, 1884-12-02
may be concluded at a new conference tc
be held at Toxic.

btOutu Dl tue ldliuTt VI Aouetcco Ut ~
last session to provide means for the exc
cution Of the treaty of July %, 1882, foI
the resurvey of the Mexican boundary
and the relocation of boundary monu
ments.
With the Republic of Nicaragua 8
treaty has been concluded which authoriz'
es the construction by the United States
ola canal, railway and telegraph line
across the Nicarauguan territory. BY the
terms of this treaty sixty miles Of the
river San Juan as well as Lake Nicarau
qua, an inland sea, forty miles in width,
are to constitute a part of the projected
enterprise. This conveys for the 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 or
binary purposes Of m practically
cut off from communication by water with
the Atlantic ports. The political and
commercial advantages Of such a project
can scarcely be overestimated.
This Government has more than once
been called upon of late to take action in
the ful6llment of its international obliga-
ton toward Spain. Agitation in the Is
land of Cuba hostile to the Spanish crown,
having been prevented by persons abusing
the sacred rights of hospitality which our
territory affords-the officers of the Gov
eminent have been instructed to exercise
vigilance, to prevent infractions Of. our
neutrality laws at Key West and at other
points near the Cuban Coast. 1 am
happy to say that in the only instance
where these precautionary measures were
successfully evaded, the offenders when
found in our territory were subsequently
tried and convicted.
Certain questions between the United
States and the Ottoman Empire still re-
main unsettled. Complaints in behalf Of
our citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted.
FOREIGN ExPosTTIoNs.
In consideration Of the fact that no
provision is made for the United States
to take part in foreign expositions it
seems to me that a statute giving to the
executive general discretionary authority
to accept such invitations and to APP
point honorary commissioners without
salary, and placing at the disposal Of the
Secretary of State a small fund for de-
fraying their reasonable expenses would
be of great public utility.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
Until Congress shall by statute fix the
extent to which foreign holders of copy
right shall be here privileged nothing can
be done in this important matter.
NEUTRALITY LAWS.
Speaking Of the neutrality laws the
President says: l see no reason why
overt preparations in this country, for the
commission of criminal acts, such as are
here under consideration, should be alike
punishable whether such acts are intended
to be committed in our country or in a
foreign country with which We are at
peace. The prompt and thorough treat
ment of this question is one which init
mately concerns the national honor.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our existing naturalization laws also
need revision. Those sections relating to
persons residing within the limits of the
United States within 1875 and 1898 have
now only a historical interest. Section
2l72, recognizing the citizenship Of the
children of natnralized parents. is ambig-
uous in its terms and partly absolute.
There are special provisions Of law favor
ing the naturalization of those who serve
in the army or in merchant vessels, while
no similar privileges are granted those
who serve in the navy or marine corps.
An uniform rule of naturalization, such as
the constitution contemplates, should,
among other things, clearly define the
status of persons born within the United
States subject to a foreign power, (sec.
1892 and of minor children Of fathers
who have declared their intention of be-
coming citizens but have failed to perfect
their naturalization. II might be wise to
provide for a central bureau for registry
wherein should be filed authenticated
transcripts Of every record of naturaIza-
ton in the several Federal and State
Courts and to make provision also for the
vacation or cancellation of such record in
cases where fraud had been practiced upor
the Court by the applicant himself OIL
where he hadremoved or forfeited his &C
quired citizenship. A just and uniform
law in this respect would strengthen the
hands ofthe government in protecting it
citizens abroad and would pave the way
for the conclusion OF treaties OF naturali'
ration with foreign countries.
FACTS IN FINANCE.
The condition of our finances and tn
operation Of various branches of tn
public service which are connected with
the Treasury Department are very full,
discussed in the report of the Secretary
1t appears that the ordinary revenues 70
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1884
were: From customs, $l95.067 ,4S9.76
from internal revenues, 1921 ,5s6, 072.5l
from all other sources, S3l ,866, 307.65
total ordinary revenues, $34S, SIG, 500. 81
The public expenditures during tho sam
|, period were: For civil expenses, 500
3l2, 907 I'll; for foreign intercourse, 81,
, 060 766 %. for Indians &6- 475 QqQ. %