The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
INTERNATIONAL EXP0SITI0NS.
Standing Commission Recommended.
Belgian Trade.

Desnite the brief time allotted for prep
aratlon. the exhibits Of this country at
the universal exposition at Brussels in
1897 enjoyed the singular distinction or
larger proportion OF awards, having re-
gard to the number and classes OF articles
entered. than those of other countries.
The worth Of such a result i'm making
known our national capacity to supply
the worlds markets is obvious.
Exhibitions OF this International char
acter are becoming more frequent as the
exchanges Of commercial countries grow
more intimate and varied. Hardly
years passes that this government Is not
invited to national participation at some
important foreign center but often on too
short notice to permit Of recourse to Con-
eress for the power and means TO do so.
MY predecessors have suggested the adVis-
ability Of providing by a general enact
ment and a standing appropriation for ac-
cepting such invitations and for represen-
tation of this country by commission.
This plan has my cordial approval
BELGIAN TRADE RELATIONS.
7 trust that the Belgian restrictions on
the Importation Of cattle from the United
States. originally adopted as a sanitary
precaution will at an early day be re-
laxec as TO their present features OF hard
, ship and discrimination, so as TO admit
live cattle under due regulation or their
states after landing. j am hopeful, 100
OF favorable change In the Belgian treat
ment of our preserved and sailed meats.
The growth OF direct trade between the
two countries. not alone for Belgian con-
sumption and Belgian products, but by
wav OF transit from and TO other con-
tinental states has been beneficial. NO
effort will be spared to enlarge its ad-
vantages by seeking the removal OF need
loss innpedlments and by arrangements Tor
Increased commercial exchanges.
AS A PEACEMAKER.
Tho wears events in Central America
deserve more than passing mention. "A
,nenacine rupture between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua was happily compromised
nv the signing of a convention between
the parties with the concurrence OF uhe
cuatemalan representative as media
tor the act being negotiated and sign
ga an hoard the United States Steamer
Alert then lying in Central American
waters II Is believed that the good
offices of our envoy and or the COM
mander of that vessel contributed toward
this gratifying outcome.
In INV last annual message the situation
was presented with respect TO the diplo-
marie representation of this government
I'm Central America created Dy the asso-
citation OF Nicaragua. Honduras and SAL
yador under the title OF the Greater ke-
n,blic of Central America and the delega-
ton OF their international functions 10
the Diet thereof.
RESPONSIBILITY UNAFFECTED.
While the representative character OF
the Diet was recognized by my prede-
cessor and has been confirmed during
my administration by receiving It's ac-
credited envoy and granting exeauasors
TO consuls commissioned under us su-
thorlty. that recognition was qualified by
the understanding that the responsibility
OF each Of the component sovereign re-
publics towards the Ur(ted States remalus