Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-07


The questions growing out of the proposed
lnter-ocean water way cross the Isthmus of
Panama are Of grave national importance
This government has not been unmiudful of
the solemn obligations imposed upon it by its
compact CT lS4f with lOmhia rs the indepen-
dent and sovereign mistress Of the territory
crossed by the canal. and has sought to render
mem them eiectve by fresh engagements with the
COLOMBIAN republic looking TO their practical
execu'1on. The negotiations TO this end after
they had reached what appeared to be mu-
tuaily satisfactory solution here. were met in
colombia by disavowal OF the powers
which its envoy has assumed, and by
a proposal for renewed negotiations on
a modified basis Meanwhile this gov
eminent learned that Colombia had
proposed TO the European powers to join in
guarantee CT the neutrality of the proposed
Panama canal, guarantee which would be in
direct contrav7ntiOn of our obligation as the
sole gusranteer Of the integrity or Colombian
territory and of the neutrality of the canal
itself. My lemented predecessor felt If to be
his outy to place before the European powers
the reasons which make the nriO- guarantee OF
the United States Indispensable. and for which
the lntsrJection of any foreign guarantee
might be regarded as a supeIfiuous and un-
friendly act.
Foreseeing the probable reliance of the Bri
tlSh Government on the provisions of the
Clayton -Bulwer treaty Of 1850 as affording
room for share in the guarantees. which the
United States covenanted with Colombia four
years before. have not besitated to supple
ment the action Of my predecessor by pro-
posing to Her Maiesty's Government the
modification of that instrument and the alb
rog alton of such clauses thereof as do not com
port with the obligations of the United States
toward Colombia, or with the vital needs of
the two friendly parties to the compact.
THE PERU-cHILI TROUBLE.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance of hostile relations between Chill
Bolivia and Peru An early peace between
these republics is much to be desired. not only
that they may themselves Re spared further r
misery and blOodshed. but because their con-
tiGued antsgOniSm threatens consequences
which are. in NV judgment, dangerous to the
Interests Of republican lvernms snt on this con
tiDent and calculated to destroy the best ele-
mentS of our free and peaceful civi alton As
in the present excited condition of popular
feelif g in these countries there has been serious
misrepresentation of the position of the United
States. and as separate diplomatic intercourse
with each, through independent Minister'S is
sometimes subject. owing TO the want of
prompt reciDrOcal communication to tempa-
rary misunderstanding. have de med it Judi
cious at the present time 70 send a special en-
voy, accredited to ali and each of them. and
furnished with general instructions, whck
will, trust enable him to bring these powers
into friendly relations.
THE VENEZUELAN AWARD.
The government OF Venezu4la maintains its
attitude of warm friendship and clntinuas
with great regularity its payment Of the
monthly quota of the diplomatic debt w tn
out suggt sting the direction In which Congress
should act. ask its attention to the pending
questions affecting the distribution Of the sums
thus far received. The re atiOus between Venp-
zuela and France growing out OF the same debt
have be-n for some time past in an uDsatisfac-
tory state. and this movement as the neighbor
and one o the largest creditors Of Vsrezneia
has iuterposed its influence with the French
Government with the view Of producing a
friendly and honorable adjustment.
OUR COMMERCE WITH BRAZIL.
regret that the commercial interests be
tive en- the United States and Brazil from which
great advantages were hoped year ego have
suffered from the withdrawal of The American
lines of communication between Brazilian
ports and our own.
THE ECHILIAN-ARGENTINEB BOUNDARY.
Through the efforts of ur Minister resident
at BuenOs Ayres and the United States Minister
at Santiago a treaty has been concuied be-
tween the Argentine Keuubic and Chilli dis
posing If the long pending Patag oman un
cary question. DC i n matter of congrstuia-
tion that our government has been afforded
the oppmtu Y OF successfully exerting its
ments between these republics Of the Ameri-
can continent.
THE CHINESE TREATIES.
1 am glad to inform you that the treaties
lately negotiated with China have Eeen duly
ratified on both des and the exchange made
at Peking. Legislation is neces sssry TO carry
their provisions into effect The prompt and
friendly spirit with which the Cheese Govern
menr, at the request Of the United states, con
ceded the modification Of existing treaties,
shou d secure a careful regard for the inter
estS and susceptbllitles of that government in
the enac ment of any laws relating
to Chinese immigration. Those clauses
Of the treaties which foroid the
participation Of citizens or vessels of the
United States in the opium trade. will. doubt
less, receive your approval. They will attest
the sincere interest which our people and
government feel in the commendable efforts
of the Chinese Government to put a stop to
this demoralizing and destructive traffic. In
relation both to China end japan, some char uges
are desirable in our present system OF COnsu-
lar jurisdiction. / hone at some future time
to lay before you a scheme for its Improve
ment in the entire East.
OUR INTIMACY WITH JAPAN.
The intimacy between our own country and
Japan, the most advanced of the Eastern ma
tionS. continues to be cordial. l am advised
that the Emperor coDtrmplstes the establish
ment Of full constitutional government, and
that he has ALREADY summoned a parliamen
tary congress for the purpose Of effrcting the
change such remarkable step toward COM
pete assimilation with the Western system
cannot fail to bring Japan into closer and
more beneficial relationship with ourselves as
the chief acific power.
THE CONSULAR COURTS.
A preston has arisen in relation to the ex-
ercise in that country of the judicial functions
conferred upon our Minister'S and Consuls The
indictment, trial and conviction in the Consular
\ s.,
seaman on board an American vessel, have
made it necessary for the government 10 iDsti-
tute careful examine tion into the nature and
methods of this jurisdiction. Il appeared that
Ross Wss regularly shipped under the flag Of
the United States, but vas by birth a British
subject. My predecessor felt IL 70 be his duty
TO Il aintain the position that during his service
as regularly shipped seaman on board an
American merchant vessel. Ross was subject
10 the laws of that service, ard to the jurisdic
tiOn of the United States CousGlar authorities.
THE DISPOSAL OF THE INDEMNITY.
Irenew the recommendation. which has beeu
heretofore urged by the Executive upon the
attention of COngrt SIS, that after the deduction
of such an amount as NAV be- found due TO
American citizens, the balance of the inde m
niry funds heretofore obtained from China and
Japan. and which are W in the hands Of The
State Department be returned 10 the govern
ments of those countries.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
The King of Hswsii. in the curse of his
hOmaWard return after journey around the
world. has lately u tied this country. While
our relations Wi that kingdom are Trlendl +,
this government has viewed with concern he
efforts to seek areplenishment OF the diminish
jig populatiO" of the is, nd fr m outward
sources to degree which may imp-ir the
native sovereignty and independence in which
the United iates was among the first to tes-
tifY lively interest.
CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH TIE REST OF TIE
WORLD
Relations Of unimpaired entity have been
maintained throus hout the wear with the re-
specify governments of Austro Hungary. Bel
GUM, Denmark, HaYti. Paraguay and IRA
guay Portugal. ard Sweden and Norway. his
may also be ssid Il Greece and Z uafOr. al
though our relations with those States have
for some years been severed hy the with
drawal of aoDropri atoms for oil lOmatic repre-
sentatives at Athers and at Quito. IL seems
4xredient to restore those miSsi rs. even on
reduced scale. snd ! decidedly recommend
that such course with respect 20 Ecuador,
which Ia likely Ia the near future 10 play an
important part auGng the nations OF the
Southern Pacifc.
THE RED CROSS MOVEMENT.
At its last extra session. the Senate called
for the text of the Geneva convention for the
relief at the wounded in the war | trust that
this action foreshadOvs such interest in the
subject as will result IN the adhesion or the
United States TO that humane and commend
able enactment.
THE NEW CODE OF SIGNALS.
Invite your attention to the propriety OF
the adoption Of Inc new code OF international
rta' 'es for the prevention of collisions on the
high seas, and OF conforming the domestic
legislation of the United states thereto, so hat
no confusion may arise from the application
Of conflicting rules In the case Of vessels OF
different natonaities meeting in our tidal
waters These international rules fer but
slightly from our own. They have been adopt
ed by the Navy Department for the COVE n
ance 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
disseminating the rules. and in acquanting
shipmssters with the option of conforming TO
them without the jurisdictional waters of the
United States. They are now very generally
known and obeyed.
CONSULAR REPORTS.