The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-07

the American lines of communication be-
tween the Brazilian ports and our own.
OUR GOVERNMENT A PEAcEMAKEE.
Through the efforts OF our Minister resi-
dent at Buenos Ayres and the United
STATES Minister Mt Santiago a treaty has been
concluded between the Argentine Republic
and Chill disposing OF the long-pcnding
Patagonian boundary question. IL Is n
matter Of congratulaton that our Govern
ment has been afforded the opportunity OF
successfully exerting It's good influence for
the prevention OF disagreemcnts between
these republics Of the American continent.
THE TREATY WITH CHINA.
am glad to inform you that the treaties
lately negotiated with China have been
duly ratified on both sides and the exchange
made ut Picking. Legislation Is necessary
to carry their provisions into effect. The
prompt and friendly spirit with which the
Chinese Government, ut the request OF the
United States, conceded the modification
OF existing treaties, should secure careful
regard for the interests and susceptibiities
of that Government i'm the enactment OF
any laws relating to Chinese immigration.
Those clauses OF the treaties which forbid
the participation OF citizens or vessels OF
the United States in the opium trade will
doubtless receive your approval. They
will attest the sincere interest which our
people and Government feel in the COM
mendable efforts OF the Chinese Govern
ment to put a stop to this demoraliZing and
destructive traffic.
INTIMATE RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
In relation both to China and Japan some
changes are desirable in our present system
OF consular jurisdiction. / hope at some
future time to lay before you a scheme for
its improvement in the entire East. The
intimacy between our own country and
Japan. the most advanced OF the eastern
nations, continues to be cordial. ! am adj /
vised that the Emperor cOntempates the |
establishment of full constitutional govern /
mcnt, and that he has already summoneda /
parliamentary congress for the purpose OF
efiecting the change. Such remarkable /
step toward complete assimilation with the /
western system cannot fail to bring Japan /
into closer and more beneficial relation /
ship with ourselves as the chief Pacific /
Power.
CONSULAR COURTS.
A question has arisen in relation to the /
exercise i'm that country OF the judicial |
functions conferred upon our ministers and 4
consus. The indictment, trial, and con- /
yictiOn i'm the consular court at Yokohama /
OF John Ross, merchant seaman on board /
an American vessel. have made il necessary
| for the Government TO institute q careful /
examination into the nature and methods /
of this jurisdiction. II appeared that Ross
was regularly shipped under the flag OF
the United States, but was by birth /
British subject. My predecessor felt it |
to be his duty to maintain the position that I
during his service rs regularly-shipped
seaman on board an American merchant 4
vessel Ross was subject to the laws Of that /
service and to the jurisdiction OF the United /
States consular authorities. | renew the |
recommendation which has been hereto /
fore urged by the Executive upon the I
attention OF Congress, that after the
reduction OF such amount as may be
found due to American citizens, the /
balance OF the indemnity funds hereto
fore obtained from China and Japan, and /
which are now in the hands OF the State /.
Department, be returned to the govern |
ments oil those countries.
TIE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
The King Of Hawaii, in the course OF his /
| hOmeward return after a journey around /
the world has lately visited this country. |
While our relations with that kingdom are I
/ friendly, this Government has viewed with I
concern the efforts to seek replenishment |
OF the diminishing population OF the islands |
| from outward sources to degree which /
may impair the native sovereignty and in /
dependence i'm which the United States was /
among the first to testify lively interest.
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH OTHER FOREIGN /
POWERS.
Relations Of unimpaired amity have been /
maintained throughout the year with the /
respective Governments OF Austria, Hun
gary, Belgium, Denmark, IIayti, Paraguay
and Uruguay, Portugal, Sweden, and Nor
way. This may also he said OF Greece and
| Ecuador, although our relations withth0se
States have for some years been severed by
the withdrawal Of appropriations for diplo-
matte representatives at Athens and Quito.
Ii seems eXpedcnt to restore those mis-
s0nS even on Il reduced scale. and de-
cidedly commend such a course with re-
spect to Ecuador, which is likely within
the near future TO play an important part
among the nations OF the Southern Pacific.
THE GENEVA CONVENTION.
At its last extra session the Senate called
for the text OF the Geneva Convention for
the relief of the wounded in war. trust
that this action iOreshadowS such interest
IN the subject as will result in the adhe-
sion OF the United States to that humane
and commendable engagement
NEW INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CODE.
| 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 do
nestle legislation OF the United States
thereto, so that no confusion may arise
from the use Of conflicting rules in the case
Of vessels OF different nationaities meeting
in tidal waters. The internal regulations
differ but slightly from our own. They
have been adopted by the Navy Depart
ment for the goyernance 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 acqIainting Shipmasters
with the option of conforming to them
without the jurisdictional waters OF the
United States, they are now very generally
known and obeyed.
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
The State Department still continues TO
publish to the country the trade and manu-
featuring reports received from IFS officers
abroad. The success Of this course war
rants it, continuance aud such appropria-
ton as may be required to meet the
rapidly-increasinS demand for these
publications. With special reference
TO the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, the
October No. OF the reports was devoted to
a valuable collection Of papers on the cot
ton-goods trade OF the world.
THE INTERNATIONAL SANITARY CONFERENCE,
for which in 1879 Congress made proyi-
sion, assembled in this city early In JAN