Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-01
ect is respectfully submitted to your favorable

The assent OF the government has been given
10 the landing on the coast OF NJ assachusetts OF
new and independent transatlantic cable
between France, by way OF the French island OF
| st. Pierre, and this country. subject to any
future legislation OF Congress on the subject
The conditions imposed, before allowing this
| connection with our shores TO be established,
are such as to secure its competition with any
existing or future lines OF marine cable, and
| preclude amalgamation Herewith. To provide
| for entire equality OF rights to our government
| and people with those OF France In the use of
| the cable, and prevent any exclusive possession
| of the privilege as accorded by France to the
| disadvantage OF any future cable communities
tton between France and the United States
| which may be projected and accomplished by
our citizens. an important reduction OF the
| present rates OF cable communication with
Europe, felt to be too burdensome to the inter-
eSts OF our commerce. must necessarily flow
from the establishment OF this competing line.
| The attention OF Congress was drawn Ia the
| proprety OF some general regulation by Con-
grtSs OF the whole subject OF trans-marine
| cables by my predecessor in his message OF
December !, 1915, and respectfully submit to
| your consideration the Importance OF Congress
| Slonal action in this matter.
| The questions OF grave importance with Spain,
| growing out OF the Incidents OF the Cuban insur-
| fecuon, have teen. for the most part. happily
and honorably settled. 1t may reasonably be
| anticipated that the commission, now sitting in
| Washington. for the decision of private cases in
| this connection, will soon be able to bring its
| labors TO conclusion. The long-standing queS-
| tlon OF East Florida claims has lately been re-
| newed as subject of correspondence and may
| possibly require Congressional action for its final
| disposition.
| A treaty with the Netherlands with respect to
| consular rights and privileges similar TO those
| with other powers. has been signed aud ratified,
| and the ratifcatfons were exchanged on the 3lst
| OF July last. Negotiations for eXtradtion trea-
| ties with the Netherlands and with Denmark are
| now in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland in regard to
| pauper and convict emfgrantS have arisen, but
| 1t is not doubted that they will be arranged upon
just and satisfactory basis. A question has
| also occurred with respect to an asserted claim
Inv
| lage over persons and property OF Swiss citizens
| naturaliZed in this country. 1t is possible this
may require adjustment by treaty.
With the German Empire frequent questions
| arise In connection with the subjects OF natural
| Kation and expatriation. but the Imperial gov
ernnSnt has constantly manifested desire to
| strictly maintain and comply with all treaty
| stipulations in regard to them.
In consequence of the omission OF Congress to
| provide for a diplomatic representative at
Athens, the legation to Greece has been with
| drawn. There is now no channel OF diplomatic
communication between the two countries and
the eXpediency of providing for one in some form
| is submitted to Congress.
Relations with Austria, Russia Italy, Portu-
gal. Turkey, and Belgium continue amicable and
| marked by noincidenJ OF especial Importance. A
change of the personal head of the government
of Egypt has taken place. No change. however,
has occurred in the relations between Egypt and
the United States. The action of the Egyptian
government in presenting to the city OF New
York one of the ancient obelisks which possess
such historical interest is highly appreciated as
a generous mark of international regard. II
prosperity should attend the enterprise OF its
transportation across the Atlantic, It's erection
in conspicuous position in the chief CONNER
cial city of the nation will be soon accomplished.
The treaty recently made between Japan and
the United States in regard TO the revision OF
former treaties, 1t Is now believed Will be fol-
lowed by similar action on the part of other
treaty powers. The attention OF Congress is
again invited to the subject of the Indemnity
| funds received some years since from Japan and
| China, which, with their accumulated interest,
now amount to considerable sums II any part
of these funds is justly due to American citizens
| they should receive 1t promptly, and whatever
may have been received by this government in
excess Of strictly just demands should, in some
form, he returned to the nations to whom it
eQuitably belongs. The government OF China
has sgnifed It's willingness to consider the
question of the emigration OF its subjects to the
United States with diSpaSsionate fairness, and
to cooperate In such measures as may tend to
prevent injurious consequences to the United
States. The negotiations are still proceeding
and will be pressed with diligence. question
having arisen between China and Japan about
the Loochoo Islands, the United States govern
ment has taken measures to inform these pow
eTS of its readiness to extend Its good offices for
the maintenance of peace, II they shall mutually
deem it desirable and find it practicable to avail
themselves OF the proffer
| STOPPING THE BoRDEB RAIDS.
| 1t is a qualification to be able to announce
that, through the 1udicious and energetic ac-
tion of the military commanders OF the two ma
tions on each side OF the Rio Grande, under the
instructions OF their respective governments,
raids and depredations have greatly decreased,
and in the localities where formerly most de-
Structive. have now almost wholly ceased. In
view of this result, l entertain a confident eX-
pectation that the continuance OF the preva-
lence of quiet on the border will soon become so
assured as to justify modification of the pres
ent orders to our military commanders, as to
crossing the border without encouraging such
disturbances as would endanger the peace OF
| the two countries. The third inStallment Of
the award against Mexico under the claims COM
mission Of July 4, 1868, was duly paid and has
been put in course of distribution in pursuance
| n n nrOviGiOp
This satisfactory situation between the two
countries leads me to anticipate an expansion OF
button of capital and industry by our people to
the development OF the great resources of that
country. ! earnestly commend to the wisdom
| of Congress the provision of suitable legislation
| looking to this result
Diplomatic intercourse with Colombia is again
fully restored by the arrival OF a minister from
that country to the United States This is eS-
pecially fortunate, in view of the fact that the
| question of an interoceanic canal has recently
assumeda new and important aspect and is now
under discussion with the Central American
conntries, through whose territory the canal by
the Nicaragua route would have to pass 1t is
| trusted that enlightened statemanship on their
part will see that the early prosecution of such
work will largely inure to the benefit not only
OF their own citizens and those of the United
states, but OF the commerce OF the civilized
world It is not doubted that, should the work
| be undertaken under the protective auspices of
the United States. and upon satisfactory conces-
sions for the right of way and Its security by
| the Central American governments, the capital
for its completion would readily be furnished
from this country and Europe which might,
falling such guarantees, prove inaccessible.
Diplomatic relations with Chill have also been
strengthened by the reception of a minister
from that country. The war between Peru
Bolivia, and Chill still continues. The United
States have not deemed it proper to interpose
| In the matter further than to convey to all the
| governments concerned the assurance that the
| friendly offices OF the government of the United
| States for the restoration OF peace upon an
| honorable basis Will be extended in case the
belligerents shall exhibit a readiness to
| accept them. Cordial relations continue with
| Brazil and the Argentine Republic and trade
| with those countries is improving. A pro-
| vision for regular and more frequent mail COM
| municatiOn, in our own ships, between the
| ports OF this country and the nations Of
| South America, seems to me to deserve the
| attention of Congress as an essential precursor
of an enlargement OF our commerce with
| them and an extension of our carrying trade. A
| recent revolution in Venezuela has been fol-
| lowed by the establishment OF provisional
! government. This government has not yet been
formally recognized, and it is deemed desirable
to await the proposed action of the people
which is expected to give it the sanction OF con-
| stitutional forms. A naval vessel has been sent
| to the Samoan Islands to make surveys and
| take possession of the privileges ceded to the
n