The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-11

Il III view OF these figures an
Il Of the fact that the work devolvin
S on the umpire is particularly labo orious, tha
Il the commission wo3ld be unable to dis
y pose OF the entire number of claims pendin
prior to the first day of February, 1875. til
: date fixed for its expiration. Negotiation
are pending looking to the securing Of tn
t results Of decisions which have been reach
e ed, and to afurther extension of the com
: mission for q limited time, which it is con
e tidently hoped will suffice to bring all th
business now before it to final close.
the ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
The strife in the Argentine Republic is t.
be deplored, both on account of the parties
thereto and from its probable effect on thu
interests of those engaged in trade in tha
quarter, of whom the United States are the
principal. AS yet so far as am aware
there has been no violation OF our neutrality
rights which, as we'll as our duties in thai
: respect, it shall be my endeavor to maintain
land observe.
VENEZUELA CLAIMS. >.
1t is with regret that announce that no
further payment has been received from the
government of Venezuela on the product OF
awards in favor of citizens of the United
States. Hopes have been entertained that if
the republic could escape both foreign and
civil war for a few years, its great national
resources would enable it to honor its obli-
cations. Though it is now understood to Ike
at peace with other countries, a serious ill.,
surrection is reported to be in progress in an
important region of that republic. This may
lie taken advantage of as another reason for
withholding the payment Of the dues of our
citizens.
| CUBAN AFFAIRS.
| The deplorable strife in Cuba continues
without any marked changes in the rela-
tive advantages of the contending forces.
The insurrection continues and the Inability
OF Spain in the six years of strife to quell it,
gives it significance which cannot lie de-
MED while its duration and the tenacity of
its adherence with the absence Of any manif.
ested power Of suppression on the part Of
!Spain cannot be controverted and may
other powers as matter Of selt-necessity.
AFFAIRS WITH SPAIN.
1had confidently supposed at this time to
| be able to announce the arrangement of some
Of the important questions between this gov
eminent t;nm1 and and that Of Spain, but the negota:
unhappy intestine disturbances in
Spain command our profound
sympathy and must he accepted as perhaps
a cause OF some delay A speedy settlement.
in rart at least, Of the Questions between
these governments is hoped. In the mean
time waiting the results of Immediately
pending negotiations, defer further and
fuller communication on the subject of the
relations of this country and Spain.
THE RIGHT ExPATRIAr1oN.
l have again to call the attention Of Con.
gress to the unsatisfactory condition of ex-
isting laws with reference to the election of
nationality. Formerly amid conflicting
opinions and decisions, it was difficult to
exactly determine how far the declaration of
perpetual allegiance was applicable to citi-
the act of the 9th of July, 1868, asserted
the abstract right Of expatriation as fun
damental principle OF this government.
| Notwithstanding such assertion and the ne
cessity Of frequent application of the prin-
ciple, no legislation has been had defining
what acts or formalities should work
expatriation, or when citizen shall be
deemed to have renounced his citizen
ship. The importance Of such definition is
obvious. The repre- entatives Of the United
called upon to lend their aid aud the protec-
ton Of the United States to
persons concerning the good faith or
realty of whose citizenship there is at least
great question. In some cases the p1ovis-
ions OF the treaty furnish some guide. In
others it seems leftto the persons claiming
the benefit of citizenship while living in for
eign countries, contributing in no manner
to the performance of duties of citizens OF the
United States, and without the intention at
any time to return and undertake these du-
ties, who claim the citizenship of the United
States simply as a shield from the perform
ance of the obligations of citizenship Where
the cases Of children born of American
parents residing in foreign countries; of
American women who have married aliens
OF American citizens residing abroad: where
such questions are not regulated by treaty
and are liable to be frequent, the difficult leg
islation on these and similar questions, aud
particularly defining when and under what
| circumstances expatriation can be accom-
plished or to he presumed, is especially nee
essary. In this connection learnestly!call the
attention of Congress to the difficulty aris-
ing from the numerous frauds practiced.
Among the highest duties OF the gov
ernment is that to afford firm, efficient and
efectual protection to all citizens whether
native born or naturalized Steps should be
taken that the right, carrying with 1t such
je ftiaudulently obtained, and should be be- be-
slowed only upon full proof of compliance
with the law. Frequent instances of illegal
and fraudulent naturalization, and OF
| unauthorized certificates thus improperly
obtained have come to light. In some cases
! the fraudulent character Of the naturaliza-
ton has appeared upon tle face of the Ger
ti6cate itself, in others examination discloses
the fact that the holder had not complied
with the law, and in others certificates have
them was not only not entitled to be na,ur-
allied, but had not even been within the
United States at the time of their pretended
naturalization. Instances of each Of these
classes of fraud are discovered at our
Legation where the certificates of naturaliza-
ton are presented, either for the purpose of
obtaining passports, or in demanding the
protection Of the legation. When the fraud
Iappears on the face OF such
certificates they are taken up hy
orwarded to the Department of State. But
then the record Of the court in which the
frauds arising occurred remains, and dupli-
cate certificates are readily obtainable upon
their presentation. In the issue OF
passports and in demanding protection ct
the government the fraud sometimes escapes
notice, and such certificates are not infre.
que 1tly used in the transaction Of business,
to the deception and injury OF innocent par.
ties. Without placing any additional obsta.
the worthy and well.intentioned foreigne,
who comes to cast his lot in good faith. i
> recommend further legislation to punish
fraudulent naturalization and to secure the
ready cancellation of the record Of ever,
naturalization made in fraud
TREATIES RATIFIED.
Since my last annual message the ex
t change has been made of the ratification o
treaties Of extraditiou with Belgium, Labra
dor, Peru and Salvador. Also Of treaty Q
commerce and navigation with Peru and on,
t lof commerce and consular privileges will
E Salvador, all OF which have been duly bro
lclaimed, as has also declaration with Rus
s lsia in reference to trades marks.
/ TREASURY REPORT.
3 The report OF the Secretary of the Treas
!, ury which by law il made directly to Con
|, gress and forms no part Of this message, vii