Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-12-12

reports and recommendation as my own.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue on a favorable
footing Questions have arisen from time
70 time in the foreign relations OF the
government, but they have been happily
Tree during the past year from the COM
pllcatiOns and embarrassments which
have surrounded some of the foreign
powers. The diplomatic corresp spondence
submitted herewith contains Information
AS TO certain OF the matters which have
occupied the government. Tne cordiali-
ty which attends our relations with The
powers of the East has been plainly
shown by the general participation Of
foreign nations in the exhibition which
has just closed, aud by The exeItIon made
by distant powers to show their interest
and friendly feeling toward the l'ai,ed
States IN the commemOralon OF the Cen
teunial OF the nation. The government
and people OF the United ates not only
fully appreciate this exhibition OF kindly
feeling, but it may be justly and fairly
expected that no small benz liS will re-
suit both 10 ourselves and other nations
from better acquaintance and better
spprC citation of cur mutual advantages
and mutual wants.
rHE REDUCTION or THE DIPLOMATIC SER
VICE.
Congress at its last session saw lii 20
reduce the amount usually appropriated
Tor loreiXn intercourse by Withholding
appropriations Tor representation OF the
United States IN Certain foreign countries
and tor certain consular officers and by
reducing the amounts usually aPproOri-
ated for certain other diplomatic posts
and thus compelling necessary changes
III the representations. For the sc rea-
sons Immediately upon the passage ol
the bill making appropriations tor The
diplomatic aud consular service Tor the
pre- sent fiscal year, instructions were l.
sued 10 the representatives, OF the United
States at Bolivia and Columbia and TO
the consular officers for whom no apprc-
prialiors tai been made 10 close their
respective legations aud consulates and
cease from The performance OF their
duties; aud in ike manner steps were
Immediately taken 10 substitute cbGfgc
q af'urcS for ministers resident in PJrtU-
gai. Denmark. Greece, Switzerland and
Paraguay. While thoroughly impressed
with the custom OF sound economy 10 the
foreign service as IN other branches oi
the government, cannot escape the
conclusion that IN some instances the
Withholding OF appropriations will prove
an expensive economy aud that the sm.
reireuchment secured 10y change OF
srlde in certain diplomatic posts. is not
an adequate consideration tor the loss OF
influence aud importance witch will at
tend our foreign representatives under
this reduction. | am OF the opinion that
Ie-sXaminaiion OF the matter will
cause a change in some instances in the
conclusion resched on these subjects.
AIABAM, CLAIMS.
The Court Of Commissioners Of Ala
bama Claims, whose functions were
continued by an act of the las, session OF
Congress until the first day OF January,
1917, has carried on is labors with dill
geuCe aud general satisfaction. BY u
report from the clerk OF the court. trans
m.t'ed herewith. bearing date OF Nov
ember II, 1876. it appears that within the
time now allowed by law the Court will
have disposed OF all the claims presented
for adjudication. The report also contains
statement of the general results Of the
lAbors OF the Court TO the date thereof.
Il is cause OF satisfaction that the meth
cd adopted for The satisfaction ol the
class Of claims submitted 10 the Court,
which are Of long standing and Justly
entitled to early consideration, should
have proved successful and acceptable.
TIE NORTHwEsTERN BOUNDARY.
Il is with satisfaction that am en-
abled TO state the work Of The joint com
mission for determining the boundary
line between the United States and the
British possessions iTem the northwest
angle OF the Lake OF the Woods 10 the
Rocky Mountains. commenced in 1872,
has been comp eted. The final agree
meuts OF the commissioners with the
maps have been duly signed. and the
work Of the commission is completed
The fixing OF the boundary upon the Pa
clic coast by the protocol OF March TO-
1873, pursuant 10 the award ot the Em-
peror If Germany by Article NAAlN OF
the Treaty Cf Washington, with The ter
mina,iOn OF the WORK OF this commission,
adjusts and fixes the entire boundary
between the United States and the Brit
ISL possessions. except on the portions
Cl territory ceded by Russia to the Unit
ed States under the treaty OF 1876. The
WORK entrusted 10 the commissioners and
the officers of the army attached 10 the
commission has been we'll and salistac-
tOrily performed.
The original OF the final agreement OF
the commissioners sigued upon the 29:h
OF May, 1876, with the original list OF
astronomical states as observed, the orig
inal official list of monuments marking
the international boundary line and the
map, records and general report relating
10 the commission have been deposited
in the Department of State. The official
report of the commissioner on the part
of the United States, will be submitted
to Congress within a short time.
The ExTRADITIoN CONTROVERSY WITH
GREAT BRITAIN.
Ireserve for a separate communication
10 Congress statement OF the condition
of the question which lately arose with
Great Britain respecting the surrender
oftugilive criminals, under the treaty OF
1912.
TIE c C)MMERCIAL TREATY WITH TURKEY.
The Ottoman government gave notice,
under GATE OF January 10. 1874, of its de-
sire 10 terminate the treaty OF 1862. con-
cerning commerce and navigation, pur-
suant 10 the provisions OF the 22nd
article thereof, under this notice the
treaty terminated upon .he 9TH day OF