Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-11
.z ALERT.

ALERT,
The Arctic exploring steamer which was gen
IL the relief OF the Greeley expedition, was after
the successful attainment of that humane purpose,
returned TO Great Britain in pursuance of the
authority conferred by the act Of March 5, 1885.
ExTRADITIoS.
The inadeauacy of the existing engagements
for extradtion between the United States ard
Great Britain has been long apparent The tenth
article of the treaty of 1879, of the earliest
lated for surrender in respect OF limited number
of offenseS Other crimes, no less inmical TO
the social welfare, should be embraced, and the
procedure of extradition brought into harmony
with present International practices. Nesotia-
tons with Her MajeSty's government for an en-
larged treaty of eNtradition have been pending
since 1870. and | entertain strong hopes that a
satisfactory result may be Don attained.
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
The frontier line between Alaska and British
Columbia as defended by the treaty of ceSSa-
ton with Russia follows the debarkation as
signed in a prior treaty between Great Britain
and Russia. Modern exploration discloSes that
this ancient boundary is impracticable as geo
graphical fact. In the unsettled condition of the
region the question has lacked Importance, but
the discovery of mineral wealth in the territory,
the line is supposed to traverse admonishes that
the time has come when an accurate knowledge
of the boundary is needful to avert jursdictionai
complications.
| recommend therefore that provision be made
for a preliminary reconnaissance by the officers
more precise information the subject. l
have invited her majeSty'S government to con
slider with us the adoption of Il more convenient
liie 10 be established by meridian observations or
ly known geographical fixtures without the
necessity of an expensive survey of the whole.
HAYTL
The late insurrectionary movements in Hayti
having been quelled, the government of that re-
public has made prompt provision for adjudicat-
ing losses suffered by foreigners because of the
hoStllities there and the claims of certain citi-
of the United States will be in this manner
determined.
The long pending claims of two citizens Of the
United States, Peleterer and Elazare, have been
disposed of by arbitration and an award III favor of
each claimant has been made, which by the terms
or The engagement, is final. 1t remains for con-
greSs provide for the payment of the stipulated
moiety of the expenses.
question arose with Hayti during the past
year by reason of the exceptional treatment of
an American citizen, Mr. Van Bokkeen, a resi-
dent of Port Au Prince, who, on suit by creditors
residing in the United States, was sentenced to
Imprisonment, and under the operation of Hay.
tan statute, denied relief secured to native
Haytlan. This government asserted his treaty
right to equal treatment with natives of Hayu in
all suits at law. Our contention was denied by
the Haytian government, which, however, while
still protesting to maintain the ground taken
against Mr.. Van Bokkelens right, terminated the
controversy by setting him at liberty without exl
PLANTATION.
THE CHOLERA
IN international conference to consider the
means of arrestng the spread of cholera and
other epidemic diseases, was held at Rome in
May last and adjourn to meet again on further
notice An expert delegate, on behalf of The
United states, has attended the session, and will
submit his report
Our relations with Mexico continue TO be most
cordial as befitS those of neighbors between whom
the stronges. ties OF friendship and commercial
intimacy exist as the natural and growing conSe-
propLquty.
The relocation of the boundary line between
the United States and Mexico eastward of the Rio
Grande under the convention of July %, 1882, has
been unayoidably delayed. but | apprehend no
difficulty in securing prolongation of the period
for its accomplishment The lately concluded
commercial treaty with Mexico still awaits the
stipulated legislation to carry its provisions into
effect for which one years additional time has
been secured by supplementary article signed
in February last and since ratified on both sides
As the convention, so important to the CONNER
cial welfare of the two adjoining co uutries has
been constitutionally confirmed by the treaty
making branch. | express the hope that leglS-
latlon needed to make it effective may not be
long delayed. The large influx of capital and en-
terpriSe to Mexico from the United States con-
tinueS to aid in the development of the resources
and in ausmentng the material we-being of our
sister republic lines of railways penetrating to
the heart and capital of the country, bringing the
two people into mutual beneficial intercourse
the enlarged facilities of transit added to profit
able commerce create new markets and furnish
avenues to otherwise isolated communities
RUSSIA.
