The leader., 1898-12-14

eminent, which on the presumption that
the killing and wounding involved the un.
justiiiable misuse OF authority. claimed
reparation for the sufferers. Apart from
the searching investigation and peremp-
tory action of the authorities Of Pennsyl'
vania the federal executive took appro-
pirate steps to learn the merits of the
case q order to be in position to meet
the urgent complaint OF q friendly power.
The sheriff and his deputies, having been
indicted for murder, were tried and &C
quilted after protracted proceedings and
the hearing Of hundreds of witnesses on
the ground that the killing was In the
line Of their official duty to uphold law
and preserve public order in the state. A
representative OF the department Of jus
tice attended the trial and reported its
course fully. With all the facts in its po-
session, this government expects to reach
a harmonious understanding on the sub
ject 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. I'M
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 it's labors, and the
results of it's 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 a canal by the most
convenient route, it necessarily included a
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, 50 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 RIGA by other parties for new ca
nal concession predicated 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
maintenance 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 req.
son of any change In the existing condl-
tions.
All these circumstances suggest the ur-
gency of some definite action by the con-
gress at this session IL its labors of the
past are to be utilized and the linking OF
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by a prac-
teal 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
expansion of our influence and commerce
In the Pacific and that our national policy
now more imperatively than ever calls for
its control by this government, are propo-
sitions which / 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 transpiring in the Chinese empire,
whereby portions of its maritime pro-
yinces 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 a
large Pacific coast, and a constantly ex-
panding direct lrade with the farther
Orient, gives us the equitable claim to
consideration and friendly treatment In
this regard and it will be my aim to sub
serve 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 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 Szecfuan and at
Kulien in 1895, the United 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-
ton appropriate to the case Warships
have been stationed at Tien- Tsin for more
ready observation of the disorders which
have invaded the Chinese capital, so as to
be in position to act should need arise,
while guard of marines has been sent to
Peking to afford the minister the same
measure of authoritative protection as the
of other nations have been
constrained to employ
The French Exposition.
There Is now every prospect that the
of the United States in the
universal exposition to be held in Paris in
1900 will be on a scale commensurate with
the advanced position held by our pro-
ducts and industries in the worlds chief
markets. The preliminary report of Moses
p. Handy, who, under the act approved
July 10, 1897. was appointed special COM
missioner with view TO securing all at
tainable information necessary to full
and complete understanding by congress
in regard to the participation of this gov
eminent in the Paris exposition. was laid
before you by my message of Dec 6, 1897,
and showed the large opportunities to
make known our national progress in
as well as the urgent need
Of immediate and adequate provision to
enable due advantage thereof to be taken.