Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-16


received at this capital the special envoy who ha
been charged by his Royal Highness Prince Charlie.
TO announce the independent sovereignty of Rou-
mania. We hope for q speedy development Of
commercial relations between the two countries
MEXICO.
In my last annual messageI expressed the hone
that the prevalence of quiet on the border between
this country and Mexico would soon become so as
sured as to justify the modification of the orders
, then IN force. to our military commanders in re-
gard to crossing the frontier, without encouraging
such disturbances, as would endanger the peace OF
the two countries Events moved in accordance
with these expectations, and the orders were ac-
cordnglv withdrawn, to the entire satisfaction OF
! our own citizens and the Mexican government
| Subsequently the peace of the border was again
disturbed by Il savage foray, under the command
of the Chief Victoria, but, by the combined and
harmonious action of the military forces of botl
countries, his band has been broken up and sub
stantialy destroyed.
There is reason to believe that the obstacle:
which have so long prevented rapid and convent
ent communication between the United States and
Mexico by railways. are on the point of disappear
ing and that several important enterprises Of this
character will soon be set on foot which cannot fail
to contribute largely to the prosperity of both
countries
SOUTH AMERICAN STATES.
New eyoys from Guatemala Columbia. Bo-
liYia Venezuela and Nicaragua have recently
arrived at this capital whose distinction and en-
lightenment afford the best guarantee of the con-
tinuance of friendly relations between ourselves
and these sister republics.
The relations between this government and that
Of the United States of Columbia have engaged
; public attention during the past year. mainly by
reason Of the project OF an interoceanic canal
across the isthmus of Panama to be built by
private capital under concession from the Column
bian government for that purpose. The treaty
obligations subsisting between the United States
and Columbia, by which we guarantee the neu-
trality of the transit and the sovereignty and
property Of Columbia in the isthmus make it nee
essary that the conditions under which SO stupend-
Gus change in the region embraced in this guar
antee should be Notwithstanding as it
would, this isthmus, from barrier between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, into a gateway and
thorOughfare between them, for the navies and
merchant ships of the world-should receive the
approval of this government, as being compatible
with the discharge of these obligations on our
part. and consistent with interests as the
principal commercial power of the western
hemisphere. The views which | expressed in a
special message to congress in March last in re-
lation to this project [ deem it my duty again to
| press upon your attention. Subsequent cOnSidera-
tion has but confirmed the opinion ''that it is
the right and duty of the United states to assert
and maintain such supervision and authority over
any interoceanic canal across the isthmus that
connects North and South America as will pro-
tect national interests"
The war between the republic of Chill on the
one hand, and the allied republics of Peru and
Bolivia on the other hand, still continues. This
government has not felt called upon to interfere
in a contest that is within the belligerent rights
Of the parties as Independent states We have,
| however, always held ourselves III readiness to
aid in accommodating their difference, and
have at different times reminded both bel
ligerents of our willingness to render such service.
Our good offices III this direction were recently
accepted by all the belligerents, and it was hoped
| they would prove ethcaciOus but am sorrow to
/ announce that the measures. which the ministers
of the United States at Santiago and Lima were
authorized to take with the view to bring about
a peace were not successful. In the course of the
war some questions have arisen affecting neutral
rights; in all of these the mnst rs Of the United
States have, under their Instructions acted with
promptness and energy i'll protection of American
interests.
The relations of the United States with the en-
pire of Brazil continue te be most cordial and
their commercial intercourse steadily increases. to
their mutual advantage.
The internal disorders with which the Argen-
tine Republic has been for some time afflicted,
and which have more or less influenced its ex-
temal trade, are understood to have been brought
to a close. This happy result may be expected to
rebound to the benefit of the foreign commerce of
that republic well as to the Development of its
vast interior resources.
SAMOA
In Samoa. the government of King 3faIieota
Representatives of the United States, Great
Britain and Germany, seems to have given
peace and tranquility to the islands. While it
does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the
scheme of tripartite local government which has
been proposed the common interests of the three
great treaty powers require harmony in their re-
latons 10 the native form Of government and
this may be best secured by simple diplomatic
agreement between them. 1t would be well if the
consular jurisdiction OF our Representative at
SO to guard American interests in the sur
rounding and outlying Islands of Oceanica.
THE OBEIsK
The obelisk, generously presented by the <he-
dive of Egypt to the city Of New I ork, has ar
rived safely in this country and viii soon be erect
ed in that metropolis. A commission for the
liquidation of the Egyptian debt has lately con-
cluded its work, and this government, at the
earnest solicitations Of the khediye has acceded
to the provisions adopted by it, which viii be laid
before congress for its infornasion. A commits
sion for the judicial code ofthe reform tribunal OF
Egypt is now in session in Cairo. Mr.. Farman
consul general, aud ]. NJ. Baychelder, Esq, have
been appointed as commissioners to participate in
this work. The organization of the reform tri-
bunals will probably be continued for another
period of five years.
A sANITATY CONFERENCE.
In pursuance to the act passed at the last ses-
sion of congress, invitations have been extended
to foreign maratime states to join in sanitary
conference in Washington, beginning the lst OF
January. The acceptance of this invitation by
many prominent powers gives promise Of success
in this important measure, designed to establish
a system of international notification by which the
spread OfinfectiOus or epidemic diseases may be
more effectu ally checked or prevented. The at
tention of congress is invited to the necessary APP
preparations Tor carrying into effect the pro-
visions of the act referred to.
FOREIGN TRADE.
The effort of the department of state to enlarge
the trade and commerce of the United States
through the active agency of consular officers and
through the dissemination of information OBJ
tanned from them have been uurelaxed. The in
terests in these exports, developed in our com
mercial communities, and the value OF the infor-
nation secured by this means, to the trade and
manufactures of the country, were recognized by
congress at its last session, and provision was
made for the more frequent publication of consul
lor and other reports by the department of state.
The first issue of this publication has now been
prepared. and subsequent issues may regularly be
| expected. The Importance and interest attached
to the reports of the consular officers are witness
ed by the general demand for them by all classes
Of merchants and manufacturers engaged in our
foreign trade 1t is believed that the system of
such publications is deserving Of the approval of
congress and that the necessary appropriations for
its continuance and enlargement will commend it
self TO your consideration.
| The prosperous energies OF our domestic indus
tries, and their immense production of the sub
jects Of foreign commerce, invite and even re-
quire an active development of the wishes and
interests OF our people in that direction. Especi-
ally important is it that our commercial 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 cir
/ ip11i+ of and should ha Trad