Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-12-11

the adjoining possessions of Her
Britannia Majesty. The region is
now so sparseIy occupied thatno conflicting
interests of individuals or of jurisdiction are
| likely to interfere to the delay or embarrass-
ment of the actual location Of the line. If de-
| ferred until population shall enter and occupy
the territory, some trivial contest OF nelghbors
may again array the Governments IN antagon-
| ism.
! therefore recommend the appointment of
a commission to act Jointly with one that may
| be appointed on the part of Great Britain, to
i determine the line between our territory of
Alaska and the coterminus possessions OF
| Great Britain.
THE FISHERIES.
In my last annual message [ recommended
! 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 the other
matters touching the relations of the United
States toward the British North American pos
sessions to become operative so soon as the
| proper legislation should be had ON the part
/ of Great Britain and her possessions.
! That legislation on the part of Great Britain
| and its possessions bad not then been had,
and during the session of Congress a question
was raised which for a time raised q doubt
whether any action by Congress in the direc-
tion indicated would become important,
question wa IN has since been disposed Of,
/ and have zecelyed notice that the Imperial
Parliament and the Legislature of the
provincial government have passed laws to
carry the provisions of the treaty on the mat
ters referred into operation, l therefore re-
commend your early adoption of the 1egisla-
ton in the same direction necessary on the
part of this government.
The Joint Commission for determining the
! boundary Inc between the United States and
the British possessions, between the Lake of
the Woods and the Rocky Mountains has
organized and entered upon it's work. 1t is
desirable that the force be increased. In
order that the completion of the survey md
determation of the boundary line may be
sooner attained. To this end, recommend
that sufficient appropriation be made.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France our earliest aIv Russia, the
constant and steady friend of sthe United
States, Germany, with whose government and
people we have so many cases of friendship
and so many common sympathies, and the
other powers of Europe, our relations are
maintainedOn the most friendly terms. Since
my last annual message the exchange has
been made of the ratificatiOns of treaty with
| the Austro-Hungary Empire, relating to. nat
uralizatiOn; also of treaty with the German
Empire respecting consuls and trade marks
also of treaty with Sweden and Norway re-
lating to naturaliZatiOn-aL of which treaties
have been duly proclaimed.
THE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS.
Congress at its last session having made an
appropriation to defray the expenses of Com
missioners on the part of the United States to
the international Statistical Congress at st.
Petersburg, persons appointed IN that charac-
ter proceeded to their destinations and attend
ed the sessions of the Congress. A report
shall in due season be laid before vou This
Congress meets at Intervals of about three
years, and has held its sessions in several of
the countries Of Europe. submit to your
consideration the propriety of extending an in
Fvltatlon to the Congress to hold it's next meet
ing in the United States. The centennial
celebration to be held in 1876 would afford an
appropriate occasion for such meeting.
THE VIENNA INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION.
Preparations are making for the Interna-
tional Exhibition to be held during next year
in Vienna on scale of very great magnitude.
The tendency of these expostiOns is
! in the direction of advenced civilization
and the elevation of industry, Of labor
and increase of human happiness. as well as of
greater intercourse and good will between the
nations. AS this Exposition is to be the first
which will have been held IN Eastern Europe,
| it is believed that American inventors and
manufactures 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 government
! at the Exposition. The authority thus given
has been exercised, but in the absence Of any
/ appropriation there is danger that the impor-
! tant benefits which the exposition offers will
! in large degree be lost to the citizens of the
! United States. L commend the subject strong
/ ly to your consideration, and recommend that
an adequate appropriation be made for the
purpose. to further aid American exhibitors at
the Vienna Exposition. I would recommend,
in addition to an appropriation Of money, that
the Secretary of the Navy be authorized to fit
up two naval vessels to transport between our
Atlantic cities and Trieste, or the most conye-
nient port to Vienna and back, tneir articles
for exhibition.
MEXICO AND THE FRONTIER TROUBLES.
Since your last session the President of the
Mexican Republic, distinguished by his high
character and by his services to his country
has died. His temporary successor has now
been elected with great unanimity by the peo-
! pie, proof of confidence on their part in his
! patriotism and wisdom, which it is believed
| will be confirmed by the results
of his administration. 1t is par
| ticularly desirable that nothing should be
| left undone by the governments of either Re-
! publlcs to strengthen their relations as neigh
bors and friends. It is much to be regretted
! that many lawless acts continue to disturb the
/ quiet of the settlements on the border of our
territory and that of Mexico, and that COM
plants ofwrong to American citizens in various
parts OF the country. The revolutionary con-
dition in which the neighboring Republic has
SO long been involved has in some degree con-
| tributed to this disturbance. Its to be hoped
! that, with more settled rule of order through
out the Republic which may be expected from
the present government, the acts of which
just complaint Is made will cease.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
The proceedings of the commission under
the convention with Mexico of the 4th of ,Tuly
1868, 'on the subject of claims have unfortun
ately been checked by an obstacle for tbe
removal Of which measures have been taken
! by the governments, which it is believed. will
prove successful.
INVESTIGATION OF TEXAS FRONTIER TROUBLES.
The commissioners appointed pursuant to
| the joint resolution of Congress. Of the 9TH of
| May last, to inquire into the depredations on
/ the Texas frontier have diligently made inves
LEGATIONS in that quarter, and their report on
| the subject will be communicated to Won
! Their researches were necessarily incompIete
partly on account Of the limited appropriation
made by Congress. Mexico on her part
/ has appointed similar commission to inyes-
| tigate these outrages. It is not announced Of
! hc1ally, but the press of that country states
| that the fullest investigation is desired and
! that the cooperation of all parties concerned
Is invited to secure that end. ], therefore rec
| ommeud that special appropriation be made
at the earliest day practicable, to enable the
! commissioners on the part Of the United States
to return to their labors without DELAY.
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
1t is with regret that have again to an
ton OF the Island Of Cuba. No advance to-
wards paclficatiOn Of the discontenteds por-
ton OF the populace has been made while the
1nsuffecuon has gained no advantage and ex-
hibits no more of the element OF power or the
prospect OF ultimate success than were exhb-
tied a year ago.
Spain, on the other hand, has not succeeded
IN It's repression, and the parties stand ap-
parently IN the same relative attitude which
they have occupied for a long time past. This
contest has lasted now for more than four
years. We're 1t seen at a distance from orr
neighborhood we might be Indifferent to The
results, although humanity could not be nm
moved by its incidents, wherever they might
i ,ccur however at our door
+ [ cannot doubt that the continued main-
tenance of slavery in Cuba is among the
strongest inducements to the continuance of
this strife. A terrible wrong is the natural
cause OF terrible evil. The abolition of
in the administration Of the government in
Cuba could not fail to advance the return Of