The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-07

whose governments have expressed
their thanks for this assistance.
THE CHINESE.
The recent legislation restraining
the immigration of laborers from
China has given rise to the ques-
ton whether the Chinese pro-
ceeding to or from their
country may lawfully pass through
our own-constructiono of the act of
Nav 6, 1882. In connection with the
treaty of November Z, 1880, the re-
striction would seem to be limited to
Chinese immigrants coming to the
country as laborers, and would not
forbid a mere transit across our terri
tory. | ask the attention of congress
to the subject for such action, If any,
as NAV be deemed advisable.
This government has recently had
occasion to manifest it's interest in the
republic of Liberia by seeking to aid
theIamicable settlements of boundary
dispute now pending between that re-
public and the British possession of
Sierra Leon.
The reciprocity treaty with Hawaii
will become terminable after Septem-
Der 9, 1883, or twenty months notice
bv either party. While certain pro-
visions of that compact have been
proven onerous, its existence has foS-
tered commercial relations, which 1t is
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
Hayti and San Domingo, / advise that
provision be made for diplomatic in
tercourse with the latter by enlarging
the scope of mission at POrt-au-Prince.
l regret that the claims of the
American citizens against the gov
eminent of Hayti have thus far been
urged unavailingly.
A recent agreement with Mexico
provides for the crossing the frontier
by the armed forces of either country
in pursuit of hostile Indians. In my
message of last year / called attention
to the prevalent lawlessness upon the
boarders, and to the necessity of leg
islation for its suppression. / again.
invite the attention of congress to the
subject. A partial relief from these
mischefs has been sought IN a
convention which now awaits
the approval of the SEN
ate, as does another also
touching the establishment of the in
ternational boundary line between the
United States and Mexico. If the lat
ter is retarded the action of congress
will be required for establishing suit
able commissioners of survey. The
boundary dispute between Mexico
and Guatemala, which led this gov
eminent to proffer its friendly cOun-
sci to both parties, has been amicably
settled. No change has occurred with
our relations with Venezuela. l again
invoke your action in the matter of
the finding awards against that re-
public, to which special reference was
made by a special message from
the executive at your last session. An
invitation was received from the gov
eminent of Venezuela to send repre-
sentative in July, 1888, to Caracas to
participate in the centennial celebra-
ton of the birth of Bolivar, the found
er of South American independence.
In connection with this event it is de-
signed to commemorate the erection,
at Caracas, of statue of Washington,
and conduct an industrial exhibition
which will be open to American pro-
auctions. l recommend that the
United States be represented and that
suitable provision be made there
for. The elevation of the grade
of your mission IN Central
America to the plenipotentiary
rank which was authorized by cone
gress by 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 literal territory of Boil
ivia. 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 cap
ital of Peru a year since, as you
have already been advised by
correspondence transmitted to you
in January last. This government
sent q special mission to the belliger-
erent powers to express the hope that
Chill would be disposed to accept a
money indemnity for expenses of war
and to relinquish her demands for a
portion of the territory of her anita
gonist.
This is are commentator which Chilli
declined to follow. This government
did not assume to force nor can it be
forced without resort to measures
which would be in keeping with
neither the temper of our people nor
with the spirit of our in
situations. The power of Peru
no longer exists over the whole terri
tory, and in the event of our inter-
ference to dictate peace would need to
be supplemented by the army and
navy of the United States. Such in
reference would almost inevitably
tend to the establishment of protec-
torate-a result utterly at odds with
our past policy, injurious TO our pres
emit interests and full of embarrass-
ments for the future for effecting the
termination of hostilities upon terms
at once Just to the victorious nation
and generous to its adverSarieS. This
government has spared no efforts to
avoid such complications as have in
Dictated. 1t is greatly to be deplored
that Chilli seems resolved to exact
such rigorous conditions of peace and
indisposed to submit to arbitration the
terms of an amicable settlement. No
peace is likely to be lasting that is not
sufficiently equitable and just to COM
mand the approval of other nations.
About year since invitations were
extended to the nations of this conti-
nent to fend representatives toa peace
congress to assemble at Washington
in November, 1882. The time of
meeting was fixed at period then re-
mote in the hope as the invitation it
self declared that in the meantime
disturbances between the South
American republics would be adjusted.
AS that expectation seemed to be realiz-
ed asked in April last for an eX-
preston of opinion from the houses
of congress as to the ACCESSIBILITY of
holding the proposed convention at the
time appointed. This act was prompt
ed in part by doubt which mature re-
Election had suggested whether diplo-
matte usages and traditions of the
government did not make il fitting
that the executive should consult the
representatives of the people before
pursuing a line of action, 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
provision had been made forInecessary
expenses, | subsequently decided to
postpone theconvention and so notified
the several governments, which had
been invited to attend. / am unwill-
ing to dismiss this subject without
assuring you of my support
of any measure the wisdom of con-
gress may devise for the promotion of
peace of the continent and throughout
the world, and trust that the time is
very nigh when, with the universal
assent of the nannla all infarn ahinnal