Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-08

brought under negotiation and the conferences
proceeded with such rapidity and success
that on the 18th of November last two
treaties were signed at Pekln, one relat-
ing to the introduction of Chinese into
this country and one relating TO commerce Mr..
Prescott, one of the commissioners, is now on
his way home with the treaties and 1t is eX-
pected that they will be received III season TO
be laid before the senate early in January. Our
minister in Japan has negotiated o convention
for the reciprocal relief of shipwrecked seamen.
take occasion to urge once more upon con-
greSs the pro, riety Of making provision for the
erection of suitable fire proof buildings at the
Japanese capitol for the use of the American
legation and the court house and jail connected
with il. The Japanese government, with great
generosity and courtesy, has offered for this
purpose an eligible piece of land. In nv last
annual message / invited the attention Of con-
gress to the subject of the indemnity funds re-
eelved some years ago from China and Japan
/ renew the recommendation then made that
whatever portions of these funds are dine to
American citizens should be promptly paid and
the residue returned to the nations, respective
~, to which they justly and equitably belong.
THE NETHERLANDS.
The extadition treaty with the kingdom of
the Netherlands, which has been for some time
in course of negotiation, has during the past
year been concluded and duly ratified.
RoUMANIA.
Relations OF friendship and amity have been
United States and that of Roumania. We have
sent diplomatic rep, esentative to Bucharest
and have received at this capital the special en-
voy of his Royal Highness, Prince Charles to
announce the independent sovereignty of Rou-
mania. We hope for speedy DEVELOPMENT of
commercial relations between the two countries
MEXICO
In my last annual message, I expressed the
hope that the prevalence of quiet on the border
between this country and Mexico would soon
become so assured as to justify the modification
OF the orders then in force to our military COM
manders in regard to crossing the frontier
without encouraging such disturbances az would
endanger the peace of the two countries
Events moved in accordance with these expecta-
tons, and the orders were, accordingly, with
drawn. to the entire satisfaction of orr
own citizens and the Mexican government
subsequently the peace of the border was again
disturbed by a savage fOray under the command
OF the chief Victoria, but by the combined and
harmonious action Of the military forces of
both countries, his band has been broken up
and substantially destroyed. There is reason
TO believe that the obstacles which have long
prevented rapid aud convenient communication
between tie United States and Mexico by rail-
ways are on the point of disappearing. and that
several important enterprises of this character
VIII soon be set on foot which cannot fail to
contribute largely to the prosperity of both
countries.
IN BRIEF.
New ENJOYS from Guatemala. Colombia,
Bolivia. Venezuela and Nicaragua. have recently
arrived at this capital whose distinction and en-
ightenment afford the best guarantee of the
continuance of friendly relations between our
selves and these sister republics.
IHE INTER-ocEANIo CANAL.
The relations between Is government and
that of the United States of Columbia have en-
gagged public attention during the past year.
mainly by reason Of the project of an inter-
oceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama to
be built by private capital, under concession
from the Colombian government for that pur-
pose. The treaty Obligations subsisting be-
tween the United States and Colombia bywhich
we guarantee the neutrality of the transit, and
the sovereignty and property OF Colombis, in
the isthnus make it necessary that the condi-
tons under which SO stupendous a change in the
region embraced in this guarantee should be
effected. Transforming as it would this isthmus
from a barrier between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans into q gateway and thorougnfare be-
tween them for the nayles and merchant ships
of the world. should receive the approval of
this government as being compatible with the
discharge of these obligations on our part and
consistently with OUT interests as the PRINCIPAL
commercial power Of the western hemisphere
The views which / expressed in a special mes
sage TO congress in March last in relation to
this project deem 1t my duty again 70 press
upon your attention. Subsequent considera-
ton has but confirmed the opinion "that # is
the right and duty of the United States to as
sert and maintain such supervision and author
Ity over any inter-oceanic canal across the 18TH
mus that connects North and South America as
will protect our national interest"
cHIIA AND PERU.
The war between the republic of Chill on the
one hand and the allied republics of Peru and
Bolivia Oh the other, still continues. This gov
eminent has not felt called upon to interfere in
contest that is within the beligerent rights OF
however. always he'd ourselves in readiness TO
aid in accommodating thelc differences and
have at different times reminded both belliger-
ents of our willingness to render such service
Our good offices IN this direction were recently
accepted by al the belhgerents and it was hoped
they would prove etficaclous, but regret to an
nounce that the measures which the ministers
of the United Sta ,es at Santiago and Lima were
authorized to take with the view to bring about
peace were not successful. In the course of
the war some questions have arisen affecting
neutral rights. In all Of these the United States
have, under their instructions acted with
promptness and energy in the protection OF
American interests.
BRAZIL.
The relations of the United States with the
empire Of Brazil continue to be most cordial
and their commercial intercourse steadily ip~
creases TO their mental advantage.
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC,
The internal disorders with <ehiea the Argen-
tine Republic has for some time been affected
and which have more or less influenced its ex-
ternal trade are understood to have been
brought to a close. This Aappv result may be
expected to rebound te the benefit OF the
foreign commerce Of that republic as well as to
the development Of its vast interior resources.
SAMOA.
The Samoa the government of King MaIietoa
under the support and recognition of the consul
lar representatives of the United States, great
Britain and Germany, seems, to have given
peace and tranquility to the islands. While 1t
does not appear desirable to adopt as whole
the scheme of tlipartite local government which
has been proposed, the common interests OF
the three great treaty powers require harmony
IN their relations to the native government and
this may be best secured by simple diplomatic
agreement between them. It would be well if
the consular jurisdiction of our representative
at Apia were increased in extent and import
ance, so as to guard American interests ia the
surrounding and outlying islands of Oceanica