Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-02


provincial authorities, deemed to be in dero
CATION of rights secured by treaty to Ameri
can fishermen. The United States Minister
in London has been instructed to present q
demand for Sl05, ,305 OF, in view of the dam
ages received by American citizens at Fortune
Bay on the 9Th day of January, 1873. The
subject has been taken into consideration by
the British Government and an early reply
is anticipated.
Upon the completion of the necessary pre-
limnary examinations, the subject of our
participation in the provincial fisheries, as
regulated by treaty, will at once be brought
to the attention of the British Government
with a view to an early and permanent settle
ment of the whole question, which was only
temporarily adjusted by the Treaty of Wash.
ington.
Efforts have been made to obtain the re-
moval of restrictions found injurious to the
expectation of cattle to the United King
dom.
Some correspondence has also occur ed
with regard to the rescue aLd saving of life
and property upon the lakes, which has re-
suited in important notifications of the pre-
vious regulations of the Dominion Govern
ment on the subject, in the interest of human
ity and commerce.
the last session of Congress, commissioners
were appointed to represent the United States
at the two International Exhibitions in Aus
trala, one of which is now in progres at Sgd
ney, and the other to be held next year. Fat
Melbourne A desire has been expressed by
our merchants and manufacturers interested
in the important and growing trade with Aus
tralia that an increased provision should be
made by Congress for the representation of
our industries at the Melbourne Exhibition
of next year, and the subject is respectfully
submitted to your favorable consideration.
The assent ofthe eGovernmenthas been given
to the landing. on the coast of Massachusetts
of a 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 anal algamation Herewith, to provide
for entire equality of rights to our Govern
ment 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 ca
BILE communication between France and the
United States which may be projected and
accomplished by our citizens. An important
reduction Of the present rates Of cable COM
munication with Europe, felt to be too bur-
densomc to the interests of our commerce,
must necessarily flow from the establishme mt
of this competing line.
The attention of Congress was drawn to
the propriety of some general regulation by
Congress Of the whole subject of transmarine
cables by my predecessor in his message of
December I, 1875, and l respectfully submit
to your consideration the Importance of Con-
gressional actisn in this matter.
The questions of grave Importance with
Spain, growing out of the incidents of the
Cuban insurrectiOn have been, for the most
part, happily and honorably settled. 1t may
be reasonably anticipated that the Commits
sion now sitting in Washington, for the de-
cision of private eases in this connection will
soon be able to bring his labors to a conclu-
sion.
The long standing question of East Florida
claims has lately been renewed as a 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 and
ratified, and the ratfications were exchanged
on the 3lst of July last. Negotiations for
extradtion 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 satisfactory basis.
A question has also occurred with respect to
an asserted claim by Swiss municipal author
tiles to exercise tutelage over persons and
property of Swiss citizens naturalized in this
country. 1t is possible this may require ad
justment by treaty.
With the German Empire frequent ques-
tions arise in connection with the subjects of
naturalization and expatriatiOn; but the I'm
perial Government has constantly manifested
a desire to strictly maintain and comply with
all treaty stipuations in regard to them.
In consequence of the omission of Congress
to provide for diplomatic representative at
Athens, the legation to Greece has been with
drawn. There is now no channel of diplo-
matte communication between the two coun-
tries, and the expediency of providing for
one, in some form, is submitted to Congress.
Relations with Austria, Russia, Italy, Por-
tugal, Turkey and Belgium continue AMIGA
ble and marked by no incident of especial
importance.
A change Of the personal head Of the Gov
ernment of Egypt has taken place. No
tions 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 historic
interest, is highly appreciated as generous
mark of international regard. If prosperity
should attend the enterprise of its transporta-
ton across the Atlantic, its erection in con-
spicuous position in the chief commercial city
of the Nation will soon be accomplished.
The treaty recently made between Japan
and the United States in regard to the revis-
ion of former commercial treaties, it is now
believed will be followed by similar action on
the part of other treaty powers. The atten-
tlon of Congress is again invited to the sub
ject of the indemnity funds received some
years since, from Japan aud China, which,
with their accumulated interest, now amount
to considerable sums. If any part Of these
funds is justly due to American citizens, they
should receive it promptly; and whatever
may have been received by this government
in excess Of strictly just demands, should in
some form be returned to the nations to
whom it equitably belongs.
The Government of China has signi6ed its
willingness to consider the question Of the
emigration of its subjects to the United States
with dispassionate fairness, and to cooper
ate in such measures as may tend to prevent