Show Iiffl ENT S MESSAGE I Received Little by the Demonstration Solons With But HIS FINANCIAL VIEWS I I I I They Are More Pronounced Than Ever Before Financial Affairs anti Por Isn PolIcy I Pol-Icy the Ont Natters to IVJiIch lie Pny lore Than PnsjInfC Attention Atten-tion Directing ttcntion Merely to the Reports Iadc by the Heads of the V rlons Departments Gr mtfoli He Desires Should Be Closely and Critically Scrutinised He PrcsHC the Recommendations Made Ton the Reniiccllul Attention Atten-tion of the Xatloun Lawmakers Will Cooneratc With Congress IIoTTCcr In Any Measure Prom SKlnjj Relief from the Present riunnclal Ills FIunncal Il To the Congress of the United States The present assemblage of the legislatIve legis-lative branch of our government oc cunjf at a time when the interest of our people and the needs of the country coun-try give especial prominence to the condition of our foreign relations and the exigencies of our national finances The reports of the government fully and plainly exhibit what has been accomplished ac-complished within the scope of their respective duties and present such re com ndatOD for the betterment of ourljfcUntrys condition as patriotic ondintclligent labor and observation suggest I therefore deem my executive execu-tive duy adequately performed at this time by presenting to Congress the important phases of our situation as related to our intercourse with foreign nations and a statement of the financial finan-cial problems which confront us omit ting except as they are related to these topics any reference to departmental depart-mental operations I earnestly invite howaver not only the careful consideration consider-ation but the severely critical scrutiny of the Congress and my fellow coun irymen to the reports concerning these departmental operations I justly aad JCajjrly examined they will furnish > oJi f assiduous and painstaking care ior the public welfare I press the recommendations re-commendations they contain upon the respectful attention of those charged with the duty of legislation because I fceiieve their adoption would promote tbf peoples good FOREIGN RELATIONS Relations wills Argentina By mendatory tariff legislation in I January last the Argentine republic I recognizing the value of the large market opened to the free Importation Importa-tion of it wools under our last tiixiff i I I Qct JvaLS admitted certain products of I the trailed States to entry at reduced duties It is pleasing to notethat the I efforts we have made to enlarge the I exchanges of trade on a sound basis I of mutual benefit are in this Instance cpp ciated by the country from which oxi Jtejoion factories diew their need Tfttl VTi ply of raw material ARGENTINEBRAZIL BOUNDARY DISPUTE The missions boundary dispute between be-tween the Argentine republic and I Brazil referred to the President of the I United States as arbitrator during the term of my predecessor and which was submitted to me for determination rt sulted in an award in favor of Brazil 1 upon the historical and documentary I evidence piesented thus cidece ending a beg protracted controversy and again demonstrating the wisdom and de i Birabillty of settling international I loundary disputes b ounda diputes by recourse to itieadly arbitration I CMIcan Claim Commission I Xtgotlations are progressing for a I Vi51 of the United states and cancan claims commission whose wok I ivas abruptly terminated last year by i the expIration of the stipulated time uithlt which ends could be made I The resumption of specie paYment by Chile Is a step of gat interest and Importance both in its direct I Imprtace il It dIrt consequences conse-quences upon her own welfare qucnce upn and as evincing the ascendency of sound financial fn ancial principle In one of the most in I u52tia7 of the South American repub laJ I ChineKCJajmneso War The close of the momentous struggle I between China and Japan while re re BievJnET the diplomatic agents of this government from the delicate duty 1 I they undertook at the request of both countries of tendering such service to the subjects of either belligerent within I I with-in the territorial limits of the other as our neutral position permitted developed I devel-oped a domestic condition in the Chinese Chi-nese empire which has caused much anxiety and called for prompt and careful attention Either as a result I of a w iilc control by the central gov ernmttat over the provincial admlnls trationfexfJwing a dimunltion of tra dUi aL yoy mentaJ authority under thejrfcs6 ofen overwhelming national Sisairer or as a manifestation upon o d pprtun1ty it the aversion of the te r pJrtun1tf ChlnAe population ioali foreign ways 1 f f r J I l < i 8 L and undertakings there have occurred in widely separated provinces of China serious outbreaks of the old fanatical I spirit against foreigners which I Unchecked Un-checked by the local authorities if not i actually connived at by them have culminated cul-minated in mob attacks on foreign missionary stations causing much destruction de-struction of property and attended i with personal injuries