Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-07

prOtectlOn OF American missionaries in the en-
pire. The condemned murderer OF the eminent
missionary, Mr. Justin w. Parsons, has not vet
been executed, although this government has re-
peatedly demanded that exemplary Justice be
done.
| The Swiss government has solicited the good
offices OF our diplomatic and consular agents for
the protection OF Its citizens In countries where IL
is not itself represented. This request has within
proper limits been granted Our agents in Swift
zerland have been instructed TO protest against
the conduct Of the authorities Of certain commu-
mites in permitting the emigration to this coun-
try 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 n more effectual remedy than diplomatic
remonstrance.
Treaties OF commerce and navigation, and for
the regulation Of consular privileges have been
concluded with Roumania and Servia since their
admission into the family Of European states.
MEXICO AND THE CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
As is natural with contiguous states having like
institutions and like aims of advancement and de-
velopment, the friendship Of the United States
and Mexico has been constantly maintained. This
government has lost no occasion OF encouraging
the Mexican government to a beneficial realiza-
ton Of the natural advantage which will result
from more intimate commercial intercourse and
from the opening OF the rich interior of Mexico to
railway enterprise | deem 1t important that
means be provided to restrain the lawlessness un-
fortunately 80 common on the frontier, and to
suppress the forays Of the reservation Indians on
either side Of the Rio Grande.
The neighboring states Of Central America have
preserved internal peace, and their outward rea-
tions toward us have been those Of intimate
friendship. There are encouraging signs OF their
growing disposition to subordinate their local in
terests to those which are common to them by
reason OF their geographical relations The boun-
dary dispute between Guatemala and Mexico has
afforded this government an opportunity to exer-
between those states and for procuring peace
fn solution OF the question. ! cherish strong
hope that, in view Of our relations Of amty with
both countries, friendly counsels may prevail.
special envoy OF Guatemala has brought to me
the condolences of his government and people
on the death of President Garfield.
The Costa Rican government lately framed an
engagement with Colombia settling by arbtra-
tion the boundary question between those coun-
tries providing that the post of arbitrator should
be offered successively to the king Of the Belgi-
ans, the king Of Spain and the president of the
Argentine confederation. The king of the Bel
gians has declined to act, but am not as yet ad-
vised of the action OF the king Of Spain. AS we
have certain interests in the disputed territory
which are protected by our treaty engagements
with one Of the parties, it is important that the
arbitration should not, without our consent, affect
our rights and this government has accordingly
thought proper to make its views known to the
parties to the agreement rs well as to intimate
them to the Belgian and Spanish governments.
THE PANAMA CANAL.
The questions growing out Of the proposed in
ter-oceanic water way across the Isthmus OF Pam
ANA are of grave national Importance. This
government has not been unmindful of the solemn
obligations imposed upon 1t by its compact of
1S46 with Colombia as the independent and sover-
eign mistress Of the territory crossed by the canal
and has sought to render them effective by fresh
engagements with the Colombian Republic look
ing to their practical execution. The negotiations
to this end after they had reached what appeared
to be mutually satisfactory solution here were
met In Colombia by disavowal of the powers
which its envoy had assumed and by a proposal
for renewed negotiation on modified basis.
Meanwhile this government learned that Colom-
bia had proposed to the European powers to Join
in a guarantee OF the neutrality Of the proposed
Panama Canal--a guarantee which would be In
direct contravention Of our obligation rs the sole
guarantee of the integrity Of Colombian territory
and of the neutrality of the canal itself. My
lamented predecessor felt 1t his duty to place be-
fore the European powers the reasons which
make the prior guarantee OF the United States
Indispensable, and for which the interjection Of
any foreign guarantee might be regarded a su-
perfuous and unfriendly act.
Foreseeing the probable reliance OF the British
government on the provisions OF the Clayton
Bulwer treaty OF 1850, as affording room for
share in the guarantees which the United States
covenaDted with Colombia four years before,
have not hestated to supplement the action of my
predecessor by proposing to Her Majesty's gov
ernment the modification Of that instrument and
the abrogation of such clauses thereof AZ do not
comport with the obligations of the United States
toward Colombia or with the vital needs Of the
two friendly parties to the compact,
THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance OF the hostile relations between
Chill. Bolivia and Peru. An early peace between
these republics Is much to be desired, not only
that they may themselves be spared further blood
shed, but because their continued antagonism
| tlrnn lx.zl.u l..
ment dangerous to the interests of republican
government on this continent and calculated to
destroy the best elements OF our free and peaceful
civilization. As in the present excited condition
OF popular feeling in these countries there has
been serious misapprehenson OF the position of
the United States aud as separate diplomatic in
!ercourse with each through independent minis
ters is sometimes subject, owing to the want OF
| prompt reciprocal communication, to temporary
Misunderstanding, | have deemed judicious at
the present time to send special envoy accred-
tied to all and each Of them and furnished with
general instructions, which will, trust enable
him To bring these powers into friendly relations.
THE VENEZUELA CLAIMS
The government Of Venezuela maintains its at
| titude OF warm friendship, and continues with
great regularity its payment Of the monthly
quota OF the diplomatic debt. Without snggo sting
the direction In which congress should act ask
It's attention to the pending question 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 it.
self since with the French government with the
view Of producing friendly and honorable ad-
justment.
COMMERCE WITH BRAZIL.
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 lines of
communication between the Brazilian ports and
| our own.
FRIENDLY NEGOTIATIONS
Through the efforts of our Minister resident at
Buenos Ayres, and the United States Minister at
Santiago, treaty has been concluded between
the Argentine Republic and Chill disposing OF the
long-pending Patagonian boundary question 1t
Is matter Of congratulation that our government
has been afforded the opportunity Of successfully