Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-12-06

ions were saved. The United States SOL
diers, sailors and marines. officers and
men alike, in those distant chimes and
unusual Surroundings, showed the same
valor, discipline and good conduct and
gave proof of the same high degree OF
intelligence and efficiency which have dis
tinguished them in every emergency.
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fled a few days before. The
city was without visible control. The
remaining imperial soldiery had made on
the night of the 18th a last attempt to
exterm.nate the besieged, which was gal
lantly repealed. 1t fell to the occupying
forces to restore order and organize a
provisional administrator.
Happily, the acute disturbances were
confined to the northern provinces. 1t is
a relief to recall and a pleasure to record
the loyal conduct of the viceroys and
local authorities of the southern and east
ern provinces. Their efforts were con-
tinuouSly directed to the pacific control
of the vast populations under their rule
and to the s~crupulous observance of for
eign treaty rights. At critical moments
they did not hesitate to memorabilia the
throne, urging the protection of the lega-
tons, the restoration of communication
and the assertion of the imperial author
ity against the subversive elements. They
maintained excellent relations with the
official representatives of foreign powers
To their kindly disposition is largely due
the success of the consulS in removing
many of the missionaries from the in
terror to places of safety. In this rela-
ton the action of the conSuls should be
highly commended. In Shan Tung and
eastern Chi Ii the task was difficult, but,
thanks to their energy and the co-opera-
ton of American and foreign naval COM
manders hundreds of foreigners, includ-
ing those of other nationalities than ours,
were rescued from imminent peril.
The policy of the United States through
all this trying period was clearly an
nounced n scrupulously carried out.
A circular note to the powers dated
July 8, proclaimed our attitude. Treat
ing the condition in the north as one
of virtual anarchy, in which the great
provinces of the south had no share, we
regarded the local authorities in the lat
ter quarters as representing the Chinese
people with whom we sought to remain
In peace and friendship. Our declared
aims involved no war against the Chi
nese nation. We adhered to the legiti-
mate office of reScuing the imperiled le-
cation, obtaining redress for wrongs al
ready suffered, securing wherever pos
sible the safety of American life and
property in China and preventing a
spread of the disorders or their recur-
renee.
AS was then said, "the policy of the
government of the United States is to
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territory and admins
trat1Ve 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 impair
tial trade with all parts of the Chinese
empire" -
Faithful to those professions which, as
1T 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 a settlement
at the earliest possible moment. AS soon
as the sacred duty of relieving our le-
cation and it's dependents was accom-
plished we withdrew from active hos
%tilities, leaving our legation under an
adequate guard at Pekin as a channel
of negotiations and settlement-a course
adopted by others of the interested pow
ers. Overtures of the empowered repre-
sentatives of the Chinese emperor have
not been considerably entertained. The
Russian propositions looking to the res
toration of the imperial power in Pekin
has been accepted as in full consonance
with our own desires, for we have held
and hold that effective reparation for
wrongs suffered and an enduring settle
ment that will make their recurrence i'm
possible, can best be brought about
under an authority which the Chinese
nation r~everences and obeys. While so
doing, we forego no jot of our undoubted
right to exact exemplary and deterrent
punishment of the responsible authors
and abettorS of the criminal acts where
by we and other nations have suffered
grievous injuries.
Taking as a point of departure the i'm
perial edict appointing Ii Hung Chang
and Prince Chin pl-enipotentiaries to ar
range a settlement, and the edict of Sep
TENDER 25, whereby certain high officials
were designated for punishment, this
government has moved in concert with
the other powers, toward the opening
of negotiations, which Mr.. Conger, as
sisted by Mr.. Rockhill, has been author
lied to conduct on behalf Of the United
States.
General bases of negotiation formulated
by the government of the French repub-
lie have been adopted with certain res
ervationS as to details, made necessary
by our WI circumstances, but. like sim
liar reservations by other powers open
to discussion in the progress of the ne
gotiationS. The disposition of the en-
peror's government to admit liability for
wrongs done to foreign governments and
their national representatives and to act
upon such additional designation of the
guilty persons as the foreign ministers at
Pekin may be in a position to make,
gives hope of a complete settlement of
all questions involved, assuring foreign
rights of residence and intercourse on
terms of equality for all the world.
The matter of indemnity. for our
wronged citizens is a question of grave
concern. Measured in money alone, a
sufficient reparation may prove to be be-
yond the ability of China to meet. All
the powers concur in emphatic disclaim-
ers of any purpose OF aggradizement
through the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the en-
pire. I am disposed to think that due
compensation may be made in part by
increased guarantees of security for for
eign rights and immunities, and, most
important of all, by the opening of China
to the equal commerce of all the world.
These views have been and will be ear
nestly advocated by our representatives.
TREASURY OPERATIONS FAVOR
ABLE.
1t is gratifying to be able to state that
the surplus revenues for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1900, were $40, 527, 060.1S. For
the six preceding years we had only de-
ficits, the aggregate of which, from 1894
to 1899, inclusive, amounted to $3.50, 022,-
991. IA. The receipts for the year from all
sources, exclusive of postal revenues, ag-
gregated 1861, 240, S51.S9, and expenditures
for all purposes, except for the admins
tration of the postal department, aggre-
gated $4S7, 713, 79l. II. The receipts from
customs were $233, 164, 81. IL, an increase
over the preceding year of $27, 036, 389. II.
Receipts from internal revenue were
1926, 327, 1926. &c, an increase of 81 800, 1925
over 1899. The receipts from miscellane-
Gus sources were $SS, 74S, 053.97, as against
$36, 1874, &c. 80 for the previous year.
1t is gratifying also to note that during
the year a considerable reduction Is
shown in the expenditures of the gov
eminent. The war department expendf-
lures for the fiscal year 1900 were 1884,
ia. 767. Is, a reduction of $95, 066, 4S6.69 over
those of 1899. In the navy department
the expenditures were sos, $50, or. u for the
year 1900, as against $69, 942, 1O4. % for the
preceding year, a decrease of 1889, 026.53.
In the expenditures on account of In
dams there was a decrease in 1900 over
1000 Of GO 620 6nd %. and in the civil and