Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-09

cause to complain.
The negotiation of the convention
has, for time, postponed the prose-
cution of certain claims of our cili-
zens which were declared to be with
out the jurisdiction of the late Span
ish American Claims Commission,
and which are, therefore, RENTED to
diplomatic channels for adjustment.
The speedy settlement of those claims
will now be urged by this Govern
ment,
Negotiations for treaty of CONNER
cial reciprocity with the Dominion
Republic have been successfully con-
cluded, and the result will shortly be
laid before the Senate. Certain ques-
tiOns between the United States, and
Ottoman Empire still remain un-
solved. Complaints in behalf of our
citizens are not satisfactorily adjust
ed. The Ports hae sought to withhold
from our commerce the right of ia
vored treatment to which we are en-
titled by existing conventional stipu-
lations and the revision of the tariffs
is unaccomplished,
The final disposition of the pend
ing question with Venezuela has not
yet been reached, but l have good
reason to expect an early settlement
(which will provide the means of ex-
examining the Caracas awards in
conformity with the expressed de-
sire of Congress, which will recog-
nize the justice of certain claims pre-
ferred against Venezuela
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN
COMMISSION,
appointed by authority of the act of
July Z, 1884, will soon proceed to
Mexico. 1t has been furnished with
instructions which will be laid before
you. They contain statement of
the general policy of the Government
for enlarging its commercial inter-
course with American States. The
Commissioners have been actively
preparing for their responsible task
by holding conferences in the princi-
pal cities with merchants and others
interested in Central and South
American trade.
THE INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CON-
FERENCE,
lately convened in Washington upon
the invitation of the Government
Of the Uuited States, was composed
of representatives from twenty
five nations. The conference
concluded its la or on the first of No
vember, having with substantial
unaninlity agreed upon the meridian
of Greenwich as the starting point
whence longitude is to be computed
through $50 degrees eastward and
westward, AID upon the adoption for
all purposes for which it may be found
convenient of universal day, which
shall begin at midnight on the initial
meridian, and whose hours shall be
counted from zero up to twenty-fOur.
The formal report Of the transactions
of the conference will hereafter be
transmitted to Congress.
This Government Is in frequent re-
ceipt of invitations from foreign
States to participate in international
exhibitions, often of great interest
and importance. Occupying us we
do an advanced position in the
worlds production. and aiming to Sc
cure profitable share for our indus
tries in the general competitive mar
kets, 1t is a matter Of serious con
Germ that the want of means for par
ticipation in these exhibitions should
so often exclude our producers from
: the advantages enjoyed by those OF
other countries. During tho 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 Execu-
tive has in some instances appointed
honorary commissioners. This is
however, a most unsatisfactory eXpe.
iient, for without some provision ia
meet the necessary working expenses
of a Commission, il can effect but lit
tie or nothing in belialfOf exhibitors.
An international inventors exhibit
tions is to be held in London next
May. This will cover a field of spec
ial importance in which our country
holds a foremost rank, but the Exc
cutive is at present powerless to or
ganize a proper representation of our
vast national interests IN this direc.
tiQn. l have in several previous
messages referred to this subject. 1t
seems to me that statute giving ia
the Executive general discretionary
authority 10 accept such invitations
and to appoint honorary Commits
sioners, without salary, and placing
at the disposal of the Secretary of
State small fund for defraying their
reasonable expenses, would be OF
great public utility.
This Government has received Off
cial notice that the revised interna.
tional regulations
FOR PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA
have been adopted by all the leading
maritime powers except the United
States, and came into force on the lst
of September last. For the due pro-
lection of our shipping interests, the
provision of our statues should at
once be brought into conformity with
these regulations.
The questions of securing to au-
thors, composers and artists copyright
privileges in this country in return
for reciprocal rights abroad is one
that may justly challenge your atten-
ton. IL is true that q convention
will be necessary for fully accom-
plishing this result. But until Con-
gress shall by statue fix the extent to
which foreign holders of a copyright
shall be here privileged, it has been
deemed inadvisable to negotiate such
conventions. For this reason the
| United States was not represented at
tho recent conference at Berne.
recommend that the scope of the neu-
trality laws of the United States be
so enlarged as to cover all patent acts
of hostility committed in our terrific
ry and aimed against the peace of a
friendly nation. Existing statues
prohibit the fitting out Of armed ex-
peditions, and restrict
THE SHIPMENT OF EXPLOSIVES,
though the enactments in the latter
respect were not framed with regard
international obligations, but sim
ply for the protection of passenger