The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-23 00:00:00

INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS OF ALIENS.

Incidents occurring in the progress of our civil
war have forced upon my attention the uncertain
state of international questions touching the rights
of foreigners in this country, and of United States
citiz2no abrozd.

In regard to some Governments, these rights are
at least partially defined by treaties, In no instance,
however, is it expressly stipulated that in the event
of civil war a foreigner residing in this country,
within the lines of the insurgents, is to be exempted
from the rule which classes him as a belligerent, iv
whose behalf the Government of this country can-
not expect any privileges or immunities distinct
from that character. I regret to say, however, that
such claims have been put forward, and in some in-
stances in behalf of foreigners who have resided in
the United States the greater part of their lives.
There is reason to believe that many persons born
in foreign countries, who have declared their intene
lion to become citizees, or who have been fully na-
turalised, have evaded the military duty required of
them by denying the fact, and thereby throwing
upon the Government the burden of proof. It has
been found difficult or impracticable to obtain this
ot for want of guides to the proper source of in-
formation.
Thesemight be supplied by requiring clerks of
"tittB' 'where declarations of intention may be
made, 0,
naturalisations effected, to send periodi-
cally lists
declaring °tlitthe names of the persons naturalised or
the
intention to become citizens, to the
Secretary
cit be Interior, in whose department the
names might b
ii,eis arranged and printed for general
information.
also reason to believe that
foreigners frequentlyr
become citizens of the United
States for the sole
purpose of evading duties im-
posed by the laws of tim.l
native country, to which,
on becoming naturalised here, ere, they at once repair,
and though never returei
to the United States,
they still claim the interposition of this Government
as citizens.
Many altercations and great
prejudices have
heretofore arisen oat of this aimute
• It is therefore
submitted to your consideration, lt might be ad-
visible to fix a limit beyond whi4_o- a
u citizen of the
United States residing abroad may claim the inter-
position of his Government.
The right of suffrage has often been assumed
and
exercised by aliens under the pretence of oataraliste
tions, which they have disavowed when drattmliutu
the military service.
I submit the expediency of such an amend
of the law as will make the fact of voting an cetele
pal against any plea of exemption from military eer.
vice, or even civil obligation, on the ground of
alienege.

JAPAN.
In common with other Western Powers, our rela-
tions with Japan have been brought into serious
jeopardy through the perverse opposition of the
hereditary aristocracy of the empire to the en-
lightened and liberal policy of the Tycoon designed
to bring the country in the society of nations. It is
hoped, althoug4 not with entire confidence, that
these difficulties may be peaceably overcome. I ask
your attention to the claim of the Minister residing
there for the damages he sustained in the destruc-
tion by fire of the residence of the legation at Yedo.
Smiaraetory arrangements have been made with the
EnlPGror Russia, of in which it is believed will result
that Effecting a continuous line of telegraph through
empire from the Pacific coast.
ine:?XIMERCIAL
I reeota INTERESTS.
your favourable
subject of - intt3 consideration the
i ,ce4ann,tanearna.tional telegraph across the At-
lantic
of a telegraph between the
capital and the
ofnationalme forts along the seaboard
afid the Gulf
established with any c'• such communications,
Y reasonable outlay, would be
economical as well as effective aids to the dip o-
matic, military, and naval
Service.
The consular system the United F
0. States under
of the last Congress beg .
the enactments
ins to be
self-sastaining, and there i
-8 letaoli to hope that it
may become entirely so with the increase
of trade,
which will ensue whenever peace is restored.
Our Ministers abroad have been faithful in de-
ending American rights.
In protecting
commercial interests our consuls;
had to encounter
Ave necessarily increased
unter labours
and responsibilities growing out of the war. These
they have, for the most part,
This acknowledgment
chkundo
wdthaanargeendt
with zeal and efficiency.
residing in
justly includes those consuls who,
Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Japail, Chino, anti other

Oriental countries, are charged with,complex floc-
, lions and extraordinary powers.
The condition of the several organised territories
is generally satisfactory, although Ind an disturb
antes in New Mexico have not been entirely sup-
pressed. The mineral resources of Co ors do, Nevada,
Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona are proving far
richer than has been heretofore understood.

I lay before you a communication on this subject
tom the Governor of New Mexico.

I again submit to your consideration the expedi-
ency of establishing a system for the encourage-
ment of emigration, although this source of national
wealth and strength is again flowing with greater
freedom than for several years before the insurrec-
tion occurred.

There is still a great deficiency in every field of
industry, especially in agriculture and in our mines,
as well of iron as the precious metals. While the
demand for labour is thus increased here, tens of
thousands of persons destitute of remunerative occu-
pation are thronging our foreign consulates and
offering to emigrate to the United States, if essen-
tial but very cheap assistance can be afforded them.
THE CIVIL WAR IN ITS RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN

COUNTRIES.
It is easy to see that under the sharp discipline
of civil war the nation is beginning a new life.
This noble effort demands the aid and ought to re-
ceive the attention and support of the Government.
Injuries unforeseen by the Government, and unin-
tended, may, in some cases have been inflicted on the
subjects or citizens of foreign countries both at sea
and on land by persons in the service of the United
States.

As this Government expects redress from other
Powers when similar injuries ere inflicted by per-
sons in their service upon citizens of the United
we must be prepared to do justice to
States,foreig
n e
rs.

If the existing judicial tribunals ars inadequate
to this purpose, a special court may be authorised
with power to hear and decide such claims of the
character referred to as may have arisen under
treaties and the public law.
Conventions for adjusting the claims by joint
commission have been proposed to some Govern-
ments, but no definite answer to the proposition has
yet been received from any.
In the course of the session I shall probably have
occasion to request you to provide indemnification
to claimants where decrees of restitution have been
rendered (and damages awarded by Admiralty
Courts), and in other cases where this Government
may be acknowledged to be liable in principle, and
where the amount of that liability has been ascer-
tained by an informal arbitration.