Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-12-04
Presidents Message.
To The Se@ate and House Of RePresea'
THE CONDITION OF TnE COUNTRY.

a nation we have been blessed for
the last year with peace at homo
and abroad and = general prosperity,
v~oHchsafed 10 but few people, with
The exception Of the recent devasta-
ting fire which swept from The earth
with n breath as it wero millions OF
accumulated wealth in the city of
Boston There have been two over
shadowing calamities within the year
to record. II is gratifying TO note
here. like their fellow citizens of the
city of Chicago, under similar cir
-cumstances q year earlier, the citi-
zens of Boston are rallying under
their misfortunes, and the prospect is
that their energy and perseverance
will overcome all obstacles and show
the Same prosperity soon that they
would have shown had u" disaster
befallen tFerl. Otherwise, we have
been free from pestiieDce. war and
calamities which often oveT,ake na-
tons, and, as tar as human Judgment
can penetrate the future, $50 rause
| seems 10 exist TO threaten our pres
emf peace.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in juno
last. q question had been raised by
Great Britain, and vas then pending.
which tor q time seriously imperilled
the settlement by friendly arbitration
Of the differences existing between
this government and that Of Her
| Brit,anic Majesty by the Treaty OF
| Washington, Dad been referred to
the Tribunal of Arbitration which
had met AZ Geneva, IN switzerland
The a~rbiirators, however, disposed of
tho question which had j~eOpardized
me whole OF the treaty and threat
| ened 10 involve tho two nations in
most unhappy relations toward each
/ ether. in q manner entirely satisfac-
~ TO this government and m accord
ance with the views and tho policy
which il bad maintained The tri-
bunal, which had convened in Gene
va in December, concluded its labor
ious session on the I4th day of Sep
TENDER last, on which day, having
awaited itself of the discretionary
mower given to it by the treaty 10
award a sum in gross 1t made its
decision, whereby it awarded the
sum of SI5.500,0 600 in gold as the in
/ demnitv 10 be paid by Cir, at Britain
to the United States, fer the rati6ca-
ton OF all the claims referred to its
consideration This decision happily
disposes OF a long standing difference
between tho " governments, and
in connection with another award
made by the German Emperor under
preference 10 him by the same treaty,
leaves these two governments with
out q shadow upon tho friendly Teia-
lions which it is my sincere hope
may forever remain equally unc!oud-
ed.
The report of the agent Of the Uni
ted States appointed to attend the
Geneva tribunal, accompanied by the
protocols of the proceedings OF the
arbitrators, the arguments of the
counsel Of both governments, the
award of the tribunal. and the opin-
ions given by the several arbitrators,
is transmitted herewith. | have
Leauscd TO be communicated to the
heads of the three friendly powers
who complied with the joint request
made to them under the treaty, the
thanks Of this government for the ap.
pointment OF arbitratOrs made by
them respectively. and also my thanks
to the eminent persons named by
them, and my appreciation Of the dig
nifty. patience, impartiulity aud great
ability with which they discharged
their orders and high functions. Her
Maiesty's government has communi'
Gated 10 me it's appreciation by her
Majesty OF the ability and indefatiga
BILE Industry displayed By Mr.. Adams.
the arbitrator named On tho part OIL
this government during the p%fotrRet
cd inquiries and discussions of the tri'
buna!. 1 cordially unite with her Maj.
csty IN this appreciation. II is Due
TO the agent Of tho United States be
fore the lribunai-tO record my bigb
appreciate. n OF the marked ability
|, u~nwearied patience and the prudence
and discretion with which he has con
Quoted the vcryrresponsible and deli
cate duties committed 10 him, as II II
also due TO the learned and eminent
J, counsc! who attended the tribunal or
the part Of this government, 10 ex
press my sense Of the talents AND
wisdom which they brought 10 beal
in the argument Of result so happily
!, reached il will be tho providence o
Congress 10 provide for the distribu
ton among those who may be emit
tied To il of their respective shares
of the money 10 be paid
: Although the sum awarded IS rot
, PAYABLE until q year from the date o.
the award, it is deemed advisable that
no time be lost in making q proper
examination of the several cases ~
which decentralization may be due
| consequently recommend the crea
ton of a board of commissioners ioI
the purpose. By the 34th article o
) the treaty OF Washington the respect
= i've claims Of the United States anc
! of Great Britain in their cOnstruc
} ton of The treaty of the 18th of juno
r 1876, defining t,e boundary line be
I tween their respective territories
= were Submitted To the arbitration anC
t award of his Majesty the Emperor a
Germany to decide which OF thos'
! claims is most in accordance with thC
! Ltrus Interpretation of tho treaty o
1916 His Majesty, the Emperor o
:, Germany, having been pleased to un
: dertake the arbitration, has the earn
/, est thanks Of this government auC
/. OF the people Of the United States foI
j the labor, pains and care which hi
{ has devoted TO the consideration o
this long peRding difference haV,
! caused an expression OF my thank
I TO be communicated to His Majesty
$ Mr.. Bancroft, the representative o
$ this government at Berlin, cOnducte'
: ,ho COCO apd nraparad fha sfaFapnD