The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-12
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.

expect an early settlement which wi
provide the means of ~re-eXamining IL
Caracas awards in conformity with IL
expressed desire of congress, and whic
will recognize the justice of certain claim
preferred against Venezuela.
THE SOUTH AMERICAN COMIssION.
The Central and South American com
mission, appointed by authority of tn
act of July z, 1884, will soon proceed t
Mexico. 1t has been furnished with in
structions which will be laid before you
They contain a statement of the genera
policy of the government for enlargin
its commercial intercourse with America
states. The commission have bee
actively preparing for their responsible
task by holding conferences in the princi
dial cities with merchants and with other
interested in Central and South American
trade.
ENCE
'ately convened in Washington upon the
invitation of the government of the
United States. was composed of repre-
sentatives from twenty-five nations. The
| conference concluded its labors on the
LIST of November, having, with substan-
tial unanimity, agreed upon the merid-
ian of Greenwich as the starting point
whence longitude is to be computed
through $50 degrees eastward and west
ward, and upon the adoption for all pur-
poses for which it may be found conven-
ent, of a universal day which shall be-
gin at midnight on the initial meridian,
and whose hours shall be counted from
zero up to twenty-four. The formal re-
port of the transactions of this conference
will be hereafter transmitted to congress.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
This government is in frequent receipt
of invitations from foreign states to par
ticipate in international exhibitions, often
of great interest and importance. Occu-
as we do, an advanced position
in the worlds production and aiming to
a profitable share for our industries
in the general competitive markets, it is
matter of serious concern that the want
means for participation in these ex-
hibits should so often exclude our pro-
ducers from the advantages enjoyed by
those of other countries during the past
year. The attention of congress is drawn
to the formal invitations in this regard
rendered by the governments of England,
Belgium, Germany and Aus
ria. The executive has in some in
stances appointed honorary commission
RS. This is. however, a most unsatis-
actory %expedient, for without some pro-
'ision to meet the necessary working ex-
)cnses of a commission, it can effect lit
le or nothing in behalf of exhibitors
An international inventors exhibition is
o be held in London next May. This
will cover a field of special Importance
n which our country holds a foremost
ank, but the executive is at present pow
rless to organize a proper representation
f our vast national interests in this di-
l have in several previous mes
ages referred to this subject 1t seems
D me that a statute, giving to the execu-
We general discretionary authority to
such invitations and to appoint
onorary commissioners, without salary.
nd placing at the disposal of the secre-
Try of state a small fund for defraying
leir reasonable expenses, would be of
reat public utility.
COLLISIONS AT SEA.
This government has received official
)tice that the revival of international
gulations for preventing collisions at
a have been adopted by all the leading
powers except the United
ates, and'came into force on the LIST of
'ptember last. For the due protection
our shipping interests, the provisions
our statutes should at once be brought
to conformity with these regulations.
THE QUESTION OF COPYRIGHT. :
The question of securing to authors, T
mposers and artists copyright privil- {
in this country in return for recipro- s
rights abroad is one that may Justly +
your attention. 1t is true that '
convention will be necessary for fully 8
;omplishing the result, but until con- 4
shall by statute fix the extent to 3
ich foreign holders of copyright shall d
here privileged, it has been deemed d
to negotiate such convention. a
: this reason the United States were G.
represented at the recent conference d
l.
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS. S
recommend that the scope of the neu- Ia
ity laws of the United States be so en- vi
red as to cover all acts of hostility ~
united in our territory and aimed tn
inst the piece of a friendly nation. AZ
existing statutes prohibit the fitting 81
OF armed expeditions and restrict the f6
'ment of explosives, though the co
ctments in the latter respect were not OF
ned with regard to international obli-
ons, but,simply for the protection of trt
travel. All these statutes
e intended to meet special emergen-
that had already arisen. Other OF
rgencies have arisen since, and mod We
ingenuity supplies means for the or wi
of hostilities without open re- mi
to armed vessels or to filibustering IN
les. L see no reason why overt prep Uni
ions in this country for the commits ma
OF criminal acts, such as are here gu
consideration, should not be alike mi
shable, whether such acts are in lar
to be committed in our W coun- pc
or in a foreign country with which hu
re at peace. The prompt and thor bu
treatment of this question is one thu
n intimately concerns the national In
II. me
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS. me
IT existing naturalization laws OIL
need revision. Those sections relat- ter
o persons residing within the limits tar
e United States between 1895 and col
have now only a historical tiff
est. Section Pip, recognizing the no
'nship of the children of naturalized FIJI
ats, Is ambiguous in its terms and tnr
y absolete. There are special pro- ere
no NJ tha LAW ovor;pn Tho ,a..o VIZ