The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-06
HAYTI.


sary to enforce our neutrality laws by in
st tuting proceedings against individual
and vessels charged with their infringe
ment These prosecutions were in all case
successful.
TARIFF on WORKS OF ART
Much anxiety has lately been dsplaye,
by variou, European Governments espe
cially by the Governm mt OF Italy, for The
abolition OF our import duties on works o
art, II l. well Ia consider wheth r The
present discrimination in favor OF produc
tons of American artists abrold is no
likely 10 result, as they themselves seen
very generally TO believe i may, in the prac
tital exclusion Of our painters and sculp-
/ tors from the rich fields for observation
study and labor which they have hitherto
enjoyed.
| There is prospect that the long pending
revision of the foreign treaties of Japan
NAV be concluded at a new conference 10
be held at Toxic. While this Government
fully recognizes the equal and independent
station Of Japan in the community OF ma.
tions, il would not oppose the general adop'
ton OF such terms OF compromise as Japan
NAV De disposed TO offer in furtherance OF
a uniform policy of intercourse with west
ern nations.
MEXrCo.
During the past year the increasing good
will between our own Government and
that of Mexico has been varlously mani
tested. The treaty Of commercial reclproc-
ity, concluded January 20, 1883, has been
ratified and awaits the necessary tariff leg
isla,ion of Congress to become effective.
This legislation will, doubt not, be among
the first measures 10 claim your attention.
A full treaty OF commerce, navigation and
consular rights is much 10 be desired, and
n | havp IN bpI1pVn tho
Mexican Government stands ready TO con-
clude. Some embarra csment has been oc-
casoned by the failure OF Congress, at It's
last SESSION, TO provide means for the due
executon'of the treaty Of July %, 1882 for the
resurvey Of the Mexican boundary and the
relocation of boundary monuments.
THE isrHaUs CANAL.
With the republic Of Nicaragua treaty
has been concluded which authorizes the
construction by the United States of ca.
nal, IA lway and telegraph line across the
Nicarauguan territory BY the terms. OF
this treaty, sixty miles of the River San
Juan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an In.
land sea forty miles in width, are to con-
stitntc part OF the projected enterprise
This covers, for actual canal construction,
seventeen miles on the Pacific side and
thirty-siX miles on the Atlantic. To the
United States, whose rich territory on the
Pacific Is, for the ordinary purposes OF COM
merce, practically cut off from communi.
cation by water with the Atlantic ports,
the political and commercial advantages OF
such project can scarcely be overesti-
mated.
IL is believed that when the treaty is laid
before YOU the justice and liberality Of its
provisions will command universal approval
al home and abroad.
RUSSIA.
Tho 5nntb nj nur ranracanf ~ OF Ruc
STA, while at his post at ST. Petersburg, af
fOrded to the Imperial Government re
newed opportunity TO testify its sympathy
in manner befittIng the intimate frien Ill |
ness which has ever marked the intercourse !
of the two countries.
The course of this Government in raising ,
its representation at b ng-kok to the dip |
lomatic rank has evoked from STAN evi. !
dences OF warm friendship, and augurs we'll
for our enlarged intercourse. The Siamese |
Government has presented to the United
States commodiou mansion and grounds |
for the occupancy of the legislation. and |
suggest that by JOINT resolution Congress
attest its appreeia ion OF this generous gift.
SPAIN.
This government has more than once
been called upon of late to take action in
fultilment OF its international obligation |
toward Spain. Agitation in the Island of |
Cuba, hostile to the Spanish crown, having
been fernented by persons abusing the sa-
cred rites of hospitality which our rritory
affords, the officers of the Government have
been instructed to exercise vigilance to
prevent infractionS 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 precaution-
lry measures Were successfully eluded the
offenders when found in our territory were
tried and convicted.
THE SPANISH ANTILLES.
The growing need of close relationship
)f intercourse and traffic between the Span
Sh Antilles and their natural market i'm the
United states led to the adoption, in Jan
nary last, of commercial agreement look
ng to that end. This agreement has since
been superseded bya more carefully framed
and comprehensive convention, which |
shall submit to the Senate for approval Ii
has been the aim OF this negotiation To
open such favored reciprocal exchange of
productions carried under the flag of either
country as to make the intercourse between
Cuba and Port Rico and ourselves scarcely
cSs intimate than the commercial move
nentS between our domestic ports, and to
insure removal of the burdens on ship
ping in the Spanish Indies, OF which, in
he past, our ship-ownnrs and ship-mas terS
law " pIlNI lih'l cause W NbllnIdlll. i lie
legOtlaton of this convention has for
lme postponed the prosecution of certain
'laims of our citizens which were declared to
,e without the jurisdiction of the Spanish
american Claims Commission, and which
ire therefore RENTED TO diplomatic chan
lelS for adjustment The speedy settle
nent of these claims viii now be urged by
his Government.
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Negotiations for treaty of commercial
with the Dominican Republic
AVE been sue reSsfully conclu led and the
esult will shortly be laid before the Sen
tie,
RELATIONS WITH THE PORTE.
Certain questions between the United
states and the Ottomln En- ire still re-
main unsOlved. Complaints in behalf of
ur citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted.
The Porte has sought to withhold from our
commerce the right of favored treatment
o which we are entitled by existing con-
entonal stipulation, aud the revision of
ne tariffs is unaccompllshed.
THE CARACAS AWARDS
The hnal disposition of pending Gues-
ions with Venezuela has not as vet been ;
cached, bat have good reason to expect
n early settlement which will provide the
means OF rc-eNamlning the Caracas awards
II conformity with the expressed desire of
congress and which will rpcoruiya tho ius