as well as loss of lifeAMERICAN AMERICAN MISSIONS Although but one American citizen was reported to have been actually wounded the destruction and although destructon of property may have fallen more heavily hea-vily upon the missionaries of other nationalities than our own i plainly behooves this government to take the I tke most prompt and decided action to guard against similar or perhaps more I dreadful calamities befalling the hundreds hun-dreds of American mission stations I wlueh have grown up throughout the j Interior of China under the temperate rule of toleration custom and imperial I edict The demands of the United States and other powers for the degradation deg-radation and punishment of the responsible re-sponsible officials of the respective I cities and provinces who by neglect or otherwise had permitted uprisings and for the adoption of kern measures by the emperors government for the protection of the life and property of I foreigners were followed by the disgrace dis-grace and dismissal of certain provincial provin-cial officials found derelict In duty and the punishment byi death of a number I of those adjudged guilty of participation participa-tion in the outrages SPECIAL AMERICAN COMMISSION This government insisted that a special American commission should visit the province where the first disturbances of investigation occurred fO the purpose inestig occure tion This latter commission fore after much opposition has gone overland over-land from Tietlen accompanied by n suitable Chinese escort and by it demonstration of the readiness and ability of our government to protebt its citizens will act It is believed asa as-a most Influential deterrent of any similar outbreaks The energetic steps we have thus taken a all the more likely to result in future safety t our citizens in China because the imperial government is I a persuaded entirety en-tirety convinced that we desire only the liberty and protection of our own citizens and redress for any wrongs they may have suffered and that we have no ulterior designs or objects political or otherwise China will not forget either our kindly services to her citizens during the late war or the further fact that while furnishing all the facilities at our command t further the negotiation negotia-tion for peace between her and Japan we sought no advantages and interposed inter-posed no counsel The governments of both China and Japan have in special dispatches transmitted through their respective diplomatic representatives expressed in a meat pleasing manner their grateful grate-ful appreciation of our assistance t their citizens during the unhappy struggle and of the value of our aid I in paving the way to their resumption of peaceful relations Relations Trlth France The customary cordial relations between tween this country and France have been undisturbed with the exception that a full explanation of the treatment treat-ment of John L Tale by the expeditionary expe-ditionary military authorities of Fro still remains to be given Mr Wialler formerly United States consul at Tamatave remained in Madagascar his term of office expired and was apparently parently successful In procuring t = i business concessions from the Ho vas of greater o less value J ARREST OF WALLER After the occupation of Tamatave and the declaration of martial law byte I by-te French he was arrested upon various vari-ous charges among them that of communicating com-municating military information to the enemies of France was tried I and convicted fc Je fl td victed by a military tribunal and I sentenced to thirty years imprisonment imprison-ment Following the course justified I tW fsj i by abundant precedents this government govern-ment requested Tram that of France the record of the proceedings of the I I French tribunal which resulted in Mr i I I Wales condemnation This request i has been complied with to the extent of supplying a of the official copy ofcial record cord from which appear the constitution II I constitu-tion and organization of the court the charges as formulated and thegeneral course and result of the trial and by I which i is shown that the accused I was trie in open court and was defended de-fended by counsel But the evidence adduced in support of the charges I which wa not received by the French minister for foreign affairs tU the first I wee In October has thus fa been I I withheld the French government taking tak-ing the ground that its production in I response to our demand would establish I estab-lish a bad precedent pet EUSTIS EFFORT UNRELAXED The efforts of our ambassador to procure it however though impeded by recent changes in the French minis try have not been relaxed and i is confidently expected that some satisfactory satis-factory solution of the matter will shortly be readhed Meanwhile it short rded Iewhie appears ap-pears that Mr WaIlers confinement has every alleviation which the state of his health and all the other circumstances crm stances of the case demand or permit pert1 I PERMANENT TREATY OF ARBITRATION AmI I TRATION In agreeable contrast to the