Evening journal., 1900-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

At the outgoing OF the old and the in
coming Of the new century you begin the
last session Of the Ffty-sixth congress
with evidences ON every hand of indi-
vidual and national prosperity and with
proof Of the growing strength and I'M
creasing power for good of Republican
institutions. Your countrmen will JOIN
with you in felicitation that American
liberty is more firmly established than
ever before and that love for it and the
determination TO preserve il are more
universal than at any former period OF
eur history.
In our foreign intercourse the dominant /
question has been the treatment Of the /
Chinese problem. Apart from this our /
relations with the powers have beeu |
happy
The recent troubles in China spring |
from the antifOreign agitation which for ]
the past three years has gained strength |
In the northern provinces Their origin |
lies deep In the character OF the Chinese
races and in the traditions OF. their gov
ernment. The telegraph and the railway
spreading over their land, the steamers
plying on their waterways, the merchant
and the missionary penetrating year by
year farther 10 the interior became 60
the Chinese mind types of an alien in
'"HA'hs NhNANiAt thi ANNAnN Va Ait'Ai AN1
tional life and fraught with vague fore
holdings Of disaster to their beliefs and
their self control.
Posting Of antiforeign placards became
daily occurrence. which the repeated
reprohation Of the imperial power failed
20 check or punish. These innammatOry
appeals TO the ignorance and superstition
of the masses. mcndncious aud absurd in
their accusations and deeply hostile IN
their spirit, could not but work cumula-
tive harm. They aimed az no particular
Gloss Of foreigners; they were impartial
IN attacking everything foreign.
An outbreak in Shangtung In which
German missionaries were slain was the
too natural result Of these malevolent
teachings. The posting OF seditious pla-
cards, exhorting 10 the utter destruction
Of foreigners and OF every foreign thing.
continued unrebuked. Hostile dcmonsirn-
tions toward the stranger gained strength
by organization.
The boxers.
The sect commonly STYLED the Boxers
developed greatly in the provinces north
of the Nang-tse and with the colluson of
many notable officials. including some in
the immediate councils OF the throne IT,
self, became alarmingly aggressive No
foreigners life, outside of the protected
treaty ports, was safe. No foreign inter-
est was secure from spoliation.
The diplomatic representatives OF the
powers in Picking strove in vain TO check
this movement. Protest was followed 10y
demand aud demand by renewed protest.
10 be met with perfunctory edicts from
the palace and eyasive and futile assur.
ances from the tsung-li-ynmen.
The Increasing gravity of the condi-
e.. n Al. HI
TO our own diversified interests in the en-
pire as we'll as TO those of all the other
treaty governments, We're soon apnrcci.
nted by this government. causing It pro.
found solicitude. The United States
from the earliest days OF foreign inter.
course With China had followed a policy
Of peace emitting no occasions Co testify
good viii 10 further the extension OF law.
full trade, 20 respect the sovereignty of its
government and 70 insure by all legiti
mate and kindly but earnest means the
fullest measure OF protection for the lives
and property Of law abiding citizens and
for the exercise Of their benehcont cali
ings among the Chinese people.
Mindful Of this, It was felt TO be appro
pirate that our purposes should be PRO
nounced in favor OF such course as would
hasten united action of the powers az Pc.
king TO promote the administrative ne.
forms so greatly needed for strengthen
ing the imperial government aud main
tanning the integrity of China. In which
we believed the whole western world 10
be alike concerned. To these ends |
caused 10 be addressed 10 the several
powers occupying territory and maintain
ing spheres OF influence In China the cir.
cular proposals of 1899 inviting from
them declarations Of their intentions and
views as TO the desirabilty OF the adon
tion Of measures insuring the benefits OF
equality of treatment Of all foreign trade
throughout China.
With gratifying unanimity the re.
sponses coincidcd In this common policy
enabling me to see in the successful ter.
mutation OF these negotiations proof of
the friendly spirit which animates the
various powers interested in the untram.
meled development of commerce aud I'm.
dustry in the Chinese empire as n source
of vast benefit TO the whole commercial
world.
Ina this conclusion. which I had the
qualification TO announce rs q completed
engagement 10 the interested powers on
March 20. 1900, hopefully discemed d
potential factor for the abatement OF IN,
distrust Of foreign purposes which for
year past had appeared 70 inspire tn,
lNANF va AAf ANiINiANA NNNRINNtnI unf
Tor the effective exertion by il of power
and authority to Quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
inces most Immediately influenced by tn
Mantchoo sentiment
Marine Guard Withdrawn.
Seeking TO testify confidence in the viii
ingness and ability Of the imperial nd
ministration 10 redress the wrongs am
prevent the evils we suffered and feared
the marine guard. which had been sen
10 Peking in the autumn OF 1899 for IN
protection Of the legation. was will
drawn at the earliest practicable me
mcnt and all pending questions were r,
mitted. as far as we were concerned. I
the ordinary resorts Of diplomatic inter
course.
The president continues 10y narratin
the growth Of the Boxer movement th
fighting at Taku and the siege OF the /,
cations in PelSing and continues.