The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-17

time as interpreters at the legation and
the cOnsulates in Japan. A limited num-
Der of Japanese youths might, at the same
time, be educated in our vernacular, and
would result to the mutual advantage OF
both Governments. The Importance OF
having our own citizens competent and
familiar with the language of Japan, to
act as interpreters, and in other capaci-
tices connected with the legations and
consulatesin that country, cannot readily
be 0ver-estimated.
The amount awarded to the Govern
ment Of Great Britain by the mixed Com
mission, organized under the acts of the
treaties of Washington, in settlement of
the claims of British subjects, arising
from acts committed between April 18,
1841, and April 9, 1865, became practic-
able under the terms of the treaty with
in the past year and was paid upon the
2lst day of September, 1874. In this
connection renew my recommendation,
made at the opening of the last session of
Congress, that a special court be created
to hear and determine all claims of aliens
against the United States, arising from
acts committed against their persons or
property during the insurrection. 1t
appears equitable that opportunity should
be offered for persons of other States to
present. their claims, as we'll as to those
British subjects whose claims were not
admissible under the late Commission, to
the early decision of competent tribu-
nal, and / recommend the necessary leg
islation to organize court to dispose of
those claims of aliens who are referred to
it in an equitable and satisfactory man.
ner, and to relieve Congress and the de-
partments from the consideration of
these questions.
The legislation necessary to extend to
the Colony of New Foundland certain
articles of the Treaty of Washington, of
the 9Th day of May, 1870, having been
had, a protocol to that effect was sug-
gested in behalf of the United States and
Great Britain, on the 28th of May last,
and was duly proclaimed on the follow
ing day.
A copy of the proclamation is snb-
mitted herewith, and copy of the re-
port of the Commissioner appointed un-
der the act of March 10, 1872, for survey
ing and marking the boundary between
the United States and the British Pos
sessions, from the Lake of the Woods to
the summit of the Rocky Mountains, is
herewith transmitted. l am happy to
announce that the field work of the
Commission has been completed, and the
entire line, from the northwest corner of
Lake of the Woods to the summit of the
Rocky Mountains has been run and
marked upon the surface of the earth.
1t is believed that the amount remaining
unexpended of the appropriation made
at the last session Of Congress, will be
sufficient to complete the work. re-
commend that the authority of Congress
be given to the use of the unexpended
balance of the appropriation in the COM
pletion of the work of the Commission,
in making the report and printing the
necessary map.
The court known as the Court of Com
missioners of Alabama Claims, created
by an act of Congress during the last
session, has been organized and has COM
menced its work it is to be hoped that
the claims admissible under the provis-
ions of the act may be speedily admins
tered.
1t has been deemed advisable to exer-
else the discretion conferred upon the
Executive at the last session, by accept
ing the conditions required by the Gov
ernment of Turkey, for the privilege of
allowing citizens of the United States to
hold real estate in the former country,
ard by asserting to certain change of
the jurisdiction of the Courts in the lat
tel.
A copy of the proclamation upon
these subjects isherewith communicated.
There has been no material change in |
our relations with the independent |
States of this hemisphere, which were |
formerly under the dominance of Spain. |
Marauding on the frontiers between Mex.
leo and Texas, still frequently takes
place, despite the vigilance of the civil |
and military authorities in that quarter. |
The difficulty of checking snch trespasses
along the course of river of such |
length as the Rio Grande, and so often |
fordable, is obvious. 1t is hoped that the |
efforts of this Government will be Sec
onded by those of Mexico to the effectual
suppression of acts of wrong.
From report upon the condition of
the business before the American and |
Mexican Joint Claims Commission made |
by the agent on the part of the United
States, and dated October %, 1874, it ap-
pears that Of the 1,107 claims filed on
the part of citizens Of the United States,
483 had been finally decided, and 75 |
were in the hands of the umpire, leaving
46O to be disposed of. OF the 998 claims
fled against the United States, 726 had
been finally decided upon. One was be-
fore the umpire, and 271 remain to be
disposed Of Since the date of such re-
port, other claims have been disposed of,
reducing somewhat the number still |
pending; others have been passed upon
by the arbitrators.
It has become apparent in view of
these figures, and Of the fact that the
work devolving on the Umpire is partic-
ularly laborious; that the commission
would be unable to dispose of the entire
number Of claims pending prior to the
first day of February, 1875, the date
fixed for its expiration. Negotiations
were pending looking to the security of
the results of the decisions which have
been reached and to further extension
of the commission for limited time,
which it is confidently hoped will suffice
to bring all the business now before it to
a final close.
The strife in the Argentine Republic
s W DC ucpiOIeu, DOtn Oh aCCOuh1 VI ING
parties thereto, and from the probable
effects on the interests of the trade in
that quarter, the United States being
among the principal loosers as yet. So
far as am aware there has been no
violation of our neutrality rights, which
az we'll as our duties in that respect, it
shall be my endeavor to maintain and
observe. 1t is with regret that l an
nounce that no further payment has
been received from the Government OF
Venezuela, on account of wars in favor
of citizens of the United States.
Hopes have been entertained that if
the republic could escape both foreign
and civil war for few years, its great
natural resources would enable it to hon.
or its obligations.
Though it is now understood to be at
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