Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-16
GRAND RAPIDS, WIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER IS, $780,

the measures which seemed TO me proper to be
taken by this government in maintenance Of the
rights accorded TO our fishermen under the
treaty, and towards securing an indemnity Tor
the INJURY these interests had suffered. bill to
carry out these recommendations was under con
sideration by the house of representatives at the
adjournment of congress in June last.
Within a few weeks | havefeceived a cOmmuni-
cation from her ma jesty's government, renewing
the consideration of the subject both of the in
demnity for the injuries at Fortune Bay, and Of
the Interpretation of the treaty in which the pre-
vlous correspondence had shown the two govern
mcnts to be at variance. Upon both these topics
the disposition toward a friendly agreement IS
manifested by a recognition Of our right to an in
demnity for the transaction at Fortune Bay,
leaving the measure of such indemnity TO further
conference and by an assent to the views of this
government. presented in the previous correspond
ence. that the regulation Of conflicting interests
of the shore fishery Of the provincial seacOasts and
the vessel fishery Of our fishermen should be
made the subject of Conference and concurrent
arrangement between the two governments.
| sincerely hope that the basis may be found
for speedy adjustment of the very serious diver
gence 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 congress seemed to
be ireconcilabie.
INTERNATIONAL FAIRS.
In the important exhibition of arts and inaus-
tries which was held last year at Sydney New
South Wales, as well as IN that now in progress at
Melbourne, the United States have been efficient
Y and honorably represented. The exhibitors
from this country at the former place received Il
large number of awards in some Of the most con-
siderable departments, and the participation of
the United States was recognized by a special
mark OF distinction. In the exhibition at Mel
bourne, the share taken by country is no less
notable, and an equal degree of success is conf
IDENTIFY expected.
DIPLOMATIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
The state of peace and tranquility now enjoyed
by all the nations Of the continent of Europe has
its favorable influence upon our diplomatic and
commercial relations with them. We have CON
Guided and ratified convention with the French
republic for the settlement of claims of the citi
Zens Of either country against the other. Under
this convention commission, presided over by
distinguished publicist, appointed, in pursuance
OF request Of both nations by his majesty the
emperor of Brazil, has been organized and has
begun its session in this city. a congress to
consider means for the protection of IN
dustral property has recently been i'll session III
Paris. to which have appointed the ministers Of
the United States in France and in Belgium, as
delegates. The international commission upon
weights and measures also continues Its work IN
Paris | invite your attention to the necessity
OF an appropriation to be made in time to enable
this government to comply with its obligations
under the metrical convention.
Our friendly relations with the German Empire
continue without Interruption. Al the recent
international exhibition of fish and fisheries at
Berlin, the participation Of the United States,
Notwithstanding the haste with which the com
sion was forced to make its preparations, was
extremely successful and meritOriOus winning for
private exhibitors numerous awards of a high class
and for the country at large the principal prize
OF honor offered by his majesty, the emperor
The results of this great success cannot but be
advantageous to this important and growing in
dustry. There have been some questions raised
between the two governments as to the proper eff
feet and Interpretation of our treaties Of natural
lzatlon, but recent dispatches from minister
Berlin show that favorable progress is making
toward an understanding, in accordance with the
views of this government, which makes and adj
mits no distinction whatever between the rights
of native and naturalized citizen of the United
States. In practice, the complaints of molesta-
tlon suffered by naturalized citizens abroad have
never been fewer than at present
There is nothing of Importance to note in our
unbroken friendly relations with the governments
OF Austria-Hungary, Russia, Portugal Sweden
and Norway Switzerland, Turkey and Greece.
SPAIN.
During the last summer several vessels belong
ing to the merchant marine of this country, sail
ing in neutral waters of the West Indies were
fired at, boarded, and searched by an armed
cruiser OF the Spanish government. The circum-
stances, reported, involve not only private in
jury to the persons concerned but also seemed too
little observant of the friendly relations existing
for century between this country and Spain
The wrong was brought to the attention of the
Spanish government in a serious protest and re-
monstrance, and the matter is undergoing investi-
cation by the royal authorities, with a view to
such explanation or reparaton as may be called
for by the facts
The commission sitting in this city for the ad-
judcatlon of claims of our citizens against the
government of Spain, is, [ hope, approaching the
termination of its labors.
The claims against the United States under the
Florida treaty with Spain were submitted to con-
gress at the late session, and | again invite your
attention to this long-standing question, with a
view to the final disposition of the matter.
MOROCCO.
At an invitation of the Spanish government. a
conference has recently been held at the city of
Madrid to consider the subject Of protection by
foreign powers of native MoorS in the empire Of
Morocco. The minister of the United States in
Spain, was directed to take part in the delibera-
tions of this conference, the result of which is a
convention signed on behalf of all the powers
represented. The instrument will be laid before
the senate for its consideration. The government
of the United States has lost no opportunity to
urge upon that of the emperor of Morocco the
necessity. in accordance with the humane and en-
hghtened spirit of the age, putting an end to the
prosecutions, which have been 50 prevalent in
IHdC country, OF persons OF Ialtn Otner than the
Moslem and especially of the Hebrew residents of
Morocco.
BELGIUM.
The consular treaty concluded with Belgium
has not yet been officially promulgated, owing to
the alteration of 4 word in the text by the senate
of the United States, which occasioned a delay,
during which the time allowed for ratification eX-
pirel. The senate will be asked to extend the
period for ratification.
ExTRADrTIoS
The attempt to negotiate a treaty of extra
dition with Denmark failed on account of the OBJ
lection of the Danish government to the usual
clause providing that each nation should pay the
expense of the arrest of the persons whose extra
dition 1t asks.
CHINESE RELATIONS.
The provision made by congress at its last scs-
sion, for the expense of the commission which had
been appointed to enter upon negotiations with
the imperial government of China, on subjects of
great interest to the relations of the two coun-
tries, enabled the commissioners to proceed at
once upon their mission. The imperial govern
ment was prepared to give prompt and respectful
attention to the matters brought under negotia-
ton, and the conferences proceeded with such ra-
pidity and success that on the 18th of November
last two treaties were signed at Pekin one relat-
ing TO The introduction of Chinese into this coun-
try and one relating to commerce. Mr.. Trescott,
one of the commissioners is now on his way home
bringing the treaties and it is expected that they
viii be received in season TO be laid before the
senate early in January.
JAPAN
Our minister in Japan has negotiated a conyen-
ton for the reciprocal relief of shpwrecked sea-
men. I take occasion to urge once more upon
congress the propriety of making provision for
the erection of suitable re-proof buildings at the
japanese capital for the use of the American le-
cation, and the court house and jail connected
with it. The japanese government, with great
generosity and cOUrteS- has offered for this Dur-