The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-12-15

that the arbitration should mot, Without ouI
consent, affect gtar rights, and this Govern
its views known to the parties to the agree
ment, and TO intimate them to the Belgian Gov
THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT.
The questions growing out Of the proposed
1nter-oceanic water way across the Isthmus OF
Panama are Of grave National Importance
r In government has not been unmindful Of
the Independent and sovereign mistress of the
territory crossed by the canal, and has sought
to render them effective BY fresh engagements
practical execution. The negotiations to THU
end, after they had reached what appeared
to be mutually satisfactory solution here
powers which its envoy had assumed and by
proposal for renewed negotiations on 8
modified basis. Meanwhile this Government
European Powers to Join in guarantee Of the
neutrality of the proposed Panama Canal, q
guarantee which would be in direct contraven
ton no. OF our o6ligations as the sole guarantee
the neutrality of the canal itself. My lament
ed predecessor felt 1t his duty to place before
the European Powers the reasons which make
pensable, and for which the intersection OF
any foreign guarantee might be regarded as
super1uous and unfriendly act
ish Government on the provisions Of the Clay.
tOn-Bulwer treaty of 1850. as affOrding room
for share in the guarantees which the United
States convenanted with Colombia four years
before, have not hesitated to supplement the
action OF my predecessor BY proposing to hel
Majesty's Government the modification OF
that instrument and the abrogation of such
clauses thereof as DO not compOrt with obliga-
tions Of the United States toward Colombia. OF
with the vital needs of the two friendly parties
to the compact.
CHILL AND PERU,
This Government sees with great concern
the continuance of the hostile relations be
tween Chill, Bolivia and Peru. An early peace
between these Republics is much to be desired
further misery and bloodshed, but because
their continued antagonism threatens conse-
a que &c which are in my Judgment danger
%ent ON this ana
to destroy the best elements of oul
free and peaceful civilization. As in
the present excited condition Of pOpu
serious misrepresentation of the position OF
the United States, and as separate diplomatic
Intercourse with each through independent
want of prompt reciprocal Communication, to
temporary misunderstanding, have deemed
1t judicious at the present time to send a spe
cial envoy accredited to all and each Of them
furnished with general instructions, which
will, trust, enable him to bring these powers
THE GENEVA AWARD.
At its last extra session the Senate called fol-
the text of the Geneva Convention for the re,
lief of the wounded in war. trust this action
fOreshadOws such interest in the subject az
viii result in the adhesion of the United States
in that humane and commendable engagement
l regret that the commercial interests be
tween the
UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL,
from which great advantages were hoped 9
year ago, have suffered from the withdrawal
OF the American line of communication be
tween Brazilian ports and our own.
through the efforts OF our Minister resident
0f R1IpnOa AVrQ0 and tho 11nitn0 of Mtrio-
ter at Santiago, treaty has been concluded
between the
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC AND CHILL,
dispOsing of the lOng-pending PataGOnian
boundary question. 1t is matter of cOngrat
ulation that our Government has been afforded
the opportunity Of successfully exerting its
ments between the Republics Of the American
Continent.
VENEZUELA.
The Government of Venezuela maintains
with great regularity its payment Of the
monthly quota Of the diplomatic debt. With
out suggesting the direction in which Con
gress should act. ask attention to the pend
ing questions affecting the distribution OF
the sums thus far received. The relations be
tween Venezuela and France, growing out OF
the same debt, have been for some time past
ment, as the neighbor Of one of the largest
creditors of Venezuela, has interposed itself
with the French Government with the view OF
producing friendly and honorable adjust
ment.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
am glad to inform you that the treaties
lately negotiated with China have been duly
at Peking. Legislation is necessary to carry
its provisions into effect. The prompt AND
friendly spirit with which the Chinese Gov
eminent. at the request of the United States
conceded the modification of existing treaties
should secure careful regard for the interests
aud susceptibilities of that Government In
the re.enactment of any laws relating
Of the treaties Which forbid nt the p partci
patton of citizens or vessels of the
United States in the opium trade will doubt
less receive your approval, and they will at
Government have in the cOmmendable efforts
of the Chinese Government to put stop tC
this demoralizing and destructive traffic. In
are desirable in our present system of Con
sular jurisdiction. / hope ut some future
time to lay before you a scheme for its i'm
provement in the entire East.
The intimacy between our country and japan
the most advanced of the Eastern Nations
continues to be cordial. I am advised that
the Emperor contemplates the establish
that he has already summoned Parliamen-
tary Congress for the purpose of efecting a
change. Such a remarkable step toward com
not fail to bring Japan into closer and more
beneficial relationship with ourselves, as the
chief Pacific power.
A question has arisen in relation to the exer.
conferred upon our Ministers and Consuls
The Indictment, trial and conviction in the
Consular Court at Yokohama, of John Ross
merchant seaman on board an American
vessel, have made 1t necessary for the Gov.
eminent to institute a careful examination as
to the nature and methods of this jurisdic
ton. It appears that Ross was regularly
but was by birth British subject MY pre-
decessOr felt it his duty to maintain the posi-
ton that, during his service as regularly
shipped seaman on board an American mer
chant vessel, Ross was subject to the laws Of
the service and to the jurisdiction of the Unit
ed States Consular authorities.
/ renew the recommendation which has
the attention of Congress, that after the deduc
ton OF such amount as may be found due to
American citizens, the balance of the indem
nifty fund heretofore obtained from China and
State Department, be returned to the Govern
ments OF those countries.
HAWAII.
The King of Hawaii, in the course of his
Sas sar rs the
our relations with that Kingdom are friendly
this Government has viewed with concern the
efforts to seek replenishment of the diminish.
ing population of the islands from outward
sources to degree which may impair the
native sovereignty and independence in which
the United States was among the first to testify
a lively interest.
OTHER NATIONS.
Relations of unimpaired amity have been
maintained throughout the year with the re-
epective Governments of Austria. Hungary,
Belgium, Denmark, Haytf, Paraguay and Urlt
quay, Portugal, Sweden and Norway, and this
may also be said Of Greece and Ecuador. Al
though our relations with those States have
for some years been severed by the withdraw.
al of appropriations for diplomatic represent
atives at Athens and Quito, it seems expedient
to restore those missions even on a reduced
scale, and / decidedly recommend such q
course with regBrd to Ecuador, which Is like
ly, in the near future, to play an important
fc.
THE HIGH SEAS.
Invite your attention to the prOpriety Of
adopting the new code of international rules
for the prevention of collisions on the high
seas, and of conforming the domestic legisla-
ton of the United States thereto, SO that nc
confusion may arise from the application of
conflicting rules In the case Of vessels Of diff
ferent natlOnalities meeting in tidal waters.
These international rules differ. but slightly
from our own. They have been adopted by
the Navy Department for the government Of
the war ships of the United States on the high
seas, and in foreign waters, and through the
action Of the State Department in dissem-
mating the rules, and in acQuainting the
ship-masters with the option Of CON
forming to them without the jurisdic-
tional waters of the United States, they are
now very generally known and Ohevad