Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-10

ciently abundant harvests has passed.
Sor these, and especially for the i'm
proved condition OF our national affairs,
our renewed aud profound gratitude to
God is due. We remain in peace and
friendship with foreign powers. TIE ef-
forts of disloysl citizens Of the United
States to involve Us in foreign wars to aid
IN the inexcussble insurrection have been
uusvailing. Her Britanic Msjesty's Gov
ernment as was justly expected, have ex-
ercised their authority to prevent the de-
oarture Of new hostile expeditions from
British ports. The Emperor Of France hs9,
~ 8 like proceeding, promptly indicated
The neutrality which he proclaimed at the
beginning Of the contest.
Questions of great intricscy and import
anee have arisen out of the blockade and
other belligerent operations, between the
Government and several of the maritime
powers, but they have been discussed, and,
so far as was possible, accommodated in
spirit of frsnkness, justice and mutual
good will. Itis especially gratifying that
our prize courts, by the impsrtiality Oftheir
adjudication, have commanded the respect
and confidence of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain for the
suppression Of the African slave trade,
made on the 17th day Of February last, has
been duly ratified and carried into execu
lion. 1t is believed that so far as
American ports and American citi-
zeDs are concerned, that inhuman and
oarbarous traffic has been brought to an
md. I shall submit for the consideration
II the Senate, q Convention for the sd-
iustmeat of possessory claims in Washing
ton Territory, arising out Of the treaty
Il the 18th Of June, 1916, between the
United States and Great Britain, snd
which have been the source Of some
iiaquiet among the citizens Of that
COW rapidly improving part Of the
country. A novel and important
question involving the extent Of mar
stime jurisdiction Of Spain in the
waters which surround the Island of Cuba
aas been debated without reaching an
agreement and it is proposed, in an ami
cable spirit to refer it to the arbitrsment
Of a friendly power. A communication
'or that purpose will be submitted to the
Senate.
1 have thonght it proper, subject
with the interested commercial powers in
IN arrangement for the liquidation of the
Scheldt dues upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted in regard to
The impcs's upon navigation in the waters
Of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that of Chill, touching
the seizure at Silsna in Peru by Chillian
officers of large amount in treasure, be-
longing TO the citizsus Of the United
States, has been brought to close by the
award of his Majesty, the King Of the
BeIgians, to whose arbitration the ques-
tion was referred by the parties. The
subject was thoroughly and patiently eK-
4mined By that justly respected magistrate
and although the sum awarded TO the
claimants may not have been as large as
they expected there is no reason to dis
trust the vvisdom OF his Msjesty's decision
That decision was promptly complied With
oy Chill when intelligence in regard to il
reached that country. The joint
commission under the act oi
the last session for carrying into eiieci
the Convention with Peru on the subject
If claims has been organized at Lima, and
g engaged in the business entrusted to it.
Difficulties concerning inter-oceanie transit
through Nicaragua sre in course of ami
cable adjustment, in conformity with the
principles set forth in my last annual mes
sage. I have received representative
rom the United States Of Columbia and
nave credited q minister to that Republic
Incidents occurring in the progress Of our
ciVil war have forced upon nay attention
the uncertain state Of the international
question touching the rights of foreigners
IN this country, and Of United States oiti-
Gems sbroad. In regard to some govern
nents these rights are at least partially
defined by trssties. In no in
stance, however, is it expressly
stipulated that in the instance Of civil
var, foreigner residing in this country,
Eithin the lines of the insurgents, is TO
De exempted from the rule which Glasses
1im as belligerent 10 whose behalf the
Government Of his country cannot express
my privileges or immunities distinct from
that character. l regret to say, however,
thst such claims have been put forward,
and in some instances in behalf of for
signers who have lived in the United
States the greater part Of their lives.
FOREIGNERS ETADEG MILITARY SERVICE.
There is reason to believe that many
persons born In foreign countries, who
have declared their Intentions to become
citizens, or who have been fully natural
ized, have evaded the military duty re.
quired of them by denying the fact, there
oy throwing upon the Government the
burden of proof It has bean found diff
cult and imprseticable to obtain this proof
from the want Of guides to the proper
sources Of information. These might be
supplied by requiring the Clerks of courts
where declarations OF intention may be
made or naturalization effected, to send
periodically the lists of the names Of per-
sons nstuFaliEsd by declaring their inten-
tions to become eItizens, to the Secretary
Of the Interior, in whose department these
names must be arranged and presented
for general Information.
There is also reason to believe that for
eigners frequently become eitiEens Of the
United States for the sole purpose Of evsd-
ing the duties Imposed by the laws Of their
native country, to which, on becoming ma
turshzed here, they at once rspsir, and
though never returning to the United
States, they still claim the interposition Of
the Government ss citizens Many alter.
cations and great prejudicss have hereto.
tore arisen out OF this abuse. 1t is, there.
fore, submitted to your seFisua considera.
tion. It might be advisable to AZ liEit
beyond which no citizen Of the pnited
States, residing abroad, may claim the in
terposition Of his Government. The right
of suffrage has often been assumed and ex.
ercised By aliens under pretence of natur-
slizstion, which they have disavoWed when
drafted into the military SERVES.
I submit the expediency of such sH
amendment Of the laws as will make the
fact voting an estOppel against any pies
Of exemption from military service OF