Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-05

ing diminution OF traditional govern
mental authority 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 occurred in widely separated
provinces of China serious outbreaks
Of the old fanatical spirit against for
eigners which, unchecked by the local
authorities If not actually connived at
by them, have eliminated in mob at
tacks on foreign missionary stations,
causing much destruction of property,
and attended with personal injuries as
well as loss Of life.
Although but one American citizen
was reported to have been actually
wounded, and although tho destruction
of property may have fallen more
heavily upon the missionaries of other
nationalities than our own, it plainly
behooved this government to take the
most prompt and decided action to
guard against similar or perhaps more
dreadful calamities Detailing tho hun
dred of American mission stations
which have grown up throughout the
interior of China under the temperate
rule of liberation, custom and imperial
edict. Tho demands of the United
States and other powers for the degra-
dation and punishment of the RESPONSE
BILE officials of the respective cities and
provinces who by neglect or otherwise
had permitted uprisings and for the
adoption Of stern measures by the EN-
peror's government for the protection
OF the life and property of foreigners,
were followed by the disgrace and dis
missal of certain provincial officials
found derelict in duty, and the punish
ment by death of number of those
adiudged guilty of actual participation
in the outrages.
This government also insisted that
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 over land from Tien Tsin, accom-
panied by a suitable Chinese escort,
and by its demonstration OF the readi-
ness and ability of our government 10
protect its citizens will act, it is be-
lieved, as a most influential deterrent
of any similar outbreaks The ener-
getic 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, am per-
suaded, entirely convinced that we de-
sire only the liberty and protection of
our own citizens and redress for any
wrongs they may have suffered, and
that we have no ulterior designs or
objects political or otherwise. China
will not forget either our kindly SER
vice to her citizens during her late
war nor the further fact that. while
furnishing all the facilities at our com
mand to further the negotiation of
peace between her and Japan, we
sought no advantages and interposed
no counsel. The government of both
China and Japan have in special dis
patches transmitted through their re-
spective diplomatic representatives ex-
pressed in a most pleasing manner
their grateful appreciation of our as
sistance to their citizens during the
unhappy struggle and of the value of
our aid in paving the way to their re-
sumption Of peaceful relations.
The customary cordial relations he-
tween this country and France have
heen undisturhed. with the exception
that full explanation of the treatment
OF John l.. Waller by the eXpeditionary
military authorities of France still re-
mains to be given. Mr.. Waller, for
merly United States Consul at Tama-
tave, remained in Madagascar after his
term of Office expired, and was appar-
emily successful in procuring business
concessions from the Hoyas of greater or
less value.
After the occupation of Tamatave
and the declaration of martial law by
| the French, he was arrested upon va
rious charges, among them that of
communicating military information
to the enemies of France, was tried
and convicted by military tribunal,
and sentenced to 90 years. imprison-
ment Following the course justified
| by abundant precedents this govern
ment requested from that of France
| the record of the proceedings of the
French tribunal which resulted in Mr..
Waller's condemnation. This request
has been complied with to the extent
of supplying copy of the official
record, from which appear the Consti-
tuition. organization of the court, the
charges as formulated, and the general
course and result OF the trial, and by
which it is shown that the accused
was tried in open court and was de-
Tended by counsel. But the evidence
adduced in support of the charges
which was not received by the French
minister for foreign affairs till the
first week in October-has thus far
been withheld, tie French government
taking the ground that its proposition
in response to our demand would estab-
lish bad precedent. The efforts of
our Ambassador to procure it however,
though impeded by recent changes in
the French ministry. have not been re
laxed, and it is confidently expected
that some satisfactory solution of the
matter will shortly be reached. Mean
while it appears that Mr.. Waller's con-
finement has every alleviation which
the state Of his health and all the
other circumstances of the case de-
mand or permit.
An agreeable contrast to the differ
ence above noted respecting a letter of
common concern where nothing is
sought except such a mutually satis-
factory outcome as the true merits of
the case require, the recent resolution of
the French chamber is favoring the
conclusion permanent treaty of arbi-
tration between the two countries
An invitation has been extended by
France to the government and people
Of the United States 10 participate in
great international exposition al
Paris in 1900 as suitable commemora-
tion of the close of this, the world g
marvellous century of progress /
heartily recommend ite acceptance, to.
gether with such legislation as will
adequately provide for due repre-
sentation of this government and it's
people on the occasion.
Our relations with the States of the
| German Emnire are in some aspects,