Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., December


To the Senate and House of Representatives. OF
the United States:
An appalling calamity has befallen the Amer
lean people since their chosen representatives
last met il the halls where you are now as
sembled. We might else recall with unalloyed
content the prosperity with which throughout
the wear the nation has been blessed. Its
harvests have been plenteous; Its varied indus
tries have thriven; the health OF It's people has
teen preserved; it has maintained with foreign
governments the undsturbed relations of amity
and peace For these manifestations of His
favor we owe to Him who holds our destiny in
His hands the tribute of our grateful devotions.
To that mysterious exercise of will which has
taken from us the loved and illustrous citizen
who was but lately the head of the nation, we
bow IN sorrow and submission. The memory
of his exalted character, of his noble achieve
ments and of his patriotic life will be treasured
forever as a sacred possession of the whole peo-
pie. The announcement of his death drew
from foreign governments and peoples tributes
of sympathy and sorrow which history will re-
cord as signal tokens of the kinship of nations
and the federation of mankind.
INTER-oCEANIC CANAL.
Save for the correspondence to which I shall
refer hereafter in relation to the proposed canal
across the Isthmus of Panama, little has oc
CURED worthy of mention in the diplomatic
relation of the country.
FORTUNE BAY CLAIMS.
Early in the year the Fortune Bay claims
were satisfactorily settled by the British govern
ment's paying in full the sum Of 1000, most
of which has already been distributed. as the
terms of the settlement included compensation
for injuries suffered by our fishermen at Aspec
Bay. There has been retained from the gross
award a sum which is deemed adequate for
these claims.
GREAT BRITAIN.
The feeling of good will between our own
government and that of Great Britain
more marked than at present. On the recog-
milton of this pleasing fact, directed, on the
occasion of the late centennial celebration at
Yorktown that salute be given to the British
flag.
TURKEY.
The insecurity of life and property in many
parts of Turkey has given rise to correspond
ence with the porte, looking particularly to the
better protection of American missionaries in
the Turkish empire. The condemned murderer
of the eminent missionary, DR.. Justin W. Par
son, has not yet been executed, although this
government has repeatedly demanded punish
ment
THE DUTCH COLONIES.
The abolition of all discriminating duties
against the Dutch colonial productions of the
Dutch East Indies as are imported hither from
Holland has been already considered by con-
gross and / trust that at the present session
the matter may be favorably concluded.
WITH GERMANY.
No new questions respecting the status of our
naturalized III Germany have arisen during the
year, and causes of complaint especially in Al
SAGE and Lorraine have practically ceased,
through the liberal action of the imperial gov
eminent in accepting our often expressed views
on the subject. The application of the treaty
of 1868 to the lately-acquired Rhenish provinces
has received very earnest attention, and def
mite and lasting agreement on this point is con-
fdently expected. The participation of the
descendants of Baron Won Steuben in the York
town festivities and their subsequent reception
by their American kinsmen strikingly evinced
the good will which unite the German people
and our own.
WITH SPAIN.
Our intercourse with Spain has been friendly
An agreement concluded In February last fixes
term for the labors for the Spanish aud Amer
lean claims commission. The Spanish govern
ment has been requested to pay the late awards
of the commission and will, it is believed, &C
cede to the request as promptly and courteous
lyas on former occasions. By recent legislation
OnerOuS fines have been imposed upon Amer
lean shipping in Spanish and colonial
ports for slight Irregularities in manifests.
One case of hardship is specially worthy of
attention. The bark Masonica, bound for
Japan, entered Manila in distress and is there
sought to be confiscated under the Spanish
revenue laws for an alleged shortage in her
transhipped cargo. Though the efforts for her
relief have thus far proved unavailing it is ex-
pected that the whole will be adjusted in a
friendly spirit.
WITH RUSSIA.
The senate reso lutions of coincidence on the
assassination of the Gar Alexander Second
were appropriately communicated to the Rus
sian government, which In turn has expressed
its sympathy in late national bereavement.
1t is desirable that our cordial relations with
Russia should be strengthened by proper en-
gagements, assuring to peaceable Americans
who visit the empire the consideration which is
due to them as citizens Of friendly state.
This is especially needful with respect to Amer
lean Israelites whose classification with the ma
tive Hebrews has evoked energetic remon-
strances from this government.
WITH ITALY.
The consular agreement with Italy has been
sanctioned and proclaimed which puts at rest
the conflict of Jurisdiction in the case of crimes
on shipboard. Several important international
conferences have been held in Italy during the
year. At the geographical congress, and at
Turin, this country was represented by dele
gates of branches of the public SER
vice or by private citizens duly accredited IN an
honorary capacity. 1t is hoped that congress
viii give such prominence to their participation
as they may seem to deserve
SWITZERLAND AND HER CRIMINALS.
The Swiss government has solicited the good
Offices Of our diplomatic and consular agents
for the protection of its citizens In countries
where it is not itself represented. The request
has within proper limits been granted. Our
agents in Switzerland have been instructed to
protest against the conduct Of the authorities
of certain cOmmunes IN permitting the emigra-
ton to this country of criminal and other OBJ
Jecticnable persons. Several such persons,
through the cooperation of the commissioners
of emigration at New York. have been sent
back by the steamers which brought them. A
continuance of this course may prove more
effective remedy than diplomatic remonstrance.
RoUMANIA AND sERvIA.
Treaties of commerce and navigation. and
for the regulation of consular privileges have
been concluded with Romania and Servia who,
since their admission into the family of Euro
pean states, as is natural with contiguous states
have like institutions and like aims of advance
ment and development.
MEXICO.
The friendship of the United States and Mex
leo has been constantly maintained. The gov
eminent has lost no occasion of encouraging
the Mexican government to beneficial realiza-
ton of the mutual advantages which will result
from more intimate commercial intercourse