Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-12-06
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

FOREIGN RELATIONS.
China. Cuba, England, Spain and Turkey
Discussed.
The close of the momentous strug- |
gle between China and Japan. while re-
iieving the diplomatic agents of this |
government from the delicate duty they |
undertook at the request of both coun- |
tries, of rendering such service to the
subjects of either belligerent within the
territorial limits of the other as our
neutral position permitted, developed
domestic condition in the Chinese en-
pire which has caused much anxiety and
called for prompt and careful attention.
Either as a result of weak controi by
the central government over the prov
incial administration following dl-
minution of traditional governmental
authority under the stress of an over
whelming national disaster. or as a
manifestation upon good opportunity
of the aversion of the Chinese popula-
ton to all foreign ways and under
takings, there have occurred in widely
separated provinces of China serious
outbreaks 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 or
property and attended with personal in
juries as well as loss of life.
The Chinese Missions.
Although but one American citizen
was reported to have been actually
wounded. and although the destruction
Of property may have fallen more heavl-
ly upon the missionaries OF other ma
tionalties than our own. II plainly be-
hooved this government to take the
most prompt and decided action TO
guard against similar or perhaps more
=. dreadful calamities Detailing the hun
dreds of American mission states
which have grown up throughout the
interior of China under the temperate
rule of federation, custom and imperial
edict. The demands of the United States
and other powers for the degradation
and punishment of the responsible Of
ficials of the respective cities and prov
inces, who by neglect or otherwise had
permitted uprisings, and for the adop-
ton of stern measures by the emperor $
government for the protection of life
and property of foreigners We're fol-
lowed by the disgrace and dismissal of
certain provincial officials found dere-
lict in their duty, and the punish
ment by death of number of those
found guilty of actual participation in
the outrageS.
This government also insisted that a
special American commission should
visit the province where the first dis
turbances occurred, for the purpose of
investigation. This latter commission,
formed after much opposition, has gone
overland from Tientsin, accompanied
by suitable Chinese escort, ana Dy lts
demonstration of the readiness and abil-
itv of our government to protect its
citizens will act it is believed. as a
most influential deterrent of any SIM
liar outbreaks.
The energetic steps we have thus tax
on are all the more likely to result In
future safety to our citizens in CHINA
because the Imperial government is
am persuaded, entirely convinced tina,
we desire only the liberty and protec-
tion of our own citizens aad redress foi
any wrongs they may have suffered
and that we have no Interior designs
or objects political or otherwise. China
will not forget either our kindly serv'
ice to her citizens during her late wal
nor the further fact that, while fur
nishing all the facilities at our com
mand to further the negotiation of 3
peace between her and Japan, We
sought no advantages and interpose6
no counsel. The Governments of both
China and Japan have in spiral dis
patches transmitted through their re
spective diplomatic representatives eX
pressed in most pleasing manner thei
70 their citizens during the unhapp.
struggle and of the value of our aid IL
having the way to their resumption o
peaceful relations.
The Waller Case.
Following the course justified b!
abundant precedents, this government
requested from that of France the rec
ord of the proceedings of the Frencl
tribunal which resulted in Mr.. Wal
ler's condemnation. This request ha
been complied with to the extent o
supplying a copy of the official record
from which appear the constitution
and organization of the court, tn
charges as formulated and the genera
course and result of the trial and b.
which it Is shown that the accused wa
tried in open court and was defende
by counsel. But the evidence adduce
i'm support of the charges-which wa
not received by the French minister 10
foreign affairs till the first week in DC
tober-has thus far been withheld, tn
French government taking the groun
that its production in response to GU
demand would establish a precedent
The efforts of our ambassador to pre-
cure 1t, however, though impeded b
recent changes In the French ministry
have not been relaxed, and il is conf
IDENTIFY expected that some satisfactor
solution of the matter will shortly
reached Meanwhile 1t appears tina
Mr., Walters confinement has every a
deviation which the state of his healt
and all the other circumstances of tn
case demand or permit.
It Is not to be forgotten that inter
national trade cannot be one-sided. II
currents are alternating and its move
ments should be honestly reciprocal
without this 1t almost necessarily d.
generates into device to gain advar