The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

iouFlu dDuudi uftSSdSt- III IL Will
thankfulness to the Givcr of all good
that as a nation we have been blessed
for the past year with peace at home
peace abroad, and a general prosperi
tv, vouchsafed to bat few people
With the exception of the recent de
vastating FIRE, which swept from tho
earth with breath, as it We're, mill
ions of accumulated wealth in the
City of Boston, there has been nc
oyershadowing calamity to record
1t is gratifying to note, how like their
fellow citizens of the City of Chicago
under similar circumstances year
earlier, the citizens of Boston are
rallying under their misfortunes, and
the prospect that their energy and
perseverance will overcome all obsta-
cles and show the same prosperity
soon that they would, had no disaster
befallen them, Otherwise we have
been free from pestilence, war and
calamitics with often oyertake ma.
tions, and, as far as human judgment
can penetrate the future, no cause
seems to exist to threaten our pres
cnt peace
TIRE ALABAMA AWARD.
When Congress adjourned, in
June last, question had been raised
by Great Britain. and was then pend
! ing, which for a time seriously i'm
perilled the settlement by friendly ar
bitration Of the grave differences be-
tween this Government and that of
her Brittanic Majesty. which, by the
Treaty of Washington, had been re-
/ ferred to the Tribunal of Arbitration
which had met at Geneva, in Switz-
erland The arbitrators. however,
disposed Of the question, which had
jeopardized the whcle of the treaty
and threatened to involve the two ma
tions in the most unhappy relations
toward each other, in manner en-
tirely satisfactory to this Government,
and in accordance with the views and
the policy which it had maintained.
The tribunal. which had convened at
Geneva in December. concluded its
laborious session on the ltth day of
September last. on which day, having
availed itself of the discretionary
power given 10 it by the treaty to
award a sum in gross, it made its de-
cisi0n whereby il awarded the sum of
fifteen millions FIVE hunded thousand
dollars in gold as the indemnity to be
paid by Great Britain to the United
States, for the satisfaction Of ali the
claims referred TO its consideration.
This decision happily disposes of a
long standing difference between the
two Governments, and, in connection
with another award made by the
German Emperor, under a reference
to him by the same treaty, leaves
these two Governments without a
shadow upon the friendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may
forever remain equally unclouded--
The report of the agent to the United
States appointed to-attend the Geneva
Tribunal, accompanied by the pro-
toeols of the proceedings of the arbi-
traitors the arguments of the counsel
of both Governments; the award of
the tribunal, and opinions given by
the several Arbitrators, is transmit
ted herewith
THANKS TO THE ARBITRAToRs.
have caused to be communicated
TO the heads of the three friendly
Powers, who complied with the joint
request made ID them under the
treaty, the thanks ofthis Government
for the appointment Of arbitrators
made by them respectively, and also
NV thanks to the eminent personages
named by them and my appreciation
of the dignity, patience, impartiality,
and great ability with which they dis
charged their arduous and high func-
tions. Her Majesty's Government
has communicated to me its apprecia-
ton by Her Majesty Of the ability and
indefatigable industry displayed by
Mr.. Adams, the arbitrator named on
tie part of this Government, during The
protracted inquiries and discussions
ofthe tribune. cordially unite with
Her Majesty in this appreciation 1t
is due to the agent of the United
States before the tribunal to record
my high appreciation of the marked
ability, unwearied patience, and the
prudence and discretion with which
be has conducted the very RESPONSE
BILE and delicate duties committed to
him, as it is also due to the learned
and eminent counsel who attended
the tribunal on the part of this Gov
ernment. TO express my sense of the
talents and wisdom which they
brought to bear in the attainment of
the result so happily reached
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AWARD To
CLAIMANTS.
Ii will be the province of Congress
to provide for the distribution among I.
those who NAV be entitled to it Of
their respective shares of the money I
TO be paid. Although the sum awar-
ded is not payable until a year from
the date of the award, it is deemed 1
advisable that no time be lost in I
making a proper examination Of the \
several cases in which indemnitication
NAV be due consequently recon-
mend the creation of Board OF
Commissioners for the purpose.
SAN JUAN BOUNDARY DECISION. I
By the thirtv-fourth article Of the 4
Treaty of Washington the respective
claims of the United States and Great
Britain in their construction of the
treaty Of the 18th of June. 1916, de-
fn;ng the boundary line between
their respective territories, were SUBJ
mitted to the arbitration aud award
Of His Majesty, the Emperor Of Ger
many. ts decide which Of these claims
IS most in accordance with the true
of the Treaty of 1864.
His Majesty. the Emperor Of Ger
many, having been pleased to under
take the arbitration, has the earnest
thanks Of this Government and of the
people Of the United States for the
abor. pains and care which ne has
devoted to the consideration Of this
ong pending difference. | have