The Portland daily press., 1880-12-07
this government to comply with Its obligations
under the metrical convention.

this government to comply with Its obligations
under the metrical convention.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
Our friendly relations with the German EN-
pire continue wit hout interruption. At the
recent international exhibition of fish and
fisheries, at Berlin, the participation Of the
United States, Notwithstanding the haste
with winch the commission was forced to
make its preparations, was extremely success
ful and meritorious. earning for private ex-
hibitors 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 b we been some questions
raised between the two governments as to the
proper effect and Interpretation of our treaty
OF naturalization. but recent dispatches from
our minister at Berlin show that favorable
progress Is making toward an understanding
in accordance with the views of this govern.
ment. which makes and admits no distinction
whatever between the rights of native and nat
uralized citizens of the United States in prac-
tice. Complaints of molestation suffered BY
naturalized citizens abroad have never been
fewer than at present.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER EUROPEAN POWERS
There is nothing OF importance to note in
our unbrokeu friendly relations with ;the gov
ernments OF Austria, Hungary, Russia, Portu-
gal, Sweden aud Norway, Switzerland, Tur-
key and Greece
.sf THE SPANISH oUTRAGEs.
During the last summer several vessels be-
longing to the merchant marine of this coun-
try, sailing in neutral waters Of the West In
dies, We're fired at, boarded and searched by
arm cruisers of the Spanish government
The circumstances as reported involved not
only private injury to the persons concerned,
la nha of tha
friendly relations existing for a century be-
tween this country and Spain. The wrong
was brought to the attention of the Spanish
government in a serious protest and remon-
STRANGE and the matter is undergoing investi-
CATION by the royal authorities with view to
such explanation or reparation as may be called
for by the facts. fi
SPANISH CLAIMS.
The Commission sitting in this city for adju-
dication OF the claims of our citizens against
the government Of Spain Is, hope, approach
ing the termination Of its labors. The claims
against the United States under the Florida
treaty with Spain were submitted to Congress
for action at its late session, and again Invite
your attention to this long-standing question
with the view to final disposition OF the mat
ter.
TREATIES WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
At the invitation of 70 Spanish government
conference has recently been held at Madrid
to consider the subject of protection by foreign
powers Of native Moors in the empire OF Mo-
rocco. The minister of the United States in
Spain was directed to take part IN the deliber-
atoms 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 governments of the United States also
lost no opportunity to urge apon that OF the
Emperor OF Morocco the necessity in accord
ance with the humane and enlightened spirit
OF the age of putting an end to the persecu-
tions which have been so prevalent in that
country of persons of faith other than Moslem
and especially of Hebrew residents of Moroc-
co. eu --
The consular treaty concluded with Belgium
has not yet been officially promulgated, owing
to the alteration OF word In the text by the
Senate of the United States, which occasioned
delay, during which the time allowed tor the
ratification expired. The Senate will be asked
to extend the period for ratification.
An attempt to negotiate treaty OF extradi-
objection Of the Danish Government to
the usual clause providing that each nation
should pay the expense Of arrest OF persons
whose extradition it asks.
Provision was made by Congress at the last
session for the expense of the commission
which had been appointed to enter upon nego-
tatiOnS with the imperial Government Of
China on subjects of great interest to the rela-
tions of the two countries, and enabled the
commissioners to proceed at once upon their
mission. The imperial Government was pre-
pared to give prompt and respectful attention
to matters brought under negotiation, and con-
ferences proceedee with such rapidity and sue
cess that on the 17Lb of November lasted two
treaties were signed at Pekin,-one relating to
introduction OF the Chinese into this country,
and one relating to Commerce. Mr.. Trescott,
one of the commissioners, is now on his way
home bringing the treaties, and II is expected
they will be received in season to be laid before
the Senate early in January. rf
Our minister in Japan has negotiated a con-
vention for the reciprocal relief OF shipwrecked
seamen. sr
take occasion to urge once more upon Con.
gress the propriety OF making provision for the
erection Of suitable fre-proOf buildings at the
Japanese capital for the use of the American
legation, and courthouse and Jail connected
with it.. The Japanese government with great
generosity and courtesy has offered for this
purpose an eligible piece of land.
In my last annual message l invited the at
tention Of Congress to the subject of the in
demnity funds received some years ago from
China and Japan. l renew the recommends
funds are due to American citizens should be
promptly paid and the residue returned TO the
nations respectively to which they justly and
equitably belong.
the Netherlands, which has been for some
time in course Of negotiation, has during the
past year been concl1d and duly ratified.
Relations of friendship and amity have been
established between tae government OF the
United States and that Of Roumania. We have
sent diplomatic representative to Bucharest
and have received at this capital the special
envoy who has been charged by His Royal
Highness, Prince Charles, to announce the in
dependent sovereignty of Roumania. We
hope for speedy Developments Of commercial
relations between the TWO countries.
MEXICAN RELATIONS.
In my last annual message expressed the
a val Ian IF uni iat IN fha,h horr
between this country and Mexico would soon
become SO assured as to justify the modification
OF the order then in force to our military
commanders in regard to the crossing of the
frontier without encouraging such distur
Dances as would endanger the peace Of the
two countries. Events moved in accordance
with these expectations and the orders ac-
cordingly were withdrawn to the entire salts
faction of our own citizens and the Mexican
government. Subsequently the peace Of the
border was again disturbed by a savage foray
under command of 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 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 enter
prises of this character will soon be set on
foot which cannot fail to contribute largely to
the prosperity of both countries.
THE SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLIcs.
New ENJOYS from Guatemala, Colombia, Boil
ivia, Venezuela and Nicaragua have recently
arrived at this capital, whose distinction and
enlightment afford the best guarantee of The
continuance of friendly relations between our
selves and those sister republics.
THE IsrHMUs CANAL PRoJEcr.
The relations between this government and
the United States of Colombia have engaged
public attention during the past year mainly
by reason Of the project of the inter-oceanic
canal across the Isthmus of Panama, to be
built by private capital under concession
from the Colombian government for that Dur-
pose. The treaty obligations subsisting be-
tween the United States and Colombia, by
which we guarantee the neutrality of transit
and the sovereignty and property of Colombia
in the Isthmus, make it necessary that tho
conditions under which so stupendous change
in the region embraced in this guarantee would
be effected, Transforming, as it would, this
IsthDus from a barrier between the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans into gateway and thor
oughfare between them for the navies and
merchant ships of the world, should receive
the approval of this government as being COM
patible with the discharge of these obligations