The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-14

engagements, assuring TO peaceabi'
americans who visit the Empire th,
consideration which is due them a
citizens of friendly State. This i:
especially neediul in respect tc
American Israelites whose classifica
ton with the native Hebrews has
evoked energetic circumstances from
this Government
CONSULAR AND TRADE RELATIONS.
\ consular agreement with Italy
has been sanctioned and proclaim.
ed, which puts at rest the conflicts
of jurisdiction in the case of crimes
committed on shipboard. Several
important international conferences
haye been held in Italy during the
year At the Congress of Venice, the
Bonefice Congress of Milan, and the
Nice Congress of Turin. This coun-
/ try was represented by delegates
from branches of the public service
or by private citizens, duly accredit-
ed in an honory capacity. 1t is hop
ed that Congress will give such
prominence to the results of their
participation as they may seem to
deserve.
The abolition of all discriminat-
ing duties against such colonial pro-
ductions of the Dutch East Indies
as are imported hither from Hol-
land has been already considered by
Congress. | trust that at the pres
ent session the matter may be ia
vorably concluded.
The insec- rity of life and proper
ty in many parts of Turkey has CIV
en rise to correspondence with the
Porte looking particularly to the
better protection OF American mis-
sionaries in the Empire. The con-
demned murderer of the eminent
missionary, DIR. Justin ". Parsons,
has not yet been executed, although
this Government has repeatedly de-
manded that exemplary justice be
done.
The Swiss government has solicit
ed the good offices OF our diplomat
and consular agents for the protec-
ton of its citizens in countries where
it is not itself represented. This re
quest has within proper limits been
granted. Our agents in Switzerland
have been instructed to protest
against the conduct of the authori-
ties # certain communes in permit
ting the emigration TO this country
of criminals and other objections
ble 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 a more ,.fiectual remedy than
diplomatic remonstrances.
Treaties of commerce and naviga-
-tion and for the reg gulation Of Consul
lar privileges have been concluded
with Roumania and Servia, since
their admission into the family of
European States.
NEIGHBoRING 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. The Gov
ernment has lost no occasion Of ,,i-
couraging the Mexican government
to a beneficial realization of the mu
tual advantages which will result
from more intimate commercial in
tercourse and from the opening of
the rich interior of Mexico to rail
way enterprise. deem it import
ant that means be provided to re-
strain the lawlessness, unfortunate
ly so common on the frontier, and
to suppress the forays of the reser-
walton Indians on either side of the
Rio Grande. The neighboring states
of Central America have preserved
internal peace, and their outward
relations toward us have been those
of intimate friendship. There are
encouraging signs of their growing
disposition to subordinate their To-
cal interests to those which are COM
mon to them bv reason of their geo.
graphical relations. The boundary
dispute between Guatemala and Mex
leo has offorded this Government an
opportunity to exercise its good
offices for preventing rupture be-
tween these states and for procuring
peaceful solution of the question.
| cherish n strong hope that, in view
of our relations of amity with both
countries, our friendly counsels will
prevail. A special envoy of Guate-
nlala has brought to me the condo
lences of his Government and peo-
pie on the death of President Gar
field.
The Costa Rica Government late
ly formed an engagement with Co
lumbia for settling by arbitration
the boundary question between
those countries, providing that the
post of arbitrator should be offered
successfully to the King of the Bel
gians, the King Of Spain and the
President of the Argentine Confed-
Grafton. The King of the Belgians
has declined to set, but | am not as
vet advised of the action of the King
of Spain. As we have certain in
terests in the disputed territory.
which are protected by our treaty
engagement with one of the parties.
it is important that the arbitration
should not, without our consent, af-
feet our rights, and this Government
has accordingly thought proper tn
make its views known to the parties
to the agreement, as well as to init
mate them to the Belgian and
Spanish Governments.
THE PANAMA CANAL NEGOTIATIONS.
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 unmind-
full of the solemn obligations inn
posed upon it, by its compact of
1916 with Colombia, as the inde-
pendent and sovereign mistress Of