Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-04

only the liberty and protection of our own citizens and redress for any wrongs they may have suffered, and that we have no ulterior designs or objects, polit- ical 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 negotiations of peace between her and Japan, we sought no advantages and interposed no counsel.
 The governments of both China and Japan have in special dispatches trans mitted through their respective diplo- matic representatives expressed in most pleasing manner their grateful ap- preciation of our assistance to their cit izenS during the unhappy struggle, and of the value of our aid in paving the way to their resumption of peaceful relations.
 The Waller Case.
 The customary cordial relations be- tween this country and France have been undisturbed with the exception that a full explanation of the treatment of John l.. Waller by the expeditionary military authorities of France still remains to be given. MT Waller, formerly United States consul at TamataVe, rema fned In Madagascar after his term of office ex- pired, and was apparently successful in procuring business concessions from the Aovas of greater or less value. After the occupation of>Tamatave and the dec idIdllOH Ol ldW Dy iIlc IltIiSh hC was arrested upon various charges, among them that of communicating mill itary information to the enemies of France, was tried and convicted by a military tribunal and sentenced to twen- ty years Imprisonment.
 Following the course justified by abun- dant precedents, this government re- quested from that of France the record of the proceedings of the French tribunal which resulted in MT. Walters condem- nation, The request has been complied with to the extent of supplying a copy of the official record. from which appear the constitution and organization of the court, the charges as formulated and the general course and result of the trial, and by which it is shown that the ac- eussd was tried in open court and was defended by counsel But the evidence adduced in support of the charges, which was not received by the French minister of foreign affairs till the first week in October, has thus far been withheld, the French government taking the ground that it's production in response to our demand would establish bad precedent. The efforts of our ambassador to procure it, however, though impeded by recent changes in the French ministry, have not been relaxed, and 1t is confidently expected that some satisfactory solution of the matter will shortly be reached. Meanwhile it appears that MT. Walters confinement has every alleviation which the state of his health nd all the other circumstances of the case demand or per init.
 France.
 In agreeable contrast to the difference above noted respecting matter of com. mon concern, where nothing is sought except a mutually satisfactory outcome as the true merits of the case require. Is the recent resolution of the French cham bers favoring the conclusion of a perina- wl.sN tz,.. two countries.
 An invitation has been extended by France to the government and people of the United States to participate in a great international exposition at Paris in 1900 as suitable commemoration of the close of this marvellous century of progress. heartily recommend it's ac- ceptance, together with such legislation as will adequately provide for suitable representation of this government and it's people on the occasion.
 Germany.
 Our relations with the states of the Herman empire are, In some respects typical of condition of things elsewhere found in countries whose productions and trade are similar to our own. The close rivalry of competing industry; the influ- ence of the delusive doctrine that the in- teTnal development of nation is pro- noted and it's wealth increased by a pol icy which in undertaking to reserve Its home markets for the exclusive use of its own producers, necessarily obstructs their sales in foreign markets and pre- vents free access to the products of the orld; the desire to retain trade in tune worn ruts, regardless if the memorable laws of new needs and changed condi- tions of demand and supply, and our own halting tardiness in inviting freer ex- change of commodities, and by this means imperilng our footing in the ex- ter-nal markets naturally open to us have created a situa tion somewhat inIu- rious 10 American export interests, not only in Germany. where they are per haps most noticeable, but in adjacent countries.
 The exports affected are largely Amer lean cattle and other food products the req son assigned for unfavorahle dis crifnination being that their consumption is deleterious to the public health This is all the more irritating in view of the fact that no European state Is as jealous of the excellence and wholesomeness of it's exported food supplies as the United States. nor 20 easily able, on account of Soundness, to guarantee those qualities
 Reciprocal Trade Relations
 Nor are these difficulties confined 10 our food productions desig ned for expor- tation. Our great insuranc companies. for example having built up vast bus -iness abroad and invested a large share of tLeir gains in foreign countries. in
 
 ulatfons then existing. now find them selves within narrowing circle of oner- ous aDd unforeseen conditions and are confronted by the necessity of retirement from field thus made unprofitable. if indeed they are not summariIy expelled, as some of them have lately been from Prussia.
 IL Is not 10 he forgotten that interia- ional trade cannot be one-sided Its currents are alternating and its move meDts sholld be honestly reciprocal Without this 1t almost necessarily degen- crates into a device to gain advantage and contrivanee to secure benefits with only the seinblsnce of a return. In our dealings with other nations we ought 10 be open handed and scrupulous- ly fair. This should be our policy as a producing nation. and It plainly becomes people who love generosity and the mural aspects of national good faith and reciprocal forbearance.
 These considerations should not. how ever. constrain us to submit to unfair discrimination, nor to silently acquiesce in vexatious hindrances to the enjoyment of our share of the legitimate advantages If r,rouer trpda re1atfnna an ovap,;-