The Portland daily press., 1881-12-07

we'll as to the Belgian and Spanish govern
ments.
THE rsrHMrs CANAL.
The questions growing out OF the proposed
inter-oceanic water way across the Isthmus OF
Panama are Of grave national importance.
This Government has not been unmindful of
the solemn obligations imposed upon it by its
compact of 1876 with Colombia as the inde-
pendent and sovereign mistress of the tersito-
ry crossed by the canal, and has sought to rem
der them effective by fresh engagements with
tke Colombian republic looking to their prac.
tical execution. The negotiations to this end
after they had reached what appeared to be
mutually satisfactory solution here, were met
IN Colombia by a disavowal of the powers
which its envoy had assumed and by propo-
sal for renewed negotiations on modified ba-
sis Meanwhile this Government learned that
Colombia had proposed to the European pow
ers to join IN guarantee of neutrality OF the
proposed Panama Canal-a guarantee which
would be in direct contravention OF our obliga-
tion as the sole guaranteer OF the integrity OF
tho canal ITSELF My lamented predecessor
felt it his duty to place before the European
powers the reasons which make the prior guar
antee of the United States indispensable, and
for which the interjection of any foreign guar
antee might be regarded as superfuous and
unfriendly act. Foreseeing the probable
reliance of the British government on the pro-
visions 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 hesitated to supplement- the
action Of my predecessor by proposing to her
majesty's government the modification of that
instrument and the abrogation OF such clauses
thereof as do not comport with the obligations
of the United States towards Colombia or with
the vital needs of the two friendly parties to
the compact.
THE GILLIAN DIFFICULTY.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance of the hostile relations bets cen
Chilli, Bolivian and Peru. An early peace be-
tween these republics is much to be desired
not only that they may themselves be spared
further misery and bloodshed, but because
their continued antagonism threatens conse-
quences which are in my Judgement dangerous
to the interests of republican government ON this
continent and calculated to destroy the
best elements of cur free and peaceful civiliza-
ton.
As in the present excited condition OF pecul-
lar feeling in the countries there has been seri-
Gus misapprehensions Of the position OF the
United States, and as the separate diplomatic
intercourse with each through independent
ministers is sometimes subject, owing to the
want of prompt reciprocal communications TO
Temporary misunderstanding, have deemed 1t
iudlcious at the present time to send special
envoy accredited TO all and each Of them fur
nished with general instructions which will,
trust, enable him to bring these powers into
friendly relations.
THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS
TIE government of Venezuela maintains its
attitude of warm friendship and continues with
great regularity its payment OF the monthly
quota of the diplomatic debt Without sug-
costing the direction in which Congress should
act, ask its attention to the pending questions
affecting the distribution of the sums thus far
received The relations between Venezuela and
France growing out of the same debt have
been for some time past in an unsatisfactory
state, and this government as the neighbor and
one Of the largest creditors Of Venezuela has
interposed itself since with the French govern
ment with the view of producing friendly
and honorable adjustment.
regret that the commercial interests be-
tween the United States and Brazil from
which great advantages were hoped year ago
have suffered from the withdrawal OF the
American lines of communications between
the Brazilian ports and our own.
Through the effortsof our ministers resident
at Buenos Ayres and the United States minis
ter at Santiago treaty has been concluded be-
tween the Argentine Republic and Chill, dis
posing of the long pending Patagonian bound
ary question. 1t is matter OF congratuiation
that our government has heen afforded the OPP
portunity of successfully exerting its good in
fiuences for the prevention of disagreements
between these republics of the American con-
tinent
THE CHINESE TREATIES.
am glad TO inform you that the treaties
lately negotiated with China, have been dolly
ratified on both sides and the exchange made
at Pekin. Legislation is necessary to carry the
provision into effect. The prompt and friend
iy spirit with which the Chinese government
at the request of the United States, conceded
the notifications of existing treaties should
secure careful regard for the interests and sus-
capabilities of that government in the enact
L. ~,lc m, rft1Io
tion. Thoss clauses of the treaties which for
bid the participation of citizens and vessels OF
the United States in the opium trade Will
doubtless receive very strong approval whlcn
will attest the sincere interest which our peo-
pie and government feel in the commendable
efforts of the Chinese government to put stop
to this demoraiizing and destructive traffic. In
relation both to China and Japan GONE changes
are desirable in our present system OF consular
Jurisdiction. hope at some future time to
lay before you scheme for its improvement In
the entire east.
RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
The intimacy between our country and Ja-
nan the most advanced of the eastern nations,
continue to be cordial. 1 am advised that the
emperor contemplates the establishment OF
full constitutional government and that he nas
already summoned parliamen airy congress Ior
the purpose of effecting the change Such
remarkab step towards complete asslmllatlon
with the western system cannot fail to bring
Japan into close and more beneficial relation
ship with ourselves as the chief Pacihc power.
question has arisen in relation TO the exer-
else in that country of the judicial functions
conferred unon our ministers and consuls. The
indictment trial and conviction in the consul
lar court at Yokohama OF John Ross, a merch-
ant seaman on board an American vessel, have
made it necessary for the government to lnsti-
tute careful examination into the nature and
methods Of this Jurisdiction. 1t tappeared that
Ross was regularly shipped under the flag OF
the United States but he was BY birth Brit
ish subject. NV predecessor felt it his duty to
MAINTAIN the position that during his service as
a regularly shipped seaman on board an Ameri-
can merchant vessel Ross was subject TO the
laws of that service and to the jurisdiction OF
United States consular authorities.
renew the recommendation which has been
heretofore pressed by the executive upon the at
tention of congress that after the return OF such
an amount as may be found due to American
citizens. the balance of the indemnity funds
due to American citizens heretofore obtained
from China and Japan and which are now in
the hands of the state department be returned
to the governments of their countries.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
The king of Hawaii in the course OF his
homeward return after journey around the
world, has lately visited this country. While
our relations with that kingdom are friendly
this government has received with concern,
the efforts.to seek replenishment of the dimin-
ishing population of the island from outward
sources to degree which may impair the ma
tive sovereignty and independence in which
the United States was among the first to testify
a lively interest.
Relations of unimpaired amity have been
maintained throughout the year with the re-
spective governments of Austria, Hungary,
Belgium, Denmark, Hayti, Paraguay and IRA
quay, Portugal, Sweden and Norway. This
may also be said of Greece and Ecuador, al
though our relations with those states have for
some time been severed by the withdrawal of
appropriations for diplomatic representatives
at Athens and Quito. 1t seems expedient to
restor these missions even on reduced scale
and decidedly recommend such course with
respect TO Ecuador which is likely within the
near future to play an important part among
the nations of the southern Pacific.
At It's last extra session the senate called for
the text of the Geneva convention for the re-
lief of the wounded in war. / trust that
this action foreshadows such interest in the
subiect as will result in the adhesion of the
United States to that humane and commenda-
BILE engagement
MARITIME REGULATIONS.
invite your attention to the propriety OF
adopting the new code ofinternatioDsl rule s for
oiicolisions on the his sea-, aud
of conforming the domestic legislation zof the
United States thereto, so that no confusion may
arise from the application of conflicting rules
in the case of vessels of different nationaiities
meeting in tidal waters. These international
rules differ but slightly from our own. Ihey
i 81. 1nVnl M rNrn