The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-12-04

Tc tine Congress Of tho United states:


Tc the Congress of the United States:
The present assemblage of the legislative
branch of our government occurs at a tirr.,
when the interests of our people and the needs
of the country give especial prominence TO the
condition of our foreign relations and the OK.
igencies of our national finances The reports
of the heads of the several administrative de.
partmcnts of the government fully and plainly
exhibit what has been accomplished within the
scope of their respective duties and present
such recommendations for the betterment of
our country's condition as patriotic and in.
teligent labor and observations suggest.
/ therefore deem my executive duty adj
equately performed at this time nv presenting
to the congress the important phases of orr sit
uatlon as related to our intercourse with for.
eign nations, and statement of the financial
problems which confront US, emitting, except
rs they are related to these topics, any refer
ence to departmental operations.
/ earnestly invite. however NOT only the
careful consideration but the severely critical
scrutiny of the congress and my fellow country.
men to the reports concerning these depart
mental operations. II Justly and fairly exam.
med they will furnish proof of assiduous and
painstalSng care for the public welfare.
The recommendations they contain urge
upon the respectful attention of those charged
with the duty Of legislation, because believe
their adoption would promote the peoples
good
~ An .. '"iii i1Si III january
value of the large market OPENED to The free
importation of its woods under our last tariff
act, has admitted certain of the products of
the United States at reduced duties. 1t is
pleasing to note that the efforts we have made
to enlarge the exchang O. of trade on a sound
basis of mutual benefit are in this instance
appreciated by the country from which our
wooden factories draw their needful supply of
raw material.
The missions boundary dispute between the
Argentine Republic and Brazil, referred to the
President of the United States as arbitrator
during the term of my predecessor, and which
submitted to me for determination, re.
suited i'll an award in favor of Brazil upon the
historical and documentary evidence pre-
sented, thus ending a long -protracted contro-
versy, and again demonstrating the wisdom
and desrability of settling international
boundary disputes by recourse to friendly ar.
bitration.
Negotiations are progressing for revival of
the United States and CHILEAN claims commits
sion, whose work was abruptly terminated
last year by the expiration of the stipulated
time within which awards cou1d ha ,nadn
The resumption of specie payments by Chill
is a step of great interest and Importance, both
in its direct consequences upon her own wei
fare and as evincing the ascendency of sound
financial principles in one of the most in
huential of the South American republics
r,
var =" "'i""'
The close of the momentous struggle be-
tween China and Japan, while relieving the
diplomatic agents of this government from the
delicate duty they undertook at the request of
both countries of rendering such services to
the subjects of either belligerent within the
territorial limits of the other as our neutral
position permitted, developed domestic con
dition in the Chinese empire which has caused
much anxiety and called for prompt and care
ful attention. Either as u result of a weak
control by the central government over the
provincial administration, following a dminu-
ton of traditional governmental authority
under the stress of an overwhelming national
disaster, or as a manifestation upon good OPP
portunlty of the aversion of the Chinese popu
lation to all foreign ways and undertakings
there nave occurred i'll widely separated prov
lhces OF emma serious outbreaks of an old fanat
lcal spirit against foreigners, which, I'M
checked by the legal authorities, if not ac-
tuhliy cohnlVeu at ny them, nave eliminated in
MOB attacks on foreign missionary stations
causing much obstruction OF property, and
ATTENDED with personal injury as well loss
vi me
Although but one American citizen was re-
ported to have been actually wounded and al
though the destruction OF property may have
fallen more heavily upon the missionaries of
other natonalltles than our own, 1t plainly be
hooVeu TINS government 10 take the most
prompt ana decided acton against similar or
perhaps more dreadful calamities Detailing the
hundreds or American mission stations which
have grown up throughout the interior OF
China under the temperate rule of federation,
custom and imperial edlct'
Tho demands OF the United States and other
powers FOR the degradation ana punishment of
the responsible oInclals OF tine respective cities
anu pr'NihooS "h' ny hesleov OF oVherwlse
of stern measures bv the emnernra gorarr.
ment for the protection OF the life ard w.,
ertv Of foreigners. were followed Inv tha AZ
Grace and dismissal of certain nroviuci,,l ia
cials found derelict in duty. and fine nunisL.
ment by death of a number of those adirIced
puilty of actual participation in the outraf,,,s
This government also insisted that n snec;.l
American commission should visit the nroy
ince where the first disturbances occurred for
the nurnose of INVESTIGATION. Tbis latter oa,,,.
mission formed after much onnosinon hoe
gone overland from, Tien.Tsin. ACCOMMODATED h,,
a snitable Chinese escort and Nv its don,or'
stration of the readiness and ability of orr
government to protect its citizens win oct -
is believed as n most influential deterrent os
anv similar outbrenl,s
The energetic stems we have inns toLer ora
all the more likely tn result in f,,trra saf,t,
ia our citizens in China because tho in,,'ar;,I