difference differ-ence above noted respecting a matter of common concern where nothing is sought except such a mutually satisfactory satis-factory outcome as the true merits of the case require is the recent resolution resolu-tion of the French chambers favoring the conclusion of a permanent treaty of arbitration between the two countries coun-tries triesPARIS PARIS EXPOSITION 1900 An invitation has been extended by Ftc t the government and people of the United States to participate in a great Internaicional exposition at Paris In 1900 as a suitable commemoration tion of the close of this the worlds marvelous century of progress I heartily recommend its together heUy recmed is acceptance to gether with such legislation a will adequately provide for a due representation represen-tation of this government and its people peo-ple on the occasion ItclntlotiK with Germany Our relations with the states of the German empire are in some aspects typical of a condition of things els were found in countries whose productions pro-ductions I trade r similar t our < u J j CW > The close rivalries of competing induisffcrles the influence of the delusive doctrine that the internal development of a nation is promoted and its wealth increased by a policy which undertaking undertak-ing t reserve It home markets for the exclusive use of its own producers necessarily obstructs their sales info I markets and free access foreign maket prevents fr noj cess to the products of the world the I desire t retain trade in timeworn ruts regardless of the inexorable laws of new < needs and changed conditions of demand and supply and our own ha Ing trdines In inviting a free exchange ex-change of commodities and by this means imperiling our footing in the external markets naturally open to us have crate a situation somewhat injurious in-jurious t American export interests not only in Germany where they a perhaps mot noticable but In adjacent ad-jacent countries EXPORTS AFFECTED The exports affected are largely Amec cattle and other food pr duct the reason assigned for unfavorable unfavor-able discrimination being that their consumption is deleterious to the public I pub-lic health This Is all the more irritating I irri-tating in view of the fact that no European Eu-ropean state is as jealous of the excellence cellence and wholesomeness of its exported ported food supplies a the United Stakes nor 5 easily able on account of inherent soundness to guarantee these qualities I AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANIES I COM-PANIES Nor are these difficulties confined to our flood products designed for exportation expor-tation Our great insurance companies for example having built up a vast business abroad and invested a large I share of their gains in foreign countries f coun-tries in compliance with the local laws and regulations the existing now find themselves within a narrow circle of onerous and unforseen conditions and are cnfrate by the necessity of T tiring from a field thus made unprofitable unprofit-able I indeed they a not summar ily expelled a some of them have been from Prussia INTERNATIONAL TRADE CANNOT BE ONE SIDED I is not to be forgotten that international interna-tional trade cannot be one sided Its I currents are alternating and its movements move-ments should l be honestly reciprocal I I without this it almost necessarily degenerates de-generates into a device to gain advantage vantage or a contrivance to secure benefits with only the semblance of a return In our dealings with other nations we ought to be open handed and scrupulously fair This should be our policy a a producing nation and i plainly becomes us as a people who love generosity and the moral aspect of national good faith and reciprocal I forbearance These considerations I I should not however constrain us to submit to unfair discrimination nor to I silently acquiesce in vexatious hindrances I hind-rances to the enjoyment of our share of the legitimate advantages of proper trade relations A RETALIATORY POLICY I I an examination of the situation suggests such measures on our part as I would involve restrictions similar to I those from which we suffered the way I to audit a course is easy I should however by no means be lightly I entered upon since the necessity for I the inauguration of such a policy would be regretted by the best senti moot of our people and because it naturally turally and logically might lead to consequences con-sequences of the gravest charaotfr GERMAN PRAISE FOR THE NEW NAVY I take pleasure in calling to your I attention the enconlums bestowed on these vessels of our new navy which I took part in the notably ceremony of the opening of the Kiel canal I was fitting that this extraordinary achievement achieve-ment of the newer German nationality should be celebrated in the progress of I American exposition of the latest developments de-velopments energy of the worlds naval Relations with Great Britain Our relations with Great Britain always al-ways intimate and important have demanded during the past year even a greater share of