The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-12-12
EMPORIA NEWS.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER Il, 1873.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WAsHIsoroN. Dec. ID. 1873.


to Congress has, especially til
last part of it, been an eventfu
one 70 the country. In the mids
of great national prosperity
financial crisis has occurred, tina
has brought low fortunes of grea
proportions. Political partizan
ship has almost ceased to exist
especially in the agricultural re
giOns. And finally the capture
upon the high seas, Of a vesse
bearing our flag, has for a tim
threatened the most serious con
sequences, and has sagltated tn,
public mind from one end of tn,
country to the other. But this
happily, is now in the course o
satisfactory adjustment, desireabl'
to both nations concerned.
| g.S FORk1dN RELATIONS.
The relations of the UNITED
States, however, with most of thu
other nations continue to b,
friendly and cordial. With Eng
land, Germany, France, Russia
Italy, and the minor European
powers; with Brazil and most o.
the South American Republics
and with Japan, nothing has oc
Cured during the year to demand
special notice. The correspon,
dence between the Department oil
State and the various diplomatic
representatives in or from those
countries, is transmitted herewith
CHINA.
1t is my pleasant duty to an.
nounce to Congress that the EN-
peror of China, on obtaining his
majority, received the diplomatic
representatives of the Western
Powers in person. An account OF
the cermonies and OF the interest
ing discussions which preceded,
will be found in the documents
transmitted herewith. The ac-
companying papers show that
some advance, although slight, has
been made during the past year
toward the suppression of the in
famous Chinese coolie trade. l
recommend Congress to inquire
whether additional legislation be
not needed on this subject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money award to the United
States by the Tribunal of Arbitra-
ton at Geneva, was paid by Her
Majesty's Government a few DAYS
in advance of the time when it
wonld have become payable ac-
cording to the terms of treaty.
In compliance with the provisions
of the act of March Sd, 1873, it
was at once paid into the Treas
ury, and used to redeem, SO far as
it might, the public debt of
the United States, and the
amount so redeemed was invested
in five per cent registered bonds of
the United States, for fifteen mil
lion five hundred thousand dollars,
which is now held by the Secre-
tary of State, subject to the future,
disposition of Congress.
l renew my recommendation
made at the assembling of the last
session of Congress, that a com
mission be created for the purpose
of auditing and determining the
amounts of the several direct loss
es growing out of the destruction
of vessels and their cargoes by the
Alabama and Shenandoah after
leaving Milbourne, for which the
sufferers have received no equiva-
lent or compensation, and of as
certaining the names of persons
entitled to receive compensa-
ton for the same, max
ing the computations on the
basis indicated by the tribunal of
arbitration at Geneva. and the
payment of such be authorized to
an extent not to exceed the
awards of the tribunal at Geneva.
CLAIMS.
The commission organized un-
der the provisions of the treaty at
Washington for settlement, and
determining the claims of citizens
of either power against the other,
arising out of acts committed
against their person or property
during the period between April
Ii, 1861, and April 8, 1865, made
its final award on the 25th day of
September. last. 1t was awarded
that the government OF the United
States should pay to the govern
ment of Her Britanic Majesty,
within II months from the date of
award. the sum of SI,929,S19 in
gold. The Commission disallowed
or dismissed all other claims of
British subjects against the Unit
ed States. The amount of the
claims presented by the British
government, but disallowed or dis
missed, is understood to be, about
500, 10000 It also disallows all
the claims of the United States
against Great Britain which were
referred to it. I recommend the
early passage OF an act appropriat-
ing the amount necessary to
pay this award against us.
THANKS.
l have caused to be communi-
Gated to the Government of the
King of Italy the thanks of this
Government for the eminent servi-
ces rendered by Count Cont, as
the third commissioner on this
commission. With dignity, learn
ing and impartiality he discharg-
ed duties requiring great labor
and constantant patience, to the
satisfaction of both Governments.
A SPECIAL COURT.
I recommend legislation to Gre
ate special court, to consist OF
three judges, who shall be empow-
cred to hear and determine all
claims made on the United States
arising out of the acts commit
ted against their person or pro-
perty during the insurrection.
The recent conference under the
treaty of Washington was confin-
ed to claims of British subjects
arising during the period named
in the treaty, but it is understood
there are other British claims. of
a similar nature, arising after the
sth of April, 1866, and it is known
that other claims of alike nature
are advanced by citizens or sub
jects of other powers. 1t is desir--
able to have these claims also ex2
amined and disposed of. 49,
WAR.
Official information being re-
ceived from the Dutch Govern
ment of a state of war between the
King of the Netherlands and the
Sultan of the Techren, the officers
Of the United States who were
near the SCAT of war were instruct