Our good relationship with Russia continues
An officer of the navy, detailed for that purpose
is on his way to Siberia, bearing the test-
monias voted by congress to those who gener-
Jeanette expedition.
SPAIN
1t is gratifying to revert to the cordialty of our
intercourse with Spain. The long pending claim
of the owners of the ship Masonic for the loss
suffered through the admitted deriliction of the
Spanish authorities in the Philippine Islands has
been adjusted by arbitration. and an indemnity
awarded
THE SHIP RAILWAY.
Ihave already adverted to the construction of
a ship railway across the narrow formation of
the territory of Mexico at Tehuantepec. With
the gradual recovery of
PERU
from the effects of her late disastrous conflict
with Chill, and with the restoration os civil au-
thority in that distracted country, 1t is hoped
that the pending war claims of our citizens will
be adjusted. In conformity with the notification M
given by the government of Peru, the existing
treaties of commerce and extradition between
the United States and that country will termn
ate March 3lst, 1886
The principal of arbitration in such cases to
which the United States have long and constantly
adhered, thus receives fresh and gratifying con-
frmation. Other questions with Spain have been
disposed Of, or, are under diplomatic consider
ment The operation of the commercial agree
ment with Spain of January ID and February 18th,
1884, has been found INADEQUATE to the CONNER
cial needs of the United States and the Spanish
antilles. and the terms of the agreement are sub
iected to conflicting interpretations in those
islands Negotiations have been instituted at
Madrid for a full treaty not open to these Object
tions and in the line of the general policy touch
ing the neighboring intercourse of proxmate
communities to which l elsewhere advert, and
aiming moreover at the removal of existing bur
lens and although
satisfactory formulation is promised am COM
PEELED 10 delay its announcement.
COPYRIGHT LAW.
An international copyright conference was held
at Brine, in September, on the invitation OF the
Swiss government. The envoy of the United
States attended as delegate. but refrained from
committing this government to the results, even
by signing the recommendatory protocol adopt
ed. The interesting aud III portant subject OF In
ternatiOnal copyright has been before you for
several years. Action is certainly desirable TO
effect tAs object in view; and while there may be
question as to the relative advantage OF treating
it by legislation or by specific treaty, the matured
views Of the Berne conference cannot fail to aid
your consideration Of the subject.
TURKEY.
The termination of the commercial treaty Of
1862 between the United States and Turkey has
been sought by that government While there IS
question as to the sufffcency of the notice OF
termination given, yet as the commercial rights
OF our citizens in Turkey come under the favored
nation guarantees of the prior treaty of 1880,
and as an equal treaty, is admitted by the porte,
no inconvenience can result from the assent OF
this government to the restriction of Ottoman
tariff, in which treaty the powers have been in
vited to join
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
may be affected by the Portes non-acquiesence in
the right of expatriation and by the lmposluon
of religious tests as condition OF residence IN
which this government cannot concur. The
United States must hold in their intercourse
with every power that the status Of their citizens
is to be respected and equal civil privileges &C
corded to them without regard to creed and al :
out of domiciiary return to the land OF original
allegiance or of uufulflled personal obligation
which may survive under municipal laws such
voluntary return
vESEZULA.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative to the
rehearing Of the awards of the mixed commits
sion constituted 4"- The treaty OF 1866, was re-
slIned in view Of = recent acaniesence OF the
Venezuelan envo. - the principal point ad vanc-
ed by this government that the effects OF the old
treaty could only be set aside by the operation OF
a new convention result in substantial &C
cord with the advisory suggestions adopted IN
the Joint resolution Of March g. 1873. has been
agreed upon and will shortly be submitted to the
senate for ratification.
A REVISION NEEDED
Under section 1863. of the revised statutes, all
funds held in trutt by the United States and the
annual interest accruiDg thereon. when not
otherwise required by treaty, are 10 be in
vested in stocks of the United States bearing a
rate Of interest Of not less than per cent per
nun. There being now no procIrable stock pay
ing high rate of interest. the letter OF the
statute IS at present inappcable, tut It's spirit IS
subseFved by continuing to make investments OF
this nature in current stocks bearing the highest
interest now paid. The statutes, however. makes
no provision for the disposal OF such accretiOns,
il being contrary to the general rules Of this gov
a L