consideration than is usual Several vexatious questions were left undetermined by the decision of the Bering sea arbitration tribunal The application of the principles laid down by that august body has not been followed by the results they were Intended to accomplish either because the principles themselves lacked in breadth and definiteness or bebause their execution has been more or less imperfect SLAUGHTER OF SEALS Much correspondence has been exchanged ex-changed between the two governments a the subject of preventing the exterminating ex-terminating slaughter of seals The insufficiency of the British patrol of Bering sea under the regulations agreed on by the two governmcnts has been pointed out and yt only two British ships have been on police duty during tate season in these waters The need of a more effective enforcement enforce-ment of existing regulations as well as the adoption of such additional regulations as experience has shown to be absolutely necessary to carry out the Intent of the awards have been earnestly urged upon the British government gov-ernment but thus far without effective tve results In the meantime the depletion of the seal herds by of sel y means o pelagic hunting has s alarmingly progressed that unless their slaughter 1 at once effectively checked their extinction within a few years seems to be a matter mat-ter of absolute certainty The understanding by which the United States was to pay and Great Britain to receive a lump sum of 425 000 In full settlement of all British claims for damages arising from our seizure of British sealing vessels authorized under the award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration was not confirmed by the last Congress which declined to make the necessary appropriation ap-propriation I am still of the opinion that this arrangement was a judicious and advantageous one for the government govern-ment and I earnestly recommend that it be again considered and sanctioned I however this does not meet with the favor of Congress it certainly will hardly dissent from the proposition that the government is bound by every consideration of honor and good faith to < provide for the speedy adjustment of these claims by arbitration as the only other alternative A treaty of arbitration has therefore been agreed upon and will be immediately laid before be-fore the Senate so that in one of the modes suggested a final settlement may be reached TO PREVENT COLLISIONS AT SEA Notwithstanding that Great Britain originated the proposal to enforce international in-ternational rules for the prevention of collisions at sea based on the recommendations recom-mendations of the Maritime conference of and concurred In Washington concuIed suggesting sug-gesting March 1 1895 as the date to beset be-set by proclamation for carrying these rules into general effect her majestys government having encountered opposition op-position on the part of British shipping ship-ping interests announced its Inability to accept that which was consequently canceled The entire matter is still in abeyance without prospect of a better condition in the near future PASSAMAQUODY BAY BOUNDARY The commissioners appointed to cm1ssloner Ploinfcd > > 1 mark the international boundary in Passamaquody bay according to the description of the treaty of Ghent have not fully agreed PRELIMINARY ALASKAN BOUNDARY BOUND-ARY SURVEY The completion of the preliminary survey of that Alaskan boundary which follows the contour of the coast from the southernmost point of Prince of Wales island until i strikesthe one I hundred and fortyfirst meridian at or near the summit of Mount St Elms awaits further necessary appropriations appropria-tions which Is urgently recommended This survey was undertaken under the provisions of the convention entered into by this country and Great Britain July 22 1892 and the supplementary convention of February 3 1894 As to the remaining section of the Alaskan boundary which follows theme the-me hundred and fortyfirst meridian northwardly from Mount St Ellas tote to-te frozen ocean the settlement of which involves the physical location of the meridian mentioned no conventional conven-tional agreement has yet been made j The ascertainment of a given meridian mer-idian aft a particular point is a work requiring much time and careful observations ob-servations and surveys Such observations I observa-tions and surveys were undertaken by the United States coast and geodetic survey in 1890 and 1891 while similair work In the same quarters under Brit ish auspices are believed to give nearly coincident results but these surveys have been independently conducted and no international agreement to mark those or any other parts of the one hundred and fortyfirst meridian by permanent monuments has yet been maeVALLEY I VALLEY OF THE YUKON I In the meantime the valley of the Yukon is becoming a highway through the hitherto unexplored wilds of Alaska k and abundant mineral wealth has I been discovered i that region especially especi-ally at or nla the junction of the boundary meridian with the Yukon arU its