The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-05

tmperilled." Such n danger. OF course. coult
be averted by a constitutional amendment.
In a special message sent to Congress- on Jan
25. 1892. Mr.. Harrison recurs to the attack
upon the sailors OF the Baltimore in the streets
OF Valparaiso. "Wo have now received" ne
says. from the Gillian Government an alb
stract Of the conclusions OF the Fiscal Genera
upon the testimony taken by the Judge oil
Crimes In an investigation which was made to
extend over nearly three months. l very much
regret to be compelled to say that this report
does not enable me to modify the conclusion
announced in my third annual message. am
still of the opinion that our sailors were as
saulted. beaten. stabbed aud killed, not for
anything they or any one OF them had
done. but for what the Government OF
the United States had done. or was charged
with having done. by its civil officers and
naval commanders. II that be n true state
ment OF the case. the injury was done to the
Government Of the United States. not to these
poor sailors who were assaulted in a manner
30 brutal and so cowardly." After discussing
briefly the legal aspect Of the outrage. Presi-
dent Harrison proceeded to recount the facts
Mt length. and then called upon the Federal
Legislature 10 take the proper action In the
premises: in submitting these papers to
Congress for that grave and patriotic consld7
Grafton which the questions involved demand.
/ desire to say that / am OF the opinion that
the demands made OF Chill by this Government
should be adhered to and enforced. II the dig
nifty as well as the prestige and influence OF the
United states are not to be wholly sacrificed.
we must protect those who. in foreign ports.
display the flag or wear the colors OF this Gov
eminent against insult. brutality and death in
tnNaI In - H. -~t. IL slAs- 49,,
ernmenS and not Tor any fault OF their own. 1t
has been my desire In every way to cultivate
friendly and intimate relations with all the
Governments of this hemisphere. We do not
coyet their territory. We desire their peace
and prosperity. We look for no advantage In
our relations with them except the increased
eNchangeso OF commerce upon a basis OF mutual
benefit. We regret every civil contest that
disturbs their peace and paralyzes their
development. and are always ready to give
our good onices for the restoration OF peace. 1t
must. however. be understood that this Gov
eminent, while exercising the utmost forbear-
ance toward weaker powers. Will extend its
strong and adequate protection to its citizens.
to its officers and to its humblest sailor when
made the victims Of wantonness and cruelty in
resentment. not OF their personal misconduct,
but OF the official acts OF their Government"
We scarcely need remind the reader that the
effect of this special message. in which good
temper and intieXible resolution were COM
bined. was a prompt offer by Chill OF due repa-
ration for the wanton injuries inflicted upon
American seamen.
On June 20. 1892. President Harrison adj
dressed a com munication TO the Senate. in re-
ply to a resolution requesting him to acouaint
that body with the results of the negotiations
which had recently taken place with the repre-
the British Government as to arrangements
for reciprocal trade betveen Canada and tho
United States. A renort from Mr. B,aine
Secretary of State. VISA t~ransnitted showing
that the conferences had been abortiye The
followinp comments were ndded nv the Presi-
don't. 1.-The resuIt NJ tho conferenc. a G IN
the nr~acticability of arranging q recInrocitz
treaty with the Dominion of Canada ia clearly
stated In the letter OF Mr.. Blaine. and was an
7 think. bv him and nv every other
American who had considered the
A rec,procity treaty. limited to the ex-
change OF natural products would have been
such only in form. The benefits Of sucb a trea-
~ would have Injured almost wholly 10 Can
ada previous exnerjments on this line had
haap manifestations N tb,a Governuant
an important list of manufactured
articles. and have secured to the United States
a free or favored introduction OF these arti-
cles into Canada as against the world: but
1t was not believed that the Canadian Min
istry was willing to propose or assent to
such an arrangement" The outcome OF the
negotiations with the Canadian Commits
sioners was thus stated In Mr.. Blaine's re-
port: In the second place. 1t seemed to be
impossible for the Canadian Government. in
view Of Its present political relations and obli-
cations. to extend to American goods a prefer
entail treatment over those OF other countries.