Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-12-07


close. The strife IN the Argentine Republic is
10 be deplOred, both on account of the parties
thereto, and from the probable effects on the
quarter, Of whom the United States
are among the principal. AS yet, so
fer as am aware, there has been
no violation OF our neutrality rights, which, "a
well as our duties in that respect, ii shall be my
endeavOr to maintain and observe. 1t is with
regret announce that no further payment has
been received from the Governm ut of Yens-
Zuela Oh account OF awards in favor of citizens
OF the United States. Hopes have been enter
tanned that If that Republic could escape both
foreign ana civil war for few years its gresr
natural resources would enable it to honor its
obligations. Though il is now understood to be
at peace with other countries a serious i0sur-
rection Is reported to be in progress in an im-
pOrtant region Of that Republic. This may be
taken advantage OF as another reason TO delay
the payment of the dues of our citizens.
The deplorable strife in Cuba continues with
out any marked change in the relative etvsu-
t2ges of the cOntending forces. The insuTrec-
ton continues, but Spain has gained no supe-
riorlty. Sx years of strife give TO the insurrec-
ton significance which cannot be denied. lis
duration, and the tenaclty of its adherence, to-
gGtheT with the absence of manifested DO yer OF
suppression On the part Of Spain, cannot be
cOhtroVert6d and may make some positive steps
On the part of other powers a matter of SELF ne
ceSsity. | had confidently hoped, at this time,
90 lie able TO announce the arrangement of
sUIGe or the important questions between this
goveTnDt Mt and that of Spain, but the negotla-
lions lave been prOtracted. The unhappy in j..
testine dissensiOns of Spain command our pro-
found sympathy, AID must be accepted as per-
haps b cause of some delay. An early settle
Dent, IN part at least, OF the questions between
the governments is hoped. In the meantime
awaiting the results of immediately pending
negotiations, defer further and fuller cOmmu
niCatlOn on the subject CT the relations OF this
country and Spain.
have again to call the attention OF Congress
to the unsatisfactory condition of the existing
lsvs with reference to eXpatristion, and the
election of nationality. Formerly, amid con-
tictiDg opinions aud decisions, it was difficult
10 exactly determine how far the doctrine of
perpetual allegiance was applicable to citizens
OF the United States, Congress by the act of
the Ztth OF July, 1868, asserted the abstract
pie OF this Government. Notwithstanding such
assertion, and the necessity of frequent appli-
cation Of the principle, 20 legislation has been
had defining what acts or fDrmalities shall work
eNpatTiat0n, or Wheu q citizen shall be dee med
To have removed OF to have lost his citizenship.
The Importance OF such definition is O5viOus
The Representatives of the United States in for
eiSn countIl-s are continually called upon to
lend their aid aud the protection Of the United
States to persons concerning the good faith or
the reality or whose citizenship there is at least
great question.
In some cases the provisions of the treaties
furnish some guide, in Others it seems left to the
person claiming the benefit of citizenship, while
hvipg in foreign country, contributing in no
manner to the performance of the duties of
citizen OF the United ) states, and without inten-
tton at any time o. return, and undertake those
duties to use the claims to citizenship OF the
United states Simply as shield from the per-
fOrmance of the obligations of a citizen else
where. The status OF children born Of Ameri-
can parents residing in a foreign country, or
American women who have married aliens, of
American citizens residing abroad, where such
question is rot regulated by treaty, are all
sources of frequent difficulty and discussion
Legislation on these and similar questions and
particularly defining when and under what cir
Cumst2UCss e1patriat!On can be accomplished,
or IS to be presumed, is especially needed. In
this connection l earnestly call the attention OF
lent naturalization.
The United States wisely, freely and literally
offers its citizenship TO all who may come in
good faith TO reside within its limits on comply
ing with certain prescribed, reasonable and
simple iOrnallties and conditions. Among the
highest duties OF the Government is that ID
altCrd firm, efficient and equal protection TO all
its citizens, whether native born OF uralized.
Care should be taken that right, earring
with 1t such support from the Government,
should not be eftauuulently obtained, and should
be bestowed Only upon full proof of a compli.
4Hce with the law, and yet frequent instances
are brought 10 the attention Of tne Government
II illegal and fraudulent naruraliz ation, and
II The unauthorized use Of certificates thus i'm
prCp5Tiy obtained.
IL some cases he fraudulent character OF the
Naturalization has appeared upon the face of the
certificate itself; n others examination dis
ciCscs that the holder had not complied with
the law, and in others, certihcatrs have bsen
obtained where the person holding them not
only were not entiti cd u naturalization but had
not even been within the United States at the
time Of the pretended natura zatiOn. In
stances of each of these classes of fraud are dis
covered at our Leg atoms, where the certificates
OF naturalization are presented, either for the
purpose OF obtaining passports, or in demand
ing the protection Of the legation. When the
fraud Is apparent on the face of such certifi-
Gates they are taken up by the representa-
tives OF the Government and forwarded to the
Department of State. But even then the re-
cord Of the court in which the fraudulent ma
turshZatiOn occurred remains and duplicate
certificates are readily obtainable. Upon the
presentation of these for the issue of passports
or in demanding protection OF the Government,
the fraud sometimes escapes notice, and such
certificates are not infrequently used in trans
actions OF business to The deception and injury
Of innocent parties.
Without placing any additional obstacles in
the way Of the Obtainment OF citiZeDship by the
worthy and well iDtentiOned foreigner who
comes In good faith to cast his lot with ours, /
earnestly recommend further legislation 20 pan
ish fraudulent naturalization, aud to secure the
ready cancellation Of the record of every n atu-
rslizatOn made in fraud, Since my last au-
nual message the exchange has been made OF
the ratification of treaties Of extraditiOn with
Belgium, Ecuador, Peru and Salvador; also of
= treaty OF commerce and navigation with
Peru, and one OF commerce and consular prvi-
ieges with Salvador, all Of which have been
duiy proclaimed, a. has also declaration with
Russia with reference TO trade marks The re
port of the Secretary OF the Treasury which, by
law, i5 made directly to Congress, and forms no
part Of this message, viii show the receipts aud
expenditures of the government for the last
fiscal year: the amount received from each
source OF govern ment, and the amount paid out
for each of the departments of the government
Ii will be observed from this report that the
amount of receipts over expenditure, has bsen
but ,34i 80. for the fiscal year ending June
june 3Oth, Isl /, and that for the current fiscal
year the estimated receipts over expenditures
will not much exceed nine millions of dollars
In view of the large Datonal debt, existing
and the bliEatiOn to add one per cent. per an
mum TO the sinking fund q sum amounting now
TO over $}4 900 900 per annum-I submit whether
revenues should not be increased or expendi-
lures diminished TO reach this amount OF sur
plus. Not to provide for the sinking fund is a
partial failure to comply with the contracts and
obligations of the Government. at the last
session OF Congress a very considerable reduc-
tiOn was made in rates of taxation and in the
number of articles submitted to taxation. The
question may well be asked whether or not in
some instances unwisely. In connection with
this subject, too, venture the opinion that the
means Of collecting the revenue, especially from
imports, have been so embarrassed by legtsla-
ton as to make IL questionable whether or not
large amounts are not lost by failure to collect,
TO the direct loss of the Treasury and to prsju-
dice OF the interests of honest importers and tax
payers The Secretary OF the Treasury in his
report favors legislation looking to an early re-
turn TO specie payments, thus supporting views
nreylOusiv eXDrasSad in fhia mas