The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-12-13
!: THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. =;


shortly after noon Monday. The annual
message to the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives is a lengthy and carefully
prepared document in which the various
questions of greatest interest are clearly
and ably discussed and appropriate rec
concentrations made as to needed legisla-
tion. 1t is introduced with some fellci-
tations and cpngratulatory remarks as to
the growing strength and increasing pow
er for good of republican institutions and
the larger freedom and more extended
citizenship they now confer. This topic
naturally is extended to include brief
statement of the great growth the coun-
try has made in population the past de-
cade as shown by the census and this
congratulatory review is closed by ac-
acknowledgement of divine care and guild
ance of the nation.
The Chinese Troubles.
BY far the most carefully elaborated
part of the message deals with the Chi
nese problem, which is also given the
preference by priority of discussion. The
entire situation is reviewed from the be
ginning Of the Boxer troubles to their cul-
mination last summer in the siege of the
legations in Pekin. The Presidents re-
view of the early outbreaks and his en-
tire account are written in clear, dis
passionate, judicial manner, which makes
it history of the events to date. In this
connection the President recites the dip
loma;ic success of this country in secur-
ing the assent of the powers to its cir
cular proposals of 1899, which were aim
ed not only to safeguard this country's S
trade interests, but also to quiet Chinese
apprehensions, making known the friend
ly intentions of the powers as respect
the integrity of the Chinese empire.
Unfortunately before this was fully ac-
complished the Boxer insurrection be-
came formidable, resulting in the siege
of the legations and subsequent events,
which are clearly related. The siege and
relief of the legations, the President says,
have passed into undying history As
to the part American soldiers took in that
relief he pays deserved tribute to their
yalor and heroism. The entire loss of the
killed, 135 wounded and seven by dis
ease, the latter being all children. The
American troops employed in China
amounted to some 5000, at first under
the command of the late Col. Liscum and
now under that of Gen. Chaffee. The
President, while apparently convinced
that the attacks upon the legations were
made by imperial troops. does justice to
the efforts Of the southern viceroys and
their energy and cooperation in rescuing
hundreds of foreigners from peril.
Americas attitude has been UNMARRIED
and was first broadly defined by circu-
lar to the powers of July 3 last, this
country's policy as then defined being Ito
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territorial and admins
trative entity. protect all rights guaran-
teed to friendly powers by treaty and in
ternational law and safeguard for the
world the principle of equal and impartial
trade with all parts of the Chinese EN-
pire" OF course. in addition to this broad
and generous view Of the rights and in
terests of all nations, there has since
been added the question of reparation for
injuries received the past summer and
the indemnity for the expenses necessar-
lily incurred in connection with the relief
of the legations. On this point the Pres
ident says: We forego no jOt of our
undoubted right to exact exemplary and
deterrent punishment of the responsible
authors of the criminal acts whereby we
and other nations have suffered grievous
injury"
While the hope is expressed that a com
plete settlement Of all the questions in
volved may be reached, it is admitted
that the question of indemnity is one of
grave concern" as, measured in money
alone, a sufficient rccompense may be
beyond the power of China to pay. The
President is disposed 20 think, however.
that due compensation may be made by
increased guarantees for foreign rights
and immunities and 'by the opening of
China to the equal commerce of all the
world"
Following the China question and situ-
alton there are brief statements in respect
to the relations of the United States to
other countries of the world, which, on
the whole, are satisfactory. There seems
to be some friction over the treatment of
Americans in Austria in regard to mill
tary service, but it is stated representa-
tions have been made whenever the
course adopted has appeared unduly oner
Gus.
Belgiums movement to secure agree
ment respecting the liquor traffic in At
rica is referred to and the President
adds: Il would gladly see its extension
by international agreement to the restric-
tion of the liquor traffic with all unciv-
ilszed peoples, especially in the western
Pacific"
Measures looking to the protection of
American patents abroad and of Euro
pean patents in America will be discussed
at conference at Brussels on the 18th
inst. TO which conference this country