The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-06

s.,cu To the court OF arUltrauon aJ inC
Hague. fayorally incline to this, be
irviug that high tribunal could nor fail
to reach solution no less conducive to
tie stability aud enlarged prosperity of
China itself than Immediately beneficial
to the powers.
The Paris Exposition.
The president then refers To various
matters affecting foreign countries rather
than our own aud continues by speaking
OF our part in the Paris exhibition. lie
says:
DESPITE al these drawbacks the con
tribution of the United States was not
only the largest foreign display, but was
among the earliest in place and the most
orderly in arrangement. Our exhibits
were shown i'm l0l ont Of l2l classes
and more completely covered the entire
classification than those Of any other
nation I'm total number they ranked
next after those Of France and the at
tractive form IN which they were pre-
souted secured general attention.
4 criterion of the extent and success
of our participation and of the thor
oughncss with which our exhibits were
organized is seen in the awards grant
cd TO American exhibitors by the
international jury namely. grand prizes,
30. gold medals. 597. silver medals II6;
bronze medals. 81. and honorable men
tions. 322 2,476 in all. being the great
est total number given TO the exhibit OF
largest number in each grade. This sig
niicant recognition of merit in compet-
ton with the chosen exhibits Of all other
nations and M the hands Of juries al
most wholly made mp Of representatives
Of France and other competing countries
is not only most gratifying. but is espe-
cislly valuable. since il sets MS 10 the
front i'm international questions Of sup
plv and demand. while the large porpor-
tiou Of awards IN the classes Of art and
artistic manufactures afforded unexpect'
I'd proof Of the stimulation Of national
culture by the prosperity that flows from
natural productiveness joined 20 indus
trial excellence.
Relations with the Powers.
Good will prevails in our relations with
the German empire. An amicable ao-
justmcnt of the long pending question Of
the admission Of our lie insurance com
panies 10 do business in Prussia has been
reached. One Of the principal companies
has already been readmittcd. and the
way IS opened for the others 10 share the
privilege.
The settlement Of the Samoan problem,
TO which | adverted in my last message,
has accomplished good results. Peace
and contentmont prevail in tho islands.
espccially in Tutuila, where convenient
administration. that has won the con
6dence and esteem Of the kindly disposed
natives. has been organized under the
direction Of the commander Of the Unit
ed States naval station at Pango-Pango.
An impcrial meat inspection law has
been enacted for Germany. While 1t
may simplify the inspections. II prohibits
certain products heretofore admitted.
There is still great uncertainty as to
whether our we'll nigh extinguishod Ger
man trade in meat products can revive
ander its new burdens. Much will de
pend upon regulations not yet promul-
aated which we confidently hope will be
free from the determinations which at
tended the enforcement of the old stat
utes.
Our friendly relations with Great Brit
ain continue. The war in southern AZ
rica introduced important questions. a
condition unusual in international wars
was presented in that while one belliger-
ent had control Of the seas the other had
no ports. shipping or direct trade. but
was only accessible through the territory
Of a neutral FeXatious questions arose
through Great Britain's action in re-
spect 10 neutral cargoes. not contraband
in their own nature. shipped 10 POrtu
gnese South Africa on the score Of proba-
bic or suspected ultimate destination TO
the Beer states.
Such consignments in British ships, by
which alone direct trade is kept up be-
tween our ports and southern Africa,
were seized in application OF municipal
law prohibiting British vessels from trad
ing with the enemy without regard 10
any contraband character Of the goods
while cargoes shipped to Delagoa bay
in neutral bottoms were arrested on the
ground Of alleged destination to enemy
country. Appropriate representations on
our part resulted in the British govern.
ment agreeing to purchase outright all
such goods shown 10 be the actual prop
erty of American citizens thus closing
the incident to the satisfaction of the
Immediately interested parties, although
unfortunately without a broad settlement
OF the question Of a neutrars right 10
send goods not contraband per Sc to
neutral port adjacent to a belligerent
area.
boundary Questions.
The work Of marking certain provision
al boundary points for convenience OF
administration around the head Of Lynn
canal, in accordance with the temporary
arrangement Of October, 1899, was com
pleted by joint survey in July last. Ihe
modus vivendi has so far worked without
friction, and the Dominion government
hoe uroVidod ruiae and rpuulatiOnS for