Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-15

CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.


friendship. There are encouraging signs OF their
growing disposition to subordinate their local
interests to those which ar. common to them by
reason of their geograp hical 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
te1ceful solution of the question. l cherish
strong hope that in view OF our relations OF
amity with both countries our friendly counsels
will prevail.
The Costa Rican government lately formed an
engagement with Columbia for settling, by arbi-
tration, the boundary question between those
countries providing that the post of arbitrants
should be offered successfully to the Hing Of the
Belgians, the King Of Spain, and the President OF
tho 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
we 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
ingy thought proper to make its views known
to the parties 10 the agreement, also to intimate
them to the Belgian government.
Our consular agreement with Italy has been
sanctioned and proclaimed in the case OF crime:
on shipboard. Several importont international
congresses have been held in Italy during the
year At the geog aphicai congress OF Venice
the art congress OF Milan aud the peace
congress of Turin this country WINS represented by
delegates from branches Of the public service OF
ny private citizens duly accredited in an honorary
capacity. 1t is hoped that congress viii iiYs
such prominence to the results OF their PAT
tioipation as they may seem 20 deserS
THE CANAL QUESTION.
The question growing out OF the proposed in
ter-oceanc water way across the isthmus of Pana-
ma, are Of grave national Importance. This
government has not been unmindful
of the solemn obligations imposed up
on it by its compact of 1916,
with Columbia as TIE Independent sovereign mis-
tress OF the territory crossed by the canal and
sought to render them effective by fresh engage
ments with the Columbian republic looking to
their practical execution. Tho negotiations to
this end after they had reached what appeared
to be mutually satisfactory solution here. we're
met in Columbia by disavowal of the powers
which It's envoy had assumed, and by proposal
for negotiation on a modified basis. Mean
while this government learned that &C.
lumbia had proposed to tho European
powers to Join in a guarantee of the neutrality
OF tho 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 tho United States indispensable, and
for which the interjecton of any foreign guaran-
tee might be regarded as supcrauous and I'M
friendly act.
Foreseeing the probable reliance of the British
government on the provisions Of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty OF 1850, afording room for u
share in the guarantees which the United States
covenants with Columbia four years before !
have not hestated to supplement the action Of
my predecessor by proposing to her majesty
government the modification of those instru
ments and the abrogaion of such clauses thereof
as do not compare with the obligations Of the
United States toward Columbia or with the vita!
needs of the two friendly parties to the compact
CHILL AND PERU.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance OF the hostilities between Chi Boll
via and Peru, and early peace between these re-
pub les il much to DO 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
eminent on this continent, and calculated to de
stroy the best elements OF our free and peaceful
civilization.
As in tho present excited condition of the popu-
lar feeling in these countries there has been serious
of the position Of the United
States, and as separate diplomatic inter
course with each through independent ministers
is some times subject, wing to the want oil
prompt reciprocal communication to temporary
| have deemed IL judicious NJ
the present time, to send special envoy accredit
ed to all and each of them, and furnished with
general instructions which will enable him to
bring these powers into friendly relations.
VENEZUELA.
The government Of Venezuela maintains its at
titude of wfJr friendship and continues with
great regularity, its payment OF the monthly
quota of the DIP lomatc debt. Without suggest
ing the direction in which congress should ac,
~, attention 70 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
time past in unsatisfactory state and thus gov
eminent, rs the neighbor and oie of the largest
creditors of Venezuela has interposod it eli since
with the French government with the view OF pro-
ducing friendly and honorable adjustment.
regret that the commercial interests between
the United States and Brazil from which great
advantages were hoped n year ago have suffered
from the withdrawal of the American line OK
communication between Brazilian ports and ours.
Through the efforts Of our minister resident at
Buenos Ayres and the United States minister Mt
Santiago, treaty has been concluded between
the Argentine Republic and Chill, disposi' x of
the long pending Patagonia boundary question.
1t is a matter Of generalization that our govern
nent has been afforded the opportunity of sue
cessfally exerting its good influence for the pre-
vention Of disRgreements between tho Republics
OF the American continent.
CHINA.
am gao 20 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
iRtereSts and susceptibllitics Of that government
in tine enactment OF any laws relating to Chinese
emigration.
The classes Of tho treaties which forbid tho
par tic pation 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
u put astop to this dsmoralizing and destructive
traffic. In relation both to China and Japan
some changes are desirable in our present system
OF counsel or jurisdiction. l hope at some tutare
time to lay before you scheme for its improve
ment in the eutre east.