The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05

reciprocity with the Dominican Republic
have been sue 20 ,sfully concluded, and the
result will shortly be laid before the SEN
ate.
RELATIONS WITH THE PORTE.
Certan questions between the un.;oi
States nm the Ottoman Empire still re-
maip unsolved. Complaints In behalf of
ON our citlz ms are not satisfactorily adjusted.
Inc Porte has sought to withhold from our
commerce the right of favored treatment
to which we are entitled by existing cou-
vent Onal stipulation, and the revision Of
the tariffs Is unaccOmplished.
THE CARACAS AWARDS.
The final disposition of pending ques-
tons with Venezuela has not as yet been
reached, bit l have good reason to expect
means of rc-eXamining the Caracas award.
in conformity with the expressed desire OF
! Congress and which will recognize the Jus
tice of certain claims preferred against
| Venezuela.
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN COM
MISSION,
appointed by authority of the act of July !.
| 1884, will so III proceed to Mexico. 1t has
| been furnished with instructions which will
| be laid before you. They contain state
ment for enlarging its commercial inter-
course witt American States. The Com
III sSiOners have been actively preparing for
their responsible task by holding confer
enc in the principal cities with merchants
and othe!S interested in Central and South
| Amer can trade.
THE INTERNATIONAL. MERIDIAN CONFER
ENCE,
lately convened in Washington upon the in
yltation of the Government Of the United
| States, was composed of representatives
from Twenty-Five nations. The conference
), concluded lis bors on the lSt of Novem-
! ber, having with substantial unanimity
/ agreed nnou fhn marilian nf (,raanyial "A
the starting point whence longitude is to be
| computed, through $50 degrees eastward
and westward, and upon the adoption, for
all purposes for which it may be found con-
| gin at midnight on the initial meridian, and
whose hours Shall be counted from zero up
! to twenty-f0ur Tne formal report of Che
| transactions of this conference will be here
| after transmitted to Congress.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
This Government is in frequent receipt of
invitations from foreign states to partici-
pate in international exhibitions, often of
great interest and Importance. Occupying,
as we do, an advanced position in the
worlds production, and aiming to secure "
profitable share for our industries in the
general competitive markets, it Is matter
of serious concern that the want of means
for participation in these exhibits should SO
often exclude our producers from advan-
tagcs enjoyed by those Of other countries
NtilllS luO pdSI ycdI uc utGtutlOIl vi
Congress was drawn TO the formal invita-
tiOns in this regard rendered by the Govern
ments of England, Holland Belgium, Ger
many and Austria. The Executive has in
some instances appointed honorary CON-
missioners. This is, however, o most I'M
satisfactory expedient, for without some
provision to meet the necessary working
expenses of commission, it can effect lit
tie or nothing in behalf of exhibitors.
An international inventors exhibition is
to be held in London next May. This will
cover field of special importance, in which
our country holds foremost rank; but the
executive Is at present pOwerless to organ
ize proper representation of our vast ma
several previous messages referred to this
subject. 1t seems to me that a statute, Civ
ing to the executive general discretionary
authority to accept such invitations, and
out salary, and placing at the disposal of
the Secretary of State q small fund for de-
fraying their rcas enable expenses, would be
OF great public ity.
COLLISIONS At SEA.
The Government has received official no.
t1ce that the revised international regula.
tions for preventing collisions at sea have
been adopted by all the leading maritime
powers except tie United States, and came
into force OH the 1sG of September last. For
the due prOttcion OF our shipping inter-
ests, the provisions of our statutes should
these regulations
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
The question of securing to authors, com-
posers and artists copyright privileges in
this country, in return for reciprocal rights
abroad, is one that may justly challenge
your attention. 1t is true that conventions
will be necessary for fully accomplishing
this result. But until Congress shall BY
statute fix the extent to which foreign hold
ers of copyright shall be here privileged, it
has been deemed inadvisable to negotiate
such conventions. For this reason the Unit
ed States were not represented at the re-
cent conference at Bernc.
NEUTRALITY LAWS.
l recommend that the scope of the nett
trality laws of the United States be so en-
larged as to cover all patent acts of hostili-
ty committed in our territory and aimed
against the peace of a friendly nation. EX-
isting statutes prohibit the fitting out of an
expedition and restrict the shipments Of ex-
plOsives, though the enactments in the lat
ter respect were not framed with regard to
international obligations, but simply for the
protection of passenger travel. All these
statutes were intended to meet special
emergencies that had already. arisen. Other
emergencies have arisen since and modern
ingenuity supplies means for the Organiza-
tion of hostllities without open resort to
armed vessels, or to fiibustering parties. i
see no reason why overt preparations in
this country for the commission 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 foreign country
with which we are at peace. The prompt
and thorough treatment OF this question is
one which Intimately concerns the national
honor.
NATURALIZATI0N.
Our existing naturalization laws also need
revision Those sections relating to per-
sons residing within the limits of the Unit
ed States within 1895 and 1873 have now on
ly historical interest. Section 2,172, rec
Ognizing the citizenship Of the children of
naturalzed parents Is ambiguous in its
terms and partly obsolete. There are spec
ial provisions of law favorng the natuiali-
zation of those who serve In the army or In
merchant vessels, while no similar privi-
leyes are granted those who serve In the
navy or marine corps. An uniform rule of
naturalization such as the Constitution con-
templates should, among other things,
clearly define the statue of persons born
within the United States, subject to for
cisn power (Sec. 1,9aa). and Of minor chill