Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1849-12-27

admitted to the same advantages in British ports,
tering therein on the same terms as British vessels
Should order in council disturb this legislative
arrangement, the late act Of the British Parliament,
by which great Britain is brought within the terms
proposed by the of Congress of the LIST of March,
1917. it is hoped, will be productive Of benefit to
both countries.
A slight interruption Of diplomatic intercourse,
which occurred between this Government and
France, am happy to say, has been terminated,
and our Minister there has been received. 1t is
therefore unnecessary to refer, to The circum
stances which led To that Interruption need not
express TO you the sincere satisfaction with which
we shall welcome the arrival of another Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenpoten,iary from sis
ter republic, to which we have SO long been, and
still remain, bound by the strongest ties of amity.
Shortly after had entered upon the discharge of
the Executive duties, was apprzed that a war
steamer, belonging TO the German Empire. was be-
ing fitted out in tho harbnr OF New York, with the
aid of some of naval officers rendered under the
perrnission O. Inc late Sec7a>zy of the Navy. This
permission was granted during armstice between
that Empire and the Kingdom OF Denmark which
had been engaged in the Schleswig- l1olston war.
Apprehensve that this act of intervention, our
part, might be viewed as violation of our neutral
obligations incurred by the treaty of Denmark, and
of the provisions of the act of Congress OF the Goth
of April, 1918, directed that further aid should
be rendered b. any agent or officer Of the Navy
and instructed the Secretary of State TO apprize
the Minister of the German Empire accredited TO
to this Government, of my determination to execute
the law of the United States, and TO maintain the
faith of treaties with all nations. The corrsspon-
dence, which ensued between the Department Of
State and the Minister of the German Empire is
herewith laid before you. The execution Of the law
and the observance of the treaty were deemed by
me to be due the honor of the country, as well as to
the sacred obligations OF the Constitution ] shall
mt tail mo chm 10
case arise with any other nation. Having avowed
the opinion taking the oath of office, that in dis
putes between conflicting foreign governments il is
interest, not less than duty to remain strict
ly neutral, L shall not abandon it. You will per-
ceive from the correspondence submitted TO YOU i'm
connexon with this subject, that the adopted
in this case has been properly regarded by the bel
| ligerent powers interested in the matter.
Although Minister of the United States to the
German Empire was appointed by my predecessor
! in August, 1913, and has, for long time heen i'm
attendance at Frankfort the Maine and altho'
Minister appointed TO represent that empire, was
received and accredited here, yet no such Govern
ment as that of the German Empire has been def
nltey constituted. MIR. Donelson, our representa-
tive at Frankfort, remained there several months,
in the expectation that a union Of the German
STATES, under one constitution or form Of govern
ment might, al length, be organised. 1t is beev-
ed, by those well acquainted with the existing rea
tons between Prussia and the States OF Germany
that no such union can be permanently established
without her co operation. In the event Of the for
nation ofsuch union, and the organization ofa CEN
trial power in Germany, Of which she should form
part, il would become necessary to withdraw on
Minister to Berlin but while Prussia exists as al
independent Kingdom, and diplomatic relations arr
maintained with her, there can be necessity 70
the continuance of the mission 10 Frankfort. have
therefore, recalled Mr. Donelson, and directed tn,
archives of the legation, at Frankfort, to be trans
ierred to the American legation al Berlin.
Having been apprzed that considerable mum
Der OF adventures Were engaged in fitting out
military expedition, within the United States, a
gainst foreign country, and believing, from tn,
best information that could obtain, that it was de
stined to invade the Island of Cuba, deemed ii du,
TO the friendly relations existing between the Uni
Ted States and Spain to the treaty between the TIVE
nations TO the laws Of the United States, and, a
bove all, to the American honor, TO exert the law
fui authority of this government in suppressng tn,
expedition and preventing the invasion. To thi
end, issued proclamation, enjoining it upon thu
officers of the United States, civil and military, Il
use all lawful means within their power. A cop,
of that proclamation is herewith submitted. Thu
expedition has been suppressed. So loag as the &C
of Congress, of the Goth of April, 1918, which owe
It's existence to the law of nations and to the policy
of Washington himself, shall remain sarate
book. hold it to be the duty of the Executive
faithfully to obey its injunctions.
w WIS IN peUltlOD was IN pIpSitSSJ was iH
formed that foreigner, who claimed our protection
had been claGdestinely, and. was supposed, for
chilly. carried off in vessel from New Orleans tt
the Island of Cuba. l Immediately caused sucf
steps to be taken thought necessary in case the
information ] had received should prove correct, t
vlndcate the honor of the country, and the right
every person seeking an asylum our soil to thu
protection of our laws. The person alleged TO have
been abducted was promptly restored, and the cir
cumstances of the are about TO undergo lnvestl
cation before judicial tribunal. | would respect
fully suggest, that although the crime charged t.
have been committed in this case is held odous a
being in conflict with our opinions the subject o
national sovereignty and personal freedom, there
no prohibition of it, punishment for it, provided
IN any act Of Congress. The expedency of sup
plying this defect in criminal code is therefor
recommended 10 your consideration.
have scrupulously avoided any interference il
the wars and contentious which have recently dis
racied Europe.
!, During the late conflict between Austria an
Hungary, there seemed 10 be prospect that tn
latter might become an independent nation. How
ever faint that prospect at the time appeared, tho
it my duty, in accordance with the genera! sent
} ment Of the American people, who deeply sympS
thized with the Magyar patriots, TO stand prepared
, upon the contingency of the establishment by her
permanent government, to be the first TO welcom
} independent Hungary into the family Of natons.-
For this purpose, invested an agent, then IN Et
rope, with power todeclare willingness promp
ly TO recognize her independence in the event of HI
: ability TO sustain it. The powerful intervention
Russia, in the contest, extngulshed the hopes
the struggling Magyars. The United States d
not, at any time, interfere in the contest but Il
feelings Of the nation strongly enlisted in II
= cause and by the sufTeTings Of brave people, WI
9 had made gallant though unsuccessful effort 10
a free.
3 Gus claims upon Portugal have been. during u