Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-12-05

port duty upon works of art. II * well to
consider whether the present discrimina-
ton in favor of the productions Of Amcrl-
can 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 scuptors from the
rich fields for observation, study and labor
which they hitherto enjoyed.
There is prospect that the lOng-pend-
ing revision Of the foreign treaties of Japan
may he concluded at u new conference to
be held ut Toxic. While this government
fully recognizes the equal and indcpend.
ent position of Japan in the community of
nations we would not oppose the general
adoption Of such terms of compromise rs
Japan may be disposed to offer in further
ance of our uniform policy of intercourse
with western nations
/ During the past year the increasing good
will between our own government and
that of Mexico has been variously mani
Tested. The treaty of commercial recipro-
city concluded January 20 1889. has been
ratified and awaits the necessary tariff
legislation of Congress to become effective.
This legislation will, | doubt not, he
among the first measures to claim your at
tcntion. \ full treaty of commerce and
consular rights is much to be desired and
such Il treaty have reason to believe the
Mexican government stands ready to con
Clude. Some embarrassment has been OC-
casiOned by the failure of Congress at the
/ due execution of the treaty of July
%, 1852. for the rcsurVey Of the Mexican
boundary and the location of the boundary
monuments with the republic of Nicara-
qua. \ treaty has been concluded which
authorizes the construction by the United
states of Il canal, railway and telegraph
line across the NiCaraguan territory. BY
the terms of the treaty 60 miles of the riv-
er san Juan as we'll as the NiCaraguan in
land sea 40 miles wide are to constitute
part of the projected enterprise. This
leaves for actual canal construction II
miles on the Pacific side and IS miles on
the Atlantic. TO the United States. whose
rich territory ON the Pacific is for ordinary
purposes of commerce practically cut of
from communication by water with the
Atlantic ports the political and CONNER
clal advantage of such treaty project can
scarcely be overcStimated. 1t is be
lievcd when the treaty is laid
before You, the justice and libcralitN
of its provisions will commend universal
approval ut nome and abroad. The death
of our representative at Russia, while at
his post ut - Petersburg, afforded to the
imperial government renewed Upportuni-
ty to testify its sympathy in Il manner be
tttlng the intimate frcndlncsS which
has ever marked the intercourse of the
two countries
The course of the government in raising
lis representation at Bangkok to the dip
lOlnatlC rank has given evidence of
friendship and auGlIrS we'll for our cnlarg-
ed intercourse The same government has
presented to the United States Il com
mudiouS mansion and grounds for the DC
cupanCy of the legation, and suggest
that by IL joint resolution ii expresses its
appreciation of this generous Gift.
rms government has more than once
been called upon of late to take action in
tuliilmcnt of its international obligation
toward Spain. The agitation in the Island
t,f mi, la /,
ing been fomentcd by persons abusing
the sacred rights of hospitality which our
territory affords, the officers of this gov
eminent have been instructed to exercise
vigilance to prevent infra"tions of our
neutrality laws ut Key West and at other
points near the Cuban coast. ! am happy
to say that i'll only one instance were these
precautionary measures successfully
eludcd. The offenders were found in our
territory and were subsequently tried and
convicted. The growing need of close re
latiOnship of intercourse and traffic be
tween the Spanish Antilles and their nat
ural 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 IA more carefully fran
ed and comprehensive convention,
which | shall submit to the Senate for an
prOval. 1t has been he aim of the negOtia-
ton to open such favored reciprocal cX-
change Of productions carried under the
nag OF either country as to make the in
tercourse between Cuba and Porto Rico
and ourselves scarcely less intimate than
the commercial movement between our
domestic ports, and to ensure the removal
Of burdens ON shipping in the Spanish
. Indies OF which in past our ship owners
and ship masters have so often had cause
to complain. The negotiation of this con
vention has for II time postponed the pros
~ t,ii l,ii of ,it I
which were declared to be without the
jurisdiction of the late sh-American
claims commission and which are. there
fore, RENTED to diplOluatic channels for
adjustment. The speedy settlement .of
these claims will not he urged bv this GOV
eminent
Negotiations for n treaty of commercial
reciprocity with tho Dominican replb
lie have been succnssfuiIg cnnci,,doL fn,d
the result will shortly h,. laid hrfnrr The
Senate.
Certain questions brtyequ the I.uitod
States and the Ottoman emnlrr still re-
main unsulvcd. COMPLAINS On bnhnif nf
our citizens have not been sntisf,rtnriIv