Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Foreign Relations and our Ma
tiOnal Finances
Are the Only Topics Discussed---Eng-
land Must Keep Hands on Venezuela.


land Must Keep Hands on Venezuela.
To the Congress Of the United States:
The present assemblage of the legislative
branch of our government occurs at time
when the interests OF our people and the needs
Of the country give especial prominence to the
condition of our foreign relations and the
igences of our national finances. The reports
Of the heads of the several administrative de-
paftments Of the government fully and plainly
exhibit what has been accomplished within the
scope Of their respective duties, and present
such recommendations for the betterment of
our country's condition as patriotic and in.
telligent labor and observations suggest.
l therefore deem my executive duty adj
equately performed at this time by presenting
to the congress the important phases Of our sit
uatlon related to our intercourse with for
eign nations, and a statement Of the financial
problems which confront us, omitting except
as they are related to these topics, any refer
ence to departmental operations.
l earnestly invite, however, not only the
careful consideration but the severely critical
scrutiny Of the congress and my fellow country
men to the reports concerning these depart
mental operations. II justly and fairly exam
ined they will furnish proof of assiduous and
painstaking care for the public welfare.
The recomm 7ndations they contain l urge
upon the respectful attention OF those charged
with the duty Of legislation, becauseI believe
tneH huOpllOn WOulu promote tne people
good.
By amendatory tariff legislation in January
last, the Argentine republic, recognizing the
value of the large market opened to the free
importation of its woods under our last tariff
act, has admitted certain Of the products of
the United States at reduced duties. 1t is
pleasing to note that the efforts we have made
to enlarge the exchang o. of trade on a sound
basis Of mutual benefit are in this instance
appreciated by the country from which our
wooden factories draw their needful supply Of
raw material.
The missions boundary dispute between the
Argentine Republic and Brazil, referred to the
President Of the United States as arbitrator
during the term Of my predecessor, and which
was submitted to me for determination, re-
suited in an award in favor of Brazil upon the
historical and documentary evidence pre-
sented, thus ending longprotracted contro-
Versy, and again demonstrating the wisdom
and desirability of settling international
boundary disputes by recourse to friendly ar
bitration.
Negotiations are progressing for a revival Of
the United States and CHILEAN claims commits
sion, whose work was abruptly terminated
last year by the expiration OF the stipulated
time within which awards could be made.
The resumption of specie payments by Chilli
is step OF great interest and Importance, both
In its direct consequences upon her own wei
fare and as evincing the ascendency of sound
uuduCldl principles IN one OF the most In
huential Of the South American republics.
The War In China
Tho close of the momentous Struggle be-
tween China and Japan, while relieving the
diplomatic agents Of this government from the
delicate duty they undertook at the request Of
both countries of rendering such services to
the subjects of either belligerent within the
territorial limits of the other as our neutral
position permitted, developed domestic con-
dition in the Chinese empire which has caused
much anxiety and called for prompt and care
full attention. Either as result of a weak
control by the central government over the
provincial administration, following diminu-
ton OF traditional governmental authority
under the stress of an overwhelming national
disaster, or as a manifestation upon good op-
portunity Of the aversion Of the Chinese popu-
lation to all foreign ways and undertakings,
there have occurred in widely separated prov
inces of China serious outbreaks Of an old fanat-
ical spirit against foreigners, which, un.
checked by the legal authorities if not &C.
tually connived at by them, have eliminated in
mob attacks on foreign missionary stations,
causing much destruction of property, and
attended with personal injury as well as loss
Of life.
Although but one American citizen was re-
ported to have been actually wounded, and al
though the destruction Of property may have
fallen more heavily upon the missionaries of
hooved this government to take the most
prompt and decided action against similar or
perhaps more dreadful calamities Detailing the
hundreds Of American mission stations which
have grown up throughout the interior OF
China under the temperate rule Of liberation,
custom and imperial edct
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 emperor's govern
ment for the protection of the life and prop
erty of foreigners, were followed by the dis
grace and dismissal of certain provincial off
cials found derelict in duty, and the punish
ment by death of a number Of those adjudged
guilty of actual participation in the outrages
This government also insisted that a specia
American commission should visit the prov
ince where the first disturbances occurred, fol
the purpose OF investigation. This latter com
mission, formed after much opposition ha!
gone overland from Tien-Tsin, accompanied by
a suitable Chinese escort, and by its demon
stration of the readiness and ability of oul
government to protect its citizens, will act, II
Is believed, as a most influential deterrent O
any similar outbreaks.
The energetic steps we have thus taken ar,
all the more likely to result in future safety
to our citizens in China, because the imperia
government is, l am persuaded entirely con
lection Of our own citizens and redress for an,
wrongs they may have suffered, and that w
have no Interior designs or objects, politica
or otherwise. China will not forget either on
kindly service to her citizens during her lat
war, nor the further fact that, while furnish
ing all the facilities at our command to fur
Their the negotiation Of peace between her ant
Japan, we sought no advantages and inter
posed no counsel
The Waller Case.
The customary cordial relations between
this country and France have been undis
turbed, with the exception that full explana
ton of the treatment of John Waller by tn
expeditionary military authorities of Franc
still remains t. be given. Mr.. Waller, fol-
merly United States consul at Tamatave, re
manned in Madagascar after his term of offic
expired, and was apparently successful in pre-
curing business concessions from the Hovas @
greater or less value.
After the occupation of Tamatave and tn
declaration of martial law by the French, b
was arrested upon various charges, anon
them that Of communicating military informs
ton to the enemies Of France, was tried an
convicted by military tribunal and sentence
to 20 years imprisonment Following tn
course justified by abundant precedents, thi
government requested from that Of France tn
record Of the proceedings of the French tribI
nal which resulted in Mr.. Walters condemni
ton. This request has been complied with [
the extent Of supplying a copy Of the oficii
record, from which appear the constitution an
organization of the court, the charges as fol
INFLATED and the general course and result
the trial. and by which it is shown that the a.
cused was tried in open court and was d.
Tended by counsel
But the evidence adduced in support of tn
charges-which was not received by tn
French minister for foreign affairs till the n r,