Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-09

ply with lts obligations under the
metrical convention, and that the
Spanish government is investigating the
action OF one of its armed cruisers in
searching several vessels Of our merchant
marine in neutral waters, with view
to cIplanatito and reparation.
Mr.. Trescot. one Of the commission
ers to China from the United States, is
now Of his way home with the treaties
that have been agreed upon. and will
probably be able TO lay them before the
Senate early in January.
A convection has been negotiated with
Japan for the reciprocal relief OF ship
wrecked Eeamen, and the japanese
government has made suitable provision
for the accommodation of the American
legation Mt its capital. The recon-.
mendations are renewed that whatever
portions Of the indemnity funds receiv.
ed some years ago from China and Japan
are due TO American citizens should be
paid and the residue returned.
There is reason TO believe that Obsta.
cles which have SO long prevented rapid
and convenient communication between
the United States and Mexico by rail.
ways are on the point Of disappearing,
and that several important enterprises
OF this character will soon be set on foot
which cannot fail to contribute largely
TO the prosperity of both countries.
The views expressed in a special mes.
sage to Congress, in March last, relating
to the project of an inter.oceanic canal
across the lsthmus OF Panama, to be
built 10y private capital under a conces.
sion from the Columbian government
Tor that purpose, are reiterated to the
effect that 1t is the right and duty OF
the United States 10 assert and maintain
such supervision and authority over any
inter oceanic canal across the isthmus
that connects North and South America
as will protect our National interest"
Mr. Hayes regrets TO announce that
the measures which the ministers of
the United States at Santiago and Lima
were authorized to take, with the view
TO bring about peace, were not success.
ful. In the course Of the war some
questions have arisen affecting neutral
rights; in all of these the ministers Of
the United States have, under their in.
structions, acted with promptness and
energy in the protection OF American
interests
In pursuance OF the act passed at the
last session Of Congress, invitations have
been extended TO foreign maritime
States 10 join in a sanitary conference
in Washington, beginning the LIT Of
January. The acceptance OF this invi.
tatlon by many prominent Powers gives
promise OF success in this important
measure, designed to establish "A system
OF international notification. by which
the spread OF infectious or epidemic
diseases may be more effectively check.
ed or prevented.
The efforts OF the Department OF State
to enlarge the trade and commerce of
the United States, through the active
agency of consular officers and through
the dissemination of information ob.
tanned from them, have been uurelax.
ed. Especially important is it," says
Mr.. Hayes, that our commercial rela-
tlons with the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts of South America. with the West
Indies and the Gulf of Mexico should
be direct, and not through the circuit
Of European systems, and should te
carried on in our own bottoms. The
full appreciation of the opportunities
which our front on the Pacific ocean
gives to commerce with Japan, China.
and the East Indies. with Australia and
the island groups which lie along these
routes Of navigation, should inspire
equal efforts TO appropriate TO our own
shipping, and to administer by our own
capital, due proportion of this trade"
As will be seen Ly the report of the
Secretary OF the Treasury, the condition
Of the financial affairs of the Govern.
ment are satisfactory and the views of
the Secretary as TO prompt legislation
enabling him TO complete the refund.
ing OF the debt about to mature, are
recommended. Mr.. Hayes also repeats
what was said in his message last year !:
that the retirement from circulation of
United States notes, there being $3I6..
6Sl ,0lG of them still in existence, with
the capacity OF legal tender in private
contracts, is step TO be taken in our
progress towards a safe aud stable cur.
rency, which should be accepted as the
policy and duty of the Government and
the interest and security Of the people. :"
Referring to the question OF silver
ton, "in express terms, recognizes both
gold and silver as the only true legal
tender money. To Danish either of
these metals from our currency is to
narrow and limit the circulating me.
dunn OF exchange to the disparaRement
of important interests. The United
States produces more silver than any
other country, and is directly interested
in maintaining IL as one of the two
precious metals which furnish the coin.
age Of the world. /; will, in my iudg.
ment, contribute 10 this result II Con.
gress will repeal so much of existing
legislation as requires the coinage of
silver dollars containing only il2l grains
OF silver, and in its stead will authorize
the Secretary Of the Treasury to coin
silver dollars OF equivalent value as
bullion, with gold dollars"
Mr.. Hayes concurs in the recon.
mendation Of the War department that
the Army be increased to $4,000 en-.
listed men.