The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-09
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
MAINLY PEACEFUL.

MAINLY PEACEFUL.
The feeling of good will between our own
government and that of Great Britain was
never more marked than at present In recog-
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
shall refer hereafter, IN 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 paying
in the full the sum of 915, 900, most of which
has already been distributed. As the terms of
settlement included compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen at Ashcii bay, there
has been retained from the gross award q sum
which is deemed adequate for these claims
The participation of Americans in the exhibit
tons at Melbourne and Sydney will be approx
ingly mentioned in the reports of the two ex-
hIbitions 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'internation-
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 q cor
respondence has been opened, which promises
an adequate understanding. Our troops have
orders to avoid, meanwhile, all collisions with
these Indians. The presence at York town of
representatives of the republic of France.
descendants of Lafayette and his gallant COM
patriots, who were our allies in the revolution,
has served to strengthen the spirit of good will
which has always existed between the two ma
tons. You will be furnished with the proceed
ings of
THE BIMETALIC CONFERENCE,
held during the summer at tho city of Paris
No record was reachod but q 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 our
exhibitions in this almost distinctively Amer
can field of achievement have won several
awards, lrecommend that congress provide
for tine repayment of the personal expenses in
Cured in the public interest by the
honorary commissioners and delegates.
No new questions respecting tho status
of our naturaliZed citizens in Germany have
arisen during the year, and causes of CON-
plant, especially in Alsace and Lorraine have
practically ceased, through the liberal action
OF the imperia government III 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, and definite and lasting
agreement on this point is confidently
expected. The participation of the descend
ants of Baron Won SteuSen in the Yorktown
festivities and their subsequent reception by
their American kinsmen strlkingly evinced the
good will which unite German people and our
own. Our intercourse with Spain has been
friendly. An agreement concluded in Feb
uary last fixes term for the labors for the
Spanish and American claims commission.
The Spanish government has been requested
to pay the late awards of the commission, and
will, 1t is believed, accede to the request as
promptly as on former occasion. BY recent leg
islation onerous fines have been imposed upon
American shipping in Spanish and colonial
ports for slight Irregularities in manifest One
case of hardship is specially worthy Of atten-
ton. The bark MaZonica, bound for Japan,
entered Manila in distress and IL there sought
to be confiscated under the Spanish revenue
idNb iOi al uiicSSo HCi 'thhShipPoo
cargo Though efforts for her relief have thus
far proved unavailing. it is expected that the
whole matter will be adjusted in friendly
manner.
SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA.
The resolutions Of coincidence on the assas-
snation of the Gar Alexander were appropri-
ately communicated to the Russian govern
men!, which in turn hG expressed its sympa-
thy In our late bereavement 1t is desirable
that our cordial relations with Russia should
be strengthened by prope: engagements assnr-
ing to peaceable American citizens who visit the
empire the consideration which is due to them
as ci,zens of q friendly state. This is especially
needful with respect to American Israelites,
whose classification with the Baltic Hebrews
has evoked energetic remonstrances from
| this government A consular agreement with
| Italy mas been sanctioned and proclaimed,
| which puts at rest conflict Of jurisdiction in
| the case Of crimes ON shipboard. Several i'm
| portant
| INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
have been held in Itaiy during the year. At