The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-04


dent Cleveland to-day submitted ms mes
sage TO Congress, the fun text oi which
is as follows:
Washington. ID. c.. Dec. ?, 1895.
To the Congress of the United States;
-rbe present assemblage of the legisla-
tiyc branch OF our government occurs at
"a time when the interests OF our peopio
and The needs of the country give es-
necial prominence TO the condition oil our
foreign relations and the cxigencies Oh
mir national finances. The reports OF
the heads Of the several administrative Nv
departments of the government lrlis anu
plainly exhibit what las been accom-
flushed within tn. scope of their respec-
live duties and present such recomiheh-
dations for the betterment Of our coun-
crys condition as patrlouc ana hi'eni-
cent labor and observation suggest.
| therefore deem my Executive uuty
adequately performed AT TINS tiine oy pre-
senting 10 the Congress the important
phases OF our situation as related 10 our
intercourse with foreign nations, ana
statement of the financial problems wnlcn
confront rs emitting. except as they are
related to these topics any reference 10
departmental operations.
earnestly invite. however, not only
the careful consideration but the severe
Is critical scrutiny OF the Congress ana
my fellow countrymen 20 the reports con-
corning these departments operations III
insiIv and fairly examined they will fur
nish proof of assdious and painstaklng
care Tor the public welfare. | press the
recommendations they contain upon the
respectful attention OF those charged win
the duty of legislation, because be-
lieve their adoption would promote the
peoples good
FOREIGN TOPICS.
By amendatory tariff legislation in Jan
uary. last, the Argentine Republic, recog-
nizing the value of the large market open
ed TO the free importation OF its WOODS
under our last tarin act, has admitted
certain products of the United states
10 entry at reduced duties. 1t is pleas
ing TO note that the efforts W. have made
TO enlarge the exchanges OF trade ON a
sound basis of mutual benefit are In this
instance appreciated by she country from
which our wCollen factories draw thef
needful supply of raw material.
The missions boundary dispute between
the Argentine Republic and Brazil. re-
ferred to the President of the United
States as arbitrator during the term of
my predecessor and which was submitted
to me for determination, resulted In an
award In favor of Brazil upon the his
torical and documentary evidence pre-
scented. thus ending long protracted con-
troversy and again demonstrating the
wisdom and desirabiity of settling in
ternaiional boundary disputes by re-
course 10 friendly arbitration. Negotia-
tions are progressing for a revival of the
United States and Chilean claims commits
sion, whose work was abruptly terminal
Cd last year by the expiration of the
stipulated time within which awards could
be made
The resumption Of specie payments by
Chill is a step of great interest and i'm
pcrtance. both in its direct consequences
upon her own welfare, and as evincing
the ascendency of sound financial prin-
ciples in one of the most influential OF
the South American Republics.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The close of the momentous struggle
between China ara Japan, while relieving
the diplomatic agents OF this Govern
n cnt from the delicate duty they un-
dertook at the request of both countries,
OF rendering such service to the sub
jects OF either belllgerent with the ter
ritorial limits of the other as our neutral
position permitted. developed A domestic
condition I'm the Chinese empire which
has caused much anxiety. ana called for
prompt and careful attention
Either as result Of weak control by
the central Government over the provin-
cial administrations. following diniinu-
ton OF traditional governmental authori-
~ under the stress of an overwhelming
national disaster. or as a manifestation
upon good opportunity OF the aversion OF
the Chinese population to all foreign
ways and undertakings. there have oc-
CURED In widely separated provinces OF
China. serious outbreaks of the old IA
natical spirit against foreigners. which,
unchecked by the local authorities, II not
actually connived at by them. have cul-
sionary stations. causing much destruc-
tion of property, and attended with per-
sonal injuries as well as loss of life.
PROTECTION OF AMERICANS.
Although but one American citizen was
reported 10 have been actually wounded.
and although the destruction of property
may have fallen more heavily upon the
missionaries OF other nationaliies than
our own. IL plainly behooved this Gov
eminent TO take the most prompt and de-
cfief action 20 guard against similar
perhaps more dreadful calamities befall-
Ing the hundreds OF American mission sta
lions which have grown up throughout
the interior OF China under the temper
ate rule OF liberation. custom. and i'm
perial edict. The demands OF the United
Btates and other powers for the degra-
dalton and punishment of the responsible
of1cials OF the respective cities and pro-
vinces who by neglect or Otherwise had
permitted uprisngs. and for the adoption
Of stern measures by the emperors gov
eminent for the protection OF life and
property of foreigners. were followed by
the disgrace and dismissal of certain pro-
vincial officials found derelict In duty and
the punishment by death Of a number OF
those adtudged guilty OF actual partlcipa-
ton in the outrages. This Government
also insisted that special American
commission should visit the province
where the first disturbances occurred, for
the purpose OF investigation This lat
ter commission. formed after much oppo-
sition. has gone overland from Tientzin
accompanied by a suitable Chinese es-
cort and by its demonstration of the
readiness and ability OF our government
TO protect its citizens will act. II is be-
neved. as "A most influential deterrent OF
any similar outbreaks.
HOW THEY ARE OBLIGATED.
The energetic steps We have thus taken
are all the more likely 10 result In future
safety 10 our citizens in China because
WINGED that We desire only the liberty
and protection Of our own citizens and