Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-12-07

distinction In the exhibition at Melbourne
the share taken iv nnr country is no les
notable. and an equal degree of success i
confidently expected.
DfPLoa,rIC AND COMMERCIAL RELArIoSs
The State of peace and tranquility now en-
Joyed by all the nations OF the continent o.
Europe has its favorable influence upon oul
diplomatic and commercial relations witt
them. We have concluded and ratified 8
convention with the French Republic for ths
settlement of claims of the citizens of eithel
country against the other. Under this
convention commission. presided over
by n distinguished pubicist. appointed
in pursuance of the request of both nations
by His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, ha.
been organized and has begun its sessions il
this city. 4 Congress 10 consider means fol
the protection of industrisl property has re
Gently been in session in 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
l invite your attention to the necessity of ar
appropriation TO be made in time to enable
this government to comply with its obiga
tions under the Metrical Convention.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN Powers.
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 commission was forced to
make its preparations, was extremely sue.
cessful and meritorious, 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. The results of this great success
cannot but be advantageous TO this important
and growing industry. There have been
some questions raised between the two gov
ernments as to the proper effect and interpre-
tation of our treaties of naturalization, but
recent dispatches from our minister at Ber-
lin show that favorable progress is making
toward an understanding, in accordance
with the views of this government. which
makes and admits no distinction whatever
between the rights of native and a natural
lied citizen of the United States. In prac-
tice, the complaints of molestation 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-Hungarv, Russia,
Portugal, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland,
Turkey, and Greece.
During the last summer several vessels be-
longing to the merchant marine of this coun-
try. sailing in neutral waite s of the West
Indies, were fired at, boarded and searched
by an armed cruiser of the Spanish govern.
ment. The circumstances as reported, in
volve not only private injury to the per-
sons concerned. but also seemed too little OBJ
servant of the friendly relations existing for
century between this country and Spain.
The wrong was brought to the attention OF
the Sp 'nish government in a serious protest
and remonstrance. and the matter is under
going investigation by the royal authorities,
with a view to such explanation or reparation
as may be called for by the facts.
The commission sitting in this citv for the
adjudication of claims of our citizens against
the government of Spain, is. hope, ap.
preaching the termination of its labOrs.
The claims against the United States under
the Florida Treaty with Spain were submitted
to Congress for its action at the late session,
and again invite your attention to this long
standing question, with view to final dis
position of the matter.
At the invitation of the Spanish govern.
ment. conference has recently been held al
the city of Madrid to consider the subject OF
protection by foreign powers of native
Moors in the Empire of Morocco. The min.
VI tHe lUlttu StdtcS. III opdlti. Wds
directed to take part in the deliberations oi
this conference. the result of which is con.
vention 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 also lost
no opportunity to urge upon the Emperor Of
| Morocco the necessity. in accordance with
the humane and enlightened spirit of the
age. of putting an end to the prosecutions
which have been so prevalent in that country
of persons of faith other than the Moslem
and especially of the Hebrew residents o.
Morocco.
The consular treaty concluded with Bel
GUM has not vet been officially promulgated
owing to the alteration of a word in the tex
by the Senate of the United States. which
occasioned delay. during which the tins
allowed for ratification expired. The Senate
will he asked to extend the period of ratiica
ton.
The attempt to negotiate a treaty of extra
dtion with Denmark failed on account of thu
objection of the Danish government to th'
usual clause providing that each natior
should pay the expense of the arrest of tn,
persons whose extraditon it asks.
The provision made by Congress. at it
last session. for the expense of the commits
sion which had been appointed TO enter upor
neT0tlatlons Win tne Imperial boNcrnn"n
of China, on subjects of great interest to th'
relations Of the two countries. enabled the
commissioners TO proceed at once upon thei
omission. The Imperial Government was pre-
lpared to give prompt and respectful attention
to the matters brought under negotiation. ant
the conferences proceeded with such rapidty
and success that, on the 18th of November
last two treaties were signed at Pekin. one
relating to the introduction of Chinese into
this country and one relating to commerce
Mr. Trescott. one of the commissioners
lis now on his way home bringing the
streaties. and it is expected that they
Twill be received in season to be laid
.before the Senate early in January.
Our Minister in Japan has negotiated q
iconveution for the reciprocal relief of ship
wrecked seamen. take occasion to urge
ionce more upon Congress the propriety Of
making provision for the erection of suitable
fire-proof buildings at the Japanese capita
for the use of the American legation. and the
courthouse and Jail connected With it. The
Japanese government, with great generosity
and courtesy, has offered for this purpose ar
eligible piece of land.
In nv last annual message / invited the at
ltention of Congress to the subject of the in
,iemnity funds received some years ago from
China and Japan. l renew the recommends
L.. l. &kat hat n