The Dickinson press., 1884-12-06
FOREIGN
ENTIRELY

Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue to be amicable. With Belgium a con-
vcntion has been signed whereby the scope
of present treaties has been so enlarged as to
secur to citizens of either country within
the jurisdiction Of the other equal rights and
privileges in the acquisition and alienation of
property. A trademark treaty has also been
concluded. The war between Chill and Peru
is at an end. For the arbitration of The
claims of American citizens who during its
continuance suffered through the acts of the
Chi!ian authorities, a convention will soon
be negotiated. The state of hostilities be-
tween France and China still continues to be
an embarrassing feature in our Eastern rela-
lions. The Chinese government has promptly
adjusted and paid the claims of American
citizens whose property was destroyed in
the recent riots at Canton. Irenew the rec
ommendation of my last annual, message,
that the Canton indemnity fund be returned
to China The true Interpretation Of
he recent treaty with thai country
permitting the restriction of Chinese
immigration is likely to be again
a subject of your deliberations. 1t may be
seriously questioned whether the statute
passed ut the last session does not
violate the treaty rights of GER
tain Chinese, who left this country
with return certificates, valid under tile
old law, and now seem to be debarred from
anding from lack of certificates required by
the new. The recent purchases by the
United States OF a large trading fleet. here
tofore under the Chinese flag, enhanced our
commercial Importance in the East In view
of the large number of vessels built or pur-
chased by American citizens in other coun-
tries and exclusively employed in legitimate
traffic between foreign ports under the rec
ognlzed protection of our flag, it might be
well to provide a uniform rate for their reg
istration and Recommendation, SO that the
bona tdc property rights of our citizens
therein shall be duly evidenced and properly
guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the SEN
ate at the last session, l recognized the flag
of the international Association of
H CONGO
as that of a friendly government, avoiding,
iii sodoing, any preiudgment of the conflict
in territorial claims in that region. Suisse
quently, in execution of the expressed wish
of the congress, l appointed a commercial
agent for the Congo basin. The Importance
of the rich prospective trade of the Congo
valley has led to a general conviction that it
should be open to all nation upon equal
terms. An international conference for the
consideration of this subject was called by
the emperor Of Germany, and is now in ses-
sion ut Berlin. Delegates are in attend
ance on behalf of the United
States Of the results of the con-
ference you will be duly advised.
The government of Corea has generally aid
ed the efforts of the United States minister
to secure suitable premises for the United
States legation. AS the conditions of diplo-
matte intercourse with Eastern nations de-
mand that the legation premises be owned
by the represented power, I advise that an
appropriation be made for the acquisition Of
this property by the government. The
United States already possesses valuable
premises Mt Tangters, as a gift from the
sultan of Morocco, and they have
lately received a similar gift from
the Sialnese government. The govern
ment of Japan stands ready to
present to US extensive grounds ut Toxic.
wherein to erect a suitable building for the
legation; court house and Jail, and similar
privileges can probably be secured in China
and Persia The owning of such premises
would not only effect a large saving of the
present rentals, but would permit OF the due
0SocIoloA VI uue exGT1 IetIlGOfl1l TlBlCS III
these countries, and would the better serve
to maintain the dignity of the United States.
The failure of congress to make appropria-
ton for our representation at the court of
the khedive has proved a serious embarrass-
ment in our intercourse with Egypt; and in
view Of the necessary intimacy Of diplo-
matte relationship duo to the participation
of this government as one OF the treaty
powers in all matters of administration there
affecting the rights of foreigners, / advise
the restoration Of the agency a~ndiconsulate
general at Cairo on its former bRsis.
1 do not conceive it to be the wish
of congress that the United States should
withdraw altogether from the honorable po-
sition they have hitherto held with respect
to the khedive, or that citizens of this re.
publicresiding or soiourning inEgypt should
hereafter be without the aid of and protec.
ton of u competent representative. Will
France the traditional cordial Relationship
continues The Bartholdi statue of sLiberty
Enlightening the World, the generous gifto OF
the people of France, is expected to react
New York in May next 1 suggest that con.
aressional action be taken in relation to the
spirit which has prompted this gift, and In
aid of the timely completion of the pedestal
on which it is to be placed Our relation
with Germany, a country which contributes
to ours some of the best elements Of citizen
ship, continue to be cordial. The United
States have extradition treaties with severa
l If the German atataa hnt hv rooron of tb.