The Portland daily press., 1882-12-05

SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
No change has occurred in our relations with
Venezuela. l again invoke your action In the
matter of the pending awards against the re-
public to which reference was made by spec
l4i message from the executive at your last
session. An invitation has been received
from the government of Venezuela to send
repres entatlves in July, 1883, to Caracas for
participating in the centennial celebration OF
the birth OF Bolivar, the founder of South
American independence. In connection with
the event it is designed to commence the erec-
tion at Caracas of statue of Washington, and
TO conduct an industrial exhibition which will
be open to American products recommend
that the United States be represented and that
suitable provision be made therefore.
The elevation of the grade of our mission in
Central America TO the plenipotentiary rank
which was authorized by Congress at its late
session, has been since effected
The war between Peru and Bolivia on the
one side and Chill on the other began more
than three years ago on the occupation by
Chilli in 1880, of all the litora territory of Bo-
nvla. Negotiations for peace were conducted
under the direction of the United States The
allies refused to concede 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 j Fam
uary last this government sent special mis-
sion to the belligerent powers to empress the
hope that Chill would be disposed to accept a
money indemnity for the expenses of the war;
to relinquish her demand for portion of the
territory of her antagonist. This recommep-
dation which Chill declined to follow, this
government did not assume to enforce; nor can
1t be enforced without resort to measures
which would be in keeping neither with the
temper of our people nor the spirit of our in
stitutions. The power of Peru no longer ex-
tends over its whole territory, and in the event
would need to be supplemented
by the armies and navies of the United States
Such interference would almost inevitably lead
to the establishment of protectoralty. A re-
suit utterly at odds with our past policy, iniur-
1ous to our present interests, and full of en-
barrassments for the future. For effecting the
termination of hosrilities upon terms at once
Just to the victorious nation and generous to
It's adversaries, this government has spared
no efforts % save such as might involve the
complications which l have indicated. 1t is
greatly to be deplored that Chill seems resolv-
ed to erect such vigorous conditions of peace
and 1ndlsposed to submit to arbitration the
terms of an amicable settlement. No peace is
likely TO be lasting that is not sufficiently equi-
table and just to command the approval of
other nations About year ago Invitations
We're extended to the nations of this continent
to send representatives to peace congress, to
assemble at Washington in November, 1882
The time OF meeting was fixed at period then
remote in the hope, as the invitation itself de-
clared that in the meantime the disturbances
between the South American Republics would
be adjusted. As that expectation seemed un-
likely to be realized, asked in April last for
an expression of opinion from the two houses
OF Congress, as to the advisablity of holding
the proposed convention at the time appointed.
Ihls action was prompted in part by doubts
which mature reflection had suggested. wheth-
er the diplomatic usage and tradition of the
governments did not make it fitting that the
executive should should consult the represen-
tatives OF the people before pursuing line of
policy somewhat novel in its character, and
far reaching in its possible consequences. In
view of the fact that no action was taken by
Congress in the premises and that no provis-
ion had been made for necessary expenses, l
subsequently decided to postpone the conyeu-
tion, and so notified the several governments
which had been invited to attend. I am un-
willing to discuss this subject without assuring
you OF my support OF any measure the wisdom
OF Congre way devise for the promotion of
peace on this continent, and throughout the
world, and trust that the time is near when
wthIthe universal assent of civilized peoples all
International differences shall be determined
without resort to arms by the benifcent pro-
cesses of arbitration.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
Changes have occurred in the diplomatic
representation of several foreign powers dur
ing the past year. New ministers from the
Argentine republics, Austro- Hungary, Brazil,
Chill, China. France, Japan, Mexico, the Netli-
erlands aud Russia have presented their cre-
dentials. The missions of Denmark and Vene-
Znela at this capital have been raised in grade
Swltzerl md has created plenipotentiary mis-
sion to this government and an embassy from
Madagascar and minister from Siam will
shortly arrive. Our diplomatic intercourse has
been enlarged by the establishment of rela-
tions with the new kingdom of Seryia, by the
creation OF mission to Siam and by the re.
storing OF the mission to Greece. The Shah of
Persia has expressed his qualification that
Charge de Affairs will shortly be sent to that
country, where the rights of our citizens have
been lherto courteously guarded by the rep
resentatives of Great Britain
L renew my recomme ndation of such legisla-
tion as will place the United States in harmony
with olner maritime powers with respect to the
international rules for the prevention of col
lisons at sea.
the Sd of August last have directed the Sec
retary of State to address foreign governments
in respect to proposed conference for coDsid-
eringthe subject of the universal adoption of a
common prime meridian to be used in the reck
oning of longitude and in the regulation Of time
throughout the civilized world. Their replies
will in due time be laid before you.
An agreement was reached at Paris in 1875
between the principal powers for the inter
change of official publications through the me-
dunn # their respective foreign departments
The admiral system which has been buitIup bv
the enterprise of the Smithsonian Institute
afford practical basis for our cooperation in
this scheme. and an arrangement has been ef-
fected by which that institution will perform
the necessary labor under the direction of the
Department of State. A reasonable compen-
sation therefore should be provided by law
A clause in the act making appropriations
for the diplomatic and consular services con-
templates the reorganization of both branches
of such service on a salaried basis, leaving
fees to inure to the benefit of the
Treasury. cordially favor such project as
likely to correct abuses in the present system.
The Secretary of State will present to you at
an early day plan for such reorganization.
THE FINANCES.
A full and interesting exhibit of the opera
tions OF the Treasury Department is offered by
the report of the Secretary. 1t appears that
ordinary revenues from all sources for the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1882. were as fol-
lows: From customs 220,410, ,730. %; from in
ternal revenue $146, ,497, ,59545 from sales of
public lands 81, ,753, 14037; from tax ON cir
culation and deposits of national banks S.
956, ,794.4 40; from repayment OF interest by the
Pacific railway companies $S40, ,55437; from
sinking fund for Pacific railroad companies
S786, AZ; from customs, fees, fines, penalties
&C., $134 ,334 80; from fees, consular letters,
patent and lands 1858, ,99097; from proceeds
of sales of government property 1914 959S5; ;
from profits on coinage, bullion deposits and
assays 81, 116, ,69373; from Indian trust funds
$5, ,705, ,243.22; from deposits by individuals for
surveying public lands So, ,052 1906 So; from
revenues of the Dstrictlof Columbia 81, ,715,176
Al; from miscellaneous sources $685., AL. 49,
Total ordinary receipts $403, ,722 250, ,28.
The ordinary expenditures for the same peri
cd were for civil expences, Sis, ,042, 1856 49, for
foreign intercourse, 81, ,307, ,583.19, for Indians
9,736, 747 40. for pensions, $61 345 1893 81 for
the military establishment, including river
and hal bor Improvements and arsenal, $43-
70,494 10, for naval establishment, including
vessels, machinery and improvements at navy
yards, $15, ,032, ,046.26, for miscellaneous expen-
ditures, including public buildings lighthouses
and collecting the revenue, 1874 539, ,237 80, for
expenditures on account of the District of Col
umbia, So, ,330, ,543.87, for interest on the public
debt, $71 ,077 ,206.79. Total ordinary expendi-
lures, $257 1881 ,439 81, leaving surplus reve-
nue. of $l45 ,543, ,81l71, which with an amount
drawn for the cash balance in the treasury of
$780, ,69484, making $166, ,281, ,505 55 was ap-
piled to the redemption of bonds for the sink
ing fund, SCOOPS, 10000 of fractional currency
for the sinking fund, $58, 8,5O555, of loan of
July and August, 1S6l-62, SOL, ,205 90, of loan of
March, 1868, $4 472 10000, of funded loan of
1881, S37, 1874 $4,000 of loan of 1858, 100000,
OF loan of february. 1861, $S03, 10000, of five
twenties of 1872, 10000 of 5-20s of GA, 81 90
OF 5-20's of 1865. $6500.00; of l0.40's of 1864,
$254, $4,000; OF consols of 1865, 1856, ,450 90; of
consos of 1867, $408, ,250.00; of consols of 1868,
$l4l 10000: of Oregon war debt, $675, ,250.00;
OF old demand compound interest and other
notes, $l8, 8,o50.0O; total, $l66, ,2S1, ,505.55.