Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-05

on their rights. China, by the payment of 4
money indemnity, has settled certain of the
long pending claims of our citizens
and have strong hopes the remainder viii
soon be adjusted. Questions have arisen re-
lating to rights Of American and other for
eign manufacturers in China under provis-
ions of treaty, which permit aliens to exer-
else industries in that country. On this
specific point our own treaty is silent, bu,
under the operation Of the most favored
nation clause, we have like privileges with
those of other powers. While it is the duty
of the government to see our citizens have full
enjoyment of every benefit, secured BY
treaty, doubt the expediency of
leading in q movement to constrain
China to admit an Interpretation which we
have only An indirect treaty right TO exact
The transference to China of American cap
ital for the employment Of Chinese laborers,
would in effect inaugurate q competition for
the control of the markets now supplied by
our home industries. There is good reason
to believe that the Law restricting the immi
grafton of Chinese has been violated, inten-
tiOnal or otherwise, by the officials of China,
upon whom is devolved the duty of certify
ing that the immigrants belong to ex-
cepted classes. Measures have been tax
en- to ascertain the facts incident to
this supposed infraction, and it is
believed that the government Of China will
cooperate with the United States in securing
the faithful observance of the law. The same
consideration which prompted Congress at
its last session to return to Japan the Simon
eski indemnity, requires at its hands a
like return in respect to the Canton indem-
nifty fund, now amounting to $500, 200.
The question Of the general revision of the
foreign treaties of Japan has been
considered in an international con-
ference held at Toxic, but without
any definite result as yet. This government
is disposed to concede to the requests Of Japan
to determine it's own tariff duties, and to pro-
vide such proper judicial tribunals as may
commend themselves to the western powers
for the trial of causes to which foreigners are
parties, and to assimilate the terms and dura-
ton of its treaty to those of the civilized
States.
Through our ministers at London and at
Moravia this government has endeavored to
aid Liberia in its differences with Great
Britain touching the northwestern boundary
Of the republic. There is a prospect of
an adjustment of the dispute by the adop-
tion of the Mannah river as the lire.
This arrangement is compromise of the
conflicting territorial claims. and takes from
tuC Couutiy oVCt WhiCu II has "aih-
tanned an effective jurisdiction. The rich
and populous valley of the Congo is being
opened to commerce by society called the
International African Association, Of which
the King of the Belgians is President. and
citizen of the United States, the chief execu-
tive officer. Large tracts Of territory have
been ceded to the association by the ma
tive chief. Roads have been opened,
steamboats, placed on the river. and the
nu ,leus of States established at 22 stations,
under one flag which offers freedom to COM
merce, and prohibits the slave trade. The
objects of the society are philanthropic. 1t
does not aim at a permanent political control,
but seeks the neutrality of the valley. The
United States cannot be Indifferent to this
work, nor to the interests of their citizens
involved. 1t may become advisable for us
to cooperate with other commercial pow
ers in promoting the rights of trade and
residence in the Congo valley, from the in.
reference or political control of any nation.
In view of the frequency of invitations from
foreign governments to take part in social
and scientific congresses for the discussion of
important matters of general concern, l re-
peat the suggestion of my last message, that
a provision be made for the exercise of dis
cretionary powers BY the executive in ap-
pointing delegates to such conventions. Able
specialists are ready to serve national interests
in such capacity without personal profit
or other compensa alton other than defraying
of expenses actually incurred, and this
comparatively small annual appropriation
would suffice to meet. 1 have alluded in my
previous message to the injurious and vexa-
tious restrictions suffered by our trade in the
Spanish West Indies, because Brazil, whose
natural outlet for its great national staple,
coffee, is in and through the U. s., imposes
heavy export duty upon that profuct. A
like narrow policy is pursued in other Ameri-
can countries. Our petroleum exports are
hsmpered in Turkey and other eastern ports,
by restrictions az to storage and by onerous
taxation. The free outward movement of our
great food products is in some quarters
clogged with like impediments. Fer these
mischiefs adequate relief is not always az
forded by reciprocating treaties, like that
with Hawaii, or that lately negotiated
with Mexico, now awaiting the action
of the senate. Il it not advisable
to provide some measures of equitable retail
iation with governments which discriminate
against our ownp If 0or exsmple) the Exc
cutive were empowered to apply to Spanish
vessels and cargoes from Cuba and Porto Rico
the same rules of treatment and scale of PEN
alty for technical faults which are applied to
our vessels and cargoes in the Antilles re-
sort to that course might not be barren
of good results. A discretionary authority to
forbid importation of articles of consumption
injurious to health might be advantageously
exercised in our dealings with such countries
as inevitably discriminate against our
products.
The TREASURY.
The report of the Secretary of Treasury
gives q full and interesting exhibit of the
financial condition of the country. 1t shows
the ordinary revenues from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1883, amounted
to S39S, ,2S7 ,5sl.95, whereof there was re-
ceived from customs, S2l4, JOG, 496. .93 !;
from internal revenue, Sl44, 720, $685. !;
from sales of public lands, 1885, ,s64 AZ /;
from tax on circulation and deposits of Ma
tional Banks, 90, Ill ,60S.S5: from profits on
coinage, bullion, deposits and assays, "a 400, :
POS IL; from other sources, Sl7 1888. .637 60; !;
total, S39S, ,2s7. .5Sl.95. For the same period
the ordinary expenses were: For civil ex-
penses, S22, ,343. 2s5 IS; for foreign and in
terror use, s2,4l9, ,275.24; for Indians. s7,-
362, $50 "a; for pensions, $50, ,o12, ,533 81 /; for
military establishments, including service in
harbor improvements and arsenals, e4S, 9ll,-
3S2.93, for naval establishments in
cludinR vessels and improvements
at navy yards, sl5, 1888. .437.l for miscella-
neous expenses, including public buildings,
u.- 4 ~z1l al