Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Congress Of the United States:
RETROSPECTIVE.

| thlS government. Our relations with 9TH
er countries continue to be upon friend.
/ ly footing With the Argentine Republic
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Demsrara
Hayti, Italy, Santo Domingo and Swe-
den aud Norway, and no incident has
occurred which calls for special comment.
The recent opening of new lines of tele-
graphic communication with Central
America and Brazil permitted the inter
change OF messages Of friendship with the
governments OF those countries. During
the year has been perfected and pro,
claimed, consular and commercial treat
/ les with Servia, and consular treaty
with Roumsnia, thus extending our in
terests with the Danubian countries,
while our Eastern interests have been
placed upon wider basis by treaties
with Curea and Madagascar.
The new boundary survey treaty with
Mexico, a Trademark convention and a
supplementary treaty Of extradition with
Spain, and conventions extending the
duration of the Franco American claims
commission have also been proclaimed.
Notice of the termination OF the FISH
cries treaty and of the treaty of Wash
ingtou was duly given the Bd,lsh gov
ernment and the reciprocal privileges and
exemptions Of the treaty will accordingly
erase on July LIST, 1855. The fisheries
industry pursued by a numerous class OF
our citizens on the Northern coasts both
Of the Atlantic aud Pacific oceans, are
! ~orihy of the fostering care of Congress.
Whenever brought into competition with
the ike industries of other countries our
fishermen as well as our manufactures
of fishing appliances and prePArers OF fish
have maintained foremost place. !
sugges, that Congress create commits
SION to consider the general question OF
our right. 10 the fisheries and the means
of opening TO our citizens under just en-
during conditions the recently stocked
fishing waters and sealing grounas OF
British and Russian North America.
The question has risen touching the
depo-tation TO the United States, from
the British Islands by governmental or
municipal aid Of persons unable to gain
living and equally q burden on the
community here. Such OF these persons
as were under the pauper class as defined
by the law, have been sent back IN az
cordauce with the provisions of our stat
u,rs. Her Msjestys government has In
sisted that precautions have been taken
before shipment which have, however,
in 80 many cases proven Intellectual, and
so in certain recent instances OF needy
emisrants reaching our territory through
! CanaC l.. that q revision of our legislation
upon TIM. subject may be deemed advis
able.
Correspondence relative TO the Clay
ton Bulwer treaty has been continued
and will be laid before Congress.
The legislation of France against the
importation of prepared swine products
from the United States has been repealed
That result has been due no less TO the
friendly representations of this govern
ment than TO growing conviction IN
France that the restriction Is not de-
manded by any real danger to health.
Germany still prohibits the Introduction
of all swine products from America. |
/ extended 20 the imperial government a
/ friendly invitation to send experts 10 the
United States to enqeire whether the use
Of these products was dangerous to
health. The invitation was declined. !
have believed it of such importance, how
ever. that the exact facts should DE as
certAined aud promulgated, that have
appointed competent commission to
make a thorough Investigation OF the
subject It's members have 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
matter d sufficient motive for providing
al least for the reimbursement OF such
expenses as they may necessarily incur.
The coronation Of the Gar at Moscow
Offered 10 this government an occasion for
testifying lis continued friendship by
sending a special envoy and g represent
alive 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 ns-
| ,ional church, this government remains
| firm in its convictions that the rights OF
It's citizens abroad should be in no way
affected by their religious belief.
! liz Is understood that measures for the
removal 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 methods of adj
ministration which there prevail, neces-
state constant discussion and appeal on
our part from the proceedings OF consular
authorities. | regret to say that the just
protests of this government have not as
vet produced satisfactory results.
The commission appointed to decide
and ascertain the Claims of our citizens
against the Spanish government, after
the recognition of satisfactory rule as
10 the validity and force Of natur alization
in the United States. has finally adjourn
ed. Some of It's awards, made more
than two years ago, have not yet been
paid. Thus payment is expected, as
claims to large amount which were
held by the late commission to De with
out its jurisdiction, have been diplomat
ically presented to the Spanish govern
| A The action of the colonial