Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-12-04
4 c1N1t- RAu.wAY AND rElEGRArR.

a part Of the projected enterprise This covers
for actual canal purposes seventeen miles on the
Pacific side, and thirty-six miles on the Atlantic
20 the United States whose rich territory on the
Pacific is fer the ordinary purposes of commerce
practically cut of from communication by the
water with the Atlantic ports. The political and
commercial advantages OF such a project can
scarcely be over estimated. II IS believed that
when the treaty is laid before you the justice and
liberaliJy Of It's provisions will command uni
versal approval at home and abroas.
The death of our representative at Russia,
while at his post at st. Petersburg afforded 70 the
imperial government renewed opportunity 10
testify its sympathy in manner BETTING the
intimate friendliness which has ever marked the
intercourse Of the two countries.
The course OF this government in raising its
representative at Bangkok 10 the diplomatic rank
has evoked from Siam evidences OF warm friend
ship and augurs well for our enlarged interior.
The Siamese government has presented to the
United States a commodious mansion and grounds
for the occupancy Of the legation, and suggest
that by joint resolution congress attest its appre
citation Of this generous gift.
SPAIN.
This government has more than once been
called OF late TO take action in fuiltllments Of
international obligation toward Spain agitation
in the island Of Cuba hostile 30 the Spanish crown
having been fermented by persons abusing the
sacred rights Of hospitality which our territory
affords, The officers Of the government have
been instructed TO exercise vigilance 10 prevent
attractions of our neutrality laws at Key West
and other parts near the Cuban coast, / am
happy to say that in only one instance where
these precautionary measures were successfully
eluded tho offenders, when found Ia orr territory
were subsequently tried and convicted The
growing need Of a close relationship OF inter-
course and traffic between the Spanish antilles
and their natural market In the United States has
LED 70 the adoption ~ January last OF COM
mercal agreement looking to thHt end
This agreement has been superseded by more
carefully framed and comprehensive convention,
which shall submit TO the senate for approval
1t has been the aim Of the negotiation to open
such favored reciprocal exchange OF production
Carried under the flag OF either country. as TO
make intercourse between Cuba and Porte Rico
and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the com
mercal movement In our domestic ports and To in
sure the removal Of the burdens on shipping in the
Spanish ldias of which in the past our ship
owners and snip masters have SO often had cause
10 complain.
The negotiation of this convention has for
time, postponed the prosecution OF certain
claims Of our citizens which were declared 10 be
without the jurisdiction Of the late Spanish
American claims commission, and which we,
therefore, RENTED 20 diplomatic channels for
adjustment. The speedy settlement Of these
claims will now be urged by this government.
Negotiations for treaty of commercial recip-
rocity with the Dominican republic have been
successfully concluded and the result will shortly
be laid before the senate. Cert in questions be-
tween the United States and the Ottoman EN-
pire still remain unsolved. Complaints in be
half Of our citizens are not satisfactorily adjust
ed. The Porte has sought TO withhold from our
commerce the right Of favored treatment TO
which we are entitled by existing conventional
accomplished
The final disposition Of pending questions with
Venezuela has not as yet been reached but have
good reason to expect an early settlement. which
viii provide the means Of re-eXamining the Ca'a-
cas- awards, in conformity with the expressed de
sire Of congress, and which will recognize the jus
tice OF certain claims preferred against Venezuela
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN Confession
appointed by authority Of the act Of congress Of
July, 1894 Will soon proceed To Mexico II has
been furnished with instructions which will be
laid before you. They contain a statement OF the
general policy of the government for charging
its commercial intercourse with American
states The commissioners have been actively
preparing for their responsible task by ho ing
conferences in the prucipalites with merchants
and others Interested in Central and South Amer
lean trade
INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CONFERENCE
Lately convened in Washington .upoa the in
vtation on the part Of the United Statet was com
posed OF representatives from twenty-five ma
tons The conference concluded its labors on
the first of November. Having with substantial
unsutmity agreed upon the Meridian OF Green
wich this starting point whence longitude is
90 be computed through 100 degrees eastward
and westward, aud M on the adoption for all pur
poses for which IL may be found convenient OF a
universal day, which shall begin at midnight and
whose hours shall be counted from zero up 20 ~
The formal report of the transactions OF tins con
ference viii toe e-atter transmitted TO con
gress
This government is in frequent receipt of iuvi-
tatons from foreign states TO participate in
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
often Of great interest and Importance Occupy
ing, as we do, an advanced position IN the worlds
production. and aiming to secure a profitable
Share for our Industries in the general compete
tive markets. il is matter of serious concern
that the want of means for participation in these
exhibits should so often exclude our producers
from the advantages enjoyed 10y those Of other
countries, During the past year the attention of
congress was drawn TO the formal invitations ia
this reea d rendered hy the governments of Eng
lspl anvu mud Attefr
The executive has in some instances appointed
honorary commissioners, This Is, however, a
most unsatisfactory eXpedieut for without some
provision 70 meet the necessary working expenses
of a commission, It can effect little or nothi K in
behalf of exhibitors,
An international inventors exhibition is to be
held In Lon on next May. This will cover a field
of special importance in when our country holds
foremost RAM. But the executive is AT present
poweress TO organize a oper representation of
our vast national interests in thus direction. |
have IN several previous messages referred TO this
subject. IL seems 20 me that statute giving TO
the executive general discretionary authority u
q cept such invitations and to appoint honorary
commissioners without a salary, and placing at
the disposal of the secretary Of state small
fund for defraying their reasonable expenses
would be Of great public utility.
COLLISIONS AT SEA.
This government has received official notice
that the revised intei national regulations for pre-
venting collisions at sea. have been adopted b, all
the ieading maritime powers except the United
states, ana came INTO force on the rTSt OF Septci-
her last. For the Que protection of our shipping
interests, the provisions OF our statutes should at
o"ce be brought into proper relations with these
regulations
The question OF securing to authors, composers
artists
COPY RIGHT PRIVILEGES
In this country. in return for reciprocal rights
abroad as one that may justly challenge your At
lenton. II is true that a convention will be nee
essary for fully accomplishing this result, but
oil congress shall fix the tent TO which foreign
holders Of copyright shall be here privileged, 10
has been deemed iuadviSabie to negotiate such
convention for this reason
Ike United States were not represented at
THIS RECENT CONFERENCE AT BERSE
recommend that the scope Of nuetrality laws
OF the United States be SO enlarged as 10 cover all
patent ACES Of hostility committed in our terri.
tory, and aimed against the peace OF a friendly
nation. Existing statutes prohibit the httin- out
ct ARMED eXped tons, and restrict the Shipn
OF explosives though euactmeuts In the latter
respect We're not framed With regard 10 interuA-
uoual obligations but simply for protection OF
passenger travel, an these statutes q meet spec
AL emergencies that have already ar sen other
emergencies have arisen since modern ngeuui
" supplies means for organization Of losti'iurs
without upen resort TO armed vessels or TO fill
clustering parties | see no reason why overt
preparations In this country for he commission
OF criminal acts such here under cons idera-