Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-12-15

mutual advantages which will result from more
intimate commercial intercourse and from the
| opening of the rich interior of Mexican railway
! enterprise. I deem it important that means be
provided to restrain the lawleSSnesS unfortunate
| ly common on the frontier, and to suppress the
fOrayS of the reservation.
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
The neighboring states of Central America have
preserved internal peace, and their outward
relations toward the United States
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
tunity 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 couusels
will prevail.
The Costa Rican government lately formed an
| engagement with Columbia for settling, by arbi
| tration, the boundary question between thos,
countries, providing that the post of arbitrants
should be offered succesSivey to the King of the
Begians, the King of Spain, and the President Ct
the Argentine Confederation. The King of the
BelgianS has declined to act, but am not as yet
advised of the action of the King of Spain. As
have certain interests 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 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
teroceanic water way across the isthmus Of pana-
ma, are of grave national Importance. This
government has not been unmindfuI
of the solemn obligations imposed up
on it by its compact of 1916
with Columbia as the independent sovereign mis-
ress 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 be mutually satisfactory solution here, were
met in Columbia by disavowal of the powers
which its envoy had assumed, and by proposal
for negotiation on a modified basis. Mean
while this government learned that c.
lumbia 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
neutrality of the canal itself. My lamented pre-
decessor felt 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 superfuous and un-
| friendly act
Foreseeing the probable reliance of the British
government on the provisions of the Clayton
| Bulwer treaty of 1850, affording room for a
| share in the guarantees which the United States
covenants with Columbia four years before,
have not hesitated to supplement the action OF
my predecessor by proposing to her majesty's
| 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 hOstiities between Chill, Boil
| via and Peru, and early peace between these re-
pubiics is much to be desired not only that they
| may themselves be spared further misery and
| bloodshed because their continued antagoniSm
| threatens consequences which are in my judg-
ment dangerous to the interests OF republican gov
ernment on this continent, and calculated to de
| strOy the best elements of our free and peaceful
| civilization.
| AS in the present excited condition of the popu-
lar feeling in these countries there has been seou;
| misapprehensiOns 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 Oi
| prompt reciprocal communication to temporary
| misunderstanding. / have deemed 1t judicious at
the present time, to send special envoy accredit-
| ed to all and each of them, and furnished with
general instructions which will enable him tC
bring these powers into friendly relations.
| VENEZUELA.
| 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 suggest
| ing the direction in which congress should acC,
| 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 some
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.
| 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 or
| communication between Brazilian ports and ours.
| 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 disposius Of
| the long pending Patagonia boundary question
| 1t Is matter of congratulatiou that our govern
| ment has been afforded the opportunity of sue
cessfully exerting its good influence for the Ire
| vention of disagreements between the Republics
| of the American continent.
| CHINA.
/ am glad to inform you that the treaties lately
negotiated with China have been duly ratified on
! both sides, and the exchange made at Pekin.
Legislation is necessary to call its provisions into
| effect. The prompt and friendly manner in
| which the Chinese government, at the request Of
! the United States, conceded the modification OF
| treaties, should secure careful regard for the
interests and susceptibilities of that government
in the enactment of any laws relating to Chinese
| emigration.
| The classes of the treaties which forbid the
participation Of citizens or vessels of the United
States in the opium trade, will doubtless receive
your approval, and they will attest the sincere in
! terest which our people and government in the
| commendable efforts of the Chinese government
/ ID put stop to this demOraizing and destructive
| traffic. In relation both to China and Japan
| some changes are desirable in our present system
of counsel or jurisdiction. I hope at some futare
| time to lay before you scheme for its improve
ment in the entire east.
JAPAN.
| The intimacy between our country and Japan
| the most advanced of eastern nations, continues
| 20 be cordial. / am advised that the emperor
cOntemplates the establishment of constitutional
| government, and that he has already summoned
| a parliamentary congress for the purpose of et-
| tecting the change. Such remarkable step to-
| ward the complete assimilation with the western
system cannot fail to bring Japan to a closer and
more beneficial relationship with ourselves as the
chief Pacific power.
THE JOHN ROSS CASE.
! a question has arisen in relation to the exer-
! else IN that country of the judicial function
ried on by eur ministers and consuIs. The in
| dictment. trial and conviction in the consular
court at Yokohama, of John Ross, a merchant
| seaman on board an American vessel have made
| 1t necessary for the government to institute
| careful examination, and the nature and methods
| of this jurisdiction. It appeared Rozs was
regularly shipped under protection of the United
States, but was by birth British subject. My
successor felt it his duty to retain the position
| that IN his service regular shipped seaman
on board American merchant vessel