The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-12-06

facturers interested in the important and
growing trade with Australia that an in
creased provision should be made by con-
greSS for the representation OF our indus
tries ut the Melbourne exhibition of next
year, and the subject is respectfully sub
mitted to your favorable consideration.
The assent of the government has been
given to the landing on the coast OF Mas
SachuSettS of Il 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 eS'
tabliShed, are such as to secure It's COM
petition with any existing or future lines
of marine cable. and preclude amalSa-
nation herewith; to provide for entire
equality of rights to our government and
people with those of France III the use of
the cable. and prevent any exclusive pos
session of the privilege us accorded by
France to the disadvantage OF any future
cable communication between France
and the United States, which may be
projected and accomplished by our citi-
zens. An important reduction of the
present rates of communication with
Europe. felt to be too burdenSome to the
interests of our commerce, must neceS-
sarily follow from the establishment OF
this competing line. The attention of
congress was drawn to the propriety OF
some general regulation by congress of
the whole subject of trans-marine cables
by my predecessor in his message OF De-
cember I, 1875, and | respectfully submit
for your consideration the Importance or
congressional action in the matter.
The questions OF grave Importance
with Spain, growing out of the incidents
of the Cuban mSurrection, have been FOR
the most part happily and honorably set
tied. 1t may reasonably be anticipated
that the commission now sitting in Wash
ington for the decision of private cases
in this connection will soon bring It's Ia
borS to a conclusion. The long standing
question of the East Florida claims has
lately been renewed as u subject OF cor
reSpOndence, and may require congress
siOna action for its final disposition. a
treaty with the Netherlands with respect
to consular rights and privileges similar
to those of other powers has been signed
and ratified, and the Publications were
exchanged on the 81 of July last.
Negotiations for eXtradition treaties
with the Netherlands and with Denmark
are now in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland IN re-
gard to pauper and convict emigrants
have arisen. but it is not doubted that
they will be arranged upon a just and sat
isfactory basis. A question has also oc-
Cured with respect to an asserted claim
by Swiss municipal authorities to eXer-
else tutelage over the persons and prop
erty of SWISS citizens naturallZed III thlS
country. 1t is possible this may require
adjustment by treaty. With the German
Empire frequent questions arise III con-
nectIon with the subjects OF naturallZa-
ton and repatriation, but the Imperial
government has constantly manifested "a
desire to strictly maintain and comply
with all treaty stipulatlOns III regard 10
them.
In consequence of the omission of
congress to provide for a diplomatic rep
resentative at Athens, the legation to
Greece has been withdrawn. There is
now no channel of diplomatic communl-
cation between the two countries, and
the expediency of providing for one IN
some form is submitted to congress he
lations with Austria, Prussia, Italy, Por-
tugal. Turkey, and Belgium continue
amicable, and marked by no incident OF
special Importance.
A change of the personal head or the
government of Egypt has taken place.
No change, however, has occurred IN the
relat ons between Egypt and the United
States.
The action of the Egyptian government
in presenting to the city OF New 1ork
one of the ancient obelisks which possess
such historical interest is highly appre-
ciated as a generous mark of internation-
al regard. If prosperity should attend
the enterprise of its transportation across
the Atlantic, its erection in conspicuous
position in the chief commercial city OF
the nation will be soon accomplished.
The treaty recently made between ia
pan and the United States IN regard 10 the
revision OF former treaties, 1t Is now De-
lieved. will be followed by similar action
on the part of other treaty powers. The
attention of congress is again invited to
the subject of the indemnity funds re-
ceived some years since from Japan and
China, which, with their accumulated III
tereSt. now amount to considerable sums.
If any part of these funds is justly due
to American citizens they should re-
ceive it promptly, and whatever may
have been received by the government IN
excess Of strictly just demands should III
some form be returned to the nations to
whom it equltably belongs The govern
ment of China has Signitied its willing
ness to consider the question OF the emil
grafton of its subjects to the United
States with dispaSslOnate fairness, and
to co-Opera e in such measure rs may
tend to prevent injurious consequences
to the United States. The negotiations
are still proceeding, and will be pressed
with diligence. A question having arisen
between China and Japan about the Loo
choO Islands, the United States govern
ment has taken measures to inform those
powers of its readiness to extend its good
offices for the maintenance of peace, II
they shall mutually deem it desirable,
and find il practicable to avail themselves
of the proffer
THE BORDER RAIDS.
1t is "a qualification to be able to an
nounce that. through the judicious and
energetic action OF the military command
srs of the two nations on each side of
the Rio Grande. under the instructions
of their respective governments, raids
and depredations have greatly decreased,
and. i'll localities where they were for