Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-12-03

part OF the projected enterprise. ms covers
for actual canal construction seventeen miles on
the Pacific side and thirty-six miles on the At
lantic 70 the United States whose rich territory
on the Pacific is, for. the ordinary purposes. of
commerce, practically cut of from communica-
tlon by water with the Atlantic ports. The po-
litical and commercial advantages OF such pro-
iect can scarcely be oyerestimated. IL is be-
Heved that when the treaty has been laid before
you the justice and Gberality Of its provisions
will command universal approval at home and
abroad.
he death of our representative at Russia
while at his post at st. Petersburg afforded TO
the imperial government renewed opportunity
to testify its sympathy in manner beflt,ing the
intimate friendliness which has ever marked the
intercourse of the two countries.
RELATIONS WITH SIAM.
The course Of this government in raising its
representation ut Bangkok to the diplomatic
rank has evoked from siam evidence OF warm
tercourse. The Siamese government has pre-
sented TO the United States commodious man.
sion and grounds for the occupancy of the lega-
ton, and suggest that by joint resolution con-
gift.
This government hes more than once been
called upon of late to take action in the fulfill
lnents of its international
OBLIGATIONS TOWARD SPAIN,
agitation in the island OF Cuba hostile to the
Spanish crown having been fermentad by per-
sons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality
which our territory affords. The officers OF the
vigilance to prevent infractions ef our neutrality
laws at Key West and other points hear the
Cuban coast. am happy to say that in the only
were successfully eluded, the offenders, when
found in our, territory, were subsequently tried
and convicted.
The growing need Of close relationship in in
tercourse and traffic between
THE SPANISH ANTILLES
and their natural market in the United States
led to the adoption, in January last, of a COM
mercial agreement looking to that end. This
agreement has since been superseded by a more
carefully framed and comprehensive convention,
which shall submit to the senate for approval.
1t has been the aim of this negotiation to open
tions. carried under the flag Of either country. as
to make the intercourse between Cuba and Porto
Rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate than
the commercial movement between our domestic
ports, and to insure q 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 to complain The
poned, and the prosecution of certain claims OF
our citizens which were declared to be without
the jurisdiction of the Spanish-American claims
commission, We therefore remitted to diplomatic
channels for adjustment. The speed of settle
ment of these claims will now be urged by this
government.
Negotiations for treaty of commercial
reciprocity with the Dominican republic have
, been successfully concluded, and the result viii
shortly be laid before the senate. Certain ques-
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE
still remain unsoived. Complaints in behalf of
citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted. The
porte has sought to withhold from our commerce
the right Of favored treatment to which we are
entitled by existing conventional stipulation,
and the revision of the tariff is unaccomphshed.
The final disposition of
PENDING QUESTIONS WITH VENEZUELA
has not as yet been reached, but ! have good
reasons to expect an early settlement. which will
provide the means OF fre-eschanging the Caracas
awards in conformity with the expressed desire
of congress, and which will recognize the justice
of certain claims preferred against Venezuela
The Central and South American commission,
appointed by authority OF the act eff July Z, 1884.
will soon proceed to Mexico. 1t has been far
nished with instructions which will be laid be-
fore yon. They contain statement OF the gen.
eral policy of the government for enlarging its
commercial intercourse with American states.
The commissioners have been actively preparing
for the responsible task by holding conferences
in the principal cities with merchants and others
interested in Central and South American trade.
lately convened in Washington upon the invita-
tion 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 substantial
effect, agreed upon the meridian of Greenwich as
the starting point whence longitude is to be COM
pared through lSj degrees eastward and west
ward, and upon the adoption for all purposes foI
II
day which shall begin at midnight on the initial
meridian. and whose hours shall be counted from
zero up to u. The formal report of the trans
actions Of the conference will be hereafter trans.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
This government is in frequent receipt of in
vtations from foreign states to participate in in
ternational exhibitions often Of great interes,
and Importance. Occupying. as we do, an nd
vaneed position in the worlds production and
aiming to secure a profitable share for indus
tries in the general competitive markets, it is
matter of serious concern that the want of mean:
often exclude our producers from the advant
ages enjoyed by those of other countries. Dur
Ing the past year the attention of congress was
drawn TO the formal invitations in this regarc
extended by the, governments Of England Hol
land, Belgium, Germany and Austria The ex
ecutive has, IN some INSTANCES, appointed hon
a., most unsatisfactory expedient, fo
necessity '0Y Of tf''l0W the working ssl EXPENSE e
Of commission. il can effect little nothing il
behalf of exhibitors. An international inventors
exhibition is to be held in London next May
This will covera field of special importance ir
which our country holds u foremost rank, bn
the executive is at present powerless to organic,
proper representation of our vast national in
terests in this direction l have in several pre-
vions messages referred to this subject. Il
seems to me that statute giving to the execu
| tive general discretionary authority to accep
such invitations and to appoint honorary com
disposal of the secretary OF state small fund fo
dafraying their reasonable expenses. would be oil
great public utility.
MARATIME RELATIONS.
This government has received official motto,
that the revival of International regulations fo
the preventing of collisions at sea have beer
adopted by nll the leading maratime powers ex
cept the United States, and came into force OF
the LIST OF September last. For the due protec
our statutes should at once be brought into con
| formity with these regulations.
| The question OF securing to authors, com
| posers and artists,
COPYRIGHT PRIVILEGES
! in this country in return for reciprocal right
abroad, is one that may justly challenge you
| attention. 1t is true that convention will b.
necessary for fully accomplishing this result
tent to which foreign holders Of copyrights shal
be here privileged, it has been deemed nnad
visable to negotiate such convention. For thi
| at the recent conference at Berlin.
recommend that the scopeof
THE N1x7lAAMrY LAWS
of the United States be SO enlarged as I.
cover all patent acts Of hostility committed il
our territory and aimed against the peace of
| friendly nation. Existing statutes prohibit th
| lifting. ont OF armed expeditions and restric
| the shipment OF explosives. Though the enact
ments in the latter respect were not framed will
regard to international obligations, but simpl.
Tor the protection OF passenger travel, all thes
| statutes were intended to meet special emergen
| cics that had already arisen. Other emergencies
| have arisen since, and modern ingenuity supplie
| means for the organization of hostilities withou
| open resort TO armed vessels or to tlibusterin,
| parties. ! see no reason why overt preparation
| in this country for the commission of crimina
| acts, such az under consideration, should no
/ be alike punishable, whether such acts are in
tended to be committed in our own country o
| in a foreign country with which we are at peace
| The prompt and thorough treatment OF thi
| question is one which Immediately concerns on
| national honor.
Our existing
NATURALIZATION LAWS
also need revision. Those sections relating t.
| persons residing within the limits Of the Unite,
| States within 1875 and 17g3 have now only his
| torical intereet; section 2,172, recognizing tn
citizenship Of the children of naturalzed parents
| is y ambiguous in its terms. and partly obsolete
There are special provisions of law favoring til,
| naturalization of those who serve in the army O
In merchant vessels, while no similar privilege
| are granted to those who serve in the navy o
marine corps. An uniform rule Of naturalization
such MS the constitution contemplates, should
/ among othcr things, clearly define the status o
persons who have been within the United State
4