Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-12-14

now SO sparsely occupied that no con-
ficting interests of individuals or of ju-
risdiction are likely to interfere to the
delay or embarrassment of the actual
location of the line. If deferred until
population shall enter and occupy the
territory, some trivial contests of neigh
bors may again array the two Govern
ments in antagonism; I, therefore, rec
ommend the appointment of commits
sion, to act jointly with one that may
be appointed ON the part of Great
Britain, to determine the line between
our territory of Alaska and the adjoin-
ing possessions of Great Britain.
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
In my last annual message 1 recon-
mended the legislation necessary on
the part of the United States to bring
into operation the articles of the
Treaty of Washington, of May, 1871
relating to the fisheries, and to other
matters touching the relations of the
United States towards the British
North American possessions, to be-
come operative so soon as the proper
legislation should be had on the part
Great Britain and her possessions. That
legislation, on the part of Great Britain
and her possessions, had not then been
had, and during the session of Con-
gress question was raised, which, for
a time, raised doubt whether any ac-
ton by Congress in the direction in
dicated would become important; a
question which has since been disposed
of, and / have received notice that the
Imperial Parliamentand theLegislature
of the provincial Government have
passed laws to carry the provisions of
the Treaty on the matters referred to
into operation. I, therefore, recon-
mend your early adoption of legislation
in the same direction, to carry out the
part of the Government.
THE NORTHWEST BOUNDARY.
The Joint Commission for deter
mining the boundary line between the
United States and the British possess
sions, between the Lake of the Woods
and the Rocky Mountains, has been or
ganized and entere upon its work. 1t
is desirable that the force be increased
in order that the completion of the sur
vey and the determination of the boun-
Diary line may be sooner attended
to, and to this end, I recommend that
Il sufficient appropriation be made.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally; Russia,
the constant and steady friend of the
United States; Germany, with whose
Government and people we have so
many causes of friendship and SO many
common sympathies, and the other
powers of Europe, our relations are
maintained ON the most friendly terms.
TREATY RATIricar1oNs.
Since my last annual message IN ex-
change has been made of ratifications
of the treaty with the Austro-Hunga-
rian Empire, relating to naturalization;
also of treaty with theGerman Empire,
relating to consuls and trademarks; al
so of n treaty with Sweden and Norway,
relating to naturalization, all of which
treaties have been duly proclaimed.
INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS-.
Congress, at it's last session, having
made an appropriation to defray the ex-
penses of the Commissioners on the part
of the United States to the International
Statistical Congress at st. Petersburg,
the persons appointed in that charac-
ter proceeded to their destination and
attended the session of the Congress.
Their report shall in due season be
laid before you. This Congress meets
Mt intervals of about three years, and
has hold its sessions in several of the
countries of Europe. submit to your
consideration the propriety of extend
ingan invitation to the Congress to
hold it's next meeting in the United
States. The Centennial Celebration,
to be held in 1876, would afford an ap-
propriate occasion for such meeting.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
Preparations are making for the In
ternational Exposition, to be held dur
ing next year in Vienna, on a scale of
very great magnitude. The tendency
of these expositions is in the direction
of advanced civilization and the eleva-
ton of industry and labor, and the in
crease of human happiness, as we'll as
of greater intercourse and good will
between nations. The Exposition is to
be the first which will have been held
in Eastern Europe, and it is believed
that American inventors and manufac-
turers will be ready to avail themselves
of the opportunity for the presentation
of their productions, if encouraged by
proper aid and protection. At the
last session of Congress authority was
given for the appointment of one or
more agents to represent this Govern
ment at the Exposition. The author
ity thus given has been exercised; but
in the absence Of any appropriation
there is danger that the important ben
efts which the Exposition offers will in
a large degree be lost to the citizens of
the United States. I commend the
subject strongly to your consideration,
and recommend that IN adequate ap-
preparation be made for the purpose.