The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-07

dispatches from our minis er at Berlin
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 a naive, and =
oaturalized citizen of the United States, In
practice. The complaints of molestation
suffered by naturaiized citizens abroad
have never been fewer than at present
There is nothing of importance in our
uobroken friendly relations with the gov
ernmeDts of Austria, Hungary, Russia.
portugal, Sweden and Norway, Switzer-
land, Turkey and Greece During The last
summer several vessels belonging to the
merchant marine of this c0uotry. sailing
~ neutral waters of the West ladies', were
fred at, boarded and searched by an armed
cruiser of the Spanish government The
circumstances as reported invoice not only
q priva,e injury to the persons concerned. but
also seemed too little obseivant of the
friendly relations existing for q century be-
tween this country aud spain. The wrong
was brought to the attention of the Spanish
government III serious protest and re-
monstrance; the matter is undergoing in
vestigation by Royal authorities with q
view to such explanation or PREPARATION as
may be called tor. The Commission sitting
in this city for the adjudication
of the claims OF our citizens
against the government of Spain,
is, I hope, approaching the termination OF
its labors. The claims against the United
States under the florida treaty with Spain
wer e submitted to Congress for its action
at the late session, and again invite your
attention to the long standing question
with a view 10 a fnal disposition of the
matter. AT the invitation OF the Spanish
government conference has recently been
held at the city of Madrid to consider the
subject of protection by foreign powers of
the native Moors 10 the 4 nplre of Morocco
The Minister of the United States in Spain
was directed to take part in the
deliberations of this conference, the
result of which is o convention signed on
behalf of all the powers represented. The
instrument will be laid before the Senate
for its consideration The government oil
the United States has lost no opportunity
TO urge upon that OF the Emperor of Mo-
rocco The necessity, IN accordance with the
humane and enlightened spirit of the age,
of the putting an end 10 the prosecutions,
country, of faith other than the Moslem;
and especially of the Hebrew residents of
Morocco
The consular treaty concluded with
Belgium has not yet been officially pro-
mulgated owing to the al Grafton of a
word in the text by the Senate of the United
States, which occssioned q delay during
expired. The Senate will be asked to ex
tend the period for ratification.
The attempt to negotiate treaty Of ex
tradition with Denmark has tailed
IN account of the objection of
the Danish government to the usual
clause providing that each Nation
should pay the expense of the arrest of the
persons whose extraditIOn II asks.
The provision made by Congress at its
last session for the expense of the Commits
sion which had been appointed to enter
upon negotiations with the Imperial Gov
ernment OF China on subjects Of great in
terest to the relations OF the two
countries, enabled the commissioners
to proceed at once upon their
mission. The Imperiam Government
was prepared TO give prompt anC respect
full attention to the matters brought under
negotiation, and the conferences proceeded
with such rapidity success that on the 18th
of Nov emil Der last two treaties were signed
at Pekin; one, relating to thu Introduction
of the Chinese into this country, aud one
relating to commerce. Mr.. Prescott. one
Of the commissioners is now on his way
home bringing the treaties, and 1t is ex-
pected that they will be received IN sea on
to be laid before the Senate early in Janu-
airy. Our minister in Japan has negotiat-
ed convention for the reciprocal
relief of shiprecked seamen. take oc-
cation to urge upon Congress the propri-
ETY. of making provision for the erection of
suitable fire proof buildings at the jap
anese capital for the use OF the American
Legation and the court house and Jail con-
nected with it The Japanese government,
with great generosity aud Courtesy, has
offered for this purpose an eligible piece of
land.
In my last annual message [ invited fhe
attention of Congress TO the subject of the
indemnity funds received some years ago
from China and japan. / renew the rec
ommendsdion then made that whatever
portions OF these funds are due TO Ameri-
can citizens should be promptly paid, and
the residue returned TO the nations respect
lively to which they justly and equitably
belong
The extradition treaty with the Kingdom
of the Netherlands, which has been for
some time in the course OF negotiation has
during the past year been concluded and
duly ratified.
Relations of friendship and amity have
been established between the government
of the United States and that OF Roumania
We have 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
Independent sovereignty of Roumania, and
we hope for speedy development of COM
meTC1Al relations DetW66u tue Two CUuOtFi6S
MEXICAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS
In my last annual message | expressed
the hope that the prevalence of quiet on
the border between this country and Mex
leo would soon become so assured as TO
] Justify the modification of the order, then
IN force, to our military commanders, in
regard crossing the frontier without en-
such disturbances as would en-.
danger the peace of the two countries.
Events moved in accordance with these
and the orders were according
ly withdrew 10 the entire satisfaction of our
own ci,izens and the Mexican government
the peace OF the border was
again disturbed by q savage foray under
the com mand Of the Chief Victoria, but by
the com bined and harmonious action oil the
military forces of both countries his band
has been broken up, and substantially de-
stroyed. There is reason to be ieve 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 disappearing
and that several important enterprises of
this char acter will soon be set on foot,