Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-14

a convention Tor the reclprOcal relleI o
shipwrecked seamen. take occasion
to urge once more upon Congress the
propriety Of making provision for tn,
erection of suitable fire proof buildings
at the Japanese capital for the use o
the American legation, and the court
house and Jail connected with it. The
japanese government, with great gen
crosby and courtesy has offered for this
purpose an eligible piece of land.
In my last annual message l invited
the attention OF Congress TO the subject
of the indemnity funds received some
years ago from China and Japan. Ire
new the recommendation then made,
that whatever portions of these funds
are due to American citizens should be
promptly paid, and the residue re-
turned to the nations, respectively, 20
which they justly and equitably belong.
The eXtradition treaty with the king
dom OF the Netherlands, which has been
for some time in course Of negotiation,
has, during the past year, been con-
cluded and duly ratified.
Relations OF friendship and amity have
been established between the govern
ment Of the United States and that Of
Roumania. We have sent diplomatic
representative 10 Bucharest, and have
received a. this capital the special envoy,
who has been charged by his royal high
ness Prince Charles, 10 announce the
| independent sovereignty of Roumania
We hope for a speedy development OF
commercial relations between the two
countries.
In my last annual message | expressed
a. h., 81 80 %
on the border between this coun-
try and Mexico would soon become
80 assured as TO justify the moditi-
cation OF the orders, then in force,
TO our military commanders, in re.
gard to crossing the frontier, without
encour aging such disturbances as would
endanger the peace of the two coun.
tries. Events moved in accordance with
these expectations, and the orders were
accordingly withdrawn. TO the entire
satisfaction OF our own citizens and the
Mexican government. subsequently the
peace of the border was again disturbed
by "A savage i0ray. under the command
of the Chief Vlctorio. but, by the CON-
bined and harmonious action OF the
military 70 ces Of 10th countries his
band has been broken up and substan-
italy destroyed.
There il reason 70 believe that the
obstacles which have so long prevented
rapid and convenient communication
between the United States and Mexico
by railways, are on the point OF dis
appearing, and that several important
enterprises Of this character will soon
be set on foot which cannot fail to con-
tribute largely 10 the prosperity of both
countries.
New ENJOYS from Guatemala. Co'cm-
| bia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicara qua
have recently arrived at this capital,
whose distinction and enlightment af-
! ford the best guarantee of the cortinu-
ance of friendly relations between our
/ selves and these sister republics.
Tue relations between this govern.
ment and that of the I'm ted States OF
/ Colombia have engaged public atten-
| ton during the past year, mainly By
reason of the project OF an interoceanic
! canal across the lsthmus OF Panama, 20
| be built by private capital under con-
cession from the Colombian government
! tor that purpose. The treaty obligations
subsistiug between the Tn ted States
and Co ombia, by which we guarantee
the neutrality OF the transit and the
sovereignty and property OF CO.om-
ba in the lsthmus. make it neces-
sary that the conditions under
which so stipend us q change In
! the region embrace d in this guarantee
! should be etfecied-Lransform Is it
would, this isthmus, from barrier
! between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, into a gateway and thorough
fare between them, for the navies 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
consistent with our interests rs the prln-
cipal commercial power OF the Western
| hemisphere. The views which | ex-
pressed in special message to Cong eSs
! in March last, in relation to this project,
deem it my duty again to press upon
your a tenticn. Subsequent considera
ton has but ontirmed the opinion that
il is the right and duty of the Uni ed
States to assert acd maintain such
supervision and authority over any
! interoceanic canal across the isthumus
that connects North and South America
as will protect our national interest"
The war between the republic OF
Chill on the one hand. and the allied re-
pubics of Peru and Bolivia on the other,
still continues. This government hiss
not felt called upon to interfere in con.
test that is within the belligerent rights
OF the parties 10 independent States.
! We have, however, always he'd our
selves in readiness 10 aid in accommo-
dating their difference, and have at
times reminded both belligerents OF our
willingness TO render such service.
Oar good offices in this direction were
recently accepted by all the belligerents,
and il was hoped they would prove
efficaciou but | regret to announce
that the ,easures which the ministers
of the L lited States at Santiago and
! Lima we authorized to take, with the
view to bring aDCut a peace, were not
successful. In the course OF the war
some questions have arisen affecting
eu raj rights; in all Of these the minis
ters Of tue United States have. under
their Instructions. acted with prompt
ness and energy in protection OF AmerI
can interests.
The relations OF the United States
with the empire of Brazil continue 10
be most cordial. and their commercial
intercourse steadily increases, 10 their
mutual advantage.
| The internal disorders with which the
Argentine Republic has for sometime
past been afflicted, and which nave more
! or less IT, Il aenced iys external trade, are
understood 10 have been brought 10 n
close. This happy result may be expect
ed 20 rebound to the benefis OF the for
eign commerce Of that Republic as welt
as TO tie development of its vast interior
RESOURCES.
In Samoa. the government. o. King
Malicsog uader the support and recog-
milton or the consular representatives. OF
the United States, Great Britain and
Germany, seems to have given peace and
tranquility to the islands. While it