tributaries In these circumstances circum-stances it is expedient indeed imperative five that the jurisdictional limits o the respective governments in this new region be speedily determined I JOINT DELIMITATION PROPOSED i Her Britannic majestys government has proposed a joint delimitation of the one hundred and forttyflrst meridian merid-ian by an international commission of experts which if Congress will authorize author-ize it and make due provision therefor can be accomplished with no unreasonable unrea-sonable delay I is impossible to over look the vital Importance of continuing continu-ing tins work already entered upon and supplementing it by further effective measures looking to the exact location I of this entire boundary line JURISDICTION IN THE GREAT LAKES I call attention to the unsatisfactory delimitation of the respective jurlsJic ttians of the United States and the Dominion Do-minion of Canada in the great lakes I in the approaches to the narrow waters I I that oamnedt them The waters in question are frequented by fishermen of both nationalities and their net are there used Owing to the uncertainty and ignorance as to the true boundary vexatious disputes and injurious seizures seiz-ures of boats and nets by Canadian I cruisers len occur while any positive posi-tive settlement thereof by an accepted standard Is I not easily to be reached A joint commission to determine the line in these quarters on a practical I basis by measured courses following range marks on shore Is a necessity I for which immediate provision should i be made I I VEXEZUELAiN BOUNDARY DISPUTE I DIS-PUTE I I being apparent that < the boundary I dispute between Great Britainand the I Republic of Venezuela concerning the limits of British Guinea was approaching approach-ing a acute stage t definite statement I state-ment of the interest and policy of the United States a regards the controversy contro-versy seemed to be required both on its own account and In view of Its relations lations with the friendly powers directly di-rectly concerned ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED SATE In July last therefore a dispatch j addressed to our ambassador at London V I Lon-don for communication to the British 1 government in which the attitude of i i the United States was fully and disI j tinctly set forth The general conclusions conclu-sions therein reached and formulated i are in substance that the traditional i and established policy of thIs govern j i i ment is firmly opposel to a favorable increase by an European power of Its territorial possessions on this contin contn I ent that this policy Is a well founded in principle as i is strongly supported by numerous precedents that a 3 consequence I con-sequence the United States is bound to protest against the enlargement of I area of British Guiana in derogation of the rights and against the will of Venezuela that considering the disparity dis-parity In strength of Great Britain and I Venezuela the territorial dispute between be-tween them can be reasonably settled only by friendly impartial arbitration and the rest rt t such arbitration ttoould include the whole controversy and is not satisfied if one or the pow j I ore concerned Is permitted to draw I i an arbitrary line through the territory in debate and to declare that H will submit to arbitration only the portion lying on one side of it j ENGLAND ASKED FOR AN ANSWER AN-SWER In view of these conclusions the dispatch dis-patch in question called upon the Brit ish government for a definite answer to the question whether it wouid not submit the territorial controversy between be-tween itself and Venezuela in Its entirety tirety to impartial arbitration NO ANSWER YET RECEIVED The answer of the British government govern-ment has not yet been received but Is expected shortly when further communication com-munication on the subject will probably prob-ably be made to the Congress Haivalinn Affairs Early in January last an uprising against the government of Hawaii was promptly suppressed Martial law was forthwith proclaimed and numerous arrests were made of persons suspected suspect-ed of being In sympathy with the Royalist party Among those were several citizens of the United States who were either convicted by a military mili-tary court and sentenced to death imprisonment im-prisonment or fine Or were deported without trial The United States while denying protection to such as had taken the Hawaiian oath of allegiance al-legiance Insisted that martial l law though altering the forms of justice could not supercede justice itself and I demanded a stay of execution until the proceedings heel been submitted to this government and knowledge obtained therefrom that our citizens had received re-ceived fair trial The death sentences were subsequently commuted or were remitted on condition of leaving the islands CASES OF CERTAIN AMERICAS The cases of certain Americana arrested ar-rested and expelled arbitrary order without formal hag or trial have1 had attention and in some instances f Continued oipage7 i I u 3f 7 J2e r L I e e i |