The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-06


course and result Of the trial. by which Ii
Is shown that the accused 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 for foreign affairs till the
nrst week in October-has thus far been
the ground that its introduction In re-
spouse to our demand would establish
precedent. The efforts OF our ambassador
TO procure 1t, however, though impeded by
recent changes in the French ministry,
nave not been realized, and ii is confident
~ expected that some satisfactory solu-
non non or the matter VIII 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 per-
In agreeable contrast to the differences
ABOVE noted respecting q matter of COM
mon concern, where nothing is sought ex-
cept such 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 perma-
nent treaty OF arbitration between the two
countries
An invitation has been extended by
France to the government and people Of
the united States TO participate In great
International exposition at Paris in 1900 as
o. suitable commemoration of the close of
this, the worlds marvellous century OF
progress. / heartily recommend it's ac-
ceptance, together with such legislation as
Will adequately provide for q due represen-
tatlon or this government and It's people
on the occasion.
Injuries Our Interests In Germany.
Our relation with the states of the Ger
man empire are, In some aspects, typical
OF condition Of things elsewhere found In
countries whose productions and trade arc
similar to our own. The close rivalries of
competing industries; the influence of the
delusive doctrine that the internal devel-
opment of q nation Is promoted and its
wealth increased by a policy, in under
taking to reserve It's home markets for the
exclusive use of its own producers, nee
essarily 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, regardless of the
conditions Of demand and supply, and our
own hating hardness In inviting freer
exchange of commodities. and by this
means imperiling our footing In the ex-
created a situation somewhat injurious TO
American export interests, not only, In
Germany, whore they are most noticeable.
but In adjacent countries.
Interests Affected.
The exports affected are largely Amerl-
can cattle and other food products, the
reason assigned for unfavorable discrim-
nation being that their consumption Ia
deleterious to the public health. This Is
all the more irritating In view or the fact
that no European state is as jealous of the
excellence and wholesomenesS of It's eX-
ported food supplies as the United States
nor so easily able on account of inherent
soundness 40 guarantee those qualities.
Nor are these difficulties confined to our
food products designed for expectation.
Our great INSURANCE companies, for eX-
ample. having built up vast business
abroad and invested a large share of their
gains in foreign countries in compliance
with the local laws and regulations then
existing, now find themselves within mar"
rowing circle of onerous and unforeseen
conditions, and are confronted by the
necessity of retirement from field thus
made profitable, if indeed they are not sum-
marily expelled as some or them nave late
ly been, from Prussia.
Hints at Retaliation.
It is not to be forgotten that interna-
tional trade cannot be one-sided. Its cur
rents are alternating and It's movements
should be honestly reciprocal. Without
this ii almost necessarily deSenerateS into
a device to gain advantage or a contrivance
to secure benefits with only the semblance
of q return In our dealings with other
nations we ought to DO open-handed and
scrupulously fair This should be our pol
icy as a producing nation, and 1t plainly be-
comes us as people who love generosity
and the moral aspects OF national good
faith and reciprocal forbearance. These
considerations should not. however, con-
strain us to submit to unfair diScrimina-
ton nor to silently acquiesce in vexatious
hindrances to the enjoyment OF our share
of the legitimate advantages or proper
trade relations. If an examination of the
situation suggests such measures on our
part as would involve restrictions similar
10 those from which we suffer, the way to
Stcn n course Is easy. III SIOIlu, however,
by no means be lightly entered upon. since
the necessity for the Inauguration OF such
a policy would be regretted by the best
sentiment of our, people, and because 1t
sequences of the grayest character.
L take pleasure In calling to your atten-
ton the enconiums bestowed on those yes
sells of our new navy which took part in
the notable ceremony Of the opening OF the
Kiel canal. 1t was hitting that this eX-
traordinary achievement of the newer Ger
inpo itxr r1,n hS m
the presence of Americas exposition of
the latest developments OF the worlds
naval energy
Behring soa Affairs Unsatisfactsry.
Our relations with Great Britain always
intimate and important, have demanded
during tho past year even greater share
OF confederation than is usual. Several
bus be of
arbitration tribunal. The application of
the principles laid down by that august
body has not been followed by the results
they were intended to accomplish, either
because the principles themselves lacked
In breadth and deGniteness or because
their execution has been more or less i'm
perfect. Much correspondence has been
exchanged between the two governments
on the subject of preventing the extcrmi-
mating slaughter OF seals. The INSULT
cheney of the British patrol OF Behring sea,
under the regulations agreed on by the two
governments, has been pointed out, and yet
only two British ships have been on police
The need OF more effective enforcement
of existing regulations, as well as the adop-
ton of such additional regulations as ex-
perience has shown to be absolutely nee
essary to carry out the intent of the award.
have been earnestly urged upon the British
government, but thur far without effective
results. In the meantime The depletion of
the seal herds by means Of pelagic hunting
has SO alarmingly progressed that unless
their slaughter Is at once effectually
checked their extinction within few years
seems to be a matter of absolute certainty.
Judicious Arrangement.
The understanding by which the United
States was to pay, and Great Britain to re-
ceive, a lump sum of $425, coo in full settle
ment of all British claims for damages
arising from our seizure OF British sealing
vessels unauthorized under the award Of
the Paris tribunal of arbitration, was not
confirmed by tho last congress, which de-
clined to make the necessary appropria-
ton. 1 am still Of the opinion that this ar
rangement was a judicious and advan-
tageous one for the government, and I
sidcred and sanctioned. II. however, this
does not meet with the favor Of congress,
1t certainly will hardly dissent from the
proposition that the government is bound
by every consideration of honor and good
faith to provide for the speedy adjustment
OF these claims by arbitration a s the only
other alternative. treaty of arbitra-
ton has therefore been agreed upon and
will be Immediately laid before the senate,
so that in one of the modes suggested a
final settlement may be reached.
notwithstanding that Great Britain
originated the proposal to enforce inter-