New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-03
powers. 1t is desirable to have these claims also
examined and disposed of.

the Netherlands and the Sultan of Acheen, the
officers of the United States who were near the seat
of the war were instructed TO observe an impartial
neutrality 1t is believed that they have done So
The Joint Commission under the convention with
Mexico of 1865 having again been legally pro-
longed, has resumed its business, which 1T ia
hoped may be brought to an early conclusion
Tho distinguished representative of Her britannia
Majesty at Washington has kindly consented, with
the approval Of his Government, to assume the
arluous and responsible duties OF umpire in this
Commission, and to lend the weight of his character
aud name to such decisions as may not receive the
acquiescence Of both the arbitrator appointed by
the respective Governments. The Commissioners
appointed pursuant to the authority of Congress to
examine into the nature and extent of the forays by
trespaSsers from that country upon tho herds OF
Texas have made a report which will be submitted for
your consideration.
RELATION WITH FOREIGN TOWERS.
The venezuela Government has been apprised Of the
sense OF Congress in regard 20 the award OF the Joint
Commission under the Convention of the 18th Of April,
1896 expressed in the act Of the 25th OF February last
is apprehended that that Government does not realize
the character its Obligations under that Convention
there 10 believe, however thatts hesaney
in recognizing them springs part at least from real
difficulty in discharcing them in connection With its
obligations to other Government the expodency OF
81 your consideration.
The Ottoman Government and that OF Egypt have lat
tery shown disposition TO relieve foreign COnsuls of
the judicial powers hlch heretofore they have exercised
IN TurGsh dOmacns by organizing other tribunals
AS Congress- however has, by law provided for tine ais
charge Of JUDICIAL functions by COnsuls OF the United
states in that quarter under the Treaty of $780, have
not felt liberty formally accept The proposed change
without The assent of Congress whose decision upon the
subject at os early a period may be convenient is
earnestly requested. transmit herewith FOR the conaid
sratiou aud determination of Congress. application
II the Rpuclic OF Santo Domingo to~this Government
90 exercise prooctorato Republc. Since tho
Adjournment OF Congress the following treaties with
foreign powers hlvo been proclaimed naturalization
convention with Denmark; a convention with Mexico
for renewing the Claims Commission; con-
vention os friendship. commerce and extradition
with the Orange FREQ State, and naturaliza-
uuu convention With Ecuador. renew recommenda-
ton my message Of December 1910, that Con-
gross authorize The Postmaster eneral to issue all com
missions officials appointed through his Department
TIE LAWS RESPECTING ExPArsATIoN.
Invite tao earnest attention OF Congress to the exist
ing laws OF the Ulited states respecting expiration
and tho election q nationality by individuals. Many
Of the ctz5rs OF tho United States reside permanently
abroad with their families. Underthe PROVISIONS Of the
net approved Feb TO- 1856 the children of persons
be deemed and taken 20 be citizens II the United
states the rights oc citizenship not to descend
persons whose fathers never resided In the United
Staes 1t thus happens that persons who have never
resided within the United States have been enabled to
put fowar pretensiOu TO the protection of the United
states against the claim Of military service of the gov
ernmeut under whose protection they were born and
have been reared. IN some cases, even, Daturaized
citizens OF the United States have returned to the land
OF their brh with intent remain there, and their
children the issue Of marriage contracted there after
their return and who have never been In the United
kinn hon Ian
OF many years have imposed upon them the duty
Of military service to the only government winch
lad ever known them personally. Until the
year 1868, ii left embarrassed By conflicting
opinions Of courts and Of juriss determine how far
the doctrine Of perpetual allegiance derived from our
former colonial relations with Great Britain was spp
cable TO American citizens. Congress then wisely
svept these doubts away by euGctng that any decara
ton instruction opinion, order decision Of any olecr
OF this Government which denies, restricts, imDnrs or
questions tho right OF expiration inconsistent With
tbs fundamental principles OF this Government; but
Congress did not intimate in that statute, nor has 1t
since done So what &C to DC deemed to work OK
patriaOn.
For 10y own guidance In determining such questions,
Ircoured under the provisions of The Constitution thc
opinion IN writing Of the principal officer in each Of the
Executive Departments upon certain questions relating
10 tbs subject The result satisfies me that further Les.
is.auon has become necessary. therefore recommend
subject tho careful CONSIDERATION OF
and transmit herewith copies ot the several opinions
of the principal officers of the Executive Departments
together with other and prominent nfor
matiOn the subject The United States, who led
tie yay ia the overthrow OF tho feuda doctrine OF
perpetual allegiance among the last to indicate how
ticr own citizens may elect another nationality The
4pers subtted herewith indicate what is necessary TO
place Us on par with other leading nations in beraty
OF legislation on this international question We have
already in or treaties assonted to tho principles which
would need to DO embodied In laws intended to eeeom-
psh such results We have agreed that citizens Of the
United States cease 10 be citizens, and may voun-
ary render ale glance TO other powers We have agreed
that residence in foreign land without intent TO re-
turn shall Of itself work expatratioD. We have agreed
IN some instances upon tho length OF time necessary for
such intent. 1 invite Congress now 10 mark out and
define when and how expiration can be accomplished
20 regulate by the condition OF American women
marry foreigners to FIX the status OF children born
10 foreign country OF American parents residing moro
or permanently abroad and to mako rules for de
ternining such other kindred points may best
~ Congress. -
OUR RELATIONS WITH sPAIS.
In compliance with the request Of Congress 1
transmitted to the American Minister at Mad
rid with instructions TO present 10 TO the Span
ish Government, the joint resolution. approved
on the Sd of March last rendering % the people OF SPAIN
in the and behalf OF the American people, the
congratulations Of Congress upon the efforts to eonso
date ia Spain the principles Of universal liberty IN re-
publican form Of government. The existence Of this
new republic inaugurated by striking the letters
from the slaves in Porto Rico. This benecent measure
was followed by release OF several thousand persons
illegally held "a slaves in Cuba Next, the Captain
General OF that colony was deprived Of the power set
aside the orders OF his superOrs at MSdrd which had
pertaDod to the Office since 1925. The sequestered
estates OF American citizens, which had been the cause
OF long and frequent correspondence, ordered to
be restored to their owners
All these liberal steps taken in the face Of violent