River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

blessed for the past year with peace AZ home
and abroad, and general prosperity youch
safe to but few people. With the
exception Of the recent devastating fire
which swept from earth in breath,
as IL were, mllions Of accumulated wealth, IN
the city Of Boston, there have been no over
shadowing calamites within tho year 10 re-
cord IL is gratifying to note how, like their
felow-citzens Of the city Of Chicago under
similar circumstances a wear earlier, the
citizens OF Boston are rallying under their
msfortunes, and there is prospect that their
energy and perseverance will overcome all
obstacles and show the same prosperity soon
that they would, had no disasters dallen upon
them. Otherwise we have been free from pes
thence war ana calamltics which often over
take nations, and, as far as human judgment
eau penetrate the future, no cause seems to
exist 20 threaten our present peace.
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June last 3
question had been raised by Great Britain and
was then pending, VIII ch for time seriously
imperilled the settlement. bv friendly arbitra-
ton, Of the differences existing between this
Government and that OF Her Br1tanic Majesty,
that the Treaty of Washington had referred to
the Tribunal Of Arbitration which had met At
Geneva III Switzerland. The arbitrators how
ever disposed OF the question which had
ieopardizcd the whole Of the treaty and threat
unhappy relations toward each other in a
manner entirely satisfactory to this govern
ment and Ia accordance with the views and
the policy which It had maintained. Tie
tribunal which had convened IN Geneva in
December cOnciudGd its laborious session on
the 18th day Of September last on which day,
having ayailcd itself Of the discretionary
power given 10 il Uy the treaty TO award a sum
i'm gross, il made it's decision, whereby it
awarded the sum OF $4,000 600 in gold as the
indemnity 70 be paid by Great Britain to the
United States for the satisfaction Of al claims
referred to MS consideration. This decision
happily disposes Of long-standing difference
between the two governments and in cOnnec-
tiOn 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-
Compauid by the Protocols Of the proceedings
OF the arbltrators, the arguments OF the coun-
sci OF both Governments, the award Of the trl-
bunal and the opinions given BY the several
arbitrators, is transmitted herewith. | have
caused 20 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
appointment Of arbtrators made by
thanks b the eminent personages
named by them, and my appreciation OF the
dignity, patience, impartiality and great abil-
ity with which they discharged their arduous
and high functions. Her Majestys governs
ment has communicated 10 me its appreeia-
ton. by Her Majesty, of the ability and ind0-
fatlgabe industry displayed by Mr.. Adams in
the arbitration named, on the part Of this Gov
erument, during the prOtTacted inquiries and
discussions Of the tribunal. | cordially unite
with Her Majesty in this appreciation. 1t il
due 10 the agent OF the United States before
the tribunal 10 record my appreciation Of tue
marked ability, unweaued patience and the
prudence aud discretion with which he has
conducted the very responsible and delicate
duties committed 10 him, as il is also due Ia
the learned ana eminent counsel who attended
the tribunal on the part OF this Government to
express my sense of the talent and wisdom
which they brought to lear in the argument
aud the results so happily reached. Ii will be
the province oi Congress 20 provide for the
distribution among those who may be entitled
"a Il ~ their respective shares of the money to
b. paid.
Although the sum awarded il not payable
until year from the date of the award, il is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in max.
ing proper examination Of the several cases in
which indemulhcation may be due. | conse-
quently recommend the creation OF a board OF
commissioners tor the purpose.
rHE SoRrHwEsTEBN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
Bv the thirty-f1urth article Of the Treaty of
Washington, the respective claims Of the
United States and Great Britain in their con-
sfrucuon 0f the treaty Of the 18th of June.
1876, defining the boundary line between their
respective territories, were submitted for
arbitration and award 90 His Majesty, thc
Emperor OF Germany, 20 decide which Of these
claims was most in accordance with
tho true Interpretation Of the treaty
al "A.
Of Germany. having been pleased 30 assume
the arbitration. has the earnest thanks of this
Government and OF the people OF the Uuitod
States Tor the labor, pains and care which ne
has devoted 10 the consideration OF this long
pending difference. have caused an
expression ut my thanks O. be- COM
communicated Go bis Majesty. Mr.. bancroft
the representative 90 this government AZ
Berlin, conducted the case and pre- AIRED the
statement on the part oi the United States
with the ability q 40 his past service JUSTIFIED
the public IN expecting a. his hands as
member at the Cabinet az the date OF the
treaty which has given rise 90 the discussion
between the two governments, AS the
Minister to Great Britain when the
construction now pronounced uniCuuded was
first advanced, and as the agent and repre-
sentative Of the government, 90 present the
case and q. receive the award Re has been
associated with tine question m All of lts
phases, and in every stage has manifested a
patriotic zeal and counsel M the maintenance
~ the Slain ~ the United States. a. Is On.
titled tp much credit Tor the success which
has attended The submission.
After pluyu. investigation 90 thocase, and
OF the statements ~ each party, His Majesty
the Emperor et Germany, on the tWeuty-drst
day of October last, sguedhi award in writing
dcrrU'ulg that the cllIm ~ the government %
the luNCd States. that thv boundary line be-
tween the territories oi Her Britannia Majesty
, and thc United States should be throu.h tho
Hare Channel, is most iu accordance with the
true Interpretation oi The treaty concluded 0n
the 18th 81 June, iSiN, between the agents 80
llor Britannia Majesty and ofthC United States.
Copies wi the CAsp presented ON behalf OF
each government aud 81 tho statement Ia re-
piy. oi gact. and Translation az the aUara
alt transmitted herewith. IAl- award cone
firms the United States IN thor claim. "a ,hr
trsnartaut HrchiUsilra ~ island. i,i.s lt.tvTIn