Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-02

fitting the intimate friendliness which has
ever marked the intercourse OF the two coun-
tries.
The course Of this government in raising its
representation at Bangkok 10 the diplomatic
rank has evoked from Siam evidences OF
warm friendship and augurs Wen IOT our en-
larged intercourse.
The Siamese Government has presented to
the United States cOmmodious mansion ana
grounds for the occupancy OF tne leSaIloD, ana
l suggest that by joint resolution Congress
attest its appreciation Of this generous gift.
CUBA's TROUBLES.
This government has more than once been
called'uDOn of late 10 take action in fulfill
ment Of its international obligations toward
Spain, agitation in the island of Cuba hostile
10 the Spanish crown having been fomented
By persons abusing the sacred right OF h0spi
tally which our territory affords. The ohcers
Of this government have been instructed TO
exercise vigilance to prevent ATTRACTIONS OF
our neutrality laws. At Key West and at
other points near the Cuban coast am happy
to say that in the only instance where these
precautionary measures were successfully
eluded the offenders, when found IN our terri
tory, were subsequently tried and convicted.
The growing need OF close relationship Of
intercourse and traffic between the Spanish
Antilles and their natural mark ct in theU nited
States led 10 the adoption, in January last, OF
a commercial agreement looking TO that end.
This agreement has since been superseded by
a more carefully framed and comprehensive
convention, which / shall submit to the SEN
ate Tor approval. IL has been the aim OF this
LeSOtiatlOn to open such favOret. reciprocal
exchange of productions carried under the
flag OF either country as 10 make the inter
course between Cuba and Porto Rico and
ourselves scarcely less intimate than the COM
mercial movement between our domestic
ports, and TO insure a removal of the burdens
o. shipping IN the spanish indies OF winch, IN
TIE past, our ship owners and shipmasters
have so often had cause to complain.
CLAIMS AGAINST SPAIN.
The negotiation of this convention has for a
ilme postponed the prosecution Of certain
claims OF our citizens which were declared 10
be without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish
american Claims Commission, and which are,
therefore, RENTED to diplomatic channels for
adjustment. The speedy settlement Of these
claims VIII now be urged By this government.
Negotiations for treaty of commercial re-
clprCclty with the Dominican Republic have
Dten successfully concluded, and the result
viii shortly be laid before the Senate.
Certain questions between the nited States
and the Ottoman Empire still remain I'M
solved. Complaints on behalf Of our 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 stipulatiOns
ana the revision OF the tariffs i unaccom-
plIshed.
The final disposition of pending que-iions
with Venezuela has not as yet been reached. /
but nave gOau reason 10 exDect an early !
settlement, which viii provide the means OF /
Ie-eNamlnlng the Caracas awards in cOnfOF- /
NIFTY with the expressed desire Of Congress, !
ana winch VIII recognize the justice OF Ger !
tain claims preferred against Venezuela.
The Central and South American Commits |
slon.appOinted b. authority OF the act Of July I
= losi. Will soon proceed to Mexico. II has /
been furnished with Instructions which will /
be LAID before ySu. They contain a statement /
al the general policy Of the government for /
charging is commercial intercourse with tie I
American States. The Commissioners have
been actively preparing for their responsible |
tasa by holding conferences IN the principal |
cities with merchants and others interested /
IN the Central and south American trade.
Tho international Meridian Conference,
lately convened in Washington upon the in
Yi-dtlOn of the Government Of the United \
-tates. was com posed f representatives from
twenty-five nat Ons. The conference cOnclu-
ded Us labOrs on Nov. !, having with substan-
Ual unanlmlty agreed upon the meridian Of
Sreenwlch as tbs starting point whence lon
gltude Is 70 be computed through $50 degrees
eastward and westward. and upon the adOp-
Ton Tor all purposes for which it may be
found convenient Of universal day. which
she'll begin at Midnight on the initial meri-
dian. and whose hours shall be counted from
zeOe UP 10 u. The formal report OF the trans
actions OF this cor ference VIII be hereafter
transmitted to Congress.
THE GREAT EXPOSITIONs.
This government is in frequent receipt Of
Invitations from foreign States to particI pate
iniuternatiOaal exhibitions, often Of great in
tc-est and Importance. Occupying IS we do
au advanced position IN the worlds prOduc-
ton. and aiming 10 secure a profitable share
io- cur industries N the general competitive
markets, II j. Il matter OF serious concern
that the want OF means for participation in
these exbih tioll5 should 81 often exclude our
producers from the 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 governments Of England. Holland,
Belgium. Germany and Austria. The EXecu-
tive has IN some Instances appointed honorary /
commissioners. This is. however, a most IN
satisfactory eXpedient. Tor without some pro-
vision TO meet the necessary working expenses |
Of commission, II can effect little or nothing
IN behalf OF exhibitors. An International
invention exhibition is to be held in
London next Nav. This VIII cover
a field Of special Importance in which our
country holds a fore UOst rank. But the EX-
ecutive Is at present powerless to organize a
proper represent alton of our vast national |
interests in this direction. l h9ve in several |
previous messages referred TO this subject. 1t
seems to me that s statute giving tO,the Exec
utIve general discretionary authority TO &C
cept SUCH invitations, and to appoint honorary
comm ssiOners without salary, and placing
at the disposal of the Secretary OF State a
small fund for defraying their reasonable eX-
pcnses, would be Of great public utility.
COLLISIONS AT SEA.
This government has received official notice |
that tie revised international regulations for |
preventing collisions at sea have been adopted |
by AL the leading maritime powers except the |
United states, aud came into force sept. l /
Lass For the due protection of our shipping /
interests. the provisions Of our statutes should |
at ODCc be brought into conformity with these |
regulations.
The question Of securing TO an hors, COM
pozers, 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 conventions will be |
necessary for fully accomplishing this re- |
suit. but until Congress shall by |
statute fix the extent 10 which |
foreign holders of copyright shall be here |
privileged It ,as been deemed lnadYisable 10 |
negotiate such conventions. For TINS reason, |
the United states were represented at the re- !
cent conference at Bcrne.
l recommend that the scope of the neu-
n.r- init tod AZ hn on
larged IS to cover all patent acts Of hostility !
committed in our territory, and aimed |
against the peace Of friendly nation. Exist |
ing statutes prohibit tire fitting out Of armed |
expeditions and restrict the shipment OF eX-
plOsivcs. though the enactments in the latter
respect were not framed with regard to in
ternational obligations, bat simply for the
protection OF passenger travel. All the
statutes were intended TO meet special emery
eucie5 that had already arisen. Other
emergencies have arisen since and modern
ingenuity supplies the means for the Orgaui-
cation OF nOStilities without open resort To
armed vessels or to fhbusiering parties. l
see no reason why overt preparations IN this
country for the commission Of criminal acts,
such as are here under consideration, should
not be alike punishable whether such acts
are intended to be committed IN our own
country or in a foreign country with which
we are at peace. The prompt and thorough
treatment of this question is one which init
mately concerns the national honor.
THE STANDARDIZATION LAWS.
Our existing NATURALIZATION laws also neeu
revision. Those sections relating 10 persons
residing within the limits of the United states
in 1875 and l79S have now only historical in
terest. Section 2l72, recognizing the citizen
shin of the children of naturaliZed parents,
is ambiguous in its terms, and partly Obso-
lete. There are special provisions of law IA
vOrinS the naturalization Of those who serve
IN the army or in merchant vessels, |
while no similar privileges are granted !
those who served IN the navy
or the marine corps. "An uniform rule of
naturalization, such as the constitution con-
templates, should, among other things, clearly |
define the status of persons born within the /
United states subject to a foreign power Sec |
ton 1892, and OF minor o. .lGrca q fathers |
who have declared their intention TO become |
citizens but have failed to perfect their natu- /
raization. 1t might be wise 10 provide for q |
central bureau Of registry wherein should be /
filed auth entlCated transcripts Of every record 1
OF naturalization IN the several Fed |
eral and state courts, and to make /
provisions 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 re- |
nOunced or forfeited his acquired citizenship. |
y just and uniform law in this respect would !
strengthen the hands of the government in /
protecting its citizens abroad, and would |
pave the way for the conclusion of treaties of |
naturalization with foreign countries.
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SER |