The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-17

/ persons appointed to conduct such negotia-
tons" These ~ years expired on the Sd
! Juiy, 1896; but long before that period it was
! ascertained that important changes in the treaty
were necessary; and several fruitless attempts
were made by the commissioners of the u s.
| to effect these changes. Another effort was
about to be made for the same purpose by our
commissioners, in conjunction with the minis
tiers OF England and France, but this was sus-
pended by the occurrence of hostilities i'm ihe
Canton river between Great Britain and the
/ Chirese Empire. These hostilities have nee
essarily interrupted the trade of all nations
with Canton, which is now in state of block
ade, and have occasioned a serious loss of life
property. Meanwhile, the insurrection with
IN the empire against the existing imperial dy-
nasty still continues, end it is difficult to anti
cipate what will be the result.
Under these circumstances, | have deemed
1t advisable to appoint distinguished citizen
OF Pennsylvania envoy extraordinary and min
/ lister plenipOtentiary to proceed to China, and
to avail himself of any opportunities which
may offer to effect changes in the existing
treaty favorable to American commerce. lie
left the U. 5. for the place of his destination
IN July last, in the war steamer Minnesota
Special ministers to China have also been APP
pointed by tie governments of Great Britain
and France. ...
! Whilst our minister has been instructed to
]
existing hostiIities at Canton he will cordially
cooperate with the British and French minis
! tiers IN all peaceful measures to secure by trea-
/ ~ stpulatlons, those Just concessions to COM
merce which the nations of the world have a
light TO expect, and which China cannot long
be permitted 20 withhold. From assurances re-
teived, ] entertain no doubt that the three
ministers will act in harmonious concert to
obtain similar commercial treaties for each of
mowers rnnrncppf
We cannot fail TO feel deep interest in all
hatconcerns the welfare of the independent
republics of our own continent, as well as the
empire of Brazil
| Our difficulties with New Granada, which
short time since bore so threatening an as
pect, are, it is to be hoped, in fair train of
settlement in manner just and honorable to
both parties,
| The Isthmus of Central America. including
that of Panama, is the great highway between
the Atlantic and Pacific, over which large
portion OF the commerce of the world is des-
! tined to pass. The U. s, are more deeply in
terested than other nation in preserving the
freedom and security of all the communica-
tioAs across this Isthmus. 1t is our auty, there
| fore, TO take care they shall not be interrupted
either by invasions from our own country or
by wars between the independent States Of
Central America. Under our treaty with New
Granada OF the 18th Dec. 1916. we are bound
| 10 guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus of
| Panama, through which the Panama railroad
passes, Eas well as the rights of sovereignty
and property which New Granada has and
possesses over the said territory" This OBJ
| legation is founded on equivalents granted by
the treaty to the government and people OF the
| United States.
Uuder these circumstances, I recommend to
| Congress the passage of an act authorizing
| the President, in case of necessity, to employ
the land and naval forces of the U. S. TO carry
into effect this guarantee of neutrality and pro-
lection. | also recommend similar legislation
| for The security of any other route across the
lsthmus IN which we may acquire an interest
I by treaty.
With the independent republics on this con-
tinent, is both our duty and our interest to
cultivate the most friendly relations. We can
never feel indifferent to their fate, and must
always rejoice in their prosperity. Unfor-
! tunately, both for them and for us, our exam
pie and advice have lost mnch of their influ-
ence in consequence of the lawless expedi-
tons which have been fitted out against some
of them within the limits of our country
Nothing is better calculated 10 retard our steady
material progress or impair our character as
a nation, than the toleratioA of such enterpri-
SEES in violation of the law of nations.
II is one of the first and highest duties Of
any independent State. in its relations with the
members of the great family of nations, to res
/ train its people from acts of hostile aggression
against their citizens or subjects. The most
emient writer's on public law do not hesitate to
deonnce such hostile ac,s as robbery and
murder.
! Weak and feble States, like those of Central
America. may not feel themselves able to as
sert ard yindicate their rights. The case would
! be far different if expeditions were set on foot
/ within our own territorie to make private war
against powerful nations. re such expedi-
ti3ns were fitted out from abroad against any
portion of our own country, to burn down our
! cities murder and plumber our people, and usurp
OR government, we should call any power on
| earth to the stric'est account for not prevent
! ing such enormties. as
Ever since the administration of General
! Washington, acts of congress haze been in
force to punish severeythe crime of setting
on foot military expedition within the lin
its of the United States, 70 proceed from
! thence against nation or State with whom
we are at peace. The present neutrality act
of April Goth, 1918, is but little more than
collection of pre-existing laws. Under this
act the President is empowered to employ the
tand and naval forces and the militia 'sfor the
purpose ofpreventng the carrying on any such
expedition or enterprise from the territories
and jurisdiction of the United States,o and
| the collectors of customs are authorized and
there is reason to believe she is about TO take
paft in such lawless enterprises ~
| When it was first rendered probable that an
| attempt would be made to get up another un-
lawful expedition against Nicaragua, the Sec
rotary of State issued instructions TO the mar
shalis and district attorneys, which were di-
| rected by the Secretaries OF War and the Ma
Wy to the appropriate army and navy officers,
requiring them to be vigilant and TO use their
best exertions in carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the act of 1918. Notwithstanding
these precautions, the expedition has escaped
/ from our shores. Sach enterprises can do no
possible good to the country, and have already
inflicted much injury both on its interests and
its character. They have prevented peaceful
emigration from the U. S. to the States of
| Central America, which could not fail to prove
highly beneficial to all parties concerned In
a pecuniary point Of view alone our citizens
have sustained heavy losses from the seizure
and closing OF the transit route by the San Juan,
between the two oceaas.
The leader of the recent expedition was ar
rested at New Orleans, but was discharged on
giving bail for his appearance in the INSULT
cieIt sum of $4,000.
| / commend the whole subject to the serious
! attention of Congress, believing that our duty
and our interest, as well as our national char
acter, require that we should adopt such meas
urns as will be effectual in restraining our
! citizens from committing such outraUes 49,