Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-12-07


attention to the prevalent lawlessness upon
the borders and to the necessity of legisla-
uon for its suppression. | again invite the
attention of Congress to the subject. A par
tlal relief from these mischiefs has been
sought In a convention which now awaits the
approval of the Senate, as does Also another
touching the establishment of the interna-
tional boundary between the United States
and Mexico. If the latter is ratified, the
action of Congress will be required for es-
tabishing suitable commissions of survey.
The boundary dispute between Mexico and
Guatemala, which led this government to
proffer 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 special mes
sage from the Executive at your last session.
An invitation has been received from the
government of Venezuela to send represen-
tatlves IN July, 1888, to Caracas, for partici-
pating in the centennial celebration of the
birth of Bolivar, the founder of South Anieri-
can independence. In connection with this
event it is designed to commence the erec-
ton 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 repre-
sented, and chat 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 AMEH1oAN WAR.
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
Chill in 1880 of all the literal territory of
Bolivia. Negotiations for peace were con-
Quoted 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 cor
respondence transmitted to you in
January last, this government sent a
special mission tothe belligerent powers to ex-
press the hope that Chill would be disposed to
accept money indemnity for the expenses
of the war and to reiinquish her demand
for portion of the territory of her antagon-
ists This recommendation, which Chill de-
cllned 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
people 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 navie5 of the United States. Such
interference would almost inevitably lead
to the establishment of protectorate, re-
suit utterly at odds with our past policy, in
furious 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
generous to Its adversaries, this government
has spared no efforts such as might involve
tho complications which have indicated. 1t
is greatly to be deplored that Chill seems re-
solved to exact such rigorous conditions of
peace, and indisposed to submit to arbitra-
ton the terms of an amicable settlement.
No peace is likely to be lasting that is not
sufficiently equitable and just to command
the approval of other nations
THE PEACE CONGRESS.
About a year since invitations were ex-
tended 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 declared, that il. the meantime the dis
turbances between the South American re-
pubics would be adjusted. As that expecta-
ton seemed unlikely to be realized, I asked
IN April last for an expression of opinion
from the two houses of Congress as to the
advisability of holding the proposed con
ventlon at the time appointed. This action
was prompted in part by doubts which ma
t1re reflection had suggested whether the
diplomatic usage and tradition of the gov
ernment did not make it fitting that the
Executive should consult the represent
atlves of the people before pursuing
line of policy somewhat novel in its charac-
ter and far reaching in its possible conse-
quences. In view of the fact that no action
was taken by Congress in the premises and
that no provision has been made for neces
sary expenses, subsequently decided to
postpone the convocation, and so notified the
several governments which had been in
vited to attend. / am unwilling to dismiss
this subject without assuring you of my sup
port of any measure the wisdom of Congress
may devise for the promotion of peace on
this continent and throughout the world.
And trust that the time is nigh when, with
the universal assent of civilized peoples,
all International differences shall be deter
mined, without resort to arms, by the be-
nignant process of arbitration.
Changes have occurred in the diplomatic
representation of several foreign powers
during the past year. New ministers from
the Argentine Republic, Austria, Hungary,
Brazil, Chill, China, France, Japan, Mexico,
The Netherlands and Russia have presented
their credentials. The missions of Dem
mark and Venezuela at this capital have
been raised in grade. Switzerland has Gre
ated plenipotentiary mission to this gov
ernment, and an embassy from Madagascar
and ministry from Siam will shortly ar
rive. Our diplomatic intercourse has been
enlarged by the establishment of relations
with the new kingdom of Servia, by the Gre
alton of mission to Siam, and by the resto-
ration of the mission to Greece. The shah
of Persia has expressed his qualification that
charge d'affaires will shortly be sent to
that country, where the rights of our citizens
have. been hitherto courteously guarded by
the representatives of Great Britain.
renew my recommendations of such
legislation IS viii place the United States in
harmony 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, | have directed the
secretary of state to address foreign govern
ments in respect to a proposed conference
for considering the subject of the universal
adoption of common prime meridian to be
used in the reckoning Of longitude and in
the regulation of time throughout the civil
lied 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-
chal ge of official publications Through the
medium of their respective foreign depart
ments. The admirable system which has
been built up By the enterprise of the Smith
sonian institution affords a practical basis
1Oi yOttE -OACfdbdCtl III ILLS eC1clilcs anu
arrangement has been effected by which that
institution will perform the necessary labor
under the direction of the department of
state. A reasonable compensation therefor
should be provided by law
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE,
A clause in the act making appropriations
for the diplomatic and consular service con-
templates the reorganization of both
branches of such service on salaried basis,
leaving fees to inure to the benefit of the
treasury. u cordially favor such project as
likely to correct abuses in the present sys-
tenn. The secretary of state viii present to
you at an early day plan for such reorgan-
ization.
THE TREASURY.
A full and interesting exhibit of the Oper-
ations 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:
From customs. -. 500, ,410, ,730 25
From internal revenue ...... LAG, 497, 1886 45
From sales of public lands 4,753, $50 81
From tax on circulation and
deD0site of national hanks 81 q56 794 *