Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-04

impeded by recent changes In the French
ministry. have not been relaxed and II Is con
fdently expected that some satisfactory so
luton OF the matter win shortly be reached.
Meanwhile II appears that Mr.. walters con-
fnement has every alleviaton which the
state OF his health and all the other circum-
stances OF the case demand or permit.
In agreeable contrast to the difference
above noted, respecting matter OF common
concern. where nothing is sought except such
a mutually satisfactory outcome as the true
merits Of the case require, is the recent res
olution Of the French Chambers favoring the
conclusion Of a permanent treaty Of arbi-
trations between the two countries An in
vtation has been extended by France TO the
government and people OF the United states
to participate in great international expo
sition at Paris in 1900 as suitable COM
memoration Of the close of this, the worlds
marvellous century of progress. ! heartily
recommend its acceptance together with
such legislation as will adequately provide
for a due representation of this government
and its people on the occasion.
WANTS FREE TRADE.
Our relations with the states of the German
empire are in some aspects, typical of con-
dtion Of things elsewhere found in countries
whose productions and trade are similar to
our own. The close rlvalres of competing in
dustries; the Influence of the delusive doc
trlne that the internal development of
nation is promoted and its wealth increased
by policy which, In undertaking to re-
serve its home markets yr the exclusive use
of it's own producers. necessarily obstructS
their sales in foreign markets and prevents
free access to the products of the world; the
desire to retain trade in time-worn ruts, re-
gardless Of the inexorable laws of new needs
and changed conditions OF demand and sup
ply, and our own hating tardness in inviting
a freer exchange of commodities and by this
means imperilng our footing in the external
a situation somewhat injurious to American
export interests, not only in Germany, where
they are perhaps, most noticeable, but IN
adjacent countries. The exports affected are
largely American cattle and other FOOD
products, the reason assigned for unfavorable
discrimination being that their consumption
is de,eterous to the public health. This Is all
the more irritating In view Of the fact that no
European state is as Jealous OF the eXceiience
and wholesomeness OF its eXportsd food sup
plies as the United States, nor so easily able
on account of inherent soundness to guaran-
tee those qualities. Nor are these difficulties
confined to our food products designed for
expor alton. Our great insurance companies,
for example, having built up a vast business
abroad and invested large share OF their
gains in foreign countries, In compliance with
the local laws and regulations then exist
ing. now find themselves within narrowing
circle of onerous and unforeseen conditions
and are confronted by the necessity of re-
tirement from field thus made improbable.
IT, indeed, they are not summarily expelled
as some of them have lately been from
Prussia.
MUST HAVE RETALIATION.
1t is not to b. forgotten that international
trade cannot be one-sided. Its currents are
alternating, and it's movements should be
honestly reciprocal. without this it almost
necessarily degenerates into dsvice to gain
advantage or a contrivance to secure bene-
fits with only the sembance Of a return. In
our dealings with other nations we ought
to be open handed and scrupulously fair
This should be our policy as producing
nation and it plainly becomes us as a people
who love generosity and the moral
aspect of national good faith and reciprocal
forbearance. These considerations should
not, however, constrain us to submit to un-
fair discrimination, nor to silently acquiesce
in vexatious hindrances to the enjoyment of
our share of the legitimate advantages of
proper trade relations. II an examination of
the situation suggests such measures on our
part as would involve restrictions similar to
those from which we suffered, the way to
such course is easy. 1t should, however
by no means be lightly entered upon, since
the necessity for the Inauguration of such
policy would be regretted by the best senti-
ment of our people, and because it naturally
and logically might lead to consequences of
the gravest character.
take pleasure in calling to your attention
the encomiums bestowed on those vessels of
our new navy which took part in the notable
ceremony Of the opening of the kiel canal,