, 1872-12-03

By the thirty-fourth article of the Treaty Of
| Washington, the respective claims Of the United
States and Of Great Britain, in their constrnc-
| tion OF the Treaty Of the 18th of June, 1886
| defining the boundary line between their respec-
tiTe territories, were submitted to the arbitra-
ton and award Of His Majesty the Emperor Of
Germany, to decide which of these claims ia
most in accordance with the true in
| depreciation Of the treaty Of 1916. His
| Majesty the Emperor Of Germany, having been
pleased to undertake the arbitration, has the
earnest thanks Of this Government and Of the
people Of the United States for the labor, pains
and care which he has devoted to the considers
ton Of this long:pending difference: I have
municated to His Majesty: Mr. Bancroft, the
representative of this Government at Berlin,
conducted the case and prepared the statement
on the part Of the United States With the ability
that his past service justified the public in ex-
| pecting at his hands.
As member Of the Cabinet at the date Of the
treaty which has given rise to the discussion be-
tween the two GoVernments; IS the Minister to
| Great Britain when the construction, now pro-
| nounced unfounded, Waa first advanced, and as
the agent and representative of the Government
to present the case and to receive the award, he
has been associated with the question ID all Of
| its phases, and in every stage has manifested a
patriotic zeal, and earnest in the maintenance Of
the claim of the United States, he is entitled to
| much credit for the SUCCESS which has attended
the submission.
After patient investigation Of the case and
Of the statements of each party, His Majesty,
the Emperor Of Germany, on the 21st day OF
October last, signed his award in writing, de-
creeing that the claim of the Government Of the
United States that the boundary line between
the territory OF Her Britannia Majesty and the
United States should be drawn through the Haro
Channel is most in accordance with the true in
Of June, 1913, between the agents Of Her Brit
annie Majesty and Of the United States.
Copies Of the case presented on behalf Of
each Government, and Of the statement in reply
Of each, and tranalation of the award, are
transmitted herewith. This award confirms the
United States in their claim to the i'm
portant archipelago Of islands lying between
the continent and YancouVer's Island, which for
twenty years lever since the ratification Of the
treaty, Great Britain has contested, and leaves
States as 3 nation without question Of
disputed boundary between our territory and the
possessions Of Great Britain on this continent.
1t is my grateful duty to acknowledge the
prompt spontaneous action OF Her Majestys
Government in giving effect to the award. In
anticipation Of any request from this Govern
ment, and before the reception in the United
States OF the award signed by the Emperor,
Her Majesty had given instructions for the re-
moYal Of her troops which had been stationed
there, and for the cessation Of all exercise or
claim Of Jurisdiction, 30 as to leave the United
States in conclusive possession Of the lately dis
puted territory. am grateful to be able to an
nounce that the orders for the removal Of troops
have been executed, and the military joint occu-
patton Of San Juan has ceased. The Islands are
now in the exclusive possession Of the United
States.
It now becomes necessary to complete the sur
Tey and determination Of that portion of the
boundary line through the Hnro Channel, upon
which the Commission, which determined the
remaining part of the line, we're unable to agree.
I recommend the appointment OF Commission
to act jointly with one which may be named by
Her Majesty for that purpose.
TEE ALASKA BOUNDARY.
The experience Of the difficulties attending
the determination Of our admitted line Of
boundary, after the occupation Of the territory
and its settlement by those owing allegiance to
the respective GoEe1Hments, points to the i'm
portance Of establishing, by natural objects or
territory acquired by purchase from Russia and
theadjoining positions Of Her Britannia Majesty.
The region is now so sparaely occupied, that no
conflicting interests Of individuals or of juris-
diction are likely to interfere to the delay or the
embarrassment Of the actual location OF the line.
IT,. deferred until population shall enter
trivial I contess @ of D9 neighbors Hay agan sga
array the two Governments in antagonism. I,
therefore, recommend the appointment Of q
commission to act jointly with one that may be
appointed On the part Of Great Britain to deter
mine the line between our territory Of Alaska
and the caterminous possessions Of Great
Britain.
In my last annual messageI recommended leg
to bring into operation the articles Of the Treaty
OF Washington Of May, 1871, relating to the fish
cries and to other matters touching the relations
Of the United States toward the British North
American possessions, to become operative so
soon as the proper legislation should be had On
the mart If ftrnpt Rr1fair her
sessions. That Legislation On the part Of Great
Britain and it's possession had not
then been Ind, and during. the session Of Con-
gress question was raised, which, for the time,
in the direction indicated would become impor-
tant,- question which has since been opposed
OF, and have received notice that the Imperial
Parliament and the Legislature OF the Proyin-
cial Government have passed laws to carry the
provisions of the treaty on the matters referred
to into operation. therefore recommend your
early adoption Of the legislation in the same
direction necessary On the part Of this Govern
1nent.
NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
The Joint Commission for determining the
boundary line between the United States and
the British Possessions, between the Lake Of
the Woods and the Rocky Mountains, has organ
lied and entered upon it's work. It ia desirable
that the force be Increased in order that the
completion Of the survey and determination Of
the boundary may be sooner completed. To
this end recommend that q sufficient appropri-
alton be made.
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 80 many causes Of friendship and 30
many common sympathies, and the other powers
Of Europe, our relations are maintained On the
most friendly terms.
Since my last annual message, the exchange
has been made Of the ratifcations Of q treaty
with the Austro-Hungarian Empire relating to
naturalization; also, Of treaty with the Ger
man Empire respecting Consuls and trade
marks; also, Of 8 treaty with Sweden and
Norway relating to naturalization, all of which
treaties have been duly proclaimed.
INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS.
Congress, at its last session, having made an
appropriation to defray the expense OF Commits
sioners on the part of the United States to the
International Statistical Congress at st. Peters
burg, the persons appointed in that character
proceeded to their destination, and attended
The See 3ions Of the Congress-. The report shall,
in due season, be laid before you. This Con-
gress meets at intervals Of about three years,
and has held it's sessions in several Of the coun-
tries Of Europe. I submit to your consideration
the propriety of extending an invitation to the
Congress to hold its next meeting in the United