Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-12-05

ton OF the treaties and the law, were muir
dered by mob, and tbs still mora recent
threatened outbreak of the same character
in Washington Territory, are fresh in tho
minds Of all, and th9re Is apprehension lest
the bitterness of feeling against the Mongo-
liam race on the Pacific slope may 6nd vent
in similar lawisss demonstrations. All the
power of this Government should be exertsd
10 maintain the amplsst good faith toward
China in the treatment of these men, and
the iahsxlbie sternness of the law in bringing
the Wrongdoers to justice should be insisted
upon. Every effort has been made by this
Government to prevent these violent out
breaks and to aid the representations of
China in their investigation of these out
RACES, and it is but just TO say that they ara
traceaDle TO the lawlessness of men not clti-
zens OF the United States, engaged in compe-
tition with Chinese laborers.
Race prejudice is the chief factor in origin
atlng these disturbances. and it exists in a
large part or our domain, jeopardizing our
domestic peace and the good relationship we
strive to maintain ssl-n China. The admitted
right OF government TO prevent the influx
OF elements hostile to its internal peace and
security may not be questioned, even where
there Is no treaty stipulation on the subject.
That the exclusion OF Chinese labor is de-
nlanded in other countries whers like condi-
tons prevail Is strongly evincsd IN the do
mInion of Canada, where Chinese immigra-
ton is now regulated oy laws more exclusive
than our own. II existing laws are made
quate 10 compass the end in view / shall be
prepared to give earnest consideration to
any further remedial measures within the
treaty limits which the wisdom of Congress
may devise.
THE CONGO CONFERENCE.
The independent State Of the Congo has
been organized as a government under the
sovereignty of his Majesty the King of the
Belgians, who assumes It's chief magIstracy
in his personal character only, without max
ing the new State a dependency on Belgium.
1t is fortunate that benighted region, ow-
ing ali 1t has Of quickening civilization TO
the bsReficenee and philanthropic spirit of
this monarch, should have the advantage and
security OF its benevolent supervision. The
action taken by this Government last year,
in being the first to recognize tine flag of the
International Association Of the Congo, has
been followed by formal recognition Of the
new nationality which succeeds to its SOW
ersign powers. A conference OF dele
gates of the principal commercial ma
tlons was held at Berlin last winter to
discuss methods whereby ths Congo basin
might be kept open TO the worlds trade.
Delegates attended on behalf of the United
States, on the understanding that their part
should be merely