The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-02


completion Of the pedestal upon which it is to be
placed.
Our relations with Germany a country which
contributes to our own some of the best ele-
ments of citizenship, continue 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 i'm
perial rule, the application of snch treaties is not
as uniform and comprehensive as the interests
OF the two countries require. l propose, There
fore, to open negotiations for a single conven-
tion to embrace all the territory of the empire.
1t affords me pleasure to say that our inter
course with Great Britain continues to be of
most friendly character.
The government of Hawaii has indicated its
willingness to continue for seven years the pro-
visions of the existing reciprocity treaty. Such
contingency, IN view of the relations of that
country to the American system of States,
should in my judgment. be favored
The revolution in Hayti against the estab
lshed government has terminated While it
was in progress it became necessary to en-
force our neutrality laws by nstitutng
proceedings against individuals and vessels
charged with their infringement. These prose
cutions were, in all cases, successful.
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by va
rious European governments and especially by
the government of Italy, for the abolition of our
import duties upon works of art. 1t is we'll to
consider whether the present discrimination in
favor of productions of American artists abroad
is not likely to result, as they themselves seem
exclusion of our painters and sculptors from
the rich field for observation, study and labor
which they have hitherto enjoyed.
There is prospect that tine long pending re-
vision of the foreign treaties of Japan may be
concluded at a new conference to be held at
Toxic While this government fully recognizes
the equal and Independent station of Japan in
the community of nations, it would not oppose
the general adoption of such terms OF compro
mise as Japan may be disposed to offer in
furtherance of uniform policy of Intercourse
with Western nations.
MEXICO AND NICARAGUA.
During the past year the increasing good will
between our own government and that of Mex
leo has been variously manifested. The treaty
of commercial reciprocity concluded Jan 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 consu-
lar rights is much to be desired and such
treaty, | have reason to believe, the Mexican
government stands ready to conclude
Some embarr assment has been occasioned by
the failure of Congress, at its last session. to
provide means for due execution of the treaty
of July 49, 1882 for the resuryey of the Mex
lean boundary and the relocation of boundary
monuments with the republic of Nicaragua. A
treaty has been concluded which authorizes the
railway and telegraph hne across Nicaraguan
territory. By the terms of this treaty. sixty
miles of the river San JUAN as well as Lake
Nicaragua, an inland sea forty miles in width.
to constitute part of the projected enterprise.
This covers for actual canal construction,
enteen miles on the Pacific side and thirty-six
miles on the Atlantic 10 the United States,
whose rich territory on the Pacific is, for the or
dinary purposes of commerce. practically cut off
from communication by water with the Atlantic
ports, the political and commercial advantages
of such project can scarcely be overestimated.
1t is believed that when the treaty is laid be-
fore you, the justice and iberality of its proys-
ions will command universal approval at home
and abroad.
T1ftaeath-ef our representative at Russia,
while at his post, at St Petersburg, afforded to
the imperial government renewed opportunity
to testify its sympathy in manner beneftting
the intimate friendliness which has ever marked
the intercourse of the two countries.
The course OF this government in raising its
representation at Bang Nok to the diplomatic
rank, has evoked from Siam evidences of warm
friendship, and augurs we'll for our enlarged in
tercourse. The Siamese government has pre-
sented to the United States a commodious man
sion and grounds for the occupancy of the lega-
tion and suggest that by Joint resolution Con
gress attest its appre 'ation of this generous
gift.
THE NEW SPANISH TREATY.
This government has, more than once, been
called upon, of late, to take action in fulfllment
of its international obligations toward Spain.
Agitatons in the island of Cuba, hostile to the
Spanish crown, have been fermented by persons
abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which
our territory affords. The officers of the govern
ment 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 only one in
stance were these precautionary measures sue
cessfully eluded. The offenders, when found in
our territory, were subsequently tried and con-
vcted. 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
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 Senate for approval
1t has been the aim of this negotiation to
open such a favored reciprocal exchange of pro-
ductions carried under the flag of either country
as to make the intercourse between Cuba and
Porto Rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate
than the commercial movement between our do
mestic ports, and TO insure a removal of the
burdens on shipping in the Spanish Indies, of
which. in the past, our ship owners and ship
masters have often had to complain. The
negotiation of this convention has for time,
postponed the prosecution of certain claims of
our citizans which were declared to be without
the jurisdiction of the late Spanish American
claims commission, and which we therefore re-
nIUIeu 10 QlplOIudGlC ciiduutlS IOF
The speedy settlement of these claims will now
be urged by this government.
Negotiations for treaty of commercial re
ciprocity with the Dominican republic have been
successfully concluded, and the result will short
ly be laid before the Senate.
Certain questions between the United States
and the Ottoman Empire still remain unsolved.
Complaints in behalf of our citizens are not sat
isfactorily adjusted. The Porte has sought to
withhold from our commerce the right of favored
treatment to which we entitled by existing
convention stipulations, and the revision of the
tariffs is unaccomphshed.
A final disposition of pending questions with
Venezuela has not, as yet, been reached, but
have good reason to expect early settlement,
which will provide the means of re-examining
the Caracas awards, awards made in conformity
with the expressed desire of Congress, and
which will recognize the justice of certain claims
preferred against Venezuela.
The (ientra1 and South marican co,oDoicSio,