The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
PARTITION OF CHINA.
United States Must Be Alert if 1t Does
Not Lose Oriental Trade.

Not Lose Oriental Trade.
The United States has not been an indif-
ferent spectator of the extraordinary events
transpiring in the Chinese empire whereby
portions of it's maritime provinces are pass
ing under the control of various European
powers; but the prospect that the vast COM
merce which the energy of our citizens and
the necessity of our staple productions for
Chinese uses has built up in those regions,
may not be prejudced through any exclusive
treatment by the new occupants, has OBJ
waited the need of our country becoming an
actor in the scene.
Our position among nations having
large Pacific coast and a constantly eX-
panding direct trade with the farther Orient,
gives us the equitable claim to consideration
and friendly treatment in this regard, and 1t
will be my aim to subserve our large inter-
ests in that quarter by all means appropriate
to the constant policy of our government.
The territories of Kia-ChOW, of WCl-E1ai-
Wei and of Port Arthur and Talien- Wan,
| leased to Germany, Great Britain and Rus
STA, respectively, for terms OF years, Will, 1t
Is announced, be open to international COM
merce during such alien occupation; and IL
no discriminating treatment of American
| citizens and their trade be found TO exist,
or be hereafter developed, the desire of this
government would appear to be realized. IN
| this relation, as showing the volume ard
! value of our exchanges with China and with
| the peculiarly favorable conditions winch
! exist for their expansion in the nNmal
course of trade L refer to the communica-
| ton addressed to the speaker of the House
| of Representatives by the secretary OF the
treasury on the 18th of last June, with its
accompanying letter of the secretary or
state, recommending an appropriation Tor
commission to study the commercial and in
dustrial conditions in the Chinese empire
| and report as to the opportunities for and
obstacles to the enlargement of markets IN
emma for the raw products ana mahuIac-
lures of the United States Action was not
! taken thereon during the last session. [
cordially urge that the recommendation re-
Ceive 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 re-
vival Of the old sentiment of opposition and
prejudice to alien people which perVadeS
certain Of the Chinese provinces. AS in the
case BOT the attacks upon our citizens In
e-Ahuan and at Mullen in 1895, the
United States minister has been instructed
to secure the fullest measure OF protection,
both local and imperial for any American
interests, and to demand, in case of law
less injury to person or property, instant
reparation appropriate to the case. War
ships have been stationed at TienTsin for
more ready observation of the disorders
which have invaded even the Chinese capt.
tai so as to be in position to act, should
need arise, while q guard of marines has
been sent to Picking to afford the minister
the same measure of authoritative protec-
tion as the representatives of other nations
have been constrained to employ.
| The newly accredited envoy of the United
States to the Ottoman Porte carries in
structiOnS looking to the disposal of matters
in controversy with Turkey for number
r Of years. He is especially charged to press
for a Just settlement of our claims for in
demnity by reason of the destruction of the
property of American missionaries resident
in = that country during the Armenian
troubles of 1895, as well as for the recogn1-
ton of older claims for equal business He
is also instructed to seek an adjustment
Of the dispute growing out of the refusal
of Turkey to recognize the acquired citizen
ship of Ottoman-born persons naturalized
IN, h. TOD % CT
prior imperial consent, and in the same
general re alton he is directed to endeavor
|. to bring about solution OF the question
/ which has more or less acutely existed
since 1869 concerning the Jurisdict1onai
rights of the United States in matters of
under Article Nv of the treaty of
1880 This latter difficulty grows out
of a verbal difference claimed by Tur-
Turkish text and the promulgated transla-
ton. After more than two years from the
appointment of consul of this country TO
Erzeroum he has received his eXequatur
Malieta Sapepa, King of Samoa, died on
Aug. % last. According to Article of the
general act of Berlin, "his successor shall
be duly elected. according to the laws and
customs of Samoa" Arrangements having
been agreed upon by the signatories OF the
general act for the return of Mataafa and
the other exiled Samoan chiefs, they were
brought from Jaluit by a German war yes
sci and landed at Apia on Sept. Is last.
Whether the death of Malieta and the re-
turn of his time rival, Mataafa, will add
to the undesirable complications which tne
execution of the tripartite general act mas
heretofore developed, remains to be seen.
The efforts of this government will, as
heretofore be addressed toward harmonf-
| Gus and exact fuI1lment of the terms of
the international engagement to which the
United States became party in 1889.
The Cheek claim against Siam, after some
five wears of controversy. has been adjust
ed by arbitration, under an agreement
signed July 6. 1897, an award of 706, 721 ticals
(about S1S79S7), with release of the Cheek
estate from mortgage claims, having been
rendered March q, 1898, in favor of the
claimant. by the arbitrator, Sir Nicholas
Ham. British chief justice for China and
An envoy from Siam has been accredited
to this government and has presented his
credentials.