Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13
The President 5. MESSAGE
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
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OF the United States.
1t is provided by the constitution that the
President shall from time to time give con-
gress information Of the state OF the Union and
recommend to their consideration such meas
ures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.
Foreign Affairs.
In reviewing the events of the year which
has elapsed since the commencement of your
sessions, I first call your attention to the
gratifying condition of our foreign affairs. Our
intercourse with other powers has continued
to be of the most friendly character, Such
slight differences as have arisen during the
year have been already settled, or are likely to
reach an early adjustment.
The arrest of citizens Of the United States in
Ireland under the recent laws which owe their
origin to the disturbed condition of that coum-
try, has led to somewhat extended correspon-
dence with the government of Great Britain,
disposition to respect our rights has been
practically manifested by the release of the ar
rested parties.
The claim of the nation in regard to the
supervision and control, of any inter oceanic
canal across the American lsthmus has con-
tinued to be the subject of conference. It is
likely that time will be more powerful than
discussion in removing the divergence between
the two nations whose friendship is so closely
cemented by the intimacy of their relations and
the community Of their interest.
Our long established friendliness with Russia
has remained unbroken. 1t has prompted me
to proffer the earnest counsel of this govern
ment, that measures be adopted for suppress
ing the prescription which the Hebrew race in
that country has lately suffered. It has not
transpired that any American citizen has been
subjected to arrest or injury, but our courteous
remonstrance has nevertheless been courteously
received. There IS reason to believe the time
IS not far distant when Russia will be able to
secure liberation to all faiths within her borders.
At an international convention held at Paris
in 1880 and attended by representatives Of the
United States an agreement was reached in
respect to the protection of trade marks, pat
ented articles and the rights Of manufacturing
firms and corporations. The formulating into
treaties OF the recommendations thus adopted,
Is receiving the attention which it merits
The protection of submarine cables is SUBJ
iect now under consideration by an interna-
tlonai conference ut Paris. Believing that it is
clearly the true policy of this government to
favor the naturalization of this means of in
tcrcourse, requested our minister to France
to attend the convention as delegate. also
designated two of our eminent scientists to
attend as our representatives at the meeting OF
an international committee at Paris for consid-
cring the adoption of common unit to meas
ure electric force. In view of the frequent &C.
currence of conferences for the consideration
of important matters of common interest to
civilized nations, I respectfully suggest that
the executive be invested by congress with dis
cretionary power to send delegates to such con-
ventions and that provision be made to defray
expenses incident thereto.
The difference between the United States and
Spain as to the OBJECT of judgment and Ger
tificate of naturalization has not yet been ad-
justed, but it is hoped and believed -negotia-s
tions now in;progress will result in the estab-
ilshment Of a position which seems to this gov
erument reasonable and Just. / have already
called the attention of congress to the fact that
in the exports Of Spain and its colonies numer-
Gus fines have lately been imposed upon vessels
Of the United States for trivial technical
offenses against local regulations. Efforts for
proved unsuccessful. / regret to inform you
also that the fees demanded by Spanish con-
sus in American ports are in some cases so
large when compared with the value of the
cargo. as to amount in effect to considerable
export duty, and that circumstances in this
regard have not as yet received the attention
which they seem to deserve.
The German government has invited the
United States to participate in an international
exhibition Of domestic cattle, to be held in
Hamburg i'll July, 1888. If this country is to
be represented it is important that in the early
days of this session congress should make an
appropriation for that purpose.
The death OF MIR. Marsh, our late minister to
Italy, has evoked :from that government ex-
pressions of profound respect for his exalted
character and for his honorable career in the
diplomatic service Of bis country. The Italian
priety Of recognizing in his dual capacity the
representatives of this country recently accred-
tied IS secretary of the legation and as consul
general. He has been received as secretary,
but his credentials as consul general has thus
far been withheld. =
The extradltion convention with Belgium,
which has been in operation since 1874, has
been lately supplanted by another. The senate
has signified its approval, and notifications have
been duly exchanged between the contracting
countries. To the list of extraditable crimes
has been added that of the assassination or at
tempted assassination of the chief of state.
Negotiations have been opened with Switzer-
land looking to settlement by treaty of the
question whether its citizens can renounce their
allegiance and become citizens of the United
States without obtaining the consent Of the
Swiss government am happy to inform you
from certain of the cantons Of Switzerland has
subsequently ceased and is no longer sanctioned
by the authorities.
The consideration OF this subject prompts
the suggestion that the act of August Sd, 1882,
which has for its object the return of foreign
convicts to their Own country, should be so
modified as not to be open to the enterprise.
1t effects the extradition of criminals of pre-
ferred charges of crime. The Ottoman porte
has not yet assented to the Interpretation
which this government has putupon the treaty
of 1880 relative to its juris iictional rights 10
.
difference will be adjusted by a general revi-
sion Of the system OF jurisdiction Of the United
States in the countries Of the east-a subject to
which your attention has been already called
by the secretary Of state
In the interest of justice toward Chill and
Japan l trust that the question of the return of
the indemnity fund to the governments of
those countries will reach at the present session
the satisfactory solution which have already
recommended and which has recently been fore
shadowed by congressional discussion.
The treaty lately concluded with Corea awaits
the action of the senate.
During the late disturbance in Egypt the
timely presence of American vessels served as q
protection to the persons and property of many
Of our own citizens and Of citizens OF other
countries whose governments have expressed
their thanks for this assistance.
The recent legislation restricting immigration
of laborers from China has given rise to the
question of whether Chinese passing to or
from another country may lawfully pass
through our own. In consulting the act Of
May 6, 1882, in connection with the treaty Of
November 9TH, 1880. the restriction would
seem to be limited to Chinese immigrants COM
ing to the United States as iaborers and should
not forbid mere transit across our territory.
ask the attention of congress to the subject
for such action, if any. as may be deemed ad-
visable.
This government has recently had occasion
by seeking to aid the .smicable settlement of
the boundary dispute between: that republic
and the British possession of Sierra Leone. = .
The reciprocity treaty with Hawaii will BE- 2
come termlnable after September l, 1883, on
two months notice by either Eparty.s While
certain provisions of that compact may have.
proved onerous, its existence has fastened
commercial relations which it is important to
preserve. suggest, therefore, that early
consideration be given to such notifications Of
the treaty as seem to be demanded by the in.
terests 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 charging to scope Of the mission
at Port Au Prince. i regret that certain claims
of American citizens against the government of
Hayti have thus far been urged unavailiagly.
A 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 to the prevalent lawlessness on the
borders and to the, Necessity Of legislation for
its suppression. I again invite the attention Of
congress to the subject. A partial relief FROM
these misclnefs has been sought in ,: CONVEX
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