The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-12-15


mutual advantages which will result frola more
intimate commercial intercourse and from the
opening of the rich interior of Mexican railway
enterprise. | deem it important that means be
provided to restrain the lawlcssness, unfortunate
ly common ON the frontier, and to suppress the
torays of tho reservation.
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
The neighboring states Of Central America have
preserved internal peace, and their outward
have been those Of intimate
friendship. There are encouraging signs Of their
growing disposition to subordinate their local
interests to those which are common to them by
reason of their geographical relations. The
boundary dispute between Guatemala and
Mexico has offered this government an oppor
tanity to exercise Its good offices for preventing
rupture between these states and for procuring
peaceful solution of the question. I cherish
strong hope that in view of our relations OF
amity with both countries our friendly counsel,
will prevail.
The Costa Rioan government lately formed an
engagement with Columbia for settling, by arbi'
tration, tho boundary question between thos,
countries, providing that the post Of arbitrants
should bs offered successfully to the King Of the
Belgians, the King Of Spain, and the President Ct
tho Argentine Confederation. The King of the
Belgians has declined to act, but am not rs ye,
advised of the action Of tho King of Spain. As
We have certain interests in tho disputed territory
which are protected by our treaty engagement
with one Of the parties, i is important that the
arbitration should not without our consent affect
our rights, and this government has accord.
ingly thought proper to make its views known
to the parties to the agreement, also to intimate
them to the Belgian government.
THE CANAL QUESTION.
The question growing out Of the proposed in
ter.oceanic water way across the isthmus of Pana-
ma, are of grave national Importance. This
government has not been unmindful
on it by its compac. of 1913,
with Columbia as the independent sovereign mis-
,rcss of the territory crossed by the canal and has
sought to render them effective by fresh engage
ments with the Columbian republic looking to
their practical execution The negotiations to
this end, after they had reached what appeared
to DO mutually satisfactory solution here, werc
which its envoy had assumed, and by proposal
for negotiation on q modified basis. Mean
while this government learned that c.
lumba had proposed to the European
powers to Join in guarantee Of the neutrality
Of the proposed Panama canal. A guarantee
which would be in direct controvention of the
integrity Of the Columbian Territory and Of the
decessor ielt it his duty to place before the Eu-
ropean powers the reasons which make the prior
guarantee Of the United States Indispensable and
for which the interjection of any foreign guaran-
tee might be regarded as . superauous and un-
friendly act.
Foreseeing tho probable reliance of the British
government on the provisions of the Clayton-
Buwer treaty Of 1850, affording room for
share in the guarantees which the United States
covenants with Columbia four years before, I
have not hesitated to supplement the action Of
my predecessor by proposing to her majestys
government the modification Of those instru-
ments and the abrogation of such clauses thereof
as do not compare with the obligations Of the
United States toward Columbia or with the vital
needs Of the two friendly parties to the compact.
CHILL AND PERU.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance OF the hostilites between Chill, Boil.
win and Peru, and early peace between these re-
pub,ics is much to be desired not only that they
| may themselves be spared further misery ant
| bloodshed, because their continued Antagonisn
threatens consequences which are in my judg
ment dangerous to the interests Of republican gov
ernment on this continent, and calculated to dc
stroy the best elements Of our free and peaceful
| civilization.
| As in the present excited condition Of tho popu
lar feeling in these countries there has been seriou
| misspprehensions Of the position Of the United
| States, and as separate diplomatic inter
course with each through independent ministers
is some times subject, owing to the want o
prompt reciprocal communication to tempcrar.
misunderstanding. have deemed it judicious, a
the present time, to send special envoy accredit
ed to all and each Of them, and furnished will
general instructions which will enable him t
bring these powers into friendly relations.
VENEZUELA.
| The government of Venezuela maintains its At
ttude Of warm friendship, and continues, with
| great regularity, its payment OF the monthly
| quota Of the diplomatic debt, Without suggest.
ing the direction in which congress should aeo,
ask 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, nave been for somt
time past in an unsatisfactory state, and this gov
eminent, as the neighbor and one Of the largest
creditors of Venezuela, has interposed itself since
with the French government with the view of pro
iucing friendly and honorable adjustment
| BRAZIL,
| l regret that the commercial interests between
the United States and Brazil, from which great
advantages were hoped year ago, have suffered
from the withdrawal of the American line OF
communication between Brazilian ports and ours.
Through the efforts of our minister resident al
Buenos Ayres and the United States minister al
Santiago, a treaty has been concluded between
the Argentine Republic and Chill, disposing Of
the long pending Patagonia boundary question.
1t is n matter of congratnlation that our govern
ment has been afforded the opportunity Of suc-
cessfully exerting its good influence for the Lre-
| yention OF disagreements between tho Republics
OF the American continent.
| CHINA.
| am glad to inform you that the treaties lately
Negotiated with China have been duly ratified on
9th sides, and the exchange made at Pekin.
legislation is necessary to call its provisions into
fleet. The prompt and friendly manner in
khich the Chinese government, at the request OF
be United States, conceded the modification Of
Featies, should secure careful regard for the
htcrests and susccptibilities of that government
p the enactment OF any laws relating to Chinese
migration.
The classes Of the treaties which forbid the
anticipation of citizens or vessels of the United
pur approval and they will attest the sincere in
rest which our people aud government in the
kmmendable efforts of the Chinese government
y put stop to this demoralizing and destructive
traffic. In relation both to China and Japan
come changes are desirable in ourpresent system
| OF counsel or Jurisdiction hope at some futare
time to lay before you scheme for its improve
ment in the entire east.
| The intimacy between our country and Japan
the most advanced of eastern nations continues
! w pV NotulaIs Hlu duflStu tuub tu0 emperor
contempates the establishment of constitutional
government, and that he has already summoned
| parliamentary congress for the purpose of OF.
fecting the change Such remarkable step to-
wa,d the complete assimilation with the western
system cannot fail to bring Japan to closer and
more beneficial relationship with ourselves as the
| chief Pacific power.
THE JOHN ROSS CASE.
A question has arisen in relation to the cxer-
else in that country Of the judicial function car
ried on by cur ministers and consuls. The in.
dictment, trial and conviction in the consular
court at Yokohama, of John Ross, merchant
seaman on board an American vessel have made
it necessary for the government to institute
carein! examination, and the nature and methods
Of this Jurisdiction. 1t appeared Ross was
regularly shipped under protection Of the United
States, but was by birth British subject. My
successor felt it his duty to retain tho position
that in his service as regular shipped seaman
on board an American merchant vessel
Ross was subject to the laws sf the service ant
to the jurisdiction of the United States consular
authorities
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