The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-12-14

from time to time, IN the foreign rels
tons of the Government, but tn,
United States have been happil,
free, during the past year, from
the complications and embarrass
mepts which have surrounded some O
the foreign powers. The diplomatic cor
respondence submitted herewith, con
tains information as to certain of tn,
matters which have occupied the Gov
ernment. The cordiality which attend
our relations with the powers of tn,
earth has been plainly shown.
THE EXPOSITION.
BY the general participation of foreign
nations in the exhibition which has jus
ceased, and by the exertions made By
distant powers to show their interest in
Nud friendly feelings toward the United
States, in commemoration of the Centen
NAL of the Nation, the Government anC
people of the United States have not
only fully appreciated this exhibition oi
kindly feeling, but it may be justly
and fairly expected that no small benefit
will result, both 20 ourselves and other
nations, from better acquaintance and
a better appreciation of our mutual ad-
vantages and mutual profit.
THE CONSULAR sERvICE-THE EFFECT OF
REDUCED APPROPRIATIONS.
Congress, ut its last session saw fit ia
reduce the amount usually appropriated
for foreign intercourse by Withholding
appropriations for the representa-
tives of the United States in certain
foreign countries and for certain con-
sular officers, and by reducing the
amounts usually appropriated for GER
tain other diplomatic posts, and thus
necessits ting change in the grade of
representation. For these reasons, i'm.
mediately upon the passage of the bill
making the appropriation tor the diplo-
matte and consular service, for the
present force, instructions were issued
to the representatives of the United
States at Bolivia, Ecuador, and
Columbia, and to the consular Of
fcers, for whom no appropriation
had been made, to close their respective
legations and consulates and cease from
the performance of their duties. In
like manner steps were Immediately
taken to substitute Charges d'Affairs for
Ministers resident in Portugal, Denmark,
Greece, Switzerland and Paraguay.
While thoroughly impressed with the
wisdom of sound economy in the for
eign service, as in other branches of the
Government, l can not escape the
conclusion that in some instances
the withholding of appropriations
will prove an expensive economy,
and that small retrenchment secured by
a change of grade in certain diplomatic
posts, is not an adequate consideration
for the lost influence and importance
which will attend our foreign represent
atives under this reduction. I am of
opinion that q re-examination of the
subject will cause a change in some in.
stances in the conclusion reached on
these subjects at the last session of Con-
gress.
THE ALABAMA COMMISSIONERS.
The Commissioners of the Alabama
Claims whose functions were continued
by an act of the last session of Congress
until the first day of January 1877, has
carried on its labors with diligence and
general satisfaction. By a report from
.he Clerk of the Court, transmitted
herewith, bearing date November IA,
1876. 1t appears that during the time
now allowed by law, the Court will
have disposed of all the claims pre-
,ented for adjudication. This report also
a statement of the general re-
suits of the labors of the Court to the
late thereof. 1t is cause of satifaction
- 4. Il &c 1o,, oI, &oI 20
Court, which are of long standing, and
ustly entitled to early consideration,
'hould have proved successful and ac-
,eptable.
THE BOUNDARY LINE COMMISSION.
1t is with satisfaction that l am en-
lbled to state that the work of the Joint
Commission for determining the bound
Try line between the United States and
he British Possessions, from the north
vest angle of Lake of the Woods in the
Rocky Mountains, commencing in 1872,
has been completed. The final agree
nents of the Comm issioners with the
maps has been duly signed, and the work
IF the Commission is complete.
The fixing of the boundary upon the
Pacific coast by the protocol of March
10, 1873, pursuant to the award of the
of Germany, by article XXXIV,
If the treaty of Washington with the
of the work of this COM
mission adjusts and fixes the end of the
boundary between the United States and
he British Possessions, except as to the
portion of territory ceded by Russia
% the United States by treaty
# 1867. The work intrusted
% the Commissioners and the officers of
he army attached to the Commission,
las been well and satisfactorily per-
ormed.
The original of the final agreement of
he Commissioners, signed upon the 18th
If May, 1876, with the original list of
stations observed, the orig
nal official test of monuments marked,
he international boundary lines and
maps, and the records and general re-
ports relating to the commission have
been deposited in the Department
If State. The official report of
he commissioner on the part of
he United States, with the report of
he Chief Astronomer of the United
States, will be submitted to Congress
within a short time.
FOREIGN.
l reserve for a separate communica-
lion to Congress a statement of the con-
lition of the questions which lately
,rose with Great Britain, respecting the
of fugitive criminals under
The treaty OF 1912.
The Ottoman Government gave notice,
under date of January Is, 1874, of its
desire to terminate the treaty of 1862,
commerce and navigation,
pursuant to the provisions of the twenty
second article thereof. Under this notice
the treaty terminated upon the 9th day
Of June, 1876. That Government has
invited negotiations toward the conclu-
sion of new treaty.
BY the act of Congress of March %,
1874, the President was authorized when
he should receive satisfactory informa-
ton that the Ottoman Government, or
that of Egypt, had organized new tri-
bunals, likely TO secure to the citizens of
the United States the same impartial
:,at;oo oc;oyad undar tho aYercise Of in