The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-02
Relations with Foreign Countries.

Our relations with all foreign powers continue
to be amicable. With Belgium, a convention
has been signed whereby the scope of present
treaties has been so enlarged as to give citizens
of either country within the jurisdiction of the
other equal rights and privileges in the acquisi
tion and alienation of property. A trademark
treaty has also been concluded.
The war between Chill and Peru is at an end.
For the arbitration of the claims of American
citizens who during its continuance, suffered
through the acts of the Chilian authorities, a
convention will soon be negotiated.
The state of hostilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feature of
our Eastern relations. The Chimes government
has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of
American citizens whose property was destroyed
in the recent riots at Canton. l renew the
recommendation of my last annual message,
that the Canton indemnity fund be returned to
China. The true Interpretation of the recent
treaty with that country, permitting the restric-
ton of Chinese immigration is likely to be
again a subject of your deliberations. 1t may
be seriously questioned whether the statute
passed at 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 who now seem debarred from land
ing from lack of the certificates required by the
new
The recent purchases by the United States of
large trading fleet heretofore under the
Chinese flag has considerably enhanced
our commercial Importance in the East
In view of the large number of
vessel built or purchased by American citizens
in other countries and exclusively employed in
legitimate traffic between foreign ports, under
the recognized protection of flag. it might be
well to provide uniform rate for their regstra-
ton and Recommendation, so that the bona fide
property rights of our citizens therein shall be
1r1ty ovid DaaAa md rlv dad
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the
last session. recognized the flag of the Interna-
tional Association of the Congo as that of a
friendly government avoiding in so doing any
prejudgment of conflict IN territorial claims in
that region, Subsequently,, in execution of the
expressed wish of the Congress, l appointed a
commercial agent for the Congo basin. The i'm
portance of the rich prospective trade of the
Congo valley has led to a general conviction that
it should be open to all nations upon equal terms
An international conference for consideration of
this subject, called by the Emperor of Germany
is now in session at Berlin. Delegates are in at
tendance on behalf of the United States. Of the
results of the conference you will be duly ad-
vised.
The government of Corea has generously aided
the efforts of the United States minister to Sc
cure suitable premises for the use of the lega-
tion. AS condition of diplomatic intercourse
with Eastern nations they demand that the le-
cation premises be owned by the represented
power and l advise that appropriation be
made for the acquisition OF the property by the
government. The United States already pos
sesses valuable premises at Tangier as gift from
the Sultan of Morocco 1t is stated hereafter
that they have received a similar gift from the
Siamese government; the government of Japan
stands ready to sell to us extensive grounds at
Toxic, whereon to erect a suitable building for
the legation a court house and jail; and
similar privileges can probably be secured in
China and Persia The owning of such premises
would not only effect large saving of the pres
ent rentals, but would permit of the due asser-
ton of extraterrtorial rights in those coun-
tries, and would the better serve to maintain the
dignity of the United States.
The failure of Congress to make appropria-
tion for our representation at the autonomous
court of the Khedive has proved serious EN-
barrassment in our intercourse with Egypt
and in view of the necessary intimacy of
diplomatic relationship due to the participation
| of this government as one of the treaty powers
| in all matters of Administration there, affecting
the rights of foreigners, advise restoration of
| the agency and consulate general at Caro- on
its former basis LIDO not conceive it to be the
wish of Congress that the United States should
withdraw altogether from the honorable posi-
! ton they have hitherto held with respect to the
Khedive or that citizens of this Republic resid
| ing or sojournIng in Egypt, should hereafter be
without the aid and protection of a competent
representative,
| With France the traditional cordial relation
! ship continues. Liberty Enlightening the