The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-12-13

settlement of these claims viii now be urged by
this government
procity w tn the Dominion republic have been
successfully concluded and the result Will shortly
be laid before the Senate
Certain questions between the United States
ana the Ottoman empire still remain unsolyed.
Complaints in behalf of our citizens are not salts
iactorlly adjusted. The Porte has sought 10 with
hold from our commerce the right of favored
treatment TO which we are entitled by existing
conventional stpu ations and the revision OF the
tariffs is unaccOmplished.
The final disposition of pending questions with
Venezuela has not as yet been reached bat l
have good reason to expect an early settlement
W1lcn VIII provide the means of rec Xamining
the Caracas awards in conformity with the ex-
pressed desire OF Congress, and which will rec0g-
ME the justice of certain claims preferred
against Venezuela. The Central and South
American commission aapointed by suthorit Y
OF the act OF July Is, 1885, VIII soon proceed to
Mexico. 1t has been furnished with Instructions
which will be laid before you. They contain a
statement Of the general policy of the govern
ment tor enlargilg its commercial intercourse
with American states. The commissioners have
been actively preparing for their responsible
task by holding conferences in the rincipal
clues with merchants and others interested in
Central and South American trade.
THE MERIDIAN CONFERENCE.
The International meridian conference lately
convened in Washington upon the in
vltation of the government Of the United
states, was composed of representatives
from twenty-five nations. The conference
CpnClUiel lS i8DOTS on the LIST OF NOYeInDe hay
ing with substantial unanimity agreed upon the
meridian of Greenwich as the starting point
whence longitude is to be computed, through $50
degrees eastward and westward, and upon the
adoption for all purposes for which ii may be
found convenient, of a universal day which shall
begin at midnight on the initial meridian and
whose hours shall be counted from zero up TO 81
he formal report of the transactions of this CON
ference Will be hereafter transmitted to Con-
gress
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
vtatonS from foreign states to participate in inter
national exhibitions often of great interest and
Importance. Occupying, We do an advanced
position on the worlds production, and aiming
10 secure profitable share for our industries in
the general competitive markets, ii is matter Of
serious concern that the want of means for par
ticipatiOn in these exhibits should so often eX
clude our producers from advantages enjoyed by
those of other countries. During the past year
the attention of Congress was drawn to the formal
invitations in this regard rendered by the govern
ments Of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany
and Austria The executive has in some
instances appointed honorary commissioners
This IS however. most unsatls-
factory expedient; for without some pro-
vision TO meet the necessary working expenses of
a commission il can affect little or nothing in be-
half OF exhibitors. An international inventors
exhibition is to be held in London next May.
This win cover field of special Importance In
which our country holds a foremost rank; but
the executive is at present powerless To organize
q proper representation of our vast national in
terests in this direction. l have in several pre-
vious messages referred to this subject. 1t seems
to me that a statute giving 10 the executive gener
nj discretionary authority to accept such invita-
tons and 10 appoint honorary commissioners
without salary, and placing at the disposal of the
secretary of state small fund for detraying their
reasonable expenses would be OF great public
utility.
MARITIME REGULATE oNs.
This government has received official notice
that the revised international regulations for pre-
venting collisions at sea have been adopted by ali
the leading maritime powers except the United
States, and came into force on the 1T of Septem-
Der last. For the due protection of our shpp ng
Interests the provisions of our statutes should al
once be brought into consideration with these
regulations
COPYRIGHT PRIVILEGES.
The question of securing to authors, composers
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 convention will be necessary for fully ac-
comprising this result; but until Congress shall
by statute, fix the extent to which foreign holders
of copyright shall be here privileged, it has been
deemed inadviSable to negotiate such conven-
ton. For this reason the United States were not
represented at the recent conference al Berne.
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
recommend that the scope of the neutrality
laws of the United States be enlarged as 10
cover all patent acts of hostility committed in
our territory and aimed against the peace of
friendly nation. Existing statutes prohibit the
fitting out OF armed expeditions; and restrict
the shipment of explosives. Though enactments
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 organization of hos
Utilities without open resort to armed vessels or TO
hlibustering parties. see no reason why overt
preparat ous in this country for the c. mmissiOn
OF criminal acts such as are here under consider
alton should not be alike punishable, whether
such acts are intended to be committed in orr
ngNn n a lrpP N4-hi f
W { are at peace. The prompt and thorough treat
ment of tins question is one which intimately
concerns the national honor.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our existing naturalization laws also need re-
vising Those sections relating to persons residing
within the limits of the United States in 1875 and
1913 have now only historical interest. Section
q, 172 recognizing the citizenship of the children
of naturalized parents is ambiguous in it, terms
and partly obsolete. There are special provisions
OF law favorlng the naturalization OF those who
serve in the army or in merchant vessels, while
no similar privileges are granted those who serve
in the navy or marine corps. A uniform rule of
naturalization, su' as the constitution con
templates, should, among other things,
clearly -define the statutes of persons
born within the United States subject to
a foreign power (sec. 1892 and of minor
children of fathers who have declared their in
tention of becoming citizens, but have failed to
perfect their naturalization. 1t might be wise to
provide tor a central bureau of registry wherein
should be filed authenticated transcripts of every
record of naturalization in the several Federal
and state courts, and TO make provision also for
the vacation or cancellation OF such record in
cases where fraud had been practiced upon the
court by the applicant himself, or where he had
removed or forfeited his acquired citizenship. A
just and uniform law in this respect would
strengthen the hands OF the government pro-
tecting its citizens abroad, and would pave the
way for the conclusion of treaties of naturaliza-
ton with foreign countries.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
The legislation of the last session effected in
the diplomatic and consular service certain
changes and reductions which have been pro-
ductive of embarrassment The population and
commercial activity of our country are steadily
on the increase and are giving rise to new, vary
ing and often delicate relationships with other
countries. Our foreign establishment now en-
braces nearly double the area of operations that
ii did twenty years ago. and the confinement of
such service within the limits of expenditure
then established is not, it seems TO me- in accord
O0O,00G people should be adequately represented
in its intercourse with foreign nations.
the consular service and for recastlng
the scheme of eXtra-errtorial jurisdiction is now
before you, and If the limits of a short session
will not allow its full consideration, trust you
viii not tail TO make suitable provision for the
present needs of the service. Il has been custom
airy TO define in the appropriation acts the rank
of each diplomatic office TO which salary is at
tached. | suggest that this course be abandoned,
and that it be left to the President, with the adj
vice and consent of the Senate, to fix from time
to time the diplomatic grade of the representa-
viSsble, provision being definitely made, how
ever as now, for the amount of salary attached to
the respective stations.
THE TREASURY.
The condition of our finances and the opera
tons of the various branches of the public
service which are connected with the treasury
department are very fully discussed in the report
of the secretary. 1t appears that the ordinary
revenues for the fiscal year ended June 50, 1854,
were:
Customs O67, 4S9 e
Internal l2l 5S6, u72 81
All other sources ....-........... 81 S66, 307 65
Total ordinary revenues. ..... S34S, $40 500 9.
The public expenditures during the same
period were:
Civil expenses. 22,S12 907 =
Foreign intercourse. .-.--..... Leo, 766 g
indians. .-.-........... ....... 6,475. 800 =.
For pensions Observation-Disclosures. 55,4292ZS 81
The military establishment, incluf-
ing river and hsrbor improve
ments aud aTsenals. ..........-... 50 429, COS 81
The naval establishment, including
vessels, machinery and improve
ments at navy yard .............. l. 292 col a
Miscellaneous expenditures. in
Guiding public buildings, light
houses and collecting the rev
enue... 49, 939, 10 o.
Expenditures on account OF the
district of Columbia ........... 34O7 .o49 G.
Interest on the public debt......... 5+57S,S7S Il
The sinking fund 1920, 22g s.
Total o-,7;,,-x a,,,a-7;+,,-o. coo1 o1r ts5 %,