Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-13

this vessel The Helvetian Confederation
has proposed the Inauguration Of class
of international treaties for retirement to
arbitration of grave questions between ma
tions. This Government has assented to the
proposed negotiation Of such treaty with
Switzerland Under the treaty of Berlin
liberty Of conscience and civil rights are as
sured 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 opin-
ion, maintain diplomatic representation at
Sofia, for the Improvement of intercourse
and the proper protection Of 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 cap
ital.
The United States are now participating
in revision Of the tariffs of the Ottoman
Empire. They have assented to the appl-
cation Of license tax to foreigners doing
business in Turkey, but have opposed the
oppressive storage tax upon petroleum en-
tering the ports of that country.
The Government of the Khedive has pro-
posed that the authority of the mixed Judi
cial tribunals in Egypt be extended SO us 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
the commission appointed to review the
whole subject.
RELATIONS WITH MEXlcO.
-, ,at,na,l h;.,o,,- ba.
there been more manifest need Of close and
lasting relations with neighborng State
than now exists with respect to Mexico.
The rapid influx Of our capital and enter
prise into that country shows by what has
already been accomplished, the vast recpro-
cal advantages which must attend the pro
gress Of its internal development. The
treaty of commerce and navigation Of 1913
has been terminated by the Mexican Gov
ernment, and in the absence of conventional
engagements the rights Of our citizens in
Mexico now depend upon the domestic stat
utes Of that Republic. There have been in
stances of harsh enforcement of the laws
against our vessels and citizens in Mexico,
and of denial of the diplomatic resort for
their protection. The initial step toward a
better understanding has been taken in the
negotiations by the commission authorized
by Congress of treaty which is still before
the Senate awaiting its approval.
The provisions for the reciprocal crossing
Of the frontier by troops in pursuit of hos
tile Indians have been prolonged for anoth
er year. The operations of the forces of
both governments against the savages have
been successful and several of their most
dangerous bands been captured or dispersed
By the skill and valor of the United States
and American soldiers fighting in a common
cause
The convention for re-survey of the
boundary from the Rio Grande TO the Pa
cifc having been ratified and exchanged.
preliminary reconnaissance therein s,ipulat-
ed has been effected. 1t now rests with
Congress to make provision for completing
the survey and relocating the boundary non
uments. A convention was signed with
Mexico on July l3, 1882, providing for re-
hearing the cases Of Benz. We'll and the
Abra Silver Mining Co.. in whose favor
awards were made by the late American and
Mexican Claims Commission. That conven
tlon still awaits the consent Of the Senate.
Meanwhile because of charges Of fraudu-
lent awards which have made a new com
mission necessary, the Executive has direct
ed the suspension of payments of the dis
tributive quota received from Mexico. Our
geographical proximity to Central America
and our political aud commercial relation,
with the States Of that country justify, in
my judgment, such a material increase of
our consular corps as will place at each cap
ital consul general.
THE CONTEST BETWEEN BOLIVIA, CHILL AND
PERT.
The contest between Bolivia, Chill and
Peru, has passed from the stage of sirafege,-
ic hostilities 10 that of negotiation, in which
the counsels Of this government have been
exercised. The demands Of Chill for al
solute session Of territory have been main
tained and accepted by the party Of General
lglesias 10 the extent of concluding a treaty
Of peace with the Government OF Chill III
general conformity with the terms Of the
protocol signed in MAY last, between the
Chilan commander and General Iglesias
has been formally recognized by Chill as
President of Peru. and his government in
stalled at Lima which has been evacuated
By Chilans. A call has been issued b, Gen
eral lglesias for a representative assembly
10 be elected on the 18th of January, and to
meet at Lima on the Isl of March next
Meanwhile. the provisional Government of
General lglesias has applied for recognition
to the principal powers Of America and Eu-
rope. When the will of the Peruvian peo-
pie shall be manifested, shall not hesitate
TO recognize the Government approved BY
them.
OUR RELATIONS WITH VENEZUELA
Diplomatic and naval representatives Of
this Government attended al Caracas the
Centennial celebration Of the birth of the
illustrious Bolivar. At the same time the
Inauguration Of the statue Of Washington
in the Venezuelan capital testified to the
veneration in which his memory is held
Then Congress at its last session authorized
the Executive to propose to the Venezuelan
Government reopening of the awards Of
the mixed commission of Caracas The de-
parture from this country of the Venezuelan
Minister has DELAYED the opening Of nego-
tiatlons for reylving the commission. This
Government holds that until the establish
ment Of treaty upon this subject the Ven
eZuelan Government must continue to make
the payments provided in the convention of
1866. There is ground for believing that
the dispute growing out OF the unpaid obi
cations due from Venezuela to France will
be satisfactorily adjusted The French cab
met has proposed basis Of settlement
which meets my approval but it involves
a recasting Of the annual quotas of the for
eign debt it has been deemed advisable to
submit the proposal to the judgment Of the
Cabinet of Berlin, Copenhagen, The Hague,
London and Madrid.
HAWAII, PERSIA, SIAM AND CoREAN GOVERN
At the recent coronation of His Maiest,
King kalakaua, this government was rep
resented both deplomatically and by the
formal visit of vessel of war. The ques-
tion Of terminating or modifying the exist
ing reciprocity treaty with Hawaii Is new
before Congress. l am convinced that the
charges of abuse and frauds under that
treaty, have been exaggerated and renew
the suggestion of last years message, that
the treaty be modified wherever It's provis-
ions have proved onerous TO the legitimate
trade between the two countries; am not
Al