The age-herald., 1898-12-06

and International policy as between the several governments interested in the con- struction and control of an inter-oceanic canal by this route require the maintenance of the statu quo until the canal commits sion shall have reported and the United States congress shall have had the opportu- nifty to pass finally upon the whole mat ter without prejudice by reason of any change in the existing conditions. Never tneless 1t appears that the government of Nicaragua, as one of it's last sovereign acts before merging its powers in those of the newly formed United States of Central America. has granted an optional conces- sion to another association to become ef- fective on the expiration of the present grant. It does not appear what surveys have been made or what route is proposed under this contingent grant, so that an examination of the feasibility of its plans IS necessarily not embraced in the report of the canal commission. All these circum- stances suggest the urgency of some defin- ite action by the congress at this session or It's labors of the past are to be utilized and the linking of the Atlantic and Pacific ocean by practical water way is to be realized. That the construction of such a maritime highway is now more than ever indispensable to that intimate and ready in- ter-communication between our eastern and western seaboards demanded by the
 
 the prospective expansion of our influence and commerce in the Pacific and that our national policy now more imperatively than ever calls for it's control by this govern ment, are propositions which I doubt not the congress will duly appreciate and wise- ly act upon.
 convention providing for a revival of the late United States and Chiliaf1 claims commission and the consideration of claims a To mission and not considered because of the expiration of the time limited for the dur ation of the commission, was signed May "A, 1S97 and has remained unacted upon by the senate. The term therein fixed for efTecting the exchange of notifications hav- ing elapsed the convention falls unless the time be extended by amendment which I am endeavoring to bring about, with the friendly concurrence of the Chilian govern ment.
 The Events in the East
 The United States has not been an in- different spectator of the extraordinary events transpiring in the Chinese empire, whereby portions of its maritime provinces are passing under the control of various European powers; but the prospect that the vast commerce which the energy of our citizens and the necessity of our staple pro- auctions for Chinese use has built up in those regions may not be prejudiced through any exclusive treatment by the new occupants has obviated the need of our country becoming an actor in the scene.
 Our position among nations having large Pacific coast and a constantly ex- banding direct trade with the farther orient. gives us the equitable claim to consdera- tion and friendly treatment in this regard and 1t will be my aim to subserve our large interests in that quarter by all means ap- propriate to the constant policy of our government. The territories of Kia Chow, of Wei-Hai-Wei and of Port Arthur and Ia Lien Wan leased to Germany Great Britain and Russia respectively for terms of years will. 1t is announced, be open to interna- tiona1 commerce during such alien occupa- ton; and if no discriminating treatment of American citizens and their trade be found to exist or be hereafter developed, the desire of this govrnment would appear to be realized. In this relation as showing the volume and value of our exchanges 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 of the house of representatives by the secretary of the treasury on the 14th of last June with its accompanying letter of the secretary of state recommending an appropriation for a commission to study the commercial and industrial conditions in the Chinese empire and report to the opportunities for and obstacles to the en- largements of markets in China for the raw products and manufactures of the United States. Action was not taken there- on during the late session. cordially urge that the recommendation receive at your hands the consideration which It's import ance 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 prejudice to alien people which pervades certain of the Chinese provinces As in the case of the attacks upon our citizens in Szechuan and at Kulien in 1895. the United States min- ister has been instructed to secure the full est measure of protection both local and imperial, for any menaced American in- terests and to demand in case of lawless injury to person or property instant repar- ation appropriate to the case. Warships have been stationed at Tien Tsln for more ready observation of the disorders which have invaded the Chinese capital. so as to be in a position to act should need arise, while a guard of marines has been sent to Pekn to afford the minister the same meas ure of authoritative protection as the repre- sentatives of other nations have been con- strained to employ.
 The Colombian Affair
 Following close upon the rendition of the award of my predecessor as an arbitrator of the claim of the Italian subject, Car rutti against the Republic of Colombia, differences arose between the parties to the arbitration in regard to the scope and ex- tension of the award of which certain ar ticles were contested by Colombia, while Italy claimed their entire fulfillment. The award having been made by the president of the United States, an act of friendly consideration and with the sole view to an impartial composition of the matter in dis pute, could not but feel concern at such miscarriage and while unable to accept the Colombian theory that in my official capaciy possessed continuing function as arbitrator, with power to interpret or revise the terms of the award, my best efforts were lent to bringing the parties to a har- monious agreement as to the execution of its provisions.
 A naval demonstration by Italy resulted in an agreement to pay the liabilities claimed upon the'r ascertainment; but this apparent disposition of the controversy was followed by a rupture of diplomatic inter