Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-05
Dailp Ks,lnehsr 3ournaI.
Presidents Message.
To the Congress Of the United States:
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

10 me Congress Of the United States:
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
At the threshold of your deliberations. 7
congratulate you upon the favorable aspect
OF the domestic and foreign affairs of this
government Oar relations with other coun-
trles continue to be upon friendly footing
With tile Argentine Republic, B,lgiun
Brazil, Denmark, Hsyti. Itsiv, Sanio Do
domingo and Sweden and Norway, no in
cident has occurred which calls for special
comment The recent opening Of new lines
OF trieeraphc communication with Central
America and Brazil permitted the interchange
OF messages Of friendship with the govern
ments of those countries. During the wear
there have been perfected and proclaimed
consular and commercial treaties with Ser
via and consular treaty with Roumania
This extends our relations with the Danuhan
countries, while our Eastern relations have
been upon wider basis by treaties with
Corea and Madagascar. The new boundary
survey treaty with Mexico, a trades
mark convention, and a supplementary
treaty Of extrsdtion with Spain and
conventions extending the duratio.. of the
Franco American Claims Commission, have
also been proclaimed. Notice of the termin.
alton Of the fisheries articles of the treaty of
Washington was duly given the British gov
eminent, and the reciprocal privileges and
exemptions of the treaty will accordingly
cease on july LIST, 1885.
The fisheries industry. pursued by numer-
Gus class of our citizens on the northern
coasts, both of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, is worthy of the fostering care of
Congress. Whenever brought into competi-
tion with the like industries of other coun-
tries, our fishermen. as well as our
manufacturers of fishing appliances
aud preparers of fish products. have
maintained foremost place. | suggest that
Congress create commission to consider
the general question of our rights in the fish
cries and the means of opening to our citi-
zens, under just and enduring conditions,
the recently stocked fishing waters and seal
ing grounds of British and Russian North
America. Questions have arisen touching
the deportation to the United States
from the British Islands, by governmental or
municipal aid Of persons unable to gain liv-
ing and equally burden on the community
here. Such OF these persons as will, under
the psuper class defined BY the law, have
been sent back in accordance with the pro-
visions of our statutes. Her Majesty's gov
ernment has insisted that precautions
have been taken before shipment: it
has. however. in so many cases proved
int fiectual and especially so in certain
| recent instances OF needy emigrants reach
ing our territory through Canada, that a re-
vision of our legislation upon this subject
NAV be deemed advisable. Correspondence
relative to the Clayton Bulwer treaty has
been continued and will be laid before Con-
gress.
The legislation of France against the i'm
portation Of prepar swine products from
the United = ates Eas been repealed. That
result has been due no less to the friendly
repre- sentatiuns of this government, than to a
growing conviction in France that the re-
striction is not demanded by any real danger
to health.
Germany It'll prohibits the introduction of
all swine products from America. | extend
ed to the Imperial government a friendly in
vitation to send experts to the United States
to ei quire 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 ascertsined and
promu'ga,,d, that | have appointed
a competent commission to make a thorough
| nvestigation Of the subject. Its members
have shown their public spirit by accepting
, their trust ithOut pledge of compensation,
bat trust congress will see in the national and
| international bearings of the matter suffi
cient motive for providing at least for reim-
| bursement of such expenses as they may
necessarily incur.
| The coronation OF the Gar, at Moscow of
| ftred to this government an occasion for tes-
| tifyng IT'S continued friendship. by sending
a special envoy and representative of the
navy to attend the ceremony. While there
have arisen during the year no grave ques-
| tions affecting the status in the Russian En-
| pire of American citizens, or other facts than
| that held by the national church, this govern
| ment remains firm in its convictions that the
| rights Of its citizens abroad should be in no
way affected by their religious belief.
| IL is understood that measures for the re-
movsl of the restrictions which now burden
our trade with Cuba and Porto Rico are
uDd,r consideration by the Spanish govern
ment. The proximity of Cuba and the pecu-
liar methods of administration which there
prevail, neccssitate constant discussion and
appeal on our part from the proceedings of
the insulsr authority. l regret TO say that
the just protests of this government have not
as yet produced satisfactory results.
The commission appointed to decide GER
| tain claims of our citizens against the Span
| ish government, after the recognition of Asi
| attic factory rule as to the validity and fierce
of naturaiz ition in the United States, has
| finally adjourned Some of its awards though
| made more than two years ago have not yet
been paid. Thus speedy payment is expect.
ed. Claims to large amount which were held
| by the late commission to be without its Juris-
diction have been automatically presented to
| the Spanish government. As the action of the
colonial authorities which has given rise TO
those claims was admitted to be illegal, full
reparation for the injury sustained by our
citizens should be no longer delayed
| The case of the Masonic has not yet reached
settlement. The Manila Court has found
| that proceedings of which this government has
complained were unauthorized, and it is
hoptd that the Government of Spain
will not withhold the speedy reparation
| which its sense of justice should
impel it to offer for the unusual severity and
Injustice of subordinate Colonial officers in
| case of this vessel The Heivetian confeder-
alton has proposed the Inauguration of a class
of International treaties for the arbitra-
ton os great questions between nations. Thls
government has assented 20 the proposed
negotiation of such 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 party to the
treaty, they should in my opinion maintain
diplomstic representation at Sofa for the I'M