The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05

the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santo
Domingo and Sweden and Norway no incl
dent has occurred which calls for special COM
ment. The recent opening of new lines of
Geographic communication with Central
America and Brazil permitted the inter
change Of messages of friendship with the
governments of those countries During the
year there have been perfected and pro-
claimed consular and commercial rela-
tons with Servia and con-
sular treaty with Roumania, thus
extending our intercourse with the
Danubian countries, while our Eastern rela-
tons have been put upon a wider basis by
treaties with Corea and Madagascar The
boundary survey treaty with Mexico, trade
mark convention and supplementary treaty
of extradition with Spain and conventions
extending the duration of the FrancoAmef-
lean claims commission, have also been pro
claimed. Notice of the termination of the fish
cries articles of the treaty of Washington was
duly given to the British government and
the privileges and exemptions of the British
government and the reciprocal privileges and
exemptions of the treaty will accordingly
close on July /, 1885. The fisheries industry
pursued by numerous class of our citizens
and Pacific oceans, is worthy OF the fostering
of Congress whenever brought into competi-
ton with the like industries of other coun-
tries. Our fishermen. as well as our manufac-
turers of fishing appliances and preparers of
fish products have main tanned a foremost
place. l suggest that Congress create a COM
mission to consider the general question OF
our rights in the fisheries and the means of
opening to our citizens. under just and en-
during conditions, the rchly-Stoc6ed fishing
waters and sealing grounds of British North
America.
A question has arisen touching the de-
portation to the United States from the Brit
ish islands, by government or municipal aid,
OF persons unable there to gain living and
equally q burden to the community here.
Such of these persons as. were of the pauper
class, as defined by the law, have been
sent back in accordance with provisions
of our statutes. Her Majestys government
has insisted that precautions have been Ia
ken before shipment. These have, however,
in so many cases proved Ineffective, and es-
pecially so in certain recent instances OF
needy emigrants reaching our territory
through Canada, that a revision of our legis-
lation upon this subject may be deemed adj
Visable.
Correspondence relative to the Clayton
Buwer treaty has been continued, and will
be laid before Congress.
The legislation of France against the i'm
portation of prepared swine products from
the United States has been repealed. That
result has been due no less to the friendly
representations of this government than to
growing conviction in France that the re-
striction is not demanded by any real danger
to health.
Germany still prohibits the introduction
of all swine products from America. l ex-
tended to the imperial governmental friendly
invitation to send experts to the United
States to inquire whether the use of these
products was dangerous to health. This in
vitation was declined. | have believed it of
such importance, however that the exact
facts should be ascertained and promulgated,
that L have appointed competent
commission to make a thorough invest
igation OF the subject. It's members
h9qe shown their public spirit by accepting
their trust without pledge of compensation,
but trust that Congress will see in the ma
tional and international bearings of the mat
ter sufficient motive for providing at least
for reimbursement of such expenses as they
may necessarily incur.
The coronation of the Gar at Moscow
afforded to this government an occasion for
testifying its continued friendship by send
ing special envoy and a representative of
the navy to attend the ceremony While
there have arisen during the year no grave
questions affecting the status in the Russian
empire of American citizens of other faith
than that held by the national church, this
government remains firm in its convictions
that the rights of its citizens abroad should
be in no way affected by their religious diff
ferences.
1t is understood that measures for the
removal of the restrictions which now bur-
den our trade with Cuba and Porto Rico are
under consideration by the Spanish govern
ment. The proximity of Cuba and the
peculiar method of administration which
there prevails neceSsitate constant discus
sion and appeal on our part from the pro-
ceedings of the insular authorities | regret
to say that the just protests OF this govern
ment have not, as yet, produced a satisfac-
tory result
The commission appointed to decide GER
tain claims of our citizens against the Span
ish government, after the recognition of
satisfactory rule as to the validity and force
of naturalization in the United States,
has finally adjourned. Some of its
awards though made more than two
years ago. have not yet been paid, but pay
ment is expected. Claims to large amount,
which were held by the late commission
without its jurisdiction have been diplomat
ically presented to the Spanish government.
As the action of the colonial authorities
which has given rise to those claims was adj
mittedly Illegal full reparation for the in
jures sustained by our citizens Should no
longer be delayed.
The case of the Masonic has not yet reached
a settlement The Manila court has found
that the proceedings of which this gov
eminent has complained were unauthor-
lied, and it is hoped that the govern
.nent of Spain will not within old the
speedy reparation which its sense OF justice
should impel it to offer for the unusual
severity and unjust action of its subordinate
colonial officers in the case of this vessel.
The Helvetian Confederation has pro-
posed the Inauguration of acts, as of interna-
tional treaties, for the retirement to arbitra-
ton of grave questions between nations.
This government has assented to the pro-
posed negotiation OF such a treaty with
Switzerland.
Under the treaty of Berlin, liberty of con-
science and civil rights are assured to all
strangers in Bulgaria. As the United States
have no distinct conventional relations with
that country. and are not a party to the