La Junta tribune., 1898-12-17

another association, to become enec-
tive on the expiration of the present
grant. II does not appear what sur
veys have been made. or what route
Is proposed under this contingent
granted 80 that an examination OF the
feasibility of Its plans Is necessarily
not embraced in the report OF the ca
email commission. All these circum
stances suggest the urgency of some
definite action by the Congress at this
session II the labors of the past are
To be utilized. and the linking OF the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans by prac-
tIcal waterway Is To be realized. That
the construction OF such maritime
highway Is now more than ever in
dtspensable to that intimate and ready
inter-communication between our east
ern and western seaboards demanded
by the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands and the prospective expansion
OF our influence and commerce TO the
Pacific, and that our national policy
now more imperatively than ever calls
for its control by this government. are
propositions which doubt not the
Congress will duly appreciate and
= wisely act upon.
A convention providing for the re-
vival Of the late United States and
Chilian claims commission aud the
J.. consideration OF claims which were
ysiuly presented TO the lnte commission.
but not considered because of the cx-
piration of the time limited for the
duration Of the commission. was sign.
ed May "a. 1897. and has remained un-
acted upon by the Senate. The term
therein fixed for effecting the exchange
OF ratifications having elapsed. the
convention falls unless the time be ex-
tended by amendment. which l am
endeavoring to bring about with the
friendly concurrence OF the Chilian
government.
The satuasioa In China
The United States has not been an
Indifferent spectator Of the eNtrRord!-
nary events trnnspiring In the Chinese
empire, whereby portions of Its mnri-
e 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-
tons for Chinese uses has built up In
sethose regions may not be pre1udiced
through any exclusive treatment by
the new occupants has obvlated the
need Of our country becoming an actor
In the scene.
Our position among nations having n
large Pacific coast and constantly ex-
panding direct rade 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 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 TIA Lien
Wan. lensed to Germany, Great Britnin
and Russia. respectively. for terms of
years, will. It Is announced. be open
TO international commerce during such
occupation. md II 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 real
lied.
In this relation. ms showing the vol
ume and value of our exchanges with
China and the peculiarly favorable con-
additions which exist for their expansion
In the normal course of trade. refer
20 the communication addressed TO the
Speaker Of the House of Representa-
tives by the secretary OF the treasury
on the 14th Of last June. with its ac-
companying letter OF the secretary of
state, recommending nn appropriation
for commission to study the CONNER
cial and Industrial conditions in the
Chinese empire and report as 10 the op-
portunities for and obstacles to the en-
largement OF markets In China for the
raw products and manufactures of the
United States. Action was not taken
thereon during the late session. cor
daily urge that the recommendation
which Its Importance and timeliness
merit.
Meanwhile there may be Just
ground for disquietude in view of the
.slnrest and revival OF the old sentiment
OF opposition and prejudice to alien
people which pervades certain of the
Chinese provinces. Az In the case Of
the attacks upon our citizens In See
chuan and mt Kutien in 1885. the Unit
I'D States minister hns been instructed
to secure the fullest measure of spro-
lection, both local and imperial. for any
menaced American interests, md to
demand in cases Of lawless injury to
persons or property. instant rcparation
appropriate to the case. Warships have
been stationed at Tien Tsin for more
ready observation Of the disorders
which have invaded even the Chinese
capital. no as to be in position to act.
should need arise, while guard of ma
rines has been sent to Pekin to afford
the minister the same measure of au-
thontntive protection as the represent
tatives Of other nations have been con-
strnined to employ.
claim Of an American citizen
against the Dominican republic for u
public bridge across the Ozama river,
which has been in diplomatic contro-
Iersy for several years, has been set
1ied by expert arbitration and an
award In favor Of the claimant amount
to about SOC. 600 1t, however, remains
unpaid, despite urgent demands for its
settlement according to the terms Of
S&Ae compact.
The Paris Exposition.
There is now every prospect that the
participation Of the United States in
the universal exposition to be held in