Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-12-11
The Last General Communication
Of President Arthur to
Congress-.
A Review of Our Domestic and Foreign
Relations and of Our More
Pressing Needs.
The President Expresses His Sense
of Obligation to All Parties
For Their Support.
WASHINGTON, d. c., December l.

American people IN lHt tAtlStSt " thNLi
highest right of suffrage have chosen their
Chief MAGISTRATE for the four, years ensuing.
When it is ememheredt that at no period the
-country's history has the long political con
test which CustOnlariiy prectdes the day OF the
National election been waged with greater
fervor ana intensity, 1t IN Il subject OF con
graduation that after the controversy at the
polls was over, and while the slight prepon-
derance by which the issue had been deter
mined was as Yet uniscertained, the pubic
peace suffered no disturbance, but the PEG
pie everywhere patiently and quietly await
ed the result. Nothing could more strlkit%-
ly Illustrate the temper of the American citi-
zen, his love Of order, ana his ioHtIty 10 law.
Nothing could more signally demonstrate
the strength and wisdom OF our political IN
etitutionS.
THE ELECTORAL VOTE.
Eight years have passed since a con,
troYtrSy concerning the result Oh II Natlonat
election sharply called the attention OF Con
definite regulations FOR the counting OF the
Il is Of the gravest importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims
to the Presidency shall again distress tie
country and 1 am persna led that ny the
people ut large any OF tht measures OF Ieiiei
thus far proposed would De preferred TO con
tiuued inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers CON
time to b" anIGabie. With b. l%iufn Il CON
Nentinn hae been signed whereby the scope
OF tht present treaties has teen so enlarged
as to secure to the citizens of either country
within the jurisdiction of the other equal
rights and privileges. In the acquisition anu
alienation of property a trade mark treaty
has also been concluded The war between
Chill and Peru is al an end. For the arbitra-
tion OF the claims OF American citizens. who,
during its continuance, suffered through the
acts OF the CHILEAN authorities, Il convention
will soon be negotiated.
CHINA.
The state OF hostiiities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese
Government has promptly adjusted and paid
the claims of American citizens, whose prop
.erty was destroyed in the recent riots at
Canton renew tlp recon EnllfIOn OF INV
last annual message, that the Canton m
demnity fund be returnedto China. The
true Interpretation of the recent treaty with
that country, permitting the restriction OF
Chinese Immigration. is likely 10 be again
the subject OF your deliberations. 1t may be
seriously questioned whether the statute
passed mt the last session does not violate
the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left
this country with return certificates valid
under the old law and now seem to be de
barred from landing from lack OF certificates
required by the new. The recent purchase
by the United states of Il large trading fleet
heretofore under the Chinese flag has con-
.siderably enhanced our commercial inn
portance in the East. In view OF
the large number of vessels built
or purchased by American citizens in
other countries and exclusively employed in
legitimate traffic between foreign ports un-
der the recognized protection of our flag, it
might be well 10 provide q uniform rate Tor
their registration INSTRUMENTATION, so that
therein shall be duly evidenced and properly
guarded.
THE CoNGo COUNTRY.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the
Hast session, | recognized the flag OF the In
ternational Association of the Congo as that
of Il friendly Government, Avoiding in so DO
ing any prejudgment of conflict. In the ter
ritoriai claims in that region subsequently,
in execution of the expressed wish OF Con
gress, appointed a commercial agent for
the Congo basin, The importance OF the rich
prospective trade OF the Congo Valley has led
to Il general conviction that it should be
open to all nations upon equal terms. An
international Conference for the considera-
ton OF this subject WIS called by the EIlner-
or of Germany, and Is now in session ut Ber-
lin. Delegates are in attendance on behalf
of the United states. OF the results of the
conference, you will be duly advised.
LEGATION PREMISE IN THE EAST.
The Government of COrea has generously
aided the efforts of the United states Minis
ter to secure suitable premises for the use OF
the legation. As.the conditions of the diplo-
matte intercourse with the East
lern nations demand THAT the legation
premises be owned by the repre-
Scented power, l advise that an appropriation
be made for the acquisition of this property
by the Government The United states al
ready possesses valuable premises at Tan
giers as Il gift from the sultan of Morocco. As
is stated hereafter, they have lately received
II similar gift FROM the siaInese Government.
The Government of Japan stands ready ia
sell to US extensive grounds at Toxic where.
in to erect Il suitable building for the leIa.
ton, Court house and jail; and similar priv.
iiereS can probably he secured in China and
Persia. The owning of such premises would
not only affect Il large saving of present
rentals, out would permit OF the due asser
ton of extra territorial rights in these coun,
tries, and would the better serve to maintain
the dignity OF the United states.
EGYPT.
The failure of Congress to make an appro.
priation for our representative at the Auton.
-OInouS Court of the khediye has proved {
serious embarrassment in our intercourse
with Egypt; and in view of the necessary IN
timacy OF the diplomatic relationship due t.
the participation of this Government rs ont
OF the treaty powers in all matters of admin
istration there affecting the rights of for
eigners, l advise the restoration OF the agenc,
and Consul General at Cairo on its for1nel
basis. l do not conceive it to be the wish o
draw altogether from the honorable position
they have hitherto held with respect to tn,
khedive, or that citizens of this Republic re
siding or soiourning in Egypt should hereaf
ter be without the aid and protection of
competent representative.
THE STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial rela
tionShip continues. The BarthoIdi Statue o
Liberty enlightening the world, the generou
gift of the people of France, is expected t.
reach New York in May next. suggest tina
Congressional action be taken in relation t.
the spirit which has p~rompted this gift, ant
in aid of the timely completion of the pedes
tai upon which it is to be placed.
GERMANY.
Our relations with Germany, a countrr
winch contributes to our own some of tin
best elements of citizenship, continues Il
be cordial. The United states have OK
tradition treaties with several OF the Ger
federation of these states under the I'm
perial rule, the application of such trea
ties is not rs uniform ana comprehen
Siye rs the interests of the two cOuntrie
require. propose, therefore,, to open ne
gotiations for Il single convention of ex
tradition to embrace all the territory of til
Empire.
ESGLASD.
It affords me pleasure to say that our in
tercourse with Great Britain continues t.
be of Il most friendly character.
HAWAII
The Government of Hawaii has Indicate
its Willingness 70 continue for seven wear
the provisions of the existing reciprocit
trpntE SuCh continuance in view nF RI
relations Of that country to the America
system OF states should. in my judgment, b
favored.
HAYTI.
The revolution In iiayti against the estat
Gshed Government has terminated. Whil
IL. was in progress & became necessary {
enforce oTr neutrality laws by institutln
proceedings against individuals and YES
seis charged with their infringement. Thes
rn Lnn Tan ru-r.I l.. LII nu..-