The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-12-15


and Costa Rica- which thus testified their
appreciation OF The Importance Of giving o
speedy aud practical outcome to the great
project that mas for so many years en-
crossed the attention os the respective
countries.
As the scope OF tho recent inquiry en-
braced the whole subject, with the aim OF
making plans and surveys for 4 canal by
the most convenient route, it necessarily
included review Of the results Of previous
surveys and plans, and in particular those
adopted by the Maritime Canal Company
under its existing concessions from Mica
ragua and Costa Rica. so that to this extent
those grants necessarily hold as essential
part in the deliberations and conclusions
Of the Canal Commission as they have held
and must Of need hold in the discussion OF
the matter by the Congress. Under these
circumstances, and in view Of overtures
made to the Governments OF Nicaragua
and Costa Rica by other parties for a new
canal concession, predicated on the as
sumed approaching lapse OF the contracts
OF the Maritime Canal Company with those
States, | kave not hesitated to express my
conviction that considerations OF expedi-
ency and international policy az between
the several Governments interested in the
construction and control OF an interoceanic
canal by this route require the maintenance
OF the status quo until the Canal ommis
sion shall have reported and the United
States Congress shall have had the oppor-
tunity to pass financially upon the Whole
matter during the present session without
prejudice by reason of any change in the
existing conditions.
Nevertheless, it appears that the Gov
ernment of Nicaragua, as ono OF its last
sovereign acts before merging its powers
II = ~ ha lv
Of Central America, has granted an optional
concession to another association, to be-
come effective on the expiration OF the
present grant. 1t does not appear what
surveys have been made or what route Is
proposed under this contingent grant; go
that an examination OF the feasibility OF its
plans is necessarily not embraced in the
report OF the Canal Commission. All these
circumstances suggest the urgency or some
definite action by the Congress at this
session, IL the labors OF the past are to be
utilized and the linking OF the Atlantic ard
Pacific oceans by q practical waterway Is
TO be realized. That the construction of
such a maritime highway is now more than
ever Indispensable to that intimate and
ready intercommunicat:on between our
eastern and western seaboards demanded
by the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands
and the prospective expansion OF our in
fuence and commerce in the Pacific, aGd
rlat our national policy now moro tmpera-
tiyely than ever calls for its control by this
Government. are propositions which, L
doubt not, the Congress will duly appreciate
and wisely act upon.
Open Door in China.
The United States has not been an indif-
ferent spectator OF the extraordinary events
transpiring in the Chinese empire, the Presi-
NJ Re m
time provinces are passing under the con-
troll OF various European powers; but the
prospect that the vast commerce which the
energy OF our citizens and the necessity OF
our staple productions for Chinese uses has
built uD in those regions may not be preJu-
diced 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, nav
ing large Pacific coast, and constantly
expanding direct trade with the farther
Orient. gives US the equitable claim to con-
sideration and friendly treatment in this
regard and it will be my aim to subserve
our large interests in that quarter by all
means appropriate to the constant policy
OF our Government. Warships have been
stationed at Tien-Tsin for more ready OBJ
seryation OF the disorders which have In
yaded even the Chinese capital, so as to be
in q position to act should need arise, while
2 guard of marines has been sent to Pekin
to afford the Minister the same measure Oh
authoritative protection as the representa-
tives Of other nations have been constrained
to employ.
The message states that the diplomatic
rupture between Italy and Colombia is no
longer in an acute state, thanks to efforts
on our part.
Paris Exposition in 1900.
There is now every prospect, continues
+he President, that the participation OF the
United States in the UNIVERSAL Exposition,
TO be held held in Paris in 1900, will be on
a scale commensurate with the advanced
position held by our products and Industries
in the worlds chief marts. By provision
In the Sundry Civil Appropriation
net OF July l, 1898, a sum not to exceed
$3.50, GOO was allotted for the or
ganiZation OF commission to care
for the proper preparation and IN
stallation OF American exhibits. ap-
pointed Mr. Ferdinand W. Peck, OF chi
caco. Commissioner General. Mr.. Peck's
reDort will be laid before you. In my
Indictment its recommendations will call
for YOUR early consideration, especially as
regards an increase Of the appropriation
TO at least 81 900 600 IN ALL so that not
only may the assigned space be fully taken
mn bv the best possible exhibits Ia every
class but the preparation and installation
be on so perfect scale as to rank among
the first In that un paraleled competition OF
artistic and inventive production, and thus
counterbalance the disadvantage with
which we start as compared with other
countries whose appropriations are on
more generous scale. and whose prepara-
tions are in state OF much greater lor-
Wardness than our own.
The document next refers to our trade
agreements with the European nations and
the efforts that are being made to remove
the embargoes on our products, and then
devotes paragraph to our relations with
Great Britain:
England's Cordiality.' 4.
Our relations with G:eat Britain have
continued on the most friendly footing.
Asserting to our request, the protection OF
Americans and their interests in Spanish
iurisdict IN was assured by the diplomatic
and consular representatives OF Great
Britain. who fulfilled their delicate and ar
duous trust with tact and zeal, e!icltlnS
high con,nendatiop. ! NAV be allowed TO
make fitting alusion to the instance OF
Mr.. Ramsden, Her Majesty's Consul Mt San
tiapo de Cuba, whose untimely death after
distinguished service and untiring efforts
! during ne siege of that city was sincerely
| lamentel.
Ment! II is then made OF the consent OF
the Canadian Government 20 allow lour
limited states revenue cutters TO pass from
| tbe great lakes to the Atlantic COAST oy
way OF the Canadian canals ana the 81.