The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-14

Solicts a Share of Your Valued Patronage.

! session. this government expects to reach
! a harmonious understanding u on the sub
! jact with that OF Austro- Hungary, not
withstanding the renewed claim of the
!. latter after learning the result Of the
! trial, for indemnity for its injured sub
jects.
Nicaragua Canal Project.
! The Nicaragua canal commission un-
I der the craftsmanship Of Rear Admiral
John G. Walker. appointed July "a, 1897,
under the authority Of provision in the
sundry civil act OF June Of that year,
has nearly completed its labors, and the
| results of its exhaustive inquiry into the
proper route, the feasibility and the cost
OF construction Of an interoceanic canal
by Nicaraguan route will be laid before
you.
AS the scope Of recent inquiry embraced
the whole subject with the aim OF making
plans and surveys for 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 Nicaragua and
Costa Rico, 80 that to this extent those
grants necessarily held an essential part
in the deliberations and conclusions of the
canal commission as they have held and
must needs hold in the discussion of the
matter before congress. Under these cir
cumstances and in view Of overtures made
to the governments Of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica by other parties for new ca
nal concession pretlicated on the assumed
approaching lapse of the contracts Of the
Maritime Canal company with those
states have not hesitated to express my
conviction that considerations OF expedi-
ency and international policy as between
the several governments interested in the
construction and control of an inter-
oceanic canal by this route require the
maintaiuance of the status quo until the
canal commission shall have reported and
the United States congress shall have had
an opportunity to pass finally upon the
whole matter, without prejudice by rea
son of any change in the existing condi-
tions.
All these circumstances suggest the ur-
pency of some definite action by the con-
eress at this session if it's 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 a maritime highway
is now more than ever indispensable to
that intimate and ready intercommunica-
ton between our eastern and western sea-
boards demanded by the annexation of
the Hawaiian Islands and the prospective
Of nH,1onna on6
in the Pacific and that our national policy
now more imperatively than ever calls for
its control by this government, are propo-
sitions which l doubt not the congress
will duly appreciate and wisely act upon.
The Partition Of China.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
events transpring in the Chinese empire,
whereby portions Of its maritime pro-
vinces are passing under the control of
various European powers, but the pros
pect that the vast commerce which the
energy of our citizens and the necessity of
our staple production for Chinese uses
has built up in those regions may not be
prejudiced through any exclusive treat
ment 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 constantly ex-
panding direct 'rade with the farther
Orient, gives us the equitable claim to
consideration and friendly treatment in
this regarl and it will be my aim to sub
serve our large interests in that quarter
By Ill means appropriate to the constant
policy of our government. The territories
of Kiao Chow, of Wei Hal Wei and of Port
Arthur and Talienwan. leased to Ger
many, Great Britain and Russia respect
lively for terms of years, will, it is an
nounced. be open to international COM
merce during such alien occupation, and
if no discriminating treatment of .Ameri-
can citizens and their trade be found to
exist or be hereafter developed, the desire
Of this government would appear to be
realized. Meanwhile there may be just
ground for disquietude in view of the I'M
rest 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 L nited States minister
has been instructed to secure the fullest
measure Of protection. both local and i'm
perial. for any menaced American inter
ests and to demand, in case of lawless in
jury to person or property, instant repara-
tion appropriate to the case. Warshlps
have been stationed at Tien- Tsin for more
ready observation Of the disorders which
have invaded the Chinese capital. 20 as to
be in 4 position to act should need arise,
while q guar of marines has been sent 70
Peking to afford the minister the same
measure of authoritative protection as the
representatives Of other nations have been
constrained TO employ.
The French Exposition.
There is now every prospect that the
participation Of the United States in the
universal exposition to be held in Paris IN