Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-09-15

mauGot by tho interests OF our people, In
view of our increasing trade with both
Hayti and San Domingo, | advise that pro-
vision be made for diplomatic intercourse
with the latter, by eulargiug the scope OF the
mission at Port au-Pruce. / regret that
certain claims Of American citizens agniust
the government Of Hayti have thus far been
urged unavailiugly.
4 recent agreement with Mexico provides
for the crossing of the frontier by the armed
forces Of either country in pursuit of hostile
Indians. In my message Of last year / called
attention 20 the prevalent lawlessuess upon
the borders and to the necessity of legisla-
ton Tor its suppression. l again invite the
attention of Congress to the subject. A par
tial relief from these misUhiefs has been
sought in convention which now awaits the
approval OF the Senate, az does also another
touching the establishment Of the interna-
uonll boundary between the United States
and Mexico IL the latter is ratified the
action Of Congress will be required for es-
tablshing suitable commissions OF survey.
The boundary dispute between Mexico and
Guatemala, which led this government to
prOher its friendly counstls 10 both parties,
has been amicably settled. No change has
occurred in our relations with Venezuela. l
again invoke your action in the matter Of
the pending awards against that republic, to
which reference was made by a special mes
sage from the Executive ut your last session.
An invitation has been received from the
government of Nanezuela to send represen-
tltives in July, 1859, to Caracas, for pqrtic-
patug in the centennial celebration OF the
birth of Bolivar, the founder Of South Amori-
can Independence. In connection with this
event it is designed to commence the cree
ton at Caracas of a statue of Washington,
and TO conduct an industrial exhibition
which will he open to American products, l
recommend that the United States be repre-
sented, and that suitable provision 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 late session, has been since Effected.
THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR.
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
| Bolivia. Negotiations for peace were con-
| Quoted uuier the direction of the United
! States. Tne allies refasod 10 couosle any
| territory, but Chill has STAGE 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 cor
respondence transmitted 10 you in
| January last, this government sent a
| special mission to the belligorcut powers to Ok
press the hope that Chill would DO disposed to
accept a money indemnity for the expenses
of the war and TO reliuquish her demand
for portion Of the territory of her antagon-
] lNLs ms Recommendations WHICH Oull ue-
/ Clned to follow, this government did not
assume to enforce, nor can it bo enforced
| without resort to measures which would be
! in keeping neither with the temper of our
reople 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 armie'
and Iavies of the United States. Such
Interference would almost inevitably leaC
to the establishment of a prOteCtOrate, a re-
suit utterly at odds with our past policy, in
furious TO our present interests and full OIL
embhrrassments for the future. For effect
ing the termination of hostilitie3 upon term
at once just to the victorious nation an(
generous to its aiyersares, this government
has spared no efforts such as might involve
the complications which | have ind Gated. /
is greatly to be depored that Chill seems re
solved to exact such rigorous conditions o
peace, and indispOscd 70 submit to arbitra
ton the terms Of an amcable settlement
No peace is likely to be lasting that is no
/ sufficiently equitable and just 10 comman
the approval of other nations.
TIE PEACE CONGRESS.
About a year since invitations were eX
tended to the nations of this continent f
send representatives to a peace congress L
assemble at Washington in November, lSS.
The time of meeting was fixed at n perio
then remote, in the hope, as the invitation
e turbances between the South American re
: publics would be adjusted. As that eHpecta
: ton seemed unlikely TO be realized, i uske
L in April last for an expression of opiuio
from the two houses of Congress as TO tn
advisability of holding the proposed con
l yentlon at the time appointed This actO
p was prompted in part by doubts which ma
T ture reflection had suggested whether tn
e | diplomatic usage and tradition of the gov
: | erument did not make 1t fitting that tn
i | Executive should consult the represent
y atiYes of the people before pursuing
= line Of policy somewhat novel in its charaC
s ter and far reaching in its possible cOust
r quences. In view OF the fact that no actio
!. was taken by Congress in tho premises an
, that no provision has been made for neces
! sary expenses, l subsequently decided {
= POSTPONE the cOnYOcatlOn, and so notified tn
p several governments which had been il
Q vited to attend. l am unwilling to dismis
- this subject without assuring you of my SUI
g port of any measure the wisdom of Congre-
may devise for the promotion of peace o
this continent and throughout the worll
r And trust that the time is nigh when, wit
4 the universal assent of civilized peoples
Q all international differences shall be deter
0 mined, without resort to arms, by the be
I nignant process of arbitration.
i Changes have occurred in the diplomat
5 representation of several foreign power
II during the past year. New ministers frOI
o Brazil, Chill, China, France, Japan, Mexic,
e The Netherlands and Russia have presente
:, their credentials. The missions of Der
II mark and Venezuela at this capital hay
o been raised in grade. Switzerland has or,
! ated plenipotentiary mission to this go'
Is eminent, and an embassy from MadagasCl
and a ministry from Siam will shortly a
o rive Our diplomatic intercourse has bee
1t enlarged by the establishment of relation
3 with the new kingdom of Servia, by the or,
II alton of Il mission to Siam, andy the restc
/ ration of the mission to Greece. The sha
II of Persia has expressed his qualification tn
! a charge dafaires will shortly be sent
t that country, where the rights Of our citizel
p have been hitherto court0ously guarded b
the representatives of Great Britain.
d renew my recommendations of sue
n legislation as will place the United States
II harmony with other maritime powers wi
s. respect to the international rules for Il
70 prevention of collisions at sea.
+ In conformity with your joint resoutio
s. of the Sd of August last, l have directed Il
secretary of state to address foreign COVER
"a ments in respect to a proposed conferen
for considering the subject of the univers
10 adoption of a common prime meridian TO
d used in the reckoning Of longitude and
y the regulation Of time throughout the CIV
Is ! igaI world THAR rppIiaa will in dino tin