The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-12-14

upon your attention. Subsequent con-
sideration has but confirmed the opin-
ion that it is the right and duty of the
United States to assert and maintain
such supervision and authority over any
lnter-oceanic canal across the isthmus
that connects North and South America
as will protect.our national INTERESTS
RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AMERICA.
The war between Chill on one hand and
the allied republics of Peru and Bolivia on
the other, still continues. This governments
has not been felt called upon to interfere In a
contest that Is within the belligerent rights of
parties as Independent states. We have, how
ever, always held ourselves in readiness to
aid in accommodating their differences, and
have at different times notified both
belligerents of our willingness to render
such service. Our good Offices in this direc-
ton were recently accepted by all the bellig-
erents, and it was hoped thatit would prove
effcacious, but regret to announce that the
measures which the ministers of the United
States at Santiago and lima took with view to
bring about peace, were not successful. In
the course OF this war some questions have
arisen affecting nuetral law, in which all
OF the ministers of the United States have
under their instructions acted with prompt-
ness and energy in protecting the American
interests. The relations of the United States
with the empire of Brazil continue to be the
most cordial, and their commercial inter-
course steadily increases to their mutual ad-
vantage. The internal disorders with which
the Argentine Republic has for some time
past been afflicted, and which have more or
less Influenced its external trade, are UNDER
stood to have been brought to close. This
happy result may be expected to rebound to
the benefit of the foreign commerce of that
republic, as we'll as 20 develop its most in
| terior resources.
SAMOA,
In the Samoa government, King Malietoa,
under the support and recognition of the con-
sular representatives of the United States,
great Britain and Germany, seems to have
given peace and tranquility of these islands.
While it does not seem desirable TO adopt as
whole the scheme of tripatic local govern
ment which has been proposed, the common
interests of these great trading powers re-
qulre harmony int their relations to their native
form OF government and this may be best
secured by simple diplomatic agreement be-
tween them. 1t would be well if the consul
lar jurisdiction of our representatives at
Apia were increased in extent and import
ance so as to guard Amerca's interests in
the surrounding and outlying lands of
| Oceanica.
The obelisk generously presented by the
|
has safely arrived in this country, and will
be erected in that metropolis.
THE EGYPTIoN DEBT.
The commission for the liquidation Of
the Egyption debt has lately concluded its
work, and this government, at the earnest
solicitation of the Khedive, has acceded to
the provisions provided by it, which will be
laid before congress for its confirmation.
REFORM TRIBUNAL.
The commission for the revision of the
Judicial code of the reform tribunal of
Egypt, is now in session at Cairo. Mr.. For
man, Consul-General, and j. NJ. Batcheldor,
ESQ.,, have been appointed as commissioners
to participate in this work OF organization of
a reform tribunal, which will probably be
continued for another period of five years.
SANITARY CONFERENCE.
In pursuance of an act passed at the last
session of congress, invitations have been ex-
tended to foreign maritime states to ioin in a
sanitary conference in Washington, beginning
the 1st of January. The acceptance of this
invitation by many foreign powers gives
promise of success in this important measure,
which is designed to establish a system of
notification by which the spread of infections
or epidemic diseases may by more effectively
checked or prevented. Attention of congress
is invited to the necessary appropriations for
|
referred to.
TRADE AND COMMERCE.
Efforts of the department of state to enlarge
the trade and commerce of the United States
through an active agency of the consular
officers, and through the dissemination of
Information obtained from them has been un-
relaxed. Interest in these efforts is devel-
oped i'll our commercial communities, and the
value OF the information secured by this
means to trade and manufactures of the coun-
try were recognized by congress at its last
session, and provision was made for more fire.
quent publication of consular and other re-
ports by the department of state. The first
OF this publication is now being prepared,
and subsequen: issues may regularly be ex-
pected. The importance and interest at
tached to the reports of the consular officers
are witnessed by the general demand for them
by all classes Cf merchants and manufac-
tulers engaged in our foreign trade. 1t is
believed that the system of such publications
deserving OF the approval of congress and
the necessary appropriations for its contip-
uance and enlargement will commend them
selves to your consideration. The prosperous
energies of our domestic industries and their
immense production of subjects of
foreign commerce invite, and even require,
f active development of the wishes and in
terests Of our people in that direction.
Especially important is It that our CONNER
cial relations with the Atlantic and Pacific
, coasts OF South America, with the West Indies,
: and the Gulf of Mexico should be direct,
and not through the circuit of the European
system, and should be carried on in our
bottoms. A full appreciation of the oppor-
f tunlties which our front on the Pacific ocean
gives to commerce with Japan, China and the
, East Indies, with Australia and the island
r groups which lie along these routes of navi.
CATION, should inspire equal efforts to ap.
propriate to our own shipping and to ad.
minister by our own capital due proper
=, tion of this trade. Whatever notifications
of our regulation OF trade and navigation ma,
be necessary or useful to meet and direc,
: | these impulSes to the endorsement of our a,.