The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-03

toward ending the anomnlOls situation IN
China by negotiations fOr q settlement at
the earliest possible moment 40 soon as
the sacred duty OF relieving our legation
and rs dependents was accomplished We
withdrew from active hostilities, leaving
our legation under an adequate guard in
Picking as n channel OF negotiation and
settlemen., a course adopted by others
of the interested powers. Ovcrtures OF
the empowered representatives OF the
Chinese emperor have been CONSIDERABLY
entertained.
The president recapitulates the atti-
tude OF the administration 10 the Rus
sian and French notes and concludes that
part of his message relating TO China as
follows:
The government OF Hrssia has put for
ward a suggestion that in the event Of
protracted divergence Of views in regard
to indemnitics the matter may be rele-
gated 10 the court OF arbitration at The
Hague. / favorahly incEne 10 This, he
Iioyinr that high tribunal could net fail
Ia reach "A solution no less conducive 10
the stability and enlarged prosperity Of
China itself than Immediately beneficial
10 the powers.
The Paris EzpositisS.
The president then refers TO various
matters affecting foreign countries rather
than orr own and continues by speaking
of our part in the Paris exhibition. He
says:
Despite ALI these drawbacks the con-
trihntion 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 in l0l out Of l2l classes
and more completely covered the entire
classification than those Of any other
nation. In total number they ranked
next after those OF France, and the at
tractive form in which they we're pre-
sented secured general attention.
A criterion OF the extent and success
of our participation. and Of the thor
oughness with which our exhibits We're
organized is seen in the awards grant
ed to American exhibitors by the
interna;iona. iurv-namtly, grand prizes.
24O: gold medals. oJI: silver medals, Ii6;
bronze medals. 541, and honorable men
tions, 322--2,4I6 in all, being the great
est total number given TO the exhibit of
sny exhibiting nation, as well as the
largest number in each grade. This sg-
nifcant recognition OF merit in competl-
tion with the chosen exhibits Of all other
most wholly made up of representatives
of France and other competing countries
is not only most gratifying, but is espe-
cially valuable, since il sets ms to the
front in international questions Of sup
ply and demand. while the large porpor-
fion of awards i'm the classes Of art and
artistic manufactures afforded uneypect-
ed proof of the stimulation of national
culture by the prosperity that flows from
natural preductiyeness joined 10 indus
trial excellence.
Relations with the Powers.
Good will prevails in our relations with
the German empire. An amicable ad-
justment of the long pending question of
the admission OF our life insurance COM
panies 10 do business in Prussia has been
reached. One of the principal companies
has already been readmitted. and the
way is opened for the others TO share the
privilege.
The settlement Of the Samoan problem,
10 which / adverted in my last message.
has accomplished good results. Peace
and contentment prevail in the islands,
especially in Tutuila, where a convenient
administration, that has won the con-
fdence and esteem of the kindly disposed
natives, has been organized under the
direction of the commander Of the Unit
ed States naval station al ango-Pango.
An imperial meat inspection law has
been enacted for Germany. While it
may simplify the inspections. It prohibits
certain products heretofore admitted.
There is still great uncertainty as TO
whether our well nigh extinguished Ger
man trade in meat products can revive
under its new burdens. Much will de-
pend upon regulations not yet promnl-
gated. which we confidently hope will be
free from the determinations which at
tended the enforcement OF the old stat
1tes.
Our friendly relations with Great Brit
ain continue. The war in southern Af-
rica introduced i'm portant 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. Vexstious questions arose
through Great Britan's action in re-
spect to neutral cargoes, not contraband
in their own nature, shipped 10 Portu-
guese South Africa on the score OF proba-
bic or suspected ultimate destination to
the Boer states.
Such constnments 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 to
any contraband character Of the goods,
while cargoes shipped 10 Delagoa Bay
In neutral bottoms were arrested on the
ground of alleged destination to enerny's
country. Appropriate representations on
our part resulted in the British govern
ment agreeing to purchase outright all
such goods shown to 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 neutrGls right to
send goods not contrhba per sc TO
neutral port adjacent 10 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 tho temporary