Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-12-15
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
MAINLY PEA nEEIIr.

The feeling of good vii, between our own
government and that of Great Britain was
never more marked than at present. In re cog
milton of this pleasing fact, directed, on the
occasion of the late centennial celebration at
Yorktown, that salute be given the British
flag. Aside from the correspondence, to which
l shall refer hereafter, III relation to the pro-
posed canal across the isthmus of Panama,
little has occurred worthy of mention in the
diplomatic relations of the country. Early in the
year the Fortune bay claims were satisfactor-
lily settled by the British government paving
in the full the sum of e15, 900, most of which
has already been distributed As the terms of
settlement included compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen at Ashell bay, there
has been retained from the gross award sun,
which is deemed adequate for these claims.
The participation of Americans in the exhibit
tions at Melbourne and Sydney will be approy-
ingly mentioned in the reports of the two ex-
hlbitions soon to be presented to congress.
They will disclose the readiness of our country
TO make successful competition IN distant fields
of enterprise. Negotiations for an information
al copyright convention are in hopeful prog
ress. The surrender of Sitting Bull and
his force upon the Canadian frontier
has allayed all apprehension, although bodies
of British Indians still cross the border in
quest of sustenance Upon this subject cor
respondence has been opened, which promises
an adequate understanding. Our troops have
orders to avoid, meanwhile, all collisions with
these Indiana TIE presence at Yorktown Of
representatives q che republic of Franco.
descendants q lazssette and his gallant COM
patriots, who sssSs Ssr allies in the revolution.
has served to ssEsnsshen the spirit of good will
which has always existed between the two ma
tions. You will be furnished with the proceed
ings of
THE BIMETAL1C CONFERENCE,
held during the summer at the city of Paris.
No record was reached, but valuable inter-
change of views was had, and the conference
will next year be renewed At the electrical
exhibition and congress, also held at Paris, the
country was creditably represented by eminent
specialists, who, in the absence of an appro-
priation, generally lent their efficient aid at the
instance of the state department While ou1
exhibitions in this almost distinctively Amer
can field of achievement have won several
awards, recommend that congress provide
for the repayment of the personal expenses in.
Cured in the public interest by the
honorary commissioners and delegates.
No new questions respecting the status
of our naturalized citizens in Germany have
arisen during the year, and causes of com
plant, especially in Alsace and Lorraine, have
practically ceased, through the liberal actor
Of the imperia government in accepting our
often expressed views on the subject The
application of the treaty of 1868 to the lately
acquired Rhenish province has received very
earnest attention, aud definite and lasting
agreement on this point is confidently
expected. The participation of the descend
ants Of Baron Won Steu5en in the Yorktown
festivities and their subsequent reception by
their American kinsmen strikingly evinced the
good will which unite German people and oul
own. Onr intercourse with Spain has beer
friendly. An agreement concluded In Feb
uary last fixes term for the labors for thu
Spanish and American claims commission
The Spanish government has been requested
to pay the late awards of the commission, ant
will, it is believed, accede to the request Al
promptly as on former occasion. By recent leg
islation onerous fines have been imposed upor
American shipping in Spanish and colonial
ports for slight irregularities in manifest On,
case of hardship is specially worthy of atten
ton. The bark Mazonica, bound for Japan
entered Manila in distress and is there sough
to be confiscated under tho Spanish revenu
laws for an alleged shortagein her transhippe,
cargo. Though efforts for her relief have thu
far proved unavailing, it is expected that tn
| whole matter will be adjusted in a friendl
| manner.
SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA.
The resolutions of coincidence on the assas
sination of the Gear Alexander were appropri
ately communicated to the Russian govern
ment, which in turn has expressed its sympa
thy in our late bereavement It is desirabl
| that our cordial relations with Russia shoul
be strengthened by proper engagements assur
ing to peaceable American citizens who visit tn
empire the consideration which is due to ther
as citizens of friendly state. This is especial
needful with respect to American Israelites
| whose classification with the Baltic Hebrew
has evoked energetic remonstrances fror
this government consular agreement wit
Italy has been sanctioned and proclaimed
which puts at rest conflict of jurisdiction |
the case Of crimes on shipboard. Several i'm
/ portant
NTErlsaTIoNAL CoNFERENCFs
/ have been held in Italy during the year. A
the geographical congress Of Venice, the Boni
face congress of Milan, and at the Nice cor
gress of Turin, this country was represente
by delegates of branches of the public service
or by private citizens duly accredited in a
honorary capacity. It is hoped that congress
will give such prominence to their particips
tion as they may seem to deserve. Th
abolition Of all discriminating dutie
against Dutch colonial productions q
the Dutch East Indies % are importe
there from Holland has been already consid
cred by congress. I trust that at the preser
fta t,cR o.,