The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-08
dations at which they may arrive are un

QeCermlneQ.
The subject is one giving rise to many
divergent views as to the nature and var
iety or cause and extent of the injuries to
the public which may result from large
combinations concentrating more or less
numerous enterprises and establishments,
which previously to the formation of the
combination were carried on separately.
1t is universally conceded that combina-
tions which engross or control the market
of any particular kind of merchandise or
commodity, by suppressing natural and Or
binary competition, whereby prices are
unduly enhanced to the general consumer
are obnoxious not only to the common law
but also to the public welfare. There must
be remedy for the evils involved in such
organizations. If the present law can be
extended more certainly to control or
check these monopolies or trusts, it should
be done without delay. Whatever power the
congress possesses over this most import
ant subject should be promptly ascertained
and asserted
1t is apparent that uniformity of legis-
lation upon this subject in the several
states is much to be desired. 1t is to be
hoped that such uniformity founded in a
wise and just discrimination between what
is injurious and what is useful and neces-
sary in business operations may be OBJ
tanned and that means may be found for
the congress within the limitations Of it's
constitutional power so to supplement an
effective code of state legislation as to
make complete system of laws through
out the United States adequate to compel
q general observance of the salutary rules
to which 1 have referred.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
A review of our relations with foreign
states is presented with such recommen-
dations as are deemed appropriate.
The long pending boundary dispute be-
tween the Argentine republic and Chile
was settled in March last by the award
of an arbitral commission, on which the
United Stats IS minister at Buenos Ayres
served as umpire.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The contract of the Maritime Canal COM
pany of Nicaragua, was declared forfeited
by the Nicaraguan government on the 10th
of October, on the ground of non-fulfill-
ment within the ten years term stipulated
in the contract. The Maritime Canal COM
pany has lodged a protest against this ac-
tion, alleging rights in the premises which
appear worthy of consideration. This gov
ernment expects that Nicaragua will afford
the protestants full and fair hearing upon
the merits of the case.
The Nicaragua canal commission, which
had been engaged upon the work of exam
ination and survey for a ship-canal route
across Nicaragua, having completed its
labors and made it's report, was dissolved
on May 81, and on June 10 a new COM
mission, known as the. Isthmian canal
commission, was organized under the
terms of the act approved March 3, 1899,
for the purpose of examining the Ameri-
can Isthmus with view to determining
the most practicable and feasible route
for a ship canal across that Isthmus, with
its probable cost, and other essential de-
tails.
The great Importance Of this work can
not be too often or too strongly pressed
upon the attention Of the cngress. In my
message of a year ago I expressed my
views of the necessity of a canal which
would link the two great oceans, to which
I again invite your consideration. The
reasons then presented for early action
are even stronger now.
The portion of the message dealing with
our foreign relations shows no especial Incl
dent. The Nicaraguan canal Is urged. Our
trade relations with China are being
watched, and a good word Is then spoken
| for the Paris exposition. In speaking OF
Great Britain, progress Of the Alaskan
boundary is mentioned.
l NEO hALl1 LIN oOO AT n1SAs
| This government has maintained an at.
| titude of neutrality in the unfortunate
| contest between Great Britain and the
Boer states of Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precept of avoiding en-
| tangling alliances as to affairs not of oul
| direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
| gested that the parties to the quarrel would
| have welcomed any kindly expression o
the hope of the American people that wal
might be averted, good offices would have
| been gladly rendered. The United State:
| representative at Pretoria was early in.
| structed to see that all neutral American
| interests be respected by the combatants
This has been an easy task in view of tn,
| positive declarations of both British an(
Boer authorities that the personal ant
property rights of our citizens should b,
| observed
Upon the withdrawal of the British agen
| from Pretoria the United States consu
was authorized, upon the request of tn
| British government and with the assen
of the South African and Orange Fre
State governments, to exercise the Gus
| tomary good offices of neutral for tn
care of British interests. In the discharg
of this function 1 am happy to say tina
abundant opportunity has been afforded t
show the impartiality of this governmen
toward both the combatants.
The lynching of Italian subjects in Lou
isiana is referred to and a satisfactor
| solution Is expected. The message the,
quotes from President Harrison's messag
Of 1891 concerning a law to punish crime
against treaty rights. Congress is urge
to take up the subject anew. The ez
changes of amenities between Mexico an
this country and Japan are detailed.
SAMOA.
Important events have occurred In tn
Samoan islands. The election, accord
ing to the laws and customs of Samos
of a successor to the late king Malieto
Laupepa, developed a contest as to tn
validity of the result, which issue, b
the terms of the general act, was to b
J decided by the chief Justice. Upon hi
rendering a judgment in favor of Malie
toa Tanu, the rival chief, Mataafa, too
up arms. The active Intervention
American and British warships becam
; imperative to restore order, at the CO:
/ of sanguinary encounters. In this emel
gency joint commission of represents
, tives of the United States, Germany an
: Great Britain was sent to Samoa to il
vestigate the situation and to provide
, temporary remedy. By it's active effor
. a peaceful solution was reached for tt
: time being, the kingship being alb Iishe
and a provisional government establish
ed. Recommendations unanimously mao
{ | by the commission for a permanent al
justment of the Samoan question wei
taken under consideration by the thrs
!, powers parties to the general act. b
[ the more they were examined the mo-
evident it became that a radical chang
was necessary in the relations of the poy
n ers to Samoa.
o The arrangement under which Same
, | was administered had proved impracti
g able and unacceptable to all the powe
| concerned. To withdraw from the agre
| ment and abandon the islands to German
. and Great Britain would not be compat
y BILE with out interests in the archipelag 6