Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-12-13


are in progress
VENEZUELAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The sense OF Congress is desired, as early
as may be convenient, upon the proceedings
OF the commission on claims against Venezu-
| ella These we're communicated in the mes
sages OF March 4th 1899, March LIST, 1870,
and March Slst, 1870. IL has not been deem
ed advisable to distribute any of the money
which has been received from that Govern
ment until Congress shall have acted upon
| the subject
THE MASSACRE or FOREIGNERS IN CHINA.
The massacres of French and Russian resi-
! dents at Tien.Tsin, under circumstances of
| great barbarty, were supposed by some to
have been premeditated and to indicate
| purpose among the populace to exterminate
| foreigners in the Chinese Empire The evil
| dence fails to establish such supposition, but
shows completely by the local authorities and
the mob. The Government at Pekin, howev-
er, seems TO have been disposed TO fulfill its
! treaty obligations so far as il was able to do
so. Unfortunately the news Of war between
| the German states and France reached China
! soon after the massacre 1t would appear
that the popular mind became possessed with
| the idea that this contest, extending to Chi
ncse waters would neutralize the Christian
influence and power and that the time was
! coming when the superstitious might expel all
foreigners and restore mandarin influence
Anticipating trouble from this cause, inyit-
ed France and North Germany to make an au.
thorized suspension of hostilities ia the East
where they were temporarily suspended by
act Of the commanders, to act together for
the future protection in China of the lives and
property OF Americans and Europeans.
RATIFICATION OF TREATIES wlrH GREAT BRITAIN
tba obi A.
notifications Of the treaty with Great Britain
for abolishing the mixed courts for the sup
preston of the slave trade have been ex-
changed 1t is believed that the slave trade
is now confined to the eastern country Of AZ
RIGA, where the slaves are taken TO the Ara
bian market.
The notifications of the naturalization con
venton between Great Britain and the United
States have also been exchanged during the re-
cess. Thus long standing dispute between
the two governments has been settled in ac-
cordance with the principles always contended
for by the United States.
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY LINE OF THE UNITED
STATES.
In April last we engaged in locating mill
tary reserve near Pembna. A corps of En-
gineers discovered that the commonly recev-
ed boundary line between the United States
and the British Possessions at that place is
about ffty-seven hundred feet south of the
true position of the zenith parallel, and that
the line, when run on what is now supposed
to be the true position of that parallel would
leave the fort of the Hudson Bay Company at
Pembna within the territory of the United
States. This information being communicated
to the British Government, | was requested to
consent, and did consent, that the British
occupation Of the fort of the Hudson's Bay
Company should continue for the present.
deem it important, however, that this part of
the boundary lines should be definitely fixed
by a Joint commission of the governments
and submit herewith estimates Of the expense
Of such a commission on the part OF the Unit
ed States, aud recommend an appropriation
fer that purpose. The land boundary is al
ready fixed and marked from the summit of
the Rocky Mountains to the Georgian Bar
IL should now he in like manner marked from
the Lake of the Woods 20 the summit Of the
Rocky Mountains
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
/ regret to say that no conclusion has been
reached for the adjustment Of the claims
against Great Britain growing cut of the
course adopted by that government during
the rebellion. The Cabinet of London, so far
as lis views have been expressed does not
appear to be willing to coneode that Her Ma
jesty's Government was guilty of negligence
or did, or permitted any act during the war
by which the United States has Just cause of
complaint. Our firm and unalterable convic-
tions are directly the reverse. | therefore
recommend 10 Congress to authorize the an
pointment of a Commission to take proof of
the amounts and the ownership, and their
claims, on notice to the representative of her
Majesty at Washington, aud that authority be
given for the settlement Of these claims by
the United States, so that the Government
shall have the ownership Of the private claims
well as the responsible control of all the
demands against Great Britain. 1t cannot be
necessary to add atwhenever der Maiesty's
Government shall entertain desire for full
and friendly adjustment Of these claims, the
United States will enter upon the considc-
ration with an earnest desire for conclusion
consistent 18th tie honor and dignity Of both
nations.
THE CANADIAN FISHERIES.
The course pursued by the Canadian au-
thorites toward. the fishermen Of the United
States during the past season has not been
marked by a friendly feeling BY the first
article Of the convention Of 1918 between
Great Britain and the United States, il was
agreed that the inhabitants of the United
States should have forever, in common the
right Of taking fish in certain waters therein
defined, in the waters not included in the lin.
its named in the convention, within three
N les Of ports on the British coast II has
been the custom for many years to give to in
truding fishermen of the United States reas-
disable warning Of violation of the technical
rights Of Great Britain. The Imperial Gov
crnment is understood to have delegated the
whole or share of its jurisdiction or control
Of these in shore fishery grounds to the colo
NAL authority known as the Dominion of Ca
NADIA, aud the semi independent but irrcspon-
siblc agent has exercisedits delegated powers
in an unfriendly way. Vessels have been
seized without notice or warning, in violation
of the custom previously prevailing, and have
been taken into colonial ports their voyages
broken up and the vessels condemned There
| is reason to believe that this unfriendly and
! vexatious treatment was designed TO bear
! harshly upon the hardy fishermen of the Unit
cd States, with the view to political effect up
on the Government. The statutes of the Do
minion of Canada assume still broader and
more untenable jurisdiction over the vessels
Of the United States They authorize officers
or persons to bring vessels lowering within
| three marine miles Of any Of the coasts, BAYS
creeks or harbors of Canada into port, to
search the cargo, to examine the master on
oath touching the cargo and voyage, and to
inAct upon him heavy pecuniary penalty if
| true answers are not given; and if sach YES
! sci IS found preparing to fish within three
| marine miles of any such coasts, BAYS, creeks,
| or harbors, without license, or after the ex-
! pirauon Of the period named in the last IL
| cense granted to il, they provide that the yes
! SCI, with her tackle, etc. etc, shall be for
| feited. Il IS not known that any con1emna-
| tions have been made under this statute
/ Should the authorities of Canada attempt to
! enforce ii il will become my duty 10 take
! such steps as may be necessary to protect The
/ rights OF the citizens Of the United States
/ i has been claimed by Her Majesty officers
that the fishing vessels Of the United States
have no right to enter the open ports Of the
British possessions in North America except
for purposes Of shelter and repairing damages
of purchasing wood and obtaining water; that
they have mo right to enter at the British
custom houses or trade except for the pur-
chase Of wood and water, and that they must
depart within twenty-four hours after notice
to leave. Ii is not known that any seizures
of fishing vessel carrying the flag Of the
! United States has been made under this claim.
So far as the claim is founded on the alleged
-