The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-07

held by the late commission to be with
out their jurisdiction, have been diplo-
matically presented to the Spanish
government, as the action of the Colo
nial authorities, which has given rise to
those claims, was admitted rs illegal,
and full reparation for the injuries sus-
tanned by our citizens should be no
longer delayed.
ARBITRATION.
The Manila court has found that the
proceedings of which this government
has complained were unauthorized,
and it is hoped that the government
of Spain will not withhold the speedy
reparatiOn which its sense of injustice
should impel il to offer for the unusual
severity and unjust action of its subor-
dinate colonial officers in the case of
this vessel.
The case of the Masonic has not yet
reached settlement.
The Helvetan Confederation has
prepared the inauguration OF class OF
International treaties for the deferment
to arbitration of grave questions be-
tween nations. The government has
assented to the proposed negotiation Of
such treaty with Switzerland,
RIGHTS OF AMERICANS ABROAD.
Under the treaty of Perlin. liberty of
conscience and civil rights are assured
to all strangers in Bulgaria. AS the
United States have no distinct conven-
tional relations with that country, and
are not party to the treaty, they
should, in my opinion, maintain diplO-
matte representation ut Sofia for the
improvement of intercourse and the
proper protection of the many Ameri-
can citizens who resort to that country
us missionaries and teachers. | sug-
gest that be given authority to estab-
liSh an agency and Consulate General
at the Bulgarian capital.
COMMERCE. WITH TURKEY.
The United States are now partici
pating in u revision of the tariffs of the
Ottoman Empire. They have assented
20 the application of u license tax of
foreigners doing business in Turkey,
but lave opposed the oppressive stor-
age tax upon petroleum entering the
ports of that country.
EGYPT.
The government of the Khedive has
proposed that the authority of the mix
ed judicial tribunals in Egypt be ex-
tended 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 believes that its
terms should be submitted for criticism
to commission appointed to revise the
whole suhjrct.
OUR MEXICAN BOUNDARY.
AT no time in our national history
has there been more manitrso ne,,i OF
close and lasting relations vii tina ne sil-
boring state than now exists with re-
spect to Mexico. The rapid influx of
our capital and enterprise into that
country shows by what has already
been accomplished the vast reciprocal
advantages which must attend the pro-
gress of its internal development.
The treaty Of commerce and nagivatlon
of 1918 has been terminated by the
Mexican government and by the absence
of conventional engagements. The
rights of our citizens in Mexico now
depend upon the domestic statutes of
the republic. There have been in
stances of harsh enforcement of the
laws against oIlr vessels and citizens in
Mexico, and of denial Of diplomatic re-
sort for thier protection. The initial
step toward a better unders; anding has
been taken in the negotiations by the
commission authorized by Congress of
treaty, which is still before the SEN
ate, awaiting its approval.
The provisions for the reciprocal
crossing of the troops in pursuit Of hos
tile Indians have been prolonged for
another year. The operations of the
forces of both governments against the
savages have been successful; and sey-
eral of their most dangerous bands
Z hnUl Imam 10, ,1fr rrn1 n,. IiSnnrGp1 Nv Tho
skill and valor of United States and
Mexican soldiers fighting in q common
cause. The convention for the resurvey
of the boundary from the Rio Grande
to the Pacific, having been ratified and
exchanged, the preliminary reconnois-
sence therein stipulated has been ef.
fected. 1t now rests with Congress to
make provision for completing the sur
vey and resetting the boundary monu-
mentS. -t st,.-..
THE OLD CASE OF BENZ We'll.
A convention was signed with Mexi-
co on July 13, 1892, providing for the
rehearing OF the cases of Benj. We'll
and the Abra Silver Mining Company.
| in whose favor awards were made by
the late American and Mexican Claims
Commission. That convention still
awaits the consent of the Senate.
Meanwhile, because of the charges
OF FRAUDULENT awards, which have made
a new commission necessary, the Exc
cutive has directed the suspension of
payments or the distributive quota
received from Mexico.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Our geographical proximity to Gen.
tral America and our political and
commercial relations with the States
Of that country justify, in my judg-
ment, such material increase o. our
Consular corps as will place at each
capital Consul General.
SOUTH AMERICA.
The contest between Bolivia and
Chilli and Peru has passed from the
stage of stratcgetic hostilities to that
of negotiation, in which the Consuls
of the government has been exercised.
The demands of Chill for absolute
cession OF territory have been MAIN
tanned and accepted by the party Of
General Iglesias, to the extent of con-
cluding a treaty of peace with Chill in
general conformity with the terms of