The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-12-12
1HEPRES|DENT'S MESSAGE
Recommendations Which Are
Made to Congress.
ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Review of the Situation in the Phi1s
ippines-Our Position Re.
RardinS China.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 3.-Following
is a summary Of the message Of the
President Of the United States as deliv-
cred to Congress today:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
At the outgoing of the old and the in
coming of the new century you begin the
last session of the Fifty-sixth congress
with evidence on every hand of individual
and national prosperity and with proof of
the growing strength and increasing pow
er for good of republican institutions.
Your countrymen 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 it are more universal than at
any former period of our history.
The republic was never SO strong, be-
cause never SO strongly intrenched in the
hearts of the people as now. The constl-
tuition, with few amendments, exists as 1t
left the hands of it's authors The addi-
tions which have been made co it proclaim
larger freedom and more extended clti-
zenship. Popular government has demon
strated in it's 124 years of trial here its
stability and security, and it's efficiency
as the best instrument of national devel-
Opment and the best safeguard to human
rights.
When the sixth congress assembled in
November, 1899, the population OF the
United States was $685. 83. 1t is now
1904 .199. Then we had sixteen states.
Now we have forty-five. Then our ter
ritory consisted of 9O5O5O square miles
It is now 3,S46,595 square miles. Educa-
tion. religion and morality have kept apace
with our advancement in other directions
and while extending its power the govern
ment has adhered to it's foundation prin-
ciples and abated none of them in deal
ing with our new peoples and possessions
A nation so preserved and blessed gives
reverent thanks to God and invokes His
guidance and the continuance of His care
and favor.
The Chinese Trouble.
In our foreign intercourse the dominant
question has been the treatment of the
Chinese problems. Apart from this our
relations with the powers have been hap
by.
The recent troubles in China spring from
the anti-foreign 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 government
The TAPPING rebellion and the opening of
Chinese ports to foreign trade and settle
mfpt disturbed alike the homogeneity and
the seclusion of China.
The siege and the relief OF the legations
has passed into undying history. In all
the stirring chapter which records the
heroism of the devoted band, clinxing to
hope in the face of despair, and the un-
daunted spirit that led their believers
through battle and suffering to the goal
it is a memory of which my countrymen
may be justly proud that the honor Of our
flag was maintained alike in the siege and
hot c+1 A,a,nr iaor
hearts have again set high, in fervent en-
ulation with true, men of other race and
language, the indomitable courage that
ever strives for the cause of right and
Justice.
Proof Against Chinese Government.
Not only are the protestations Of the
Chinese government that it protected and
succoree the legations positively contra
dicted, but irresistible proof accumulates
that the attacks upon them were made by
imperial troops, regularly uniformed
armed and Differed, belonging to the
command Of Jung Lu, the imperial COM
mander in chief. DEGREES encouraging the
boxers, organizing them under prominent
imperial officers, provisioning them, and
even granting them large sums in the
name Of the empress dowager, are known
to exist Members of the Tsung- IL Yamen
who counseled protection of the foreign
ers were beheaded. Even in the distant
provinces men suspected of foreign SYM
pathy were put to death, prominent among
these being Chang Yen Hoon, formerly
Chinese minister in Washington.
Americas Attitude and Policy.
The policy of the United States through
All this trying period was clearly an
nounced and scrupulousIy carried out. A
circular note to the powers dated July
q nl1r of if.I6a ~
condition in the north as one of virtual
anarchy In which the great provinces of
the south and southeast had no share, we
regarded the local authorities in the latter
quarters as representing the Chinese peo-
pie with whom we sought 10 remain in
peace and friendship. Our declared aims
involved no war against the Chinese ma
sion. We adhered to the legitimate office
or rescuing the imperiled legation obtain
ing redress for wrongs already suffered,
securing wherever possible the safety of
American life and property in China, and
preventing a spread of the disorders of
their recurrence.
AS vas then said 'the policy of the
E0Ter1ment Of the United States is to seek
q solution which may bring about perma-
nent safety and peace to China, preserve
Chinese territorial and administrative en-
tity, protect all rights guaranteed to
friendly powers by treaty and information
nj law and safeguard for the world the
principle of equal and impartial trade with
ali parts of the Chinese empire
Faithful to those professions which, as
It proved, reflected the views and pur-
poses OF the other cooperating govern
ments all our efforts have been directed
toward ending the anomalous situation in
China by negotiations for settlement at
the earliest possible moment. AS soon as
the sacred duty of relieving our legation
and its dependents was accomplished we
withdrew from active hostilities, leaving
our legation under an adequate guard in
Pekfn as a channel of negotiations and
settlements course adopted by others of
the interested powers Overtures of the
empowered representatives OF the Chinese
emperor have been considerably enter
tanned.
I'm Concert with Other Powers.
Taking, as point of departure, the i'm
perial edict appointing Earl Ii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching plenipotentiaries
and the edict of Sept. 25. whereby certain
high officials were designated for punish
ment, this government has moved in con-
cert with the other powers toward the
opening of negotiations which Mr.. Con-
ger, assisted by Mr.. Rockhill has been
authorized to conduct on behalf Of the
United States. General bases of negotia-
tons formulated by the government of