New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
TIE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
spcRErARy pELANOs REPORT.


HrTEs-RvouEsr FROM THE BRITISH GOVERN
MENr FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CASES OF
ENGLISH SETTLERS ON ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC
RUINS GOVERNING THE ENRTY OF QUARTER SIC
sIoNs OF LAND.
fly TELEGRAPH TO TUE TRrBUSE.l
WARRINGTON Nov. S0.-The report of the Secre-
Sary of the Interior contains the following para
graphs not before published:
The PROPOSED MENNONITE COLONY.
desire 10 invite the attention of Congress 10 re-
quest from cooney Of Mennonites and for several
residing in Southern Russia near the shores
nj the Black Sea aud the Sea of Azov for modification
of the the existing land laws in certain particulars 10
enable them settle upon productive domain In
compact colony. BY decree OF the Russian Govern
znent this people numbering between 10000 and 10000
persons have been deprived of certain mmuntes which
they have enjoyed since their first settlement in
Russia and the granting of which had originally in
duoed them their farmer homes in Russia and
settle IN their present place OF abode III is
thear desire to come TO the United States, and
20 occupy a portion OF our pubic lana IN
. compact body, with strangers to their
religious faith within the exterior bounds OF their pos
sessions Such exclusive occupancy they deem essen
s 10 enable them 10 carry their peculiar system OF
farming which TO some extent involves community OF
interest IN ana occupancy OF the lands and they also
10 avoid. far possible, the presence OF any
disturbing elements in their immediate neighborhood
The deprivation OF the immuntes heretofore enjoyed
by them does not take effect until the expiration OF ten
years from june 1871 the date of the Imperial decree
within It is their desire 20 dispose OF their
property Russia and remove 10 country where they
may enjoy civil aud religious liberty and they have
selected the United States place where they can
most fully realize such freedom In order, however,
to enable them 10 obtain possession OF
lands IN a compact body, some concessions must
necessarily be made from the present requirements
Of the land laws would respectfully suggest that the
Secretary OF Interior be authorized to withdraw
from sale or entry lands they desire to oc
eupy for years long enough TO enable them to
smgrats to this country and settle thereon and to dis
pose Of those persons among the emgrants
who shall make the proper entry or purchase
thereof in accordance with existing laws
should they desire TO settle within railroad
limits the authority should enable the withdrawal in
like manner of the alternate sections belonging TO the
Government 1t is possible that the entire body Of emf
grants may not desire locate in colony but would
prefer the selection colonies or locations
II would well therefore confer such discretion on
The Secretary Of the Interior would enable him to
meet their views in that regard The entire area they
will probably require, will be about 100000 acres
REQUEST FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
The Secretary OF State has called my attention 10
communication from Sir Edward Thornton the British
Minister Who under instructions from his Government
has asked the consideration OF the case OF those per-
cons subjects Of Great Britain, who had settled upon
Island, which confirmed TO the United
Ptates by the decision Of the Emperor OF
Germany; and the Secretary OF State, after
calling the attention Of the Department 10 this
subject has inquired whether he may be justified IN say
ing to the British Minister that this Department will be
prepared TO recommend IN Congress any legislation on
this subject at approaching session. and also to ASK
an case any legislation will be recommended. that II
ahere be no objection he may be informed OF the pro-
visions which Congress will be asked 10 enact into law
The third article OF the Treaty OF June IT, 1885, above re-
fer1ed to. is in the following words:
In the future appropriation Of the territory south OF
The l9th parallel OF north latitude provided in the
fret article OF this treaty the pOssessory rights OF the
Hudson Bay Company and of all British subjects who
he already IN the occupation OF lahus OF OthtI
psoRer,y d as%l9S acquired ~'@n 'He sSU
Tbe construction placed upon this article or the
,restv nv those most familiar with its history is that
me possessory rights OF Hudson Bay Company and
sl British subjects who were in the occupation or iana
or other property in said territory. at the date OF
the treaty. the only poSsessory rights 70 pe 10
sIected have concluded 70 follow TINS u %
have therefore the Secretary OF state that TINS
depsT will be prepared TO recommend 10 IomDess
The massage OF law providing in substance As Ioio"ss
For the appointment OF commission 70 max Axe
and report Secretary OF the Interior st OF the
BRUSH within sand Territory at the date OF ne
Treaty of June TO- 1916, with description o. ne ias
actually occupied nv each at that time.
second That such parties shall have one year Irou
the date fling of such report with te seerSIaI
80 occupied by them at the ordinary minimum price per
aere where the lands outside OF railroad limits, ana
railroad limits the entry 10 he according 10 legal sub
DIVISIONS so AZ include the improvements OF oc-
cupants and where two or more parties snau nave n
pr0vemeuts the smallest legal suodYlsoA tha' 'ney
NAV be entitled 10 make Joint entry.
Third: That in entry and payment are nOt mace
within year from the time when tue repOrS OF the
Commission Is filed in the Office Of the Secretary OF the
Infoor ali possessory rights under the treaty shall be
considered forfeited and the lands shall thereafter be
deemed and treated as part OF the puDhc don"n 70 DC
disposed Of a. other public lands. ,,,
have therefore, respectfully TO recommend the adop-
1i0n by Congress OF some measures wnlcn VIII emD0dy
Rue principles contained ia my communication 10 the
Secretary of State herein referred TO- should Conges;
be OF opinion that the construction OF the tna %
Inc Treaty of 1916 which have adopted Is incorrect
and that IL should De 80 interpreted a. 70 '
possessOry rights OF all persous VINO Vert occupants vi
land other property, lawfully acquired az tne Gate
OF the award OF the Emperor OF Germany, before
referred to- il will be IN thor power 10 enlarge lne seoe
of the measure which here recommend 50 as 10 ncuce
tins class OF persons. If grave doubts are found TO exist
an regard 10 the Interpretation OF this article and H. IN
view of doubts, il shall appear 10 Congress that
ons as may have acquired pOssessOry rights within the
territory after the date Of the Treaty OF 1876 wal pe IN
the Congress to make such provision Tor THESE
equitable nights in IT'S wisdom may De deemed az
yisabe Should such doubts arise IL may be proper, II
py legislation for the protection Of the equitable
rights OF persons coming into the territory alter the
date OF the Treaty, that Il be limited 30 as 70 prevent
any occupant Of this class acquiring more than one
quarter section OF land
The ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE GROWTH OF TIMBER On
WESTERN PRimIEs.
On the sd Of March act approved, entitled
IAN act 10 encourage growth OF timber on Western
praries the first section OF which provides
That who a plant PI@s and .e1B , n hs ,s15 s D.
beng more apart each qaarter section o.
an Of The public United states shall be entitled 70 patent
or the SAID quarter section al The expiration OF sara ven
uch tet by not less than two cred e Wit
PyOvd That only one quarter IN any section shall be 'h0'
granted oag.. -
parIug rules and regulations under the srth section OF
HE above order 10 its provisions into e1ect
refused 70 permit more than one entry o. quarter sec
lion made by person IL is claimed Cd the
other hand that tins act permits any person 10 nahe
entry o. as many quarter sections he 1T While
AZ may b. perfectly that the ruling OF the Csmmis
ssaceordng 70 the true legal on the
,et IL seems that 1t is in accord with the general
psrpose OF Congress In disposDg grstuitousy OF the
DOMAIN and that TO allow acOnrary Interpretation
wosld be encourage she incunbrance OF the public
IL 4 a