Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-03
TEE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


lowing are the salient points:
The present assemblage of the legis-
lative branch of our Government occurs
at time when the interests of our
people and the needs of the country
give especial prominence to the condi-
ton of our foreign relations aud the
exigencies of our national finances. l
therefore deem my executive duty
adequately performed at this time by
presenting to the Congress the import
ant phases of our situation as related to
our intercourse with foreign nations,
and q statement of the financial prob
lens which confront us.
The cordial relations between this
country andFrance have beenundisturb-
ed, with the exception that full e&pla-
nation of the treatment of John l..
Waller, formerly United States consul
at Tamatave, by the military authorities
of France still remains to be given.
The evidence adduced in support of the
charges has thus far been withheld, the
French Government taking the ground
that its production in response to our
demand would establish bad pre-
cedeut. The efforts of our ambassador
to procure it, however, have not been
relaxed, and it is confidently expected
that some satisfactory solution of the
matter will shortly be reached.
Our relations with Great Britain have
demanded during the past year even
greater share of consideration than is
usual. Several qexatious questions
were left undetermined by the decision
of the Behring Sea Arbitration Tri-
bunal. The need of more effective en-
forcement of existing regulations neces.
sary to carry out the intent ofthe award
have been earnestly urged upon the
British government, but thus far with
out effective results. In the meantime
the depletion of the seal hurds has SO
alarmingly progressed that unless their
slaughter is at once checked their
extinction within few years seems to
be matter of absolute certainty. The
understanding by which the United
States was to pay Great Britain S425,-
900 in full settlement of all claims for
damages arising from our seizure
Of British sealing vessels was not
confirmed by the last Congress,
which declined to make the necessary
appropriation. an still of the opinion
that this arrangement was q jndicious
and advantageous one for the govern
ment, and l earnestly recommend that
it be sanctioned. If, however, this
does not meet with the favor Of
Congress, it certainly will hardly dis
sent from the proposition that the gov
eminent is bound by every considera-
ton of honor and good faith to provide
Tor the speedy adjustment of these
claims by arbitration.
1t being apparent that the dispute be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela
concerning the limits of British Guiana
Was approaching an acute stage, a de.
Unite statement of the interest and
policy of the United States as regards
the controversy seemed 10 be required
both on its own account and in view OF
it's relations with the friendly powers
directly concerned. In July last dis
patch was addressed to our ambassador
at London for communication to the
British government, in which the atti-
tude ofthe United States was fully and
distinctly set forth. The general cou
illusions therein reached and formulated
are in substance that the traditional
and estabi she'd policy of this govern
ment is firmly opposed to forcible in.
crease by any European power of its
territorial possessions on this continent;
that this policy is as we'll founded in
principle as it is strongly supported by
numerous presidents; that as conse-
quence the United States is bound 10
protest against the enlargement of the
| area of British Guiana in derogation Of
he rights and against the will of Vene-
zuels; that, considering the disparity i'll
strength of Great Britain and Vene-
znela, the territorial dispute between
them can be reasonably settled only by
rieudly and impartial arbitration. The
dispatch 10 question called upon the
British government for a definite an
swer to the question whether it would
Or would not submit the controversy to
impartial arbitration. The answer is
expected shortly, when further COM
nunication on the subject will probably
De made to the Congress.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. An
instruction, in some respects more &C.
tive than the last preceding revolt, now
exists in large part of the eastern in-
terror of the island, menaciDg even
some populations on the coast. What
ever may be the sympathy of our coun-
trymen as individuals with people
vino seem to be struggling for larger
autonomy and greater freedom, yet the
plain duty of their government is to
observe the recognized obligations of
international relationship to friendly
sovereign States. Neither the warmth
of our peoples sympathy with the Gu
ban insurgents, nor our loss and mate
rial damage consequent upon the futile
endeavors thus far made to restore
peace and order, have in the least
shaken the determination Of the gov-
eminent to homes ly fulfill every inter
national obligation.
Occurrences in Turkey have contin-
ued to excite concern. The reported
massacres of Christians in Armenia
naturally excited apprehension for the
safety of the men and women who, as
dependents of the foreign missionary
societies in the United States, reside in
Turkey under the guarantee of law
aud usage and in the legitimate per-
formance of their educational and re-
ligious mission. No efforts have been
spared in their behalf and their pro
lection in person and property has been
earnestly and vigorously enforced by