Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-05

nave already recommended and which has
recently been foreshadowe ed By congressional
discussion The treaty lately concluded
with Corea awaits the action of the Senate.
During the late disturbance in Egypt the
timely presence of American vessels served
as protection to the persons and property
Of many of our own citizens and of citizens
OF other countries whose governments have
expressed their thanks for this assistance.
The recent legislation restricting emiga-
tion of laborers from China has given rise to
the question whether Chinese proceeding to
or from another country may lawfully pass
through our own. Constituting the Act of
May 9th, 1882, in connection with the treaty
Of November 18th. 1880, the restriction
would seem TO be limited to Chinese emi-
grants coming to the United States a. labor
ers and would not forbid mere transit across
our territory: and ask the attention of Con-
gress to the subject for such action. if any,
as may be deemed advisable.
This government has recently had occasion
to manifest its interest in the Republic OF
Liberia, by seeking to aid the amicable
settlement Of the boundary in dispute now
pending between that republic and
the British possession of Sierra Leone.
The reciprocity treaty with Hawaii will be-
come terminable after Sept. 9th, 1888. on
tWclvc mOut0b uOtiCe Nv cItneI pdrty. w ulte
certain provisions of that compact may have
proved onerous, its existence has fostered
commercial relations which it 10 important
to preserve. l suggest. therefore, that early
consideration be given to such notifications
of the treaty as seem to be demanded by the
interests of our people.
In view Of our increasing trade with both
Hayti and San Domingo. l advise that pro-
visions be made for diplomatic intercourse
With the latter by enlarging the scope of the
mission at Port au Prince. l regret that GER
tain claims of American citizens against the
government of Havti have thus far been
urged unavailingly. recent agreement
with Mexico provides for the crossing Of the
frontier by the armed forces of either cOun-
try. in pursuit Of hostile Indians.
In my message of last year, I called
attention to the prevalent lawlessness upon
the borders and to the necessity of legislation
for its suppression. l again invite the
attention of Congress to the subject. A
partial relief from these mischiefs has been
sought in convention which now awaits the
approval of the Senate, as does also
another touching the establishment of the
international boundary between the United
States and Mexico. II the latter is ratified
the action of Congress will be required for
establishing suitable commissions of survey.
The boundary dispute between Mexico and
Guatemala which led this government to
prOff:r its friendly counsels to both parties
has been amicably settled.
No change has occurred in our relations
with Venezuela. again invoke your action
in the matter Of the pending awards against
that republic, to which reference was made
by a special message from the Executive at
your last session. An invitation has been re-
ceived from the government of Venezuela, to
send representatives in July, 1888, to Cara
cas- for participating in the centennial cele-
bration of the birth of Bolivar, the founder
of South American independence. In con-
nec,ion with this event it is designed to COM
mence the erection at Caracas of statue of
Washington, and to conduct an industrial ex-
hibition which will be open to American
products. l recommend that the United
States be represented. and that suitable pro-
vision be made therefor.
The elevation of the grade of our mission
in Central America to the plenipotentiary
rank which was authorized by Congress at
its last session. has been since effected. The
war between Peru and Bolivia on the one
side and Chilli on the other, began more than
three years ago, on the occupation by Chilli,
in 1880, of all the literal territory of Bolivit.
Negotiations for peace were conducted under
the direction of the United States. The allies
refused to cOncede any territory. but Chilli
ha. since become master Of the whole coast
of both countries and of the capital Of
Peru. A year since, as you have already
been advised by correspondence transmitted
to you in January last, this government sent
a special mission TO the belligerent powers,
to express the hope that Chilia would be dis
posed to accept a money indemnity for the
Al <xf t1,o md IN Pnlt nyah hnP
demand for portion of the territory Of her
antagonist This recommendation. which
Chill declined to follow, this government did
not assume to enforce. nor can it be enforced
without resort to measures which would be in
keeping neither with the temper Of our peo-
pie nor with the spirit Of our institutions.
The power of Peru no longer extends over
its whole territory, and in the event Of our
interference to dictate peace would need to
be supplemented by the armies and navies Of
the United States. Such interference would in
evitably lead to the establishment Of
protectorate, result utterly At
odds with our past policy, injurious
to our present interests, and full Of
embarrassments for the future For effect
ing the termination Of hostilities upon terms
at once just to the victorious nation and gen.
erous to its adversaries, this government has
|
the complications which have indicated 1t
is greatly to be deplored that Chilli seems re-
solved to exact such rigorous conditions of
peace and indisposed to submit to arbitration
the terms Of an amicable settlement. No
peace 10 likely to be lasting that 10 not
sufficiently equitable and just to command
the approval of other nations. About year
ago invitations were extended to the nations
OF this continent to send representatives to q
peace congress tn assemble at Washington,
in November, 1882. The time of meeting " As
fixed At period then remote in the hope ~
the invitation itself declared that in
the meantime the disturbance between the
South American republics would be adjusted.
As that expectation seemed unlikely to be
realized, l asked in April last for An ex-
preston of opinion from the two houses OF
Congress a. to the advisability of holding
the proposed convention At the time appointed.
This action was prompted in part BY doubts
which mature reflection had suggested.
whether the diplomatic usage and tradition
Of the government did not make it fitting
that the Executive should consult the repre-
sentatives of the people before pursuing .
line of policy somewhat novel in its charac'
ter and far reaching in its possible conse-
ouences. In view of the fact that no action
vas taken BY Congress in the premises and
chat M nrovision had been made foI