River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-15
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integrity OF the Columbian Territory anu u the
neutrality Of the canal itself My lamented pre-
decessor felt it his duty to place before the Eu
fopean powers the reasons which make the prior
guarantee Of the United States indispensable, and
for which the interjeetion Of any foreign guaran-
tee might be regarded as a superauous and I'M
friendly act
Foreseeing the probable reliance of the British
government ON the provisions Of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty Of 1850, affOrding room for
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 lnstru-
ments and the abrogation Of such clauses thereof
az 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 h0stities between Chi /. Boli-
via and Peru and early peace between these re-
pub les is much to be desired not only that they
may themselves be spared further misery and
bloodshed because their continued antagonisD
threatens consequences which are in my judg
ment dangerous TO the interests of republican gov
eminent on this continent, and calculated to dc.
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 serious
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 it judicious at
the present time 10 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 friendship. ana continues, with
great regularity. its payment OF the monthly
quota Of the diplomatic debt. Without suggest
ing the direction in which congress should acs,
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
time past in an unsatisfactory state and this gov
eminent as the Deighb0r and one Of the largest
creditors of Venezuela has interposed it'ell since
with the French government with the view Of pro
1uciDg a friendly and honorable adjustment
BRAZIL.
I regret that the commercial interests between
the United States and Brazil, from which great
advantages were hoped year ago, have suffered
from tie withdrawal of the American line OF
communication between Brazilian ports and ours
Through the efforts of our minister resident al
Buenos Ayres and the United States minister al
Santiago, q treaty has been concluded between
the Argentine Republic and Chill, dispos'.a OF
the long pending Patagonia boundary question.
u
ment has been afforded the opportunity of ,uc-
cessfuly exerting its good influence for the pre-
veDtion of disagreements between the Republics
Of the American continent.
CHINA.
I am glad to inform you that the treaties lately
negotiate with China have been duly ratified on
10th 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 susccptibilities of that. government
in the enactment Of any laws relating to Chinese
emigration.
The classes of the treaties which forbid the
paItit ipation 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 stop to this demoralizing 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 future
time to lay before you scheme for its improve
uent in the entire east.
The intimacy between our country and Japan
he most advanced of eastern nations, continues
70 he cordial. l am advised that the emperor
cyntempates the establishment of q constitutional
government, and that he has already summoned
/ parliamentary congress for the purpose of ct.
tecLing the change. Such remarkable step to-
ward the complete assimilation with the western
system canno, fail to bring Japan to closer and
more beneficial relationship with ourselves as the
chief Pacific power.
THE JOHN ROSS CASE.
question has arisen in relation to the exer-
Use in that country of the judicial function car
RED on by eur ministers and cOnsIls. Tie in
dictDent trial and conviction in the consular
court at \ okohnma, of John Ross merchant
SEAMAN on board an American vessel have made
II necessary for the government to institute a
careful examination, and the nature and methods
of this jurisdiction. 1t appeal 4 Rozs was
regularly shipped under protection of the United
States, but by birth British subject. My
successor felt it his duty to retain the position
that in his service as a regular shipped seaman
on board an American merchant vessel
Ross was subject to the laws of the service and
to the jurisdiction of the United States consular
authorities.
a Recommendations.
renew the recommendation which has been
heretofore urged by the executive upon the
attention Of congress. that after the reduction
of such amount as may be found due to American
citizens the balance of the indemnity fund here
tofore obtained from China and japan and
which in the hands of the state depart
ment be returned to the governments Of those
countries.
HAWAII
The king of Hawaii, in the course of his home
ward return after a journey around the world has
lately visited this country. While our relations
with that king are friendly this government has
viewed with concern the efforts to seek replenish
meut OF the diminishing population of the island
from outward sources to degree which may i'm
pair the native sovereignty and independence in
which the United States among the first to
testify lively interest.
OTHER NATIONS
Relations of unimpaired amity have been main
tanned throughout the year with the respective
governments OF Austria. Hungary, Belgium, Den
mark Hayti Paraguay and Uruguay Portugal
and Sweden and Norway, and this may also be
said Of Greece and Eq Iador. Although our re-
lations with these states have for several years
been severed by the withdrawal of appropriations
for diplomatic representatives at Athens and Quito
it seems expedient to restore those missions
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 of the Southern Pacific
THE GENEVA CONVENTION.
At its last extra session the senate called for
the text Of the resolutions of the Geneva cOnven
ton for the relief of the wounded in the war.
trust that this action foreshadows such interest
in the subject as will result in the admission to
th4t humane and eommendable engagement.
NEW INTERN ArIoNAL RULES.
adopting the new code OF international rules for
the prevention of collisions on the high seas and
| Of conforming the domestic legislation Of tie
/ United States thereto, 50 that no confusion may
arise from the application of c"nfictiSg
russ in the case OF vessels of differ
/ ent nati0nIlities meeting in tidal waters.
1 These international rules differ but
/ slightly IRON our own. They have been adopted
/ by the navy department for the government OF
/ the war ships of the United States on the high
4 seas and foreign waters and through the action
/ of the state department in disseminating the
/ rales and in acqnaiating the ship masters with
| the option Of conforming 10 them without the
jur stllctional waters of the United States. They
are now very generally known and obeyed. The
state department still continues to publish to the
1 country the trade and manufacturing reports
received IRON its officers abroad. The success
OF this course warrants its continuance and such
appropriations ms may be required to meet the
| rapidly increasing demand for these publications
with special reference to the Atlanta cotton expo
| sition. The accounts of a number of the reports
was devoted to valuable collection of papers on
| the cotton goods trade Of the world.
INTERN ATIoSAL CONFER EScE-
The International conference for which the con-
! g-eSs of 1878 made provision, assemb ed in this
| city in January last, and its sessions pro-
longed till March. Al hough it reached no spcei-
&c conclusions affording future actions Of the
participant powers, the interchange of views
proved to be most valuable. Protocols of the sc
sions have been already presented to the senate.
NATIONAL BoARp or HEALTH,
rs pertinent 70 this general subject, call your