or the
legitimates advantages Of proper trade rela'
tions. II an examination of the situation sag
gests such measures on our part a. would i'm
r1ivr restrictions hose fFeH4 which
we suffer, the way 20 such "a course il easy. IL
should, however, by no means be lightly
entered upon, since the necessity for the in
auguration of such policy would be re-
gretted by the best sentiment of our people,
and because II naturally and logically might
lead TO consequences of the gravest character.
The Seal Question.
Our relations with Great Britain always in.
innate and important, have demanded during
the past year even greater share of consider
alton than is usual Several veXatious ques-
tions were left undetermined by the decision
az the Behring sea arbitration tribunal Tho
application of the principles laid down by that
august body has not been followed by the re-
suits they were intended 60 accomplish, either
because the principles themselves lacked In
breadth and dehnitencss or because their exc
cution had been more or less imperfect. Much
correspondence has been exchanged between
the two governments on the subject Of pre-
venting the cxtcrminating slaughter OF seals.
The need of more effective enforcement OF
existing regulations, as well as the adoption OF
such additional regulations as experience has
shown TO be absolutely necessary to carry out
the intent OF the award have been earnestly
urged upon the British government, but thus
far without effective results. In the mean
time the depletion Of the seal herds by means
of pelagic hunting has 20 aarmirgy pro
gressed that unless their slaughter Is at once
effectively checked their extinction within
few years seems TO b. matter or absolute
certainty.
The understanding by which the United
States was TO pay, and Great Britain 20 re-
ccivo, lump sum of SI2j COO IN full settlement
of all British claims FOR damages arising from
our seizure OF British sealing vessels unauthor
tied under the award OF the Paris tribunal OF
arbitration was not confirmed by the last con-