Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-12-11

latter part of 1t, been an eventful one to the coun-
try. In the midst of great national prosperity a
financial crisis has occurred that has brought low
fortunes of great proportion. Political partisan
ship has almost ceased TO exist, especially in the
agricultural regions; and the capture on the high
seas of a vessel bearing our flag mas at one time
threatened the most serious consequences. and ex-
cited the public mind from one end of the
country to the other. This. happily, now
is in the course of satisfactory adjust
ment, honorable to both nations concerned.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States. however, with
most OF the other nations. continue to be friendly
and cordial. With France, Germany, Prussia,
Russia, Italy and the minor powers, with Brazil
and most OF the South American Republics, and
with Japan, nothing has occurred during the year
to demand special notice. The correspondence
between the Department of State and various
diplomatic representatives in or from those
countries is transmitted herewith.
VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will of Congress, as expressed
in its joint resolution of the 14th of February last.
and in accordance with the provisions of the reso-
luton. a number of practical artisans,
Of scientific men and Of honorary com
missioners were authorized to attend the
Exposition at Vienna as Commissioners on
the part of the United States. 1t is be-
lieved that we have obtained the object which
Congress had in view when it passed the joint res
olution, in order to enable the people of the United
States to participate in the advantages of the Inter
national Exhibition of the products of Agriculture,
Manufactures and the Fine Arts to be held at Wen
Ia. | take pleasure in adding that the American
exhibitors have received a gratifying number of
diplomas and medals. During the Exposition a
conference was held at Vienna Tor the purpose of
consultation on the systems prevailing in different
countries for the protection of inventors. | au-
thorized a representative from the Patent Office to
be present at Vienna at the time when this confer
ence was to take place, in order to aid, as far as he
might, in securing any possible additional protec-
ton to American inventors in Eurore. The report
of this agent Will be laid before Congress.
CHINA.
It is nv pleasant duty to announce to Congress
that the Emperor of China, on affirming his ma
jority. received the diplomatic representatives of
the Western powers IN person. An account of
these ceremonies and of the interesting discus
stems which preceded them, will be found in the
documents transmitted herewith.
The accompanying papers show that some ad-
vance, although slight. has been made during the
past year toward the suppression of The infamous
Chinese COOlie trade | recommend Congress to
inquire whether additional legislation De not need
ed on this subject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded 10 the United States by the
Tribunal OF Arbitration at Geneva was paid by
Her Majesty's Government a few days In advance
of the time waen it would have become payable
according to the terms Of the treaty. In compli-
ance with the provisions of the act of March 3,
1913, II was at once paid into the Treasury, and
used to redeem, so far as it might, the public debt
of the United States, and the amount SO redeemed
was invested IN a > per cent. registered bond Of
the United States for S15,500,0 COO. which is now
held by the Secretary of State, subject to the fu-
ture disposition of Congress.
lrenew my recommendation made at he as
sembling of the last session of Congress, that a
commission be created for the purpose of auditing
hIIA III dIuDil1tS u liz StNc+di Ill
rect losses growing out OF the destruction of vessels
and their cargoes by the Alabama and the Shen-
andoah, after leaving Melbourne, for which the
sufferers have received no equivalent or compen-
satiOn, and of ascertaining the names of the per
sons entitled to receive compensation for the same.
making the computations on the basis indicated
by the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva. and that
payment of such losses be authorized TO an extent
not to exceed the awards of the tribunal at Gen
eva.
THE NORTHWEST BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the 14th day of February
last. Congress made provision for completing
Jointly with an officer or commissioner to be named
by Her Britannia Majesty. the determination of SC
much of the boundary-line between the territory Of
Great Britain and our own as was left uncomplet
Of Congress of August II, 1856. Under the provis
ions of this act, the Northwest water boundary OF
IN accordance with the award of the Emperor Of
Germany. A protocol and a copy of the map upon
which the line was thus marked are contained il
the papers submitted herewith.
also transmit a copy of the report of the Com.
missionersfo for marking the boundary line between
the United States and the British possessions west
OF the Lake of the Woods. During the past sea,
son surveys have been made to a point 4g7 miles
west of the Lake of the Woods, leaving about $50
miles to be surveyed, the field work of which can
be completed during the next season.
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The Commission organized under the provisions
OF the Treaty of Washington for the settlement
and determining of the claims of citizens of either
power against the other arising out of acts COM
mitted against their persons or property during
AHS pSi1So " ApII . IOOl, III ApEII j.
1865, made its final award On the 18th day of
September last. 1t was awarded that the
Government OF the United States should pay
in twelve months from the date of the award, the
sum of 81 ,929. $40 in gold. The Commission dis
allowed or dismissed all other claims of British
subjects against the United States. The amount
of the claims presented by the British Government.
but disallowed or dismissed, is understood to be
about S93 .uO0,OOC. 1t also disallowed all the
claims of the United States against Great Britain
which were referred to it. omm the early
passage of an act appropriating the amount nee
essary to pay this award against the United States.
Government of the King of Italy the thanks
of this Government for the eminent services rend-
cred by Count Cont as the third Commissioner on
this Commission. With dignity, learning and i'm
Partially he discharged duties requiring great
labor and constant patience, to the satisfaction.
believe, of both Governments.
SPECIAL COURT OF CLAIMS.
l legislation to create q special
court, to consist of three Judges. who shall be en-
powered to hear the claims of aliens upon the
United States arising out of acts committed against
their persons or property during the instruction.
The recent conference under the Treaty of Wash
ingtOn was confined to claims of British subjects
arising during the period named in the treaty. but
it is understood there are other British claims of q
similar nature arising after the 9Th of April, 1868
and 1t is known that other claims of a like nature
are advanced by citizens or subjects of other pow.
ers: 1t is desirable to have these claims also ex.
amined and disposed of.
THE ACHEENEsE WAR.
Official information being received from the
Dutch Government of a state of war between the
King 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 preserve an i'm.
partial neutrality. Is is believed that they have
done so.
MEXICAN JOINT COMMISSION.
The Joint Commission, under the convention
with Mexico, of 1863, having again been legally
prolonged, has resumed its business, which, it is
hoped. may be brought TO an early conclusion.
The distinguished representative of Her Britain.
mic Majesty at Washington has kindly consented.
with the approval of his Government, to assume
the arduous and responsible duties of umpire in
this commission, and to lend the weight of his
character and name to such decisions as may not
receive the acqulcscenCe of both the arbitrators
appointed by the respective Governments.
TExAs FoRAYs.
me commissioners appointed, pursuant to the
authority OF Congress, to examine into the nature
and extent of the forays. by trespassers from Mex
leo, upon the herds of Texas. have made a re.
port, which will be admitted for YOUR considera-
ton.
The Venezuelan Government has been appraised
of the sense of Congress in regard to the award of
the joint commission under the convention of the
18th of April, 1866, as expressed in the act of the
18th of February last. 1t is apprehended that that
Government does not realize the character of is
obligations under that convention. As
there is reason to believe, how.
ever, that its hesitancy in recognizing
them springs, in part at least, from real difficulty
lions to other governments, the expediency of fur
Their forbearance on our part is believed 10 be
worthy of your consideration.
TURKEY AND EGYPT.
Inc ottoman Government and that of Egypt
have latterly shown a disposition to relieve foreign