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


laws Of new needs and changed condi
tions of demand and supply, and ou
owl halting tardiness in inviting
free exchange of commodities and b.
this means imperiling our footing ii
the external markets naturally open t.
us, have created a situation somewhat
injurious to American export interests,
not only in Germany where they are
perhaps most noticeable. but in ad-
jacent countries, The exports affected
are as largely American cattle and
other food PRODUCTS the reason as
signed for unfayorable discrimination
being that their consumption is dele
terious to the public health. This is
all the more irritating in view of the
fact that no European State is as
jealous of the excellence and whole.
someness of its 0. p rted food supplies
as the United States, not SO easily
able, on account of inherent sound
ness, to guarantee those qualities. Nor
are those difficulties confined to our
food products designed for expectation.
Our great insurance companies, for OK
ample, having built up vast business
abroad and invested large share of
their means in foreign countries in com
pliance with the local laws and regula-
tions then existing, now find themselves
within narrowing circle of onerous
and unforeseen conditions, and are con-
fronted by the necessity of retirement
from field thus made Improbable, if
indeed they are not summarily ex-
PEELED, as some of them have lately
been from Prussia.
1t is not to be forgotten that inter-
national trade can not be one-sided, its
currents are alternating and its move
ments should be honestly reciprocal.
Without this it almost necessarily de-
generates into device to gain advan-
tage, or contrivance TO secure bene-
fits with only the semblance of re-
turn. In our dealings with other ma
tions, we ought to be open handed and
scrupulously fair. This should be our
policy as producing nation, and it
plainly becomes us as a people who
love generosity and the moral aspects
of national good faith and reciprocal
forbearance,
These considerations should not,
however, consrrain us to submit to un-
fair discrimination nor to silently ac-
quiesce in vexatious hindrances to the
enjoyment Of our share of the legiti-
mate advantages of proper trade
relations. II an examination of the
situation suggests such measures on
our part as would involve restrictions
similar to those from which we suffer,
the way to such course is easy. 1t
should, however, by no means be
lightly entered upon, since the neces-
sity for the Inauguration of such a
policy would be regretted by the best
sentiment of our people and because it
naturally and logically might lead to
consequences of the gravest character
take pleasure in calling to your
attention the encomiums bestowed on
those vessels of our new navy which
took part 10 the notable ceremony OF
the opening of the KEEL Canal. 1t was
fitting that this extraordinary achieve
mont of the newer German nationality
should be celebrated in the presence of
Americas exposition of the latest de-
velopments of the worlds naval energy
Our relations with Great Britain,
always intimate and important, have
demanded during the past year even a
greater share of consideration than is
usual. Several vexatious questions
were left undetermined by the decision
of the Behring Sea arbitration tri-
bunal. The application of the princi-
pies laid down by that august body
has not been followed by the results
they were intended to accomplish.
either because the principles them
selves lacked in breadth and definite
ness or because their execution has
been more or less imperfect. Much
correspondence has been exchanged
between the two governments ON the
subject OF preventing the extermi-
mating slaughter of seals. Tho in
suflicicncy of the British patrol of
Behring Sea under the regulations
agreed on by the two governments, has
been pointed out, and yet only two
British ships have been on police duty
during this season in those waters.
The need of more effective enforce
ment of existing regulations, as we'll as
the adoption of such additional regu-
lations as experience has shown to be
absolutely necessary TO carry out the
intent of the award, have been earnestly
urged upon the British government,
but thus far without effective results.
In the meantime the depletion of the
seal herds by means Of pelagic hunting
has so alarmingly progressed that un-
less their slaughter is at once effec-
lively checked their extinction within
few years seems to he matter of alb
solute certainty.
The understanding by which the
United States was to pay, and Great
Britain to receive, lump sum OF
S425, 900 in full settlement of all British
claims for damages arising from oui
seizure of British sealing vessels un-
authorized under the award of the
Paris tribunal Of arbitration, was not
confirmed by the last Congress, which
decline to make the necessary appro-
priation. l am still of the opinion
that this arrangement was judicious
and advantageous one for the govern
ment and l earnestly recommend that
il be again considered and sanctioned.
If, however, this does not meet with
the favor of Congress, it certainly will
hardly dissent from the proposition
that the government is bound by
every consideration of honor and good
faith to provide for the speedy adjust
ment of these claims by arbitration as
the only other alternative. A treaty OF
arbitration has therefore been agreed
upon and will be immediately laid be-
fore the Senate, SO that in one of the
modes suggested final settlement may
be reached, notwithstanding that Great
Britain originated the proposal to en-
force International rules for the pre-
vention of collisions at sea, based or
the recommendations of tine maritime
conference of Washington and con-
Cured in suggesting March LIST, 1895,
as the date to be set by proclamation
for carrying these rules into general
effect
Her Maiesty's government having
encountered opposition on the part Of
British shipping interests, announced
| its inability TO accent that date, which