Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-08

an actor in the scene. Our position among
nations having a large Pacific coast, and
a constantly expanding direct trade with
the farther orient. gives us the equit-
able claim 10 consideration and friendly
treatment i'm this regard and il will be
my aim TO subserve our large interests In
that quarter by all means appropriate TO
the constant policy of our government.
The territories OF Kiao-Chow, OF Wei
Hai-Wei and OF Port Arthur and Talien-
Wan. leased to Germany, Great Britain
and Russia respectively for terms of
years. will, it is announced. be open TO
International commerce during such alien
occupation, and IL no discriminating treat
ment OF American citizens and their trade
ber found 10 exist or be hereafter devel-
oped the desire of this government would
appear to be realized. In this relation, as
showing the volume and value OF our ex-
changes with China, and the peculiarly
favorable conditions which exist for their
expansion in the normal course of trade.
/ refer TO the communication addressed TO
the speaker or the house of representa-
tives by the secretary of the treasury on
the 14th OF last June, with its accom-
panying letter of the secretary OF state,
recommending an appropriation for a
commission TO study the commercial and
industrial conditions in the Chinese EN-
pire and report as TO the opportunities
for and obstacles TO the enlargement or
markets in China for the raw products
and manufactures OF the United States.
Action was not taken thereon during the
late session. / cordially urge that the
recommendation receive at your hands
the consideration which it's Importance
and timeliness merit. Meanwhile, there
may be just ground for disquietude in
view of the unrest and revival of the
old sentiment of opposition and preju-
dice to alien people, which pervades GER
tain of the Chinese provinces. AS in the
case of the attacks upon our citizens
in Szechuan and at Kutien in 1885, the
United States minister has been instruct
ed TO secure the fullest measure of pro-
lection, both local and imperial, for any
menaced American interests. and TO de-
mand, in case of lawless injury to person
or property, instant reparation appro-
pirate TO the case. War ships have been
stationed at Tien-Tsin for more ready OBJ
servation OF the disorders which have
invaded even the Chinese capital, so as
to be in position to act should need
arise, while a guard of marines has been
sent to Peking to afford the minister the
same measure of authoritative protection
as the representatives of other nations
have been constrained to employ"
Annexation of Hawaiian Islands.
Referring to Hawaii the president has
the following to say:
Pending the consideration by the sem
ate of the treaty signed June l6 1897. by
the plenipotentiaries Of the United
States and of the Republic OF Hawaii,
providing for the annexation of the ISL
ands, joint resolution to accomplish
the same purpose by accepting the offer
ed cession and Incorporating the ceded
territory into the union was adopted by
the congress and approved July T. 1898
| thereupon directed the United States
steamer Philadelphia to convey Rear Ad-
miral Miller 10 Honolulu. and intrusted
to his hands this important legislative act
TO be delivered to the president of the
Republic of Hawaii with whom the adj
miral and the United States minister were
authorized to make appropriate arrange
ments for transferring the sovereignty
of the islands to the United States. This
was simply but impressively accomplish
ed the 18th of August last by the deliv-
cry Of a certified copy of the resolutions
to President Dole. who thereupon yield
ed up to the representatives OF the gov
eminent of the United States the soyer-
eighty and public property of the Ha-
waiian islands. Pursuant to the terms OF
the joint resolution and in exercise of
the authority thereby conferred upon me,
l directed that the civil. judicial and
military powers heretofore exercised by
the officers of the government of the Re-
exercised by those officers until congress
shall provide a government for the incor-
porated territory subject to my power to
remove such officers and to fill vacan-
cies The president, officers and troops
OF the republic thereupon took the oath
OF allegiance to the United States, thus
providing for the uninterrupted contin-
uance OF all the administrative and mu-
nicipal functions Of the annexed territory
until congress shall otherwise enact.
Following the further provision of the
Joint resolution. / appointed Shelby M.
Cullom of Illinois, John II. Morgan Of Ala
bama Robert r. Hit of Illinois. Sanford
B. Dole Of Hawaii and Walter +. Grear
OF Hawaii as commissioners to confer
and recommend to congress such legisla-
ton concerning the Hawaiian islands as
they should deem necessary or proper.
The commissioners having fulfilled the
mission confided to them, their report
will be laid before you at an early day.
1t is believed that their recommendations
will have the earnest consideration due
to the magnitude of the responsibility
resting upon you TO give such shape TO
the relationship of those mid-Pacific ISL
ands TO our home union as will benefit
both i'm the highest degree. realizing the
aspirations of the community that has
cast it's lot with us and elected to share
our political heritage, while, at the same
, time, JuSutNlng the foresight OF those
who for quarters OF a century have
looked to the assimilation of Hawaii as
natural and inevitable contamination.
I in harmony with our needs and in full
fillment of our cherished traditions. The
questions heretofore pending between Ha-
wall and Japan growing out of the al
legged mistreatment Of Japanese treaty
immigrants were, / am pleased to say,
adjusted before the act of transfer by
the payment of a reasonable indemnity to
the government of Japan. Under the
provisions of the joint resolution the
existing customs relations of the Ha-
waiian islands with the United States and
4 with other countries remain unchanged
until Legislation shall otherwise provide.
The consuls of Hawaii here and in 9TH
er countries, continue to fulfill their COM
mercial agencies while the United States
consulate at Honolulu is maintained for
all proper services pertaining to trade
and the revenue. 1t would be desirable
that all foreign consus I'm the Hawaiian
islands should receive new exequaturs
from this government. The attention of
congress Is called to the fact that our
consular offices having ceased to exist
in Hawaii and being about to cease In
other countries. coming under the sover-
eighty OF the United States the provis-
ions for the relief and transportation of
| destitute American seamen in these coun-
1 tries under our consular regulations will
4 In consequence terminate. IL is proper.
therefore. that new legislation should be
enacted upon this subject, I'm order TO
meet that changed condition.
Total Casualties Of the War.