Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-05
ARTHUR'S MESSAGE.
LEGISLATION RECONINTENDED
ON PAUPER IMMIGRATION.
Cuba Expected to Pay the Claims Held
Against Her-StrOng Measures Advo-
Gated in the Fight Against Mormon
ism - Reduction of the Postage on
Drop Letters Advocated

10 tie Congress Of tie United States: At
the threshold OF your deliberations l con-
graduate you upon the favorable aspect of the
uomesuc and foreign affairs of this govern
ment. Our relations with other countries
continue to be upon friendly footing.
Win the Argentine Republic. Austria Bel
gum, Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy. SantO
domingo and Sweden and Norway no incident
mas occurred which calls for special comment
The recent opening of new lines of telegraphic
communication with Central America and
Brazll permitted the interchange of messages
ol friendship with the governments of those
During the year there have been perfected
ana proclaimed consular and commercial
treaties with Seryia and a consular
treaty with Roumania, thus extend
ing our intercourse with the Danubian
countries, while our eastern relations have
been put upon a wider basis bv the treaties of
COrea and Madagascar, the new boundary
survey treaty with Mexico, Trades Mark
convention and supplementary treaty Of ex-
tradition with Spain and conventions extend
ing the duration of the Franco American
Claims Commission have also been proclaim
ed. Notice of the termination of the fisheries
articles OF the treaty of Washington was duly
gwen TO the British Government. and the re-
clprOcal privileges and eNemDtiOns of the
treaty will, accordingly, cease on July /. 1885
Inc lsherles industries pursued by.R numer-
ous class OF our citizens on the northern coasts
both OF the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are
worthy OF the fostering care of Congress When
ever brought into competition with the like
industries of other countries our fishermen as
Wen as manufacturers of fishing appliances
ana preparers of fish products have main
Ialneu a foremost place. i suggest that Con-
gfess create commission to consider the gem
eral question Of our rights in the fisheries,
ana the means OF opening to our citizens, un-
def Just ana enduring conditions, the richly
stocked fishing waters and sealing grounds
of British North America.
PAUPER IMMIGRATION.
y question has arisen touching the deporta-
ton to the United States from the British
Islands by governmental or municipal aid of
persons unable there to gain a living, and
equally burden on the community here.
such OF these persons as fall under the pauper
class, as defined by 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 to prevent these Objectionable
visitors from coming hither with
out guarantee Of support by their
relatives in this country. The
action Of the British authorities in apply
Ing measures for relief has, however. in SO
many cases proved Intellectual, and especially
so in certain recent instances of needy emi-
grants reaching our territory through Cana
ia. that revision of our legislation upon this
subject may bedeemed advisable. Correspond -
ence relative to the Clayton Bulwer treaty
has been continued, and will be laid before
Congress.
The legislation of France against the impor-
tatlon of prepared swine products from the
hlleu states has been repealed. That result
Is uue no less 10 the friendly representations
OF tins government than TO Il growing couyic-
ton IN France that the restriction was not
demanded by any real danger to health.
Germany still prohibits the introduction of
all swine products from America. / extended
to the Imperial Government a friendly inyi-
tatlon TO send experts to the United States to
inquire whether the use of those products
was dangerous to health. This invitation
was declined. have believed il of such i'm
pOrtance, however, that exact facts should
be learned and promulgated. that have ap-
pointed competent commission TO make a
thorough investigation sOf the subject. Its
members have shown their public spirit bv
accepting their trust without pledge Of com
pensatlOu; but / trust Congress will see in
the national and internal bearings of the
matter motive fer providing at least for re-
endorsement of such expenses as they may
necessarily incur.
The coronation of the Car at
Moscow afforded TO this government an
occasion Tor testifying its continued friend
snip by sending a special envoy and repre-
sentative of the navy to attend the ceremony.
While there have arisen during the year no
grave questions affecting the status i'm the
Russian Empire Of American citizens of other
faith than that held by them, this government
remains firm IN It's conviction that the rights
of its citizens abroad should be in no wise
affected by their religious belief.
CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
1t is understood that measures for the re-
our trade with Cuba and Porto Rico are under
consideration by the Spanish Government.
The proximity of Cuba to the United States,
and the peculiar methods of administration
which there prevail, necessitate constant dis
cussiOn and appeal on our part from the
proceedings of the msular authorities.
regret to say the just protests of this govern =
ment have not as yet produced satisfactory
results. The commission appointed to decide
certain claims of our citizens against the
spanish Government after the recognition of
a satisfactory rule as 10 the validity and force
of naturalization in the United States, has
finally adjourned. Some of its awards
though, made more than two years ago, have
not vet been paid. Their speedy payment is
expected. Claims to a large amount. which
were held bv the late commission to be with
out its jurisdiction. have been automatically
presented to the Spanish Government As
the action of the colonial authorities,
which has given rise to these
Claims was admittedly illegal.
full reparation for the injury sustained by our
citizens should be no longer delayed.
The case of the Masonic has not
reached @anrt ba settle settlement. Mat The The
proceedings Of which this government has
complained were unauthorized. and it is hoped
that the government of Spain Will not with
hold the speedy reparatton which its sense of
Justice should Impel an Oiier for the unusual
severity and unjust action of its subordinate
colonial officers in the case of this vessel.
The Helvetian Confederation has proposed
the inauguration or q class Ol international
treaties for the referment to arbitration of
grave questions between nations. This gov
ernment has assented to the proposed nego-
tIatiOn 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
a diplomatic repres .ntation at Sofia for the
Improvement of intercourse and the proper
protection of the many American citizens
who resort to that country as missionaries and
teachers. | suggest that l be given authority
to establish an agency and Consulate General
at the Bulgarian capital.
The United states are now participating in
a revision of the tariffs of the Ottoman En-
pire. They have assented to the application
of license tax to foreigners doing business IN
Turkey. but have opposed the oppressive stor-
age 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 triable before consular
courts This government is not lndspOsed to
accept the change, but believe that its terms
should be submitted for criticism to the COM
mission appointed to revise the whole sub
ject.
NEED FOR FRIENDLINEsS WITH MEXICO.
AT no time IN our national history has there
been more manifest need of close and lasting
relations with a neighbOring State than now
exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid in
fluN of our capital and enterprise into that
country shows. by what has already been ac-
cOmplished. the vast reciprocal advantages
which must attend the progress of its inter
nal development. The treaty of commerce
and navigation OF 1918 has been terminated by
the Mexican government, and in the absence
of conventional engagements, the rights of
our citizens in Mexico now depend upon the
domestic statutes of that Republic. There have
been instances of harsh enforcement of the
law against our vessels and citizens in MeXi-
co. and of denial of the diplomatic resort for
their protection. The initial step toward a
better understanding has been taken in the
negotiation by the commission authorized by
Congress Of a treaty which is still before the
Senate awaiting its approval. The provisions
for the reciprocal crossing of the frontier by
the troops in pursuit of hostile Indians
have been prolonged for another year.
The operations of the forces OF
both governments against these
savages have been successful, and several OF
their most dangerous bands have been cap
tured or dispersed by the skill and valor OF
the United States and Mexican soldiers fight
ing in a common cause. The convention for the
resurvey Ofthe boundary from the Rio Grande
TO the Pacific having been ratified and eX-
changed, the preliminary reconnaissance
therein stipulated has been therein effected. II
now rests with Congress to make pro-
vision for completing the survey
and relocating the boundary Monuments
A convention was signed with Mexico on July
L. 1882 providing for the rehearing of the
cases of benjamin We'll and the Abra Silver
Mining Company, in whose favor awards were
made bv the late American and Mexican
Claims Commission. That convention still
awaits the consent of the Senate. Meanwhile
because of those charges Of fraudulent awards
which have made a new commission neces-
sary, the Executive has directed the suspen-
sion of payments of the distributive quota re-
ceived from Mexico.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
Our geographical proximity to Central
America and our political and commercial re-
latiOns with the States of that country justify
in my judgment such a material increase Of
our Innsnlar cnrns as will rnlncn ut aach mi