Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-05

iiberately adopted for a Justihable end.
But much of the matter which enjoys the
privileged rate is wholly outside of the
intent Of the law and has secured admis-
sion only through an evasion Of its re-
uuirements or through lax construction.
The proportion OF such wrongly included
matter Is estimated by postal experts TO
be one-half of the whole volume OF second
class mail. II II be only one-third or one
quarter, the magnitude OF the burden Is
apparent. The postoflce department has
now undertaken &c remove the abuses SO
far as is possible BY stricter application
of the law. and 1t should be sustained in
Its effort.
The Chinese situation.
Owing 10 the rapid growth of our power
and our interests on the Pacific. whatever
happens in China must be Of the keenest
national concern to US.
The general terms OF the settlement or
the questions growing out of the antifor-
eign uprisings I'm China OF 1900 having
been formulated in joint note addressed
TO China by the representatives of the In
jured powers In December last. were
promptly accepted by the Chinese govern-
ment. After protracted conferences the
plenipotentiarles of the several powers
were able to sign final protocol with the
Chinese plenipotentiaries on the 18th OF
last September, setting forth the meas
ures taken by China in compliance with
the demands OF the joint note and ex-
pressing their satisfaction herewith It
will be laid before the congress, with a re-
port of the plenipotentiary on behalf Of
the United States. Mr.. William Woodville
Rockhill, to whom high praise Is due for
the tact. good judgment and energy he
has displayed in performing an exception
ally difficult and delicate task.
The agreement reached disposes In
manner satisfactory to the powers OF the
various grounds of complaint and will
contribute materially to better future re-
lations between China and the powers.
Reputation has been made by China for
the murder of foreigners during the up
rising, and punishment has been inflicted
on the officials. however high in rank,
recognized as responsible for or having
participated in the outbreak. Official ex-
aminations have been forbidden for a PEE
riod of five years in all cities in which
foreigners have been murdered or cruoiy
treated. and edicts have been issued maxi
ing all officials directly responsible for the
future safety of foreigners and for the
suppression of violence against them.
Provisions have been made for insurins
the future safety of the foreign repre-
sentatives in Peiing by setting aside for
their exclusive use quarter of the city
which the powers can make defensibla
and in which they cen IL necessary main
tain permanent military guards, by dis
mantling the military works between the
capital and the sea and by allowing the
temporary maintenance of foreign mill
tary posts alcrg this !lEe An edict has
been issued by the emperor of China pro-
hibitlng for two years tho Importation OF
arms and ammunition into China. China
has agreed to pay ehecn4ts indemnities
TO the states. societies a.l individuals
for the losses sustained ~ them and for
/ the expenses of the military expeditions
| sent by the various powers to protect life
/ and restore order.
What China Has Promised.
| Under the provisions OF the Joint note
| of December, 1900 China has agreed to re-
wise the treaties of commerce and nsviga-
| ton and to take such other steps for the
purpose of facilitating foreign trade as
/ the foreign powers may decide to be
! needed.
The Chinese government has agreed to
| participate financially In the work OF bet
| tering the water approaches to Shanghai
| and to Tientsin, the centers of fowelgn
I trade In central and northern China, ana
! an international conservancy board. In
! which the Chinese government is largely
| represented. has been provided for tho
| Improvement of the Shanghai river and
| the control OF its navigation. In the Same
| line of commercial advantages a revision
! of the present tariff on imports has been
| assented to for the purpose Of substitut-
| ing specific for ad valorem duties, and an
! expert has been sent abroad on the part
!. of the United States to assist In this
| work. A list of articles to remain free OF
duty, including -four, cereals and rice.
gold and silver coin and bullion. has also
been agreed upon in the settlement.
During these troubles our governments
has unswervingly advocated moderation
| and has materially aided in bringing
about an adjustment which tends TO en-
nance the welfare of China and to lead
to a more beneficial intercourse between
| the empire and the modern world, white
| in the critical period of revolt and mas
sacre we did our full share in safeguard.
| ing life and property, restoring order and
| vindicating the national interest and hon
or 1t behooves us to continue in these
| paths doing what lies in our power to
| foster feelings of good will and leaving no
| effort untried to work out the great policy
| of full and fair intercourse between China
and the nations on footing of equal
| rights and advantages to all. We advo-
| cate the "open door" with all that II inn
| plies: not merely the procurement OF en-
larged commercial opportunities on the
coasts. but access to the interior by the
waterways with which China has been SO
| extraordinarily favored. Only by bringing
| the people of China into peaceful and
friendly community of trade with all the
peoples Of the earth can the work now
| auspiciously begun be carried to fruition.
| In the attainment of this purpose we nee
| essarily claim parity of treatment under
Che conventions throughout the empire for
| our trade and our citizens with those Of
| all other powers.
We view with lively interest and keen
hopes of beneficial results the proceedings
"a the pan-American congress convoked
! at the invitation of Mexico and now sit
ting at the Mexican capital. The dele
| gates of the United States are under the
most liberal instructions to cooperate
with their colleagues in all matters prom
Using advantage to the great family OF
| American commemorative, as well in
their relations among themselves as in
their domestic advancement and in their
intercourse with the world at large.
My predecessor communicated to the
congress the fact that the Well and La
| Abra awards against Mexico have been
adjudged by the highest courts OF our
country to have been obtained through
fraud and perjury on the part of the
claimants and that in accordance with
the acts of the congress the money re-
naming in the hands of the secretary OF
state on these awards has been returned
10 Mexico. A considerable portion of the
money received from Mexico on these
awards had been paid by this government
10 the claimants before the decision OF
the courts was rendered. My Judgment 10
that the congress should return TO Mexico
an amount equal to the sums thus already
paid 10 the claimants
The death of Queen Victoria caused tho
people of the United States deep and
heartfelt sorrow, to which the government
gave full expression. When President Me-
Klnley died. our nation in turn received
from every quarter of the British empire.
expressions of grief and sympathy no
less sincere. The death of the Empress
Dowager Frederick OF Germany also
aroused the genuine sympathy Of the
| American people, and this sympathy was
cordially reciprocated by Germany when