The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-13
Presidents Message.
To u.e Conmas of the Irnfted Stqt.s:

To The Congress Of the United States:
at the threshold of your deliberations
congratulate you upon the favorable aspect
of the domestic and foreign affairs of this
Government. Our relations with other coun-
tries continue to be on friendly footing.
Brazil. Denmark. Havti. italy. Santo Domin,
go and Sweden and Norway, no incident has
occurred which calls for special comment.
communication with Central America and
Brazil permitted the interchange of messages
of friendship with the Governments of these
countries. During the year there have been
mercial treaties with Servfa and consular
treaty with Roumania thus extending our in
Sercourse with the Danubian countries, while
our Eastern relations have been put upon a
wider basis by treaties with Corea and NADIA
gascar. The new boundary survey treaties
with Mexico, a trademark covenant, sup
Elementary treaty of extradition with Spain
and convention extending the duration Of
the Franco-Amercan Claims Commissions
have also been proclaimed.
Notice of the termination of the fisheries
articles of the treaty OF Washington WAS duly
given to the British Government, and recipro-
cal privileges and exemptions of the treaty
will accordingly close on July l. 1885.
THE FISHERIES.
The fisheries industry pursued by numer-
Gus class of our citizens on the Northern
coasts both of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
are worthy of the fostering of Congress. When
ever brought into competition with like in
dustries of other countries. ar fishermen as
well as our manufacturers Oh UsnluG upDll-
ances and preparers of fish products, have
maintained a foremost place suggest that
Congress create a Commission TO consider the
question of our right in the fisheries and the
means of opening to our citizens under just
and enduring conditions the richly stocked
fishing waters and scaling grounds of British
and Russian North America.
PAUPER IMMIGRATION.
The question has arisen touching the depor-
tatiOn to the United States from the British
Islands by Governmental or municipal aid of
IL
equally a burden to the community here. Such
of these persons as appear under the pauper
class, as defined by the law, have been sent
back in accordance with the provisions of our
statutes. Her Majesty's Government has in
sisted that precautions have been taken be-
fore shipment This has, however, in so
many cases proved ineffectual, and espe-
cially so in certain recent instances of needy
emigrants reaching our territory through
Canada, that revision of our legislation up
on this subject may be deemed advisable.
AMERICAN PORK.
The legislation of France against the i'm
portation of prepared swine products from
the United States has been repealed. That re-
suit has been due, no less TO the friendly
representation of tbs Government than to a
growing conviction in France that the restric-
ton is not demanded by any real danger TO
health. Germany still prohibits the introduce
ton of all swine products from America. /
extended TO the Imperial Government a
friendly invitation TO send experts to the
United States to inquire whether the use OF
these products was dangerous to health. This
invitation was declined. / have believed it of
such Importance, however, that the exact
facts should be obtained and promulgated,
that have appointed a competent commits
sion for thorough Investigation of the sub
ject Its members have shown their public
spirit by accepting their trust without pledge
of compensation but / trust Congress will
see in the national and international bearings
of the matter a sufficient justification for pro-
viding at least for the reimbursement of such
expenses as they may necessarily incur.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS
The coronation of the Gar at Moscow
afforded to the Government an occasion for
testifying its continued friendship by sending
special envoy and 4 representative of the
navy to attend the ceremony.
While there have arisen during the year no
grave questions affecting the status in that
Empire of American citizens, except as they
are affected by the National Church, this Gov
eminent remains firm in its conviction that
the rights of its citizens abroad should be in
no way affected by their religious feeling.
II is understood that measures for the re-
moval of the restrictions which now burden
our trade with Cuba and Porto Rico are under
consideration by the Spanish Government.
The proximity of Cuba and the peculiar
method of administration which there pre-
walls necessitate constant discussion and ap-
peal on our part from the proceedings of the
tnsular authorities. / regret to say that the
just protests of this Government have not as
yet produced satisfactory results. The Com
mission appointed to decide certain claims of
our citizens against the Spanish Government,
after the recognition of a satisfactory rule as
the United States, has finally adjourned. Some
of it's awards, though made more than two
years ago, have not yet been paid. The pay
ment of claims to a large amount which were
held by the late Commissioner TO be without
its jurisdiction. has been automatically pre-
sented 20 the Spanish Government. As the
action of the colonial authorities which gave
rise to those claims was admitted to be Illegal
full reparation for the injuries sustained by
our citizens should be no longer delayed. The
case of the
has not reached a settlement. The Manila
Coast has found that the proceedings of which
this Government has complained were unau-
thorized and it is hoped that the Government of
Spain will not withhold the speedy reperation
which its sense of justice should impel il to
offer for the unusual and unjust action of its
subordinate colonial officers in the case of this
vessel
The Helvetian Confederation has proposed
the Inauguration of a class of international
treaties for the retirement to arbitration of
grave questions between nations. This Gov
ernment has aSSented 10 the proposed negOtia-
ton of such treaty with Switzerland. Under
the treaty of Berlin liberty of conscience and
civil rights are assured to all strangers in Bull
garia- As the United States have no distinct
conventional relation with that country and
are not party TO the treaty they Shouldn't my
opinion, maintain a diplomatic representative
at Sofia for the protection of the many Ameri-
can citizens who resort TO that country as
missionaries and teachers. ] suggest that
be given authority to establish an agency and
Consulate General at the Bulgarian capital.
The United States are now participating in
q revision of the tariffs of the Ottoman En-
pire. They have assented to the application
of a licease tax TO foreigners doing business in
Turkey, but have opposed the oppressive
storage tax upon petroleum entering the ports
of that country.
The Government of the Khedive has pro-
posed that the authority of the mixed judicial
tribunals in Egypt be extended so as TO cover
citizens of the United States accused of crime
who are now tried before Consular Courts
This Government is not indiSposed TO accept
the change, but believe that its terms should
be submitted for criticisms A commission
has been appointed to review the whole sub
ject-
OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.
At no time in our national history has there
been more manifest close and lasting
relations with nelghbOring State than now
exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid in
flux of our capital and enterprise into that
country shows, by what has already been &C
complished, the vast reciprocal advantages
which must attend the progress of its internal
development. The treaty of commerce and
navigation, of lsfs has been terminated by the
Mexican Government. and in the absence of
conventional engagements, the rights of our
citizens inMeXico now depend upon the domes- |
tic statutes of that Repnblic.t There have been
Instances of harsh enforcement of the laws
against our vessels and citizens and denfals of |
the diplomatic resort forthelr protection. The |
initial step toward & MISUNDERSTANDING has |
been taken i'm the negotiation by the commits |
sion which was authorized by Congress, of a !
treaty which is still before the Senate await |
ing its approval. The provisions of the recip- !
rocal crossing of the frontier by the troops in |
pursuit of hostile Indians have been pro- |
longed for another year. The operation of the |
troops of both Governments against the saw /
ages have been successful, and several of their I
most dangerous bands have been captured or !
dispersed by the skill and valor of United 1
States and Mexican soldiers fighting in COM /
mon cause The conventions for the re-Sur- T
vey of the boundary from the Rio Grande to !
the Pacific having been ratified and eX-
changed, the preliminary reconnaissance |
therein stipulated has been effected. 1t now
rests with Congress to make provision for I