Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-12-09

Nicaragua ana COSTA ltlcu Nv other plr-
ties for Il new canal concession predicated
OH the assumed approaching lapse of the
contracts of tho Muratime Canal COM
pany With those stutcs, have not hcsi.
tatcd to expresses my conviction that con.
siderhtions Of cxpcdiency and intcrn,.
tional policy us between the several
governments Interested in the construc-
tion and control of an interOceanic canal
by this route require the maintenance of
the staus quo until the canal commission
shall have reported and the United States
congress shall have had the opportunity
to pass finally upon the whole matter
during the present session, without
prejudice by reason of any change in the
existing conditions
Nevertheless it appears that the govern;
mcnt of Nicaragua, as one Of it's last SOW
crcign acts before merging it's powers in
those of the newly formed United States
of Central America has granted an Op.
tionnl concession to oanOtherassocation to
become effective OH the expiration Of the
present grant 1t does not appear what
surveys have been made or what route is
proposed under this contingent grant,
so that an examination of the feasibility
of it's plans is necessarily not embraced in
the report of the canal commission.
All those circumstances suggest the
urgency Of some definite action by the
congress at this session. if the labors of
the past are to be utilized and the linking
of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by y
practical waterway is to be realized. Tha.
the construction Of such Il maritime high
way is now, more than ever, Indispensable
to that ready intcrcommuncntion be.
tween our eastern and western sclhoard;
demanded by the annexation of the Ha-
Haiun islands and the prospective cxpan-
sion of our influence and commerce to the
Pacific, and that our national policy now
more impcrativcly than ever calls for its
control by this government urc PROPOSE
tions which l doubt not the congress will
duly appreciate and act upon.
Events in China.
Tho United States has not been an in.
different spectator of the extraordinary
events transpiring in the Chinese empire,
whereby portions of its maritime provinces
are passing under the control 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 bnilt up
in those regions, may not be prejudiced
through any exclusive treatment by the
now occupants has obviated the need of
our country becoming an actor in the
scene.
No Reason for Present Action.
Our position among nations having n
large Pacific coast and constantly cx-
panding direct trade with the farther
it,1> II o1n nj tor
siderution and friendly treatment in this
regard and it will be my aim to subservc
Our large interests in that quarter by all
means appropriate to the constant policy
of our government. The territories of
Kiao Chow, of Wei Hal Wei and Port Ar
thurand Ia Lien Wan, leased to Germany,
Great Britain and Russia respectively for
terms of years will, it is announced be
open to international commerce during
such alien occupation; and if no dscrim.
mating treatment of American citizens
md their trade be found to exist or be here
utter developed the desire of this
government would appear to be realized.
In this relation the secretary Of states
recommendation for an appropriation for
a commission to study tho commercial
| and industrial conditions in the Chinese
empire and report us to the opportunities
for and obstacles to the enlargement OF
markets in China for the raw products
and manufactures of the United States is
urged upon the attention of congress fol
favorable action.
More Money For the Paris Expo.
Referring to the Paris exposition and
the report of Commissioner Peck, the
president says that in his Judgment the
appropriation of $65O,OO should be in
creased to at least 81, 100000, in order that
| the United States may be adequately rep
| resented. Reference is made to the negO
tiation of u partial reciprocity treaty with
France, and pending negotiations with
Germany. In regard to the Canadian
American commission tho president says:
1t will give me especial satisfaction If
shall be authorized to communicate tC
you favorable conclusion of the pend
ing negotiations with Great Britain in re-
spect to the Dominion of Canada. 1t is
the earnest wish Of this government to re
move all sources of discord and irritation
in our relations with the neighboring Do
minion. The trade between the two
| countries is constantly increasing and it
is important to both countries thatal
reasonable facilities should be granted
for its development.
Annexation of Hawaii.
| The annexation Of Hawaii, under the
act of congress Of July Z, 1898, was duly
| accomplished. and tho commission for thu
purpose Of recommending legislation fol
the island was duly appointed. No rec
| concentrations are made pending the re
port of the commission.
The proposal of the car of Russia for q
| general reduction of the vast military es
Establishments that weigh so heavily upon
many people in time of peace is cordially
endorsed, although the active military
force of the United States, as measured by
our population, territorial area and taxa
bic wealth is, and under prospective con.
ditions must continue to be, in time OF
peace, SO conspicuously less than that OF
the armed powers to whom the cars ap
peal is especially addressed that the ques
tion can have for. us no practical inpor
tance, save as marking an auspicious stel
toward the betterment Of the condition OF
| the modern peoples and the cultivation OF