Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-06

them to the Belgian and Spanish Governments.
The questions growing out Of the proposed inter-
oceanic waterway across the Isthmus of Panama
are OF grave national Importance. This govern
ment has not been unmindful of the solemn obi
cations imposed upon it by its compact of 1916 with
Colombia as the independent and sovereign mis-
tress of the territory crossed by the canal and has
ments with the Colombian 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
Colombia By disavowal OF the powers which its
envoy had assumed, and by proposal for re-
newed negotiation on modified basis.
Meanwhile this government learned that Colon
bia had proposed to the European powers to toH in
guarantee OF the neutrality of the proposed Pam
anna Canal-a guarantee which would be in direct
cOntravention Of our obligation as the sole guar
antor of the integrity Of Colombian territory and
OF the neutrality OF the canal ITSELF Ny lamented
predecessor felt it his duty to place before the E-
ropean powers the reasOnywhch make the prior
h Q, the unted states nispensable and
| might be regarded as superfuous and unfriendly
act
Foreseeing the probable reliance OF the British
government on the provisions OF the Clayton-Bul-
Wer treaty Of 1850 affOr1ing room for share in
tne guarantees which the United States cove
not hesftated 10 supplement the action of my pre-
decessor by proposing to Her MaJesty's Govern
nlent the modification of that instrument and the
abrogation OF such Clauses thereof as do not COM
port with the obligations OF the United States to-
friendly parties to the compact
Ih1S government sees with great concern the
continuance of the hostile relations between Chilli
Bolivia, and Peru. An early peace between 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 consequences which are, in my judg-
ment, dangerous to the interests of republican gov
eminent on this continent, and calculated to de-
civilization.
As in the present excited condition of popular
Ieel1ng In these countries there has been serious
misapprehension OF the position OF the United
States and as separate diplomatic intercourse with
each through independent ministers is sometimes
70 1he Man5 on pompt
have deemed it judicious, at the present time, to
send special envoy, accredited to all and each of
which, will, trust, enable him to bring these
powers into friendly relations.
thine Tne 20 Of Venezuela maintains its at
great regularity Its payment of the monthly quota
OF Of the diplomatic debt Without suggesting the
direction in which Congress should act, ask it's
attention TO the pending questions affecting the
distribution of the sums thus far received.
Inc relations between Venezuela and France,
growing out of the same debt, have been for some
time past in an unsatisfactory state and this GOV
ernment, as the neighbor and one OF the largest
cIedtors OF venezuela, has interpOSed its influence
with the French government with the view of nro
duc1ng friendly and honorable adjustment.
-, 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
our own. f W
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
iong-pendtng Patagonian boundary question It
Is inatter or congratulaton that our government
mas Dcen ahOrded the opportunity OF successfully
tXelung itS good influence for the prevention of
d1SagreeInents between these republics of the
1 am glad to inform you that the treaties lately
negotiated with China have been duly ratified on
pom Sdes, ana the exchange made at Peking.
EglSiitlOn is necessary to carry their provisions
into effect The prompt and friendly spirit with
which the Chinese Government, at the request of
e1e onted States conceded the modification Of
eNStng treaties, should secure careful regard for
the interests and susceptibilties of that govern
meht IN The enactment of any laws relating to
Those clauses OF the treaties which forbid the
pa ION OF citizens or vessels Of the United
sr so,es IN the opium trade viii doubtless receive
interest which our people and government feel in
the commendabie efforts of the Chinese Govern
inent 10 put stop to this demoralizing and de-
In relation both to China and Japan. some
changes are desirable In our present sysfem OF
consular jurisdiction. hope at some future time
the entire East. D
The intimacy between our own country and
Japan, the most advanced Of the eastern nations
continues to be cordial am advised that the
emperor contemplates the establishment OF full
constitutional government and that he has already
summoned parliamentary congress for the pur-
pose OF ehecting the change Such a remarkable
ern system cannot fail to bring Japan into closer
and more beneficial relationship with ourselves as
the chief Pacific power. "'
question has arisen I'm relation to the exorct,o
ln tat country or the judicial functions conferred
upon our ministers and consuls. The indictment.
trial, and conviction in the Consular court az
iokohama or John Ross, a merchant seaman on
board an American vessel, have made If nereSSarv
lot the government to institute careful eyamna-
t.oH ihto the nature and methods OF this turSdic-
tiOn.
1T It appeared @ that Ross was regularly shipped
unuer the nag OF the United States, but was by
birth British subject. My predecessor felt If tn
be his duty to maintain the position that during
an American merchant vessel, Ross was subject to
the laws OF that service and to the jurisdiction OF
the ln!ted states consular authorities.
renew the recommendation which has been
heretofore urged by the Executive UPON the atten-
ton OF Congress, that after the reduction OF such
amount as may be found due to American citizens
.he Daiahce Oh the indemnity funds heretofore OBJ
tanned from China and Japan, and which are now
In the hands OF the State department, be returned
10 the governments OF those countries.
The King OF Hawaii, in the course OF his hone
ward return after journey around the world has
iateiy visited this country. While our relations
win that kingdom are friendly, this government
has viewed with concern the efforts to seek re-
plenlshment OF the diminishing population OF the
Islands from outward sources, to degree which
may impair the native sovereignty and indepen-
dence, in which the United States was among the
first to TESTIFY lively interest
Relations OF unimpaired amity have been main
tatned throughout the year with the resnectiye
Governments OF Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Dem
ii.
and Sweden and Norway. This may also be said
OF Greece and Ecuador, although our relations
with those states have for some years been severed
by the withdrawal OF appropriations for dplO-
matte representatives at Athens and Quito 1t
seems exredient to restore those 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 or the Southern Pacific
AT its last extra session the Senate called for
the text or the Geneva Convention for the relief
OF the wounded I'm war; / trust that this action
fOreshadows such interest in the subject as VIII
result In the adhesion OF the United States to that
humane and cOmmendable engagement
invite your attention to the proprety of adOpt-
ing the new Code OF international Rules for the
Prevention OF Collisions on the high and OF con-
forming the domestic legislation of United States
thereto, so that no confusion may arise from the
application OF conflicting rules in the case OF YES
seis OF different natiOnalities meeting In tidal
MSterS- These International rules differ but
sSIsntly from our own. They have been adopted
py ,he Navy Department for the governance of
sn slo "ar shlps or the United States on the high
oofo ootf anu IN foreign waters; and, through the
Soom ~ vi the State Department in disseminating
tno t,o us, ,s ana In acquaintng shipmaSters with
sur voton OF conforming to them without the
JurisuIe tionai waters OF the United states they
an mn, hoM w very generally known and obeyed
Inc state department still Continues to ,h,,O,,
10 the country the trade and maDufacturInr 70
ports received from It's officers abroad T'ha enc
cess or THIS course warrants It's coDtinnanco ond
such appropriation he reou,re,, .SN, Gnu