Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-06

With France the traditional cordial
relationship continues. The Bartholdi
statue of "Liberty Enlightening the
World" the generous gift of the peo-
pie of France, is expected to reach
New FORK in May next. l suggest
that congressional action be taken in
relation to the spirit which has prompt
ed this gift, and in aid of the timely
completion of the pedestal upon which
it is to be placed.
Our relations with Germany, coun-
try which contributes to our own some
of the best elements of citizenship con-
tinue to be cordial. The United States
have extradition treaties with several
of the German states, but by reason of
the confederation of these states under
the imperial rule, the application of
such treatise is not as uniform and
comprehensive as the interests of the
two countries require. l propose,
therefore to open negotiations for a
single convention of extradition to en-
brace all the territory of the empire.
1t affords me pleasure to say that our
intercourse with Great Britain contin-
ues to be of a most friendly character.
The government Of Hawaii has indica-
ted its willingness to continue for seven
years the provisions of the existing re-
dprocity treaty. Such continuance in
view of the relations of that country to
tie American system of states should
in my judgment be favored.
The revolution in Hayti against the
established government has terminated.
While it was in progress it became me-
cess,ry to enforce our neutrality laws
by istituting proceedings against in
diviGuals and vessels charged with in
frin@ment. These prosecutions were
in all cases successful.
Much anxiety has lately been display
ed by various European governments,
and especially by the government of
Italy, for the abolition Of our import
duties on works of art. 1t is we'll to con-
slider whether the present determination
in tavor of the productions of Ameri-
can artists abroad is not likely to result
as they themselves seem very generally
to believe it may, in the practical exclu-
sion of our. painters and sculptors from
the rich fields for occupation, study and
labor which they have hitherto enioved
There is-" prvsp1cI LnaI the re-
vision of the foreign treaty OF Japan
may Le concluded at a new conference
to be held at Toxic. While this gov
ernment fully recognizes the equal and
independent station of Japan i'll the
connun ty OF nations, it would not
oppose the general adoption of such
terms of compromise as Japan may be
disposed to offer in furtherance OF a uni
form policy of intercourse with wes-
tern nations.
During the past year the increasing
good will between our own government
and that of Mexico has been variously
manifested. The treaty of commercial
reciprocity, concluded January 20,
1888, has been ratified, and awaits the
necessary tariff legislation of congress
to become effective. The legislation
will, doubt not, be among the first
measures to claim your attention. A
full treaty of commerce, navigation and
consular rights is much to be desired,
and such a treaty, have reason to be-
lieve, the Mexican government
stands ready to conclude. Some en-
barrassment has been occasioned by the
failure Of congress at its last session to
provide means for due execution of the
treaty of July Goth, for the re-survey
of the Mexican boundary, and the re-
location of boundary monuments.
With the republic of Nicaragua a
treaty has been concluded, which au
thorizes the construction, by the United
States, of canal, railway and tele
graph lines across the Nicaraguan ter
ritory. By the terms of the treaty &C
miles Of the river San Juan, as we'll as
lake Nicaragua, an inland sea 40 miles
in width, are to constitute part of the
projected enterprise. This covers for &C.
tual 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 commerce
practically cut off from communication
by water with the Atlantic ports the pol
itical and commercial advantages ol
such project can scarcely be over es.
timated. 1t is believed that when the
treaty is laid before you, the justice and
lioerality of its provisions will COM
mand universal approval at home and
abroad. The death of our representa-
tive at Russia while at his post at St
Petersburg afforded to the imperial
government a renewed opportunity tc
testify its sympathy in a manner befit.
ting the intimate frendliness which ha:
ever marked the intercourse of the two
countries. The course of this govern
ment in raising its representation al
Bangkok to the diplomatic rank, ha:
evoked from Siam evidences Of warn
friendship, and argues well for our en-
larged intercourse. The Siamese gov
ernment has presented to the United
States colnmodious mansions anC
grounds for the occupancy of the lega
ton and suggest that by joint resolu
ton congress attest its appreciation o.
this gift.
THE SPANISH QUESTION.
This government has more than once
been called upon OF late to take actiOl
in fulfilment of It's international oblga
tions toward Spain. An agitation il
the island OF Cuba hostile to the Span
ish crown, having been iermented by
persons abusing the sacred rights o.
hospitality which our territory affords
the officers of the government have
been instructed to use due vigilance to
prevent the infraction ofou neutrality
laws at Key West and at points neal
the Cuban coast. | am happy to say
that in the only instance where these
precautionary measures were success
fully eluded, the offenders were found
in our territory and were subsequently,
tried and convicted. The growing
need of close relationship of intercourse
and traffic between the Spanish
Antilles and their natural market in the
United States led to the adoption in
January last of a commercial agree
ment looking to that end. This agree
ment has since been superseded by q
more carefully framed and comprehen-
sive convention, which shall submit
to the senate for approval. 1t has beel
the aim ofthis negotiation to open such
favored reciprocal exchange of pro-
duction, carried under the flag OF either
country, as to make the intercourse
between Cuba, Porto Rico and our
selve, scarcely less intimate than the