The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-12-12

that / have imperfectly, but zealously
submitted my thoughts upon this mo-
mentous subject.
cannot refrain from begging them
to re-examine their views and beliefs in
the light of patriotic reason and famil.
lar experience, and to weigh again and
again the consequences of such legisla'
ton as their efforts have invited. Even
the continued agitation of the subject
adds greatly to the difficulties Of dan
gerous financial situation already
forced upon us.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
QUESTION: at Issue Between This and
| Other Governments.
By mandatory tariff legislation, in
January last, the Argentine Republic,
recognizing the value of the large mar
ket opened to the free importation of
its woods under our last tariff act, has
admitted certain products of the United
States to enter at reduced duties. It
is pleasing to note that the efforts we
have made to enlarge the exchanges of
trade on sound basis of mutual bene-
fit, are in this instance appreciated by
the country from which our wooden
| factories drew their needful supply of
raw materials.
The missions boundary dispute be-
tween the Argentine Republic and
Brazil, referred to the president
of the United States as arbitrator dur
ing the term of my predecessor, and
which was submitted to me for deter
mination, resulted in an award in IA
vor of Brazil, upon the historical and
documentary evidence presented; thus
ending long protracted controversy,
and again demonstrating the wisdom
and desirability of settling interna
tional boundary disputes by recourse to
friendly arbitration.
Negotiations are progressing for a
revival of the United States and Chill
can claims commission, whose work
was abruptly terminated last year by
the expiration of the stipulated time
within which amends could be made.
Chile is step of great interest and
Importance, both in its direct conse-
quences upon her own welfare, and as
evincing che ascendency of sound finan-
cial principles in one of the most in
fluential of the South American repub.
lies
Chinese Outbreaks.
The close of the momentous struggle
between China and Japan, while re-
lieving the diplomatic agents of this
government from the delicate duty
they undertook, at the request of both
countries, of rendering such service to
the subjects of either belligerent
within the territorial limits of the
other as our neutral position permit
ted, developed domestic condition in
the Chinese empire which has caused
much anxiety and called for prompt
and careful attention. Either as re-
suit of weak control by the central
government over the provincial admin
istrations, following a diminution Of
the traditional governmental authority
under the stress of an overwhelming
national disaster, or as a manifesto
ton, upon good opportunity, of the
aversion of the Chinese population to
all foreign ways and undertakings,
there have occurred, in widely sepa-
rated provinces Of China, serious out
breaks of the old fanatical spirit
against foreigners, which, unchecked
by the local authorities, if not actually
connived at by them, have eliminated
in mob attacks ON foreign missionary
stations, causing much destruction of
property, and attended with personal
injuries as we'll as loss of life. AL
though but one American citizen was
reported to have been actually wound
ed, and although the destruction of
property may have fallen more heavily
upon the missionaries of other nation
alities than our own, it plainly be-
hooves this government to take the
most prompt and decided action to
guard against similar, or, perhaps,
more dreadful calamities Detailing the
hundreds Of Americans in that country.
The demands of the United States
and other powers for the degradation
and punishment of the responsible
officials of the respective cities and
provinces who, by neglect or otherwise,
had permitted uprisings, and for the
adoption of stern measures by the en-
peror's government for the protection
of the life and property of foreigners,
were followed by the disgrace and dis
missal of certain provincial officials
found derelict in duty, and the punish
ment by death of a number of those
adjudged guilty of participating in the
outrages.
China will not forget either oul
kindly service to her citizens during
her late war, nor the further fact that,
while furnishing all the facilities al
our command to further the negotia.
tions of peace between her and ia
pan, we sought no advantages, and
interposed no counsel The govern
ments of both China and Japan have
| in special dispatches, transmitted
through their respective diplomatic
representatives, expressed in a mos
pleasing manner their grateful appreci
alton of our assistance to their citizenl
during the unhappy struggle and O
the value of our aid in paving the waJ
to their resumption of peaceful rela
lions.
The Waller Incidea. in France.
The customary cordial relations be
| -. hax