The Portland daily press., 1884-12-02
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TO tie Congress Qfthe United States:

IaTEB NUIILICaI CCULHEL WNICh
cu6tomariiy preceoes the day of the national
election been waged with greater fervor aud
intensity, II is subject of general eOugrasnla-
tlon that alter the controversy at the polls was
over, and while the slight prepondersnce by
which the issue had peen determined was "a
Yet unascertsined, the public peace Suffered no
disturbance, but the people everywhe pa
tientiY and quietly waited the result. Nothing
could more strikiagly illustrate the temper OF
the American citizen, his love OF order and his
loyalty 10 law. Nothing could more sisnally
demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our
political institutions.
Eight years have passed sincs controversy
concerning the result of q national election
sharply called the attention of Congress to
the necsss ty of providing more precise and
definite regulations for counting the electoral
| vote. 1t Is OF the greatest importance that this
question os solved before conflicting claims to
the Presidency shall again distract the coun-
try, ana l am persuaded that BY the peope at
large any of the measures of relief thus far
proposed would be preferred to continued mac
tion.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue to be- amicable. With Belgium copven-
| tion has been signed whereby the SCOPE of
present treaties has been go enlarged as to Sc
cure the citizens of either coautrg within the
Jurisdiction of the other equal rights aud priv
| lleges III the acquisition and alienation of
property. A trade mark treaty has also been
concluded.
The war between Chilli and Peru is at an
| enc. For the arbitration oil tho claims ofAmer-
can e1sIZens who during its continuance suf-
/ 5ered through the acEs OF the Ghilian authori-
! tiea convention will soon be negotiated
Ane state oI hnstiieies between Frauca aud
| China continues to be an enlb Arrassiog feature
OF our eastern relations. The Chinese govern
n1ent has promptly adjusted and paid the
Claims of American citizens whose property
was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton
| | 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 restriction
of Chinese immigration, is likely to be again
the subject of your deliberations. Il NAV be-
seriously questioned whether the statute passed
at the last session does not violate the treaty.
right of certain Chinese who left this country
with return certificates, valid under the old
law, and who now seem to be debarred from
landing from lack of certificates required by
tne aeW. The recent purchases by the United
States OF large trading feet heretofore under
the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our
commercial Importance in the east. In yiew
OF the large number of vessels built or pu,-
chased by American citizens ia other couu tries
and exclusively employed in legitimate traffic
between foreign ports under the recognized
protection OF our flag, it might be- we'll to pre-
vide uniform rule for their registration and
Recommendation SO that the bona fde property
rights OF our citizens therein shall be duly ev-
ANGS~N
Pursuant tn the advice of the Senate at the
last session l recognized the fl hag of the LATER
national Association of the Congo as that of a
friendly government, avoiding in SO d. ing any
preludgment Of conflicting territorial claims in
tnat region. Subsequently, in execution of the
expressed wish of the Congress, appointed a
commercial agent for the Congo BASIN Tue
importance of the rich prospective trade of the
Congo Valley has led TO the general conviction
that 1t should be open TO all nations upon eGnal
terms. An International Conferences for tue
consideration OF this SUBJECT has been called by
the Emperor of Germany and is now in ses.
sion IN Berlin. Delegates are in attendance on
behalf OF the United States. OF the results OF
the conference yo1 will be- duly advised,
The government Of Corea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States minister
TO secure suitable premises for the use of the
legation. AS the conditions of diplomatic in
terceurse with Eastern nations demand that
the legation premises be owned by the repre-
sented power, | advise that an appropriation
be made for the acquisition OF this property by
the government. The United States already
possesses valuable premises at Tangier as a
gift from tbs Sultan OF Morocco as is stated
hereafter. They have lately received a similar
gift ffom the 5iamese government. The gov
eminent of Japan stands rsa6y to present to the
United States extensive grounds as Toxic.
whsFeon to erect o suitable building for a Iega-
ticn. Courteous and superior privileges may
probably b9 secured ia Persia. The owning OF
such premises would not only effect large
saving OF the present rentals, but you'd permit
OF the due assertion OK extraordinary rights in |
those countries and would the better serve TO |
maintain the dignity of the United States.
The failure OF Congress TO make appropris- /
tons for our representation at The autonomous
court of the KbediVe has proved serious en-
b2rrassment IN our intercourse with EgyDt and
IN vie OF the necessary Intimacy of diplomatic
relat onship due to the participation of this
government as one of tbs treaty powers in all
matters OF sdministr 1tion there affecting the
NfObfn naf T,.1, 49,
the agency and consulate general at Cairo on
its former basis. I do not o0ncaive ie to be the
wish OF Congress that the United States should
Withdraw altogether from the honorable nosi-
tion they have hitherto held with respect to
the khedive, or that citizens of this Republic
residing or sojourDing in Egypt should hsreaf-
ter be without the aid and protection of a con-
petent man.
With France the traditional cordial relation
ship continues. The Barthcldi Ststue of L;ber-
ty, the generous gift Of the people of France
is expected to reach New York in MAY next
| suggest that Congressional action be- taken
in relation to the spirit which has prompted
this gift, and IN aid of the timely com pletion
Of the pedestal.
Our relations with Germany, a country
which contributes to our own some of the bsst
elements Of citizenship, continue to be cor
dial The United States have extradition
treaties With several OF the German States, but
by reason of the Confedera of these States
under the Imperial rule the application of such
treaties is not as uniform and com prahensiys
as the Interests of the two countries reqnirs
propose, therefore, to open negotiations for
single convention of extradition TO embrace ali
the territory OF the empire.
1t affords me pleasure to say that our inter.
course with Great Britain is OF most friendly
character.
The government of Hawaii has indicated its
willingness to continue for seven years the
| provision of the existing reciprocity treaty
| Snch continuance in view of the relations of
this country to the American system of States
| should be favored.
| The Revolution in Hayti against the estab-
| l1shed government has terminated While it
| was IN progress 1t became necessary to enforce
| our neutrality. 1t was by institutiDg proceed
| ipgs against individuals and vessels charged
with their infringement. These prosecutions
| were in all cases Successful.
| Inch anxiety has lately been displayed by
warious European governments, and especially
by the government of Italy, for the abolition OF
our import duties upon works of art 1t is
| well to consider whether the present dscrin-
| inaton in favor of the production of American
| artists abroad is not likely to result, as thew
| themselves seem very generally to believe it
may, in the practical exclusion of our paiuters
| and sculptors from the rich fields for obserya-
| tion. study and labor which they have hitherto
| enjoyed.
| There is a pruspeet that the long pending re-
vision Of the foreign treaties of Japan may be
| concluded at q new conference to be held at
J Toxic While this Government fullg recor
| nizes the equal and independent station Of
! .l7snsn in ths eommHpit2 Of nations it would
| not oppose the general adoption Of such terms
| of compromise ss Japan may be DISPOSED to Of
| fer in furtherance of uniform policy OF inter-
| conrse with Western nations.
| During the past year the increasing good
| will between our own government and thst OF
| Mexico has been variously manifested. The
treaty OF commercial reciprocity concluded
| January 20th, 1883, has been ratified and
| awaits the necessary tariff legislation of Con-
gress to become effective. This legislation will,
| doubt not, be among the first measures to
claim your attention. fnll treaty of CON-
merce and consular rights is much to be de-
sired. Sueh treaty have reason to believe
the Mexican government stands ready to
conclude.
Some embarrassment has been occasionad by
the failure of Congress at Its last session to
provide the Uleans for tue due execution Of the
treaty of Jalg 20, 1882 for the re- survey OF the
Mexican boundary, aud the relocation Of
| boundary monuments.
With the Republic OF Nicaragua treaty has
| been concluded which authorizes the consnuc-
tion by the United States of canal,
| railway and telegraph line across the Nicara-
guam territory. By the terms ofgthis treaty 60
| miles of the river San Juan as well as Lake
| Nicaragua, an inland sea 40 miles in width,
| are to constitute part of the projected enter