Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-06
the subject of conference and concurrent ar.

rangement between the two governments
sincerely hope that the basis may be found
for speedy adjustment OF the very serious
divergence Of views in the Interpretation OF the
fishery clauses OF the Treaty OF Washington,
which. as The correspondence between the TWO
governments stood at the close of the last SeS-
sion OF Congress. seemed to be irreconcilable
In the important exhibition OF arts and in
duStries, which was held last year at Sydney
progress at Melbourne. the United States have
been efficiently and honorabiy represented
We have concluded and ratified a conven-
tion with the French republic for the settle
ment OF claims of the citizens of either country
against the other. A congress to con-
slider means for the protection Of Industrial
property has recently been in session in Paris,
TO which have appointed the ministers of the
lnited States In France and In Belgium as dele
gates. The international commission upon
weights and M eaSureS also continues its work
In Paris. invite tyOur attention to the neces.
S1ty OF an appropriation 10 be made In time to
enable this government to comply with its ob-
legations under the metrical convention.
our friendly relations with the German En-
pire continue without interruption. At the re-
cent International Exhibition of Fish and Fish
cries at Berlin. the participation OF the United
the commission was forced to make its prepara-
tions, was extremely successful and mer1tori-
Gus, winning for private exhibitors numerous
awards OF high class, and for the country at
large the principal prize of honor offered by
His Majesty the Emperor There have been
some questions raised between the two govern
of our treaties OF naturalization, but recent dis
patches from our Minister at Berlin show that
favorable progress is making toward an under
Standing, in accordance with the views OF this
government.
During the last summer several vessels belong
Ing to The merchant marine OF this country,
sailing In neutral waters OF the West Indies.
were fired at, boarded, and searched by an
armed cruiser OF the Spanish government. The
circumstances as reported, involve not only
private injury to the persons concerned, but
also seemed too little obSeryant or the friendly
relations existing for century between this
country and Spain. The wIODg was brought to
the attention OF the Spanish government In
serious protest and remOnstrance, and the mat
ter Is undergoing investigation by the royal
authorizes, with view to such explanation or
reparation as may be called for by the facts.
The commission sitting in this City for the
adjudication OF claims CT our citizens against
the government OF Spain, is, hope, approach
ing the termination OF its labOrs.
The claims against the United States under
TO Congress for It's action at the late session.
and again invite your attention TO this long
standing question, with a view to final dispo-
Sition or the matter.
At The Invitation of the Spanish government
a conference has recently been held at the city
OF Madrid 10 consider the subject OF protection
by foreign powers OF native Moors in the empire
OF Molocco. Tie minister OF the United States
In Spain was directed to take part In the delib-
eratiOns OF this conference, the result OF which
Is signed Sa on behalf OF all the
ton.
The consular treaty concluded with Belgium
mas not yet been officially promulgated. owing
10 the alteration OF word In the text by the
senate or the United States. which occasioned
delay, during which the time allowed for ratitt-
cation expired. The Senate will be asked to
extend the period for ratification.
The attempt to negotiate treaty of extra
dltlon with Denmark failed on account OF the
objection OF the Danish government to the
usual clause providing that each nation should
pay the expense OF the arrest Cf the persons
whose eXtradition 1t asks.
The provision made by Congress- at its last
session. for the expense of the commission
which had been appointed to enter upon nego-
ttations with the Imperial government OF China
On subjects OF great Interest to the relations OF
The TWO countries, enabled the commissioners
TO proceed at once upon their mission. The
Imperial government was prepared to give
prompt aud respectful attention to the matters
brought under negotiation. and the conferences
projected with such rapldiIy and success that
on the 18th OF November last two treaties We're
signed at Pek1n, one relating 10 the introduc-
lion OF Chinese into this country and one re-
latlng TO commerce. Mr.. Trescot. one OF the
commissioners. is now on his way home bring
ing the treaties. and IL is expected that they
Will be received in season to be laid before the
senate early ID January.
our minister IN Japan has negotiated a con
WPtlOn roI the reciprocal relief OF ShipWreckcd
seamcn. | take occasion to urge once more
upon Congress the proprety of making pro-
buildings at the Japanese capital for the use OF
the American legation, and the court house and
jail connected with it. The Japanese govern
ment. with great generosity and courtesy, has
onered Tor this purpose an eligible piece of land
In my last annual message invited the at
tentl0n OF Congress TO the subject OF the indem-
Elty 1unQS received some years ago from China
and Japan. ! renew the recommendations then
made, that t.Whateyer portions OF these funds are
due to American citizens should be promptly
paid and the residue returned to the nations
respectively, to which they justly and equita-
bly, belong.
The ex1radtion 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.
Relatlons Of friendship and amity have been
United States and that OF Roumania. We have
sent dlplomattc representative 10 Bucharest
and have received at this capital the special
envoy, who has been charged by his Royal
Hlghness, fT1nce Charles. 10 announce the
1ldepcndeht sovereignty OF Roamaria. We
hope for a speedy development Of commercial
relations between the TWO countries.
In my last annual message l 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 Ia force. to our military com
manotrS, I'D regard to crossing the frontier
without encouraging such disturbances as would
endanger TIE peace OF the two countries. 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 q
savage foray, under the command Of the Chief
NictortO, but, by the combined and harmonious
action OF the military forces OF both countries.
MS band has been broken up and substantially
destroyed.
There i8 reason to believe that the obstacles
Which have so long prevented rapid ard con-
Eenfelt communication between the United
states and Mexico by railways are on the point
OF disappearing, and that several important en-
tegprises Of this character Will soon be set on
loot which cannot fall TO contribute largely to
the prosperity or both countries.
new ENJOYS from Guatemala. Colombia BO-
HSla, NeneZuela, and Nicaragua have recently
arrived at this capital. The relations between
THIS government and that or the United States
OF colombia have engaged public attention dur
ing The past year. mainly by reason OF the pro-
Jecl Ci an 1nter-oCeantc canal across the ISthnus
or Panama, 10 be built by private capital under
a concession from the Colombian government
IoI lual purpose The views which |
expressed In special message to Congress In
Mafch last, In relation to this project deem il
my duty again to press upon your attention.
subsequent consideration has but confirmed the
opinion that 1t Is the right and duty OF the
tnlted States to assert and maintain such SUI.
perVision and authority over any inter-oceanic
canal across the Isthmus that connects North
anu Sou!h America as Will protect our national
interest"
The " ar between the republic OF Chill on the
one hand. and the allied republics OF Peru and
Bolivia on the other, still continues This
fait