The Progress., 1898-12-10
EVENTS IN THE CHINESE EN-
PIPE

Indifferent spectator of the eXtraordln-
airy events transpiring in the Chinese
empire, whereby portions OF Its mari
time provinces are passing 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 produc-
tIons for Chinese uses has built up in
those regions may not be prejudiced
through any exclusive treatment by the
new occupants, has obviated the need
of this country becoming an actor on
the scene.
THE UNITED STATES AT THE
PARIS EXPOSITION.
There is now every prospect that the
participation of the United States in
the universal exposition to be held in
Paris in 1900 will be on scale common
surate with the advanced position held
by our products and industries in the
worlds chief markets.
BENEFICIAL EXPORT ARRANGE
MENTS.
The commercial arrangement made
with France on May %, 1898, under the
provisions Of Section 3, of the tariff act
of 1897, went into effect on June l fol-
lowing. 1t has relieved a portion of our
export trade from serious embarrass-
ment. Further negotiations are now
pending under section of the same act,
with a view to the increase Of trade
between the two countries to their mu-
tual advantage. Negotiations with
other governments in part interrupted
by the war with Spain, are in progress
under both sections of the tariff act. l
hope to be able to announce some Of
the results of these negotiations during
the present session Of congress.
Negotiations to the same end with
Germany have been set on foot. Mean
while no effort has been relaxed to
convince the imperial government Of
the thoroughness of our inspection of
pork products for exportation and it is
trusted that the efficient administration
of this measure by the department Of
agriculture will be recognized as a
guarantee Of the healthfulness Of the
food staples we send abroad to coun-
tries where their use Is large and nee
essary. I transmitted message to the
senate in February last, touching the
prohibition against the importation Of
fresh fruits from this country, which
had then been recently decreed by
Germany, on the ground Of the danger
of disseminating the San Jose insect.
This measure was justified by Germany
on the score of the drastic steps taken
in several states of the United States
against the spread of the pest, the elab
crate reports Of the department of ag-
riculture being put in evidence to show
the danger to German fruit growing in
terests should the scale obtain lodg-
ment in that country. Temporary re-
lief was afforded in the case of large
consignments of fruit then on the way,
by inspection, and found unaffected
Later the prohibition was extended to
dried fruits of every kind but was relaxed
so as to apply only to unpeeled fruit and
fruit waste. AS was to be expected the
alarm reached to other countries and
Switzerland has adopted a similar inhibl.
ton. Efforts are IL progress to induce the
German and Swiss governments to relax
the prohibition in favor of dried fruits
shown to have been cured under circum.
stances rendering the existence of animal
life impossible.
COURTESIES EyTENnED BY GREAT
BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly terms. AS.
senting to our request the protection OF
49,, al. n,,I thnip into SfJ In
jurisdiction was undertaken by the dlplO.
matte and consular representatives of Great
Britain who fulfilled their delicate and ar
duous trust with tact and zeal. eiclt1ng
high commentator. / may be allowed to
make fitting alluslon to the instance OF Mr..
Ramsden, her majesty's consul at Santiago
de Cuba, whose untimely death, after dis.
tinguished service and undying effort dur.
ing the siege Of that city, was sincerely
lamented.
In the early part of April last pursuant
to a request made at the Instance of the
secretary Of state by the British ambassa.
dor at this capital, the Canadian govern.
ment granted facilities for the passage OF
four United States revenue cutters from the
Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast by way
of the Canadian canal and the st. Law.
renee river. The vessels had reached Lake
Ontario and were there awaiting the open.
ing Of navigation when was was declared
between the United States ana Spain. her
majesty's government thereupon, by com.
munication in the latter part of April, stat
ed that the permission granted before the
outbreak Of hostlities would not be with
drawn provided the United States govern
ment gave assurance that the vessels In
question would proceed direct to a United
States port without engaging in any hos
tile operation. This government promptly
agreed to the stipulated condition, it being
understood that the vessels would not be
prohibited from resisting any hostile at
tack.
1t will give me especial satisfaction IL
/ shall be authorized to communicate to you
a favorable conclusion Of the pending ne
gotiations with Great Britain In respect
to the DominiOn of Canada. 1t Is the earn
est wish Of this government to remove all
sources Oh discord and irritation In our re-
lations with The neighborng dominion The
trade between the two countries is con-
stantly Increasing and 1t Is important to
both countries that all reasonable facili-
ties should be granted for its development.
RECIPROCAL RELATIONS WITH
GREECE.
The government of Greece strongly urges
the nervousness of the duty here imposed
upon the currants Of that country, amount
ing to 100 per cent, or more of their mar