Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-03
THE MESSAGE.
70 the Congress- of the United States:

d
when the interests Of our people and the needs
of the country give especial prominence to the
condition of our foreign relations and the eX-
igences Of our national finances. The reports
Of the heads of the several administrative de-
partments 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 rs 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 imp )rtant phases of our sit
uation as related to our intercourse with for
eign nations, and statement Of the financial
problems which confront us, emitting except
MS 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 andmy fellow country
men to the reports concerning these depart.
mental operations. II justly and fairly exam
ined they will furnish proof of assiduous and
painstalling care for the public welfare.
The recommendations they contain urge
upon the respectful attention of those charged
with the duty of Legislation, because believe
their adoption would promote the peoples
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 bave made
TO enlarge the eXchang Is Of trade on 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
t,r+ ,itrnt
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-
scented, thus ending lOng-protracted contro'
versy, and again demonstrating the wisdom
and dcsirability Of settling international
boundary disputes by recourse to friendly ar
bitraton.
Negotiations are progressing for revival of
the United States and Gillian 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 well
fare and as evincing the ascendency of sound
financial principles in one of the most in
fuental Of the South American republics.
The War In China.
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 rendA ring such services to
the subjects of either beligerent within the
territorial limits Of the other 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 a result of a weak
control by the central government over the
provincial administration, following a dimiuu-
ton of traditional governmental authority
under the stress of an overwhelming national
disaster, or as manifestation upon good OPP
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 cOnnivcd 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 oil
other nationalities than our own, it plainly be-
hOoved this government to take the most
prompt and decided action against similar or
perhaps more dreadful caamities 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 edict
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 otherwise
had permitted uprisings and for the adoption
of stern measures by the emperors 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 dcrrlict in duty, and the punish
ment by death ot number of those adjudged
guilty of actual participation in the outrageS.
This government also insisted that a special
American commission should visit the PROV
ince where the first disturbances occurred, for
the purpose OF investigation. This latter com
mission, formed after much opposition, has
gone overland from Ten-Tsin, accompanied by
a suitable Chinese escort, and by its demon
stration of the readiness and ability of our
government to protect its citizens, will act, it
is believed as a most influential deterrent OF
any similar outbreaks
The energetic steps we have thus taken are
all the more likely to result in future safety
to our citizens in China because the imperial
government is, l am persuaded, entirely CON
WINGED that we desire only the liberty and pro
lection of our own citizens and redress for 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 service t. her citizens during her late
war, nor the further fact that, while furnish.
ing all the facilities at our command to fur.
ther the negotiation of peace between her and
Japan, we sought no advantages and inter
posed no counsel.
The Waller Case.
The customary cordial rel ations between
this country and France have been undis
turbed, with the exception that full explaI ,
ton of the treatment of John L Waller by
expeditionary military authorities of France
still remains t. be given. Mr.. Waller, fc-
merly United States consul at Tamatave,
manned in Madagascar after his term Of off
expired, and was apparently successful in pro
curing business concessions from the Hovas ]
greater or less value.
After the occupation of Tamatave and the
declaration of martial law by the French,
was arrested upon various charges, among
them that of communicating military infurma
ton to the enemies of France, was tried anC
convicted by a military tribunal and sentenc
to ~ years imprisonment. Following
course justified by abundant precedents, T.
government requested from that Of France
record of the proceedings of the French trif
nal which resulted in Mr.. Walters condemn .
ton. This request has been complied with
the extent Of supplying copy of the officia
record, from which appear the constitution a.
organization Of the court, the charges az for