The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-10

\ IN China and Persia The Ownl2i
of such premises would not only e
feet a large saving of the presen
rentals, but would permit of tneda
assertion of extra territorial rights il
those countries, and would thu
better serve to maintain the dignit
Of the United States.
THE DUTY on ART WORKS.
Much anxiety has lately been dis
played by various European gov
ernments, and especially by th
Government of Italy, for the aboli
ton of our import duties upol
works of art 1t Is well to conside
whether the present discrimination
in favor of the productions OF Amer
lean artists abroad Is not likely 4
result, as they themselves seem yer,
generally to 5elieye it may, in tn
practical exclusion of our painter
and seulptors from the rich field:
for observation, study and labo
which they have hitherto enjoyed
1 There is q prospect that the long
pending revision of the foreign treat
les of Japan may be concluded az ;
new conference to be held at Toxic
While this Government fully reeos,
nizes the equal and independent
station of Japan in the community
of nations, it would not oppose the
general adoption OF such terms oi
compromise as Japan may be dis.
posed to offer in furtherance Of a
uniform policy Of intercourse with
I Western nations.
/ During the past year the increas-
ing good viii between our own Gov
ernment and that OF Mexico has
been variously manifested. The
treaty OF commercial reciprocity con
eluded January 20, 1888. has been
ratified, and awaits the necessary
tariff legislation of Congress to be-
come effective.
This legislation viii. | doubt not,
be among the first measures to claim
your attention 4 full treaty. of
commerce, navigation and consular
rights is much 10 be desired, and
such a treaty | have reason to be-
lieve that the Mexican Government
stands ready TO conclude. Some
embarrassment has been oecasioned
by the failure Of Congress al It's last
session to provide means for the
due execution of the treaty Of July
%, 1882, fer the re-survey of the
Mexican boundary and The re-loea-
ton Of boundary monuments.
TIE NICARAGUAS CANAL.
With the Republic of Nicaragua a
treaty has been concluded which
authorizss the construction by the
United States of a canal. railway
and telegraph line across the Mica
ragua territory. By the terms Of
this treaty sixty miles of the river
San Juan, Is well as Lake Nicarag-
ia, an inland sea forty miles in
width, are to constitute a part OF the
projected enterprise.
This leaves for actual canal con-
struciiOn seventeen miles on the Pa
cific side and thirty-six miles on the
Atlantic To the United States
whose rich territory on the Pacific
is for ordinary purposes of commerce
practically cut of from communica-
ton by water with the Atlantic
ports. the political and commercial
advantages OF such a project can
scarcely be oyerestimated. 1t is be-
lieved that when the treaty IS laid
before you the Justice and liberality
Of It's provisions viii command uni
versal approval at home and abroad.
The death Of our representative to
Russia, while at his post at 81. Pet
ersburg. afforded TO the Imperial
Government renewed opportunity
TO testify It's sympathy in a manner
beiitting the intimate friendllness
which has ever marked the inter
course of the two countries.
The course of this Government in
raising its representative at Bangkok
to the diplomatic rank has evoked
from Siam evidence of warm friend
ship and augurs well for our en-
larged intercourse. The Siamese
Government has presented 10 the
United States a commodious man
sion and grounds for the occupancy
of the legation and | suggest that by
Joint resolution Congress attests It's
appreciation Of this generous gift.
AGAINST THE DYNAMITERs.
l recon- mend that the scope OF
the neutrality laws of the United
States be so enlarged as to cover all
patent acts OF hospitality committed
in our territory and aimed against
the peace OK a friendly nation. Ex-
isting statutes prohibit the fitting
out OF armed expeditions and re-
strict the shipment OF. explosives,
though the enactments IN the latter
respect were not framed with regard
to international obligations, but sim
pig for the protection Of passenger
travel. All these statutes were IL
tended to meet special emergencies
that had already arisen Other
emergencies have arisen since, and
modern ingenuity supplies means
for the organization OF hostilities
without open resort 10 armed vessels
or to filibustering parties.
see no reason why overt prepa-
rations in this country for the com
mission OF criminal acts, such as are
here under consideration should not
be alike punishable whether such
acts are intended to be committed in
our own country or IN q foreign
country with which We are at peace.
The prompt and thorough treatment
of this question Is one which inIi-
mately concerns the national honor.
NATURALIZATION LAWS
Our existing naturalization laws
also need revision These sections
relating to persons residing within
the limits OF the United States in
1875 and 179S have DOW only an his
torical interest. Section 2172, recog-
nizing the citizenship OF the children
of naturalized parents, is ambiguous
in its terms and partly obsolete.
There are special provisions Of law
farnrinr the naturalization of those