Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-07

A~o~-~-~N%'S --~S~~~f
ESPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO TEE REcoRD-uSIoS.l
WASHINGTON, December e.h.-The following il
President Arthurs Message, read in Congress THU
morning:
To the Senate and House of Representatives o.
the United States: An appalling calamity has be
fallen the American people since their chosen repre-
sentatives last met in the hals where you are nov
assembled. We might else recall with unalloyed
content the prosperity with which throughout the
year tine nation has been blessed Its harvests have
been penteous, its varied industries have thriyen,
the health of its people has been preserved, and il
has maintaized with foreign Governments the undis
turbed relations OF amity and peace. For these
manifestation OF His favor, We owe to Him who
holds our destiny in His hands the tribute OF our
grateful deyotions.
To that mysterious exercise Of His will which has
taken from us the loved and ilustrious citizen who
was but lately the head Of the nation, We bow IN
sorrow and submission. The memory OF his ex-
allied character, of bis noble achievements and OF
his patriotic life will be treasured forever as sa-
cred possession of the whole people The announce
ment OF his death drew from foreign Governments
and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow, which
history will record as signal tokens Of the friendship
of nations and the admiration of mankn md. The
feeling OF good will between our Government and
that CT Great Britain was never more marked than
at present. In recognition of that pleasing fact
directed, on the occasion of the centennial cele-
bration at Yorktown, that salute be given to The
British flag.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS,
Save for the correspondence to which shall here
after refer to in relation to the proposed canal across
the Isthmus Of Panama, little has occurred worth
mentioning in our diplomatic relations with other
countries Early in the year the Fortune Bay claims
were satisfactorily settled by the British Gov
eminent paying il the SUN OF s15,o00,
most of which has already been distri-
buted in accordance with the terms of the
settlement. Includipe the compensation for in
iuries suffered ty our fishermen at Apee Bay there
has been retained from the gross award sum
which is deemed adequate for these claims.
The participation of Americans in the exhibition at
Melbourne and Sydney will be approvingly men
toned in the reports of the Commissioners.
The presence at the yorktown celebration Of rep
resentatives Of the French Republican descendants
of Lafayette and his gallant compatriots, who were
our allies in the Revolution has served to strength
en- the spirit of good will which has always existed
between the two nations
YOU will be furnished with the proceedings of the
Bimetallic Conference held during the summer at
Paris No accord was reached, but valuable inter
change of views was had, and the Conference will
next year he renewed
OUR RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
No new question respecting the status of our
naturalized citizens in Germany have arisen dur
ing the year, and the causes of complaint,
especially in Alsace-Loraine, have practically
ceased, through the liberal action OF the
Imperial Government in accepting often
expressed views on the subject. The applica-
ton of the treaty of 1858 to the lately acquired
Rhenish provinces has received very earnest atten
ton, and lasting agreement on this point is con
fidenty expected The participation of the descend
ants of Baron Won Steuben in the Yorktown fsstiv-
tiles, and their subsequent reception by their
American kinsmen strikingly evinoed the ties of
the good will which unite the German people and
our own.
sPANIsH.AMERIoAS CLAIMS COMMISSION.
Our intercourse WIN SPAIN mas DeSu An
agreement was concluded in February last, which
fixes term for the labors of the Spanish and Amer
lean Claims Commission. The Spanish Government
has been requested to pay the late awards Of the
Commission, aud WILL it is believed, accede to the
request as promptly and courteously as on
former occasions. BY recent legislation orer-
Gus fines have been imposed upon Ameri-
can shipping in Spanish and Colonial ports
for slight Irregularities in manilests.
One case of hardship is especially worthy of atten-
ton The bark Mason, bound Tor Japan, entered
Mana in distress, and is there sought to be con-
fiscated under the Spanish revenue laws for an al
legged shortage in her transhipped cargo Taough
efforts for her relief have thus far proved I'M
availing, it is expected that the whole viii be ad
justed in friendly spirit.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Senate resolutions OF coincidence on the assas
sination Of the Car Alexander IL appropriate
" communicated to the Russian Government, which
in turn has expressed its sympathy in our late ma
tional bereavement. Il is desired that our cordia
relations with Russia should be strengthened by
proper engagements, assuring to peaceable Amoii
cans who visit tine Empire the consideration which
4
is especially needful with respect to American Israel
ties. whose classification with the native Hebrews
has evoked energetic circumstances from this Gov
ernment.
consular agre, meut with Italy has been sane.
toned aud proclaimed, which puts at rest the con
fcts Of jurisdiction in the Of crimes ship
board. Several important international conference;
have been held in Italy during the year. At the
Geogra phcal Congress of Venice, the Boniface Con
gress OF Milan and the Nice Congress OF Turin this
country was represented by delegates from the
branches OF public serves or by private citizens
duly accredited to it in en- honorary capacity. 1t i.
hoped that Congress VIII give such prominence tc
the results of their deliberations as they may seem
to deserve.
The abolition Of all discriminating duties against
such colonial productions Of the Dutch East Indies
as are imported hither from Holland has been al
ready considered by Congress. trust that at the
present session the matter may be favorably con
cluded.
The insecurity of life and property in many part;
of Turkey has gwen rise to correspondence with the
Porte looking particularly to the better protection
of American missionaiie les in the Empire. The con
demnei murderer OF the eminent missionary, DR.
Justin W. Parsons, has not yet been executed, al
though the Government has repeatedly demandedit.
The Swiss Government has solicited the good of.
fees of our diplomatic and consular agents for the
protection of its citizens countries where is not
itself represented. This request has, with proper
limits. b en- granted. Our agents in Switzerland
have cen instructed TO protest against the conduct
OF the authorities OF certain nmunes in permit
ting the emigration to this country OF criminals and
other Objectionable 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 eifectual remedy
thsn diplomat remonstrsnce.
Treaties of commerce and navigation, and for the
regulation of consular privileges, have been con
Guided with Roumania and Servia since their admis
sion into the family OF European States As is na.u
raj with contiguous States, they have like institu
tons and like sims of advance lent and develop
ment.
MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA AND TIE 1sTHaBs
CANAL
The friendship Of the United States and Mexieo
has been constantly maintained. The Government,
has lost no occasion Of encouraging the Mexican
Government to ber eicial realization OF the mutual
advantages which will result from more intimate
commercial intercourse, and from the opening Of the
rich interior OF Mexico to railway enterprise. deem
it important that means be provided to restrain the
laylessness unfortunately 50 common the front