The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-12-21
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Fourth Annual Message of
President Grant.
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF
GOVERNMENT.
To The Senate and House OF Representatives :

To he Senate and House of Representatives
In transmitting to you my fourth annual
message, it is with thankfulness to the Giver
of all Good that, as q nation, we have been
and abroad, and general prosperity vouch
safe to but few people. With the
exception Of the recent devastating fire
which swept from earth in breath.
as it were, millions OF accumulated wealth, in
the city of Boston. there have been no over
shadowing calamities within the year to re-
cord. 1t is gratifying to note how, like their
fellow-citizens of the city of Chicago under
similar circumstances wear earlier, the
citizens of Boston are rallying under their
mistortunes, and there Is prospect that their
energy and perseverance Will overcome all
obstacles and show the same prosperity soon
that they would, had no asters Fallen upon
them. Otherwise we have been free from pes
thence. war and calamities which often over
take nations, and, as far as human Judgment
can penetrate the future, no cause seems to
exist to threaten our present peace.
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June last
question had been raised by Great Britain and
was then pending, VIII CHI for a time seriously
lmperllled the settlement, BIZ friendly arbitra-
ton, of the differences existing between this
Government and that of Her Britanic Majesty
that the Treaty Of Washington had referred TO
the Tribunal OF Arbitration which had met at
Geneva in Switzerland. The arbtrators how
ever, disposed of the question which had
jeopardized the whole of the treaty and threat
encd to involve the two nations in the most
unhappy relations toward each other in a
manner entirely satisfactory to this govern
ment and in accordance with the views and
the policy which 1t had maintained. The
tribunal which had convened in Geneva in
December concluded its laborious session on
the 14th day of September last, on which day,
having awaited itself of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty to award sum
in gross, it made its decision, whereby it
awarded the sum of 1880, 900 in gold as the
indemnity to be paid by Great Britain to the
United States for the satisfaction of all claims
referred to It's consideration. This decision
happily disposes of long-standing difference
between the two governments, and in conncc-
ton with another award made by the German
Emperor under reference to him by the same
treaty, leaves the Government without
shadow upon the friendly relations which il is
my sincere hope may forever remain equally
unchanged.
The report of The agent of the United States
appointed to attend the Geneva tribunal ac-
companid by the protocols OF the proceedings
OF the arbitrators, the arguments OF the couu-
sci OF both Governments, the award of the trl-
bunal and the opinions given b. the several
arbitrators, is transmitted herewith. | have
caused to he communicated to the heads of
the three friendly powers, who compiled with
the Joint request made to them under the
appointment Of arbitrators made by
them respectively, and also my
thanks to the eminent personages
named by them, and my appreciation of the
dignity, patience, impartiality and great abil-
ity with wi ich they discharged their arduous
and high functions. Her Majesty's govern
ment has communicated 10 me its aDprecia-
ton. by Her Majesty, of the ability and indie
fatigable industry displayed Dy Mr.. Adams, in
the arbitration named on the part of this Gov
erDment, during the prOtracted inquri and
discussions of the tribunal. | cordially unite
with Her Majesty i'll this appreciation. 1t is
due to the agent of the United States before
the tribunal TO record my appreciation of the
marked ability, unwearled patience and the
prudence aud discretion with which he has
conducted the very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, as it is also due to
the learned ana eminent counse! who attended
the tribunal on the part OF this Government to
express nv sense OF the talent and wisdom
which they brought to bear in the argument
and the results so happily reached. 1t will be
the province OF Congress to provide for the
distribution among those who may be entitled
to 1t of their respective shares OF the money to
be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not PAYABLE
until year from the date of the award. it Is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in maxi
ing proper examination of the several eases in
which indemDiilcation may be due. l conse-
quentiy recommend the creation OF board OF
commissioners for the purpose.
THE NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
By the thirty-feurth article of the Treaty of
Washington, the respective claims of the
United States and Great Britain III their con-
struction of the treaty OF the 18th of June,
1916, defining the boundary line between their
respective territories, were submitted for
arbitration and award to His Majesty. the
Emperor OF Germany, to decide winch of these
claims was NEST III accordance with
the true Interpretation of the treaty
of 1916. His Majesty, the Emperor
of Germany, having been pleased to assume
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 consideration of this long
pending difference. l have caused an
expression of my thanks tie be COM
communicated to his Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft
the representative OF this government at
Berlin conducted the case, and pre- AIRED the
statement on the part OF the United States
with the ability ii at his past service justified
the public in expecting at his hands, as a
member of the Cabinet at the date of the
treaty which has given rise To the discussion
between the two governments, as the
Minister to Great Britain when the
construction now pronounced untoundcd, was
first advanced, and the agent and repre-
sentative of the government, TO present the
case and 10 receive the award. He has been
associated with the question III all of its
phases, and in every stage has manifested a
patriotic zeal and counsel in the maintenance
of the claim of the United States. He is en-
titled TO much credit for the success which
has sttended the submission.
After patient investigation of the case and
of the statements of each party, His Majesty
the Emperor eff Germany, on the twenty-first
day OF October lasts .gnod his award in writing
decreelng that the claim Of the government of
the United States. that the boundary line be-
tween the territories of Her Britannia Majesty
and the United States should be through the
Haro Channel, lis most IN accordance with the
true Interpretation of the treaty concluded on
the 18th OF June, 1SiS, between he agents of
Her Britannia Majesty and ofthc United States
Copies OF the case presented on behalf of
each government and of the statement in re-
ply, OF each, and a translation of the award
are transmitted herewith. This award cDu-
firms the United States in tn cir claims to the
important archipelago of islands living between
the continent and Van Couvers lllnd which
for twenty-sIN wears. ever since the
ratification OF the treaty, Great Brit
aiu has contested, ana leaves Us. for the
first time IN the history of the United States
as natoa without question OF disputed
boundary between out territory and the nos
sessions OF Great Britain on this content. Ii
Is my grateful duty Ia acknowledge the prompt
Government IN giving effect to the award
In anticipation of any request from this
Government, aud before the reception in the
United States of the award, signed by the
Emperor, Her Majesty had given instructions
for the removal of her troops VIII Gu had
been statione there, and for the cessation Of
all exercise or claim OF jurisdiction to leave