St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-02

nby the United States Of = canal. railway and
telegraph line across the Nicarauguan territory.
BY the terms Of this treaty sixty miles OF the
river San Juan, well the Lake Nicaragua,
an inland forty miles IN width. are to consti-
tute a part OF the projected enterprise
This covers. for actual canal construction seven
teen miles on the Pacific side and thirty-six miles
ON the Atlantic 10 the United StateE. whose rich
territory on the Pacific is, for the ordinary pur-
poses Of commerce, practically cut of from COM
munieRtion by water with Atlantic ports. The
political and commercial advantages OF such
u project can scarcely be overestima1ed
II is believed that when the treaty is laid be-
fore yon the justice and Hberality OF It's proris-
ions will command universal approval al home
and abroad.
The death Of our representative at Russia while
at his post at ~. Petersburg afforded 70 the i'm
perial government a renewed opportunity to
testify its sympathy in manner betting the
intimate friendliDess which has ever mark cd the
intercourse OF the two countries-
The course OF this government in raising its
representation at Bangkok 20 the diplomstic
rank has evoked from siam evidences OF warm
friendship, and augurs well for our enlarged in
teresis.
the Siamese government has presented to the
United States cOmmodiols mansion and
grounds for the occupancy Of the legation and
suggest that by joint resolution congress- at
test its appreciation OF this generous gift
This government has more than once been
called on of late 10 take action 10 the fnlflment
Of international obligation toward Spain, the ag-
tation in the Island OF Cuba hostile 10 the
Spanish crown, having been fermented by per-
sons abusing the sacred right of hospitality
which our territory affords, the officers OF the
government have been instructed 10 exercise
vigilance 10 prevent attractions Of oyr neutrality
laws at Key West and other ports near the
Cuban coast. am happy to say that In only
one instance these precautionary measures
successfully eluded. Tie offenders when
found In territory were subsequently, tried
and convicted. The growing need Of close rela-
tionship OF intercourse and traffic between the
Spanish Antilles and their na urai market ia the
United States led 10 the adoption. ga January
last, Of a commercial agreement looking q nat
end. This agreement has since been SUFFERED ied
by a more carefully framed and COMPREHENSIVE
agreement which ] shall subject 10
the senate for approval. IL has
been the aim Of this negotiation 10
open such favored reciprocal exchange OF pro-
duction, carried under the dag Of either country,
as TO make the intercourse between Cuba and
Porto ri o md ourselves scarcely LEES intimate
than the commercial movement between our
domestic ports, and 10 insure u remoya' Of the
burdens on shipping 10 the Spanish ladies', OF
which in the past our ship owners ano chip mas
tiers have often had cause L. complain.
The negotiation Of this convention mas for time
postponed the prosecution OF certain claims OF
our citizens which were declared To be without
claims commission, and which we therefore re-
mitted to diplomatic channels for adjustment
The speedy settlement Of these claims viii now
be urged b. this government.
Negotiations for a treaty OF commercial reclp-
rocity with the Dominican repubnc have beeu
successfully concluded, and the result will shortly
be laid before the senate. Certain questions De-
tween the United States and the Ottoman empire
stili remain unsolyed. Complaints in behalf OF
our citizens are moi satisfactorily adjusted.
The porte has 81 a ht to withhold from our com
merce the right o. favored treatment TO which
we are entitled 10y existing conventional stipa-
lations and the REVISION OF the tariffs is unae-
complished.
The final disposition OF the pending quest ons
with Venezuela has no rs vet been reached, but
| have good reason % expect an early settlement
which will provide the means OF re-examinng
the Caracas awards. in conformity with the eK-
pressed desire of congress, and which will recog
nize the justice OF certain claims preferred
against Venezuela. The
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSION.
appointed by authority Of the at OF July. 1884.
will soon proceed TO Mexico. IL
has been furnished with instructions which
Will be laid before you. They conla
a stateme OF the general policy OF the govern
ment for enlarging its commercial intercourse
with American states. Il h commissioners have
been actively preparing for their respon sible
TASK ny uOluAisB conferences IN TIE pfluclndl
cities with merchants aad others interested in
Central and South American trade.
THE NTERNATIoNAl MERIDIAN CONFERENCE
which met lately in Washington upon the invita-
ton of the government OF the United
States, was composed of represen-
tatives of twenty-five nations. The conference
concluded its laDors on the first OF November
having with substantial unanImity agreed upon
the meridian Of Greenwich the starting point
whence Longitude is 10 be computed through $50
degrees eastward and westward, and upon the
adoption for all purposes, for which IL may be
found convenient, OF a universal day which shall
begin al midnight on tn initial meridian and
whose hours shall be counted from zero up 10
twenty four. The formal report OF the transac-
tions of this conference will be hereafter trans
mitted TO congress.
THE EXHIBITION OF OUR PRODUCTS.
This government is in frequent receipt Of invi-
tations from foreign states to participate in inter
national exhibitions, often of great interest and
importance. Occupying we do an advanced
position on the worlds production, and aiming TO
secure profitable share for our industries in the
-eleral competitive markets, il is a matter OF
serious concern that the want OF means for par
ticpaton in these exhibits should so often ex-
clude our producers from the advantages enjoyed
by those Of other countries. During the past year.
The attention OF congress was drawn TO the for
NAL invitations in this regard rendered by the
Germany and Austria. The executive has in
some instances appointed honorary commissions
This lie, however. most unsatisfactory expe-
dent for, without some provision 10 meet the
necessary working expenses OF 6 commission. il
effect little or nothing in behclf OF the exhi-
bitors. An international inventors exhibition is
TO be held in London next May.
This will cover field OF special
importance in which our country holds the
foremost rank, but the executive is at present
powerless 10 organize q proper representation
OF our vast national interests in this direction.
have in several previous messages referred 20
this subject Itseems TO me that statute Civ
ing 10 the executive general Discretionary au-
thority to accept such invitations and TO appoint
honorary commissioners without salary and
placing at the disposal Of the secretary OF state
small fund for defrayng their reasonable ex-
penses would be of great public utility.
PROTECTION TO SHIPPING.
This government has received official notice
that the revised international regulations for
preventing collisions at have been adopted by
all the leading maratime powers except the
United States, and came into force on the LIST Of
September last. For the due protection of our
shipping interests the provision of our statutes
should at once be brought into consideration with
these regulations,
PROTECTION TO AUTHORS, ETC.
The question OF securing authors. composers
and artists copyright privileges in this country
in return for reciprocal rights abroad is
one that may justly challenge your at
tention. 1t is time that a convention
will be necessary for fully accomplishing this re-
suit but until congress shall fix the extent to
which foreign holders of copyright shall be here
privileged, it has been deemed inadyisable to ne
gotiate snch convention for this reason.
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
The United States were not represented at 1.-THE
recent conference at Berne. recommend that
the scope Of the neutrality laws OF the United
States be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts
of hostility committed in our territory and armed
against the peace of friendly nation Existing
statutes nrohihit the fitting nnf Of