Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13


cipal portion Of the territory of Bolivia, nego-
tlauons for peace were conducted under the
direction Of the United States. The allies re-
fused to cencede any territory, but Chill has
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 special mission
TO the belligerent powers to express the hope
that Chill would be disposed to accept q money
| indemnity for the expenses of the war and to
| relinquish her demand for a portion of the
territory from her antagonist. This recon-
mendation, which Chill declined TO follow, this
it be enforced without resort to measure
which would bein keeping neither with the
temper Of our people nor with
the spirit J, Of 3, our institutions. The
power Of Peru no longer extends over ita
whole territory, and the event of orr interior
| ence to declare peace would need to be sup.
plemented by the armies and navies of the
United States. Such interference would
almost inevitably lead to the establishment OF
protectorate-a result utterly at odds Will,
our past policy, injurious to our present inter-
ests and full of embarrassments for the
future, for effecting the termination
OF hostilities on terms at once just to
versar1es. This government has spared
no Efforts to save such as might involve the
complications which I have; Indicated. 1t is
greatly to be deplored that Chill seems resolved
to exact such rigorous conditions of peace and
indisposed TO submit to arbitration the terms
of an ainicable settlement. No peace is likely
to be Lasting that H. not. suit equitable
and just to commend the approval OF other
nations.
About year since invitations were extended
the. nations Of this continent to send repre-
sentatiyes to, q peace congress, to assemble at
WashingtO ton. In November, 1882. The time of
meeting was fixed at period then remote, in
the hope, as the invitation itself declared, that
in the meantime the disturbances between
South American republics would be adjusted.
As that expectation seemed unlikely to be
realized, asked in April last for an expression
Of opinion from the two houses of congress- as
to the adyisability Of holding the conventionat
the time appointed. This action was prompted
in part by doubts which mature reflection had
suggested, whether the diplomatic usage and
traditions of the government did not make it
fitting that the executive should consult the
representatives Of the people before pursuing
line of policy somewhat novel in its character
and far reaching in it's possible consequences.
IL view of the fact that no action was taken by
congress in the premises and no provision had
been made for necessary expenses, subse-
quently decided to postpone the convocation,
and SO notified the several governments which
had been invited to attend. am unwilling to
dismiss this subject without assuring you of
my support of any measures the wisdom of
congress may devise for the promotion of
peace on this continent and throughout the
the universal assent Of civilized people all in
transitional differences will be determined
without resort to arms by the benignant pro-
cess Of arbitration.
Changes. have occurred in the diplomatic
representation of several foreign powers during
the past year. New ministers from the Argen-
tine Republic, Austria, Hungary, Brazil, China,
Prussia have presented their credentials. The
missions Of Denmark and Venezuela at this
capital have been raised in grade. Switzerland
has created q plenipotentiary mission to this
government, and an embassy from Madagascar
and minister from Siam will shortly arrive.
by the establishment Of relations with the new
Kingdom of Servia, by the creation of mis-
sion to Siam and by the restoration Of the
mission to Greece. The shah of Persia has
expressed his qualification that charge de- af-
fairs will shortly be sent to that country where
the rights of our citizens have been hitherto
courteously guarded by the representatives of
Great Britain.
aIrenew my recommendation Of such legisla-
ton as will place the United States in har-
mouy with other maritime powers with respect
to the International rules for the prevention Of
collisions at sea.
-, In conformity with your joint resolution of
the Sd of August last, l have directed the
secretary of state to address foreign govern
ments in respect to the proposed conference
for considering the subject of the universal
adoption of common prime meridian to be
used In the reckoning of longitude and the
regulation of time throughout the civilized
world. Their replies will in due time be laid
before YOU - - l.. T.. ,
An agreement was reached at Paris in 1877 5
between the principal powers for an interchange
Of official publications through the medium Of
their respective foreign departments. The ad-
mirable system which has been built up by the
enterprise of the Smithsonian Institute. at
fords practical basis for our cooperation in
this scheme and an arrangement has been Of
fected by which that institution will perform
the necessary labor under the direction of the
department of state. A reasonable coinpensa-
ton therefor should be provided by law.
A clause in the act making appropriations for
the diplomatic and consular service contem-
plates the reorganization of both branches Of
such service on q salaried basis, leaving the
fees inure to the benefit of the treasury. I
cordially favor such aproject as likely to correct
abuses in the present system. The secretary
of state will present to you at an early day a
plan for such reorganization.
:, g~g Tho Trcas4rv.e =. -. ;.
A full and interesting exhibit Of the opera.
lions of the treasury department is afforded by
the report Of the secretary:
It appears that the ordinary revenues from
all sources for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1882. were as follows:
Customs. :. :. So. 1920, 41O, 73o Is
Int rna revenue. LAG, ,595 45
Saesof public lands. ............ :. 4753,14O 81
Tax on circulation and deposits Of
national banks ................... s,s56,7s4 As
Repayment of interest by Pacific
s Railroad Companies. .............. s4O,554 SO
Sinking fund for Pacific Railroad IL
Companies ......... 1921 40
Customs, fees, fines, penalties etc.. 134.3 80l 90