The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-12-04


timely completion of the pedestal upon which
GERMANY
Our relations with Germany, n country which
TO our own some of the best ee-
ments OF citizenship. continue TO be cordial
The United States have extradition treaties
with several OF the German States. but. by rea-
son Of the confederation OF these States under
the imperial rule, the application of such
treaties Is not as uniform and comprehensive as
tie interests of the two countries require.
Therefore. negotiations should be opened for
single convention to embrace all the territory OF
the empire.
GREAT BRITAIN.
It affords me pleasure TO say that our inter-
course with Great Britain continues TO be OF q
most friendly character.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
The Government OF Hawaii has indicated its
Willingness TO continue for seven years the
provisions OF the existing reciprocity treaty.
Such continuance. in view OF the relations OF
that country To the American system of States,
should, IN my Judgment be favored.
HAYT1.
The revolution in Hayti against the estab-
lished Government has terminated. While 1t
was In progress IL became necessary TO enforce
our neutrality laws by instituting proceedings
against individuals and vessels charged with
their infringement. These prosecutions were in
all cases successful
TARIFF ON WORKS OF ART.
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
various European Governments, especially by
the Government of Italy, for the abolition of
consider whether the present discrimination in
favor of productions of American artists abroad
is not likely to result, as they themselves seem
very generally to believe it may, in the practical
exclusion OF our painters and sculptors from
the rich fields for observation, study and labor
which they have hitherto enjoyed.
JAPAN.
There is prospect that the long-pending re-
vision OF the foreign treaties OF Japan may
be concluded at new conference to be
held at Toxic. While this Government fully
.ln.< R.l..x 81
japan in the community OF nations, It would
not oppose the general adoption of such terms
of compromise as Japan may be disposed to
offer in furtherance OF a uniform policy of in
tercourse with Western nations.
MEXICO.
During the past year the increasing goodwill
between our own Government and that of Mex
leo has been variouslv manifested. The treaty
OF commercial reciprocity. concluded Jan. 20,
1888, has been ratified. and awaits the necessary
tariff legislation OF Congress to become effect
i've. This legislation will, i doubt not, be
among the first measures to claim your atten-
ton. full treaty of commerce, navigation,
and consular rights is much TO be desired, and
such treaty, L have reason to believe, the
Mexican Government stands ready TO con-
clude. Some embarrassment has been occa-
stoned by the failure OF Congress, at its last
of the treaty of July 30, 1882 for the resurvey
of the Mexican boundary and the relocation of
boundary monuments.
THE IsTHAIUs CANAL.
With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty has
been concluded which authorizes the construc-
ton by the United States of a canal, railway
and telegraph line across the Nicaraguan
sixty miles Of the River San Juan, as
we'll as Lake Nicaragua, an inland
sea forty miles in width, are to constitute
a part of the projected enterprise. This covers,
for actual canal construction, seventeen miles
on the Pacific side, and thirty-six miles on the
Atlantic To the United States, whose rich ter
ritory on the Pacific ia, for the ordinary pur-
n off fran
communication by water with the Atlantic
ports, the political and commercial advantages
of such project can scarcely be overesti-
mated
It is believed that when the treaty is laid be-
fore you, the justice and liberality of its pro-
visions will command universal approval at
home and abroad.
The death of our representative at Russia,
while at his post at st. Petersburg. afforded TO
the Imperial Government a renewed opportunity
TO testify It's sympathy in a manner betting
the intimate friendliness which has ever marked
the intercourse of the two countries.
SIAM.
The course of this Government in raising its
represe ntation at Bang Kok to the diplomatic
rank has evoked from Siam evidences OF warm
friendship, and augurs we'll OF our enlarged in
tercourse. The ciamese Government has present
ed TO the United States a commodious r,ansion
and grounds for the occupancy OF the legation,
and suggest that by joint resolution Con-
gress attest its appreciation OF this generous gift
SPAIN.
This Government has more than once been
called upon OF late TO take action in fulhllment
OF its international obligation toward Spain.
Agitation in the Island OF Cuba. hostile TO the
Spanish crown, having been fermented by per-
sons abusing the sacred rites of hospitality
which our territory affords, the officers of the
Government have been instructed to exer-
else vigilance TO prevent attractions of our
neutrality laws at Key West and at other points
near the Cuban coast. L am happy TO
say that in the only instance where these pre-
cautionary measures were successfully elude1,
the offenders when found in our territory were
subsequently tried and convicted.
The growing need of close relationship of
intercourse and traffic between the Spanish
Antilles and their natural market in the
United States led to the adoption, IL jan
nary last, OF commercial agreement looking
TO that end. This agreement has since been
superseded by more carefully framed
and comprehensive convention, which /
shall submit 10 the Senate for approval. 1t has
been the aim OF this negotiation TO open such
favored reciprocal exchange of productions car
ried under the flag of either country IA to make
the intercourse between Cuba and Porto Rico
and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the
movements between our domestic
ports and to insure removal Of the burdens on
shipping in the Spanish Indies, of which, in
the past, our ship-owners and ship masters
have so often had cause TO complain
The negotiation OF this convention has for a
time postponed the prosecution of certain
claims of our citizens which were declared to be
without the jurisdiction of the Spanish Ameri-
can Claims Commission, and which are there
fore RENTED TO diplomatic channels for adj
justment. The speedy settlement of these
claims will now be urged by this Government
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
NEGOTIATIONS for treaty of commercial reci-
procity with the Dominican Republic have been
successfully concluded, and the result will
shortly be laid before the Senate.
RELATIONS WITH THE PORTE.
Certain questions between the United States
and the Ottoman Empire still remain unsolved
Complaints on behalf of our citizens are not
adjusted. The Porte has sought
vored treatment to which we are entitled by ex-
listing conventional stipulation, and the revision
of the tariff is unaccomplshed
THE CARACAS AWARDS.
The final disposition of pending questions
with Venezuela has not yet been reached, but 1
which will provide for the means of re-examln-
ing the Caracas awards in connection with the
desire of Congress, and which will
the justice of certain claims preferred
against Venezuela.
THE CENTRALAND SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSION
appointed by authority OF the act Of July z 1884,
will soon proceed TO Mexico 1t has been fur
nished with instructions which will be laid be-
fore you. They contain a statement OF the gen
eral policy of the Government for enlarging its
commercial intercourse with American States.
The Commissioners have been actively prepar-
ING for their responsible task by holding confer
ences in the principal cities with merchants and
others interested in Central and South American
trade.
THE INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CONFERENCE,
lately convened in Washington upon the invita-
ton of the Government OF the United States,
was composed of representatives from twenty
five nations. The conference concluded its
labors on the LIST of November, having with sub
stantial unanimity agreed upon the meridian
of Greenwich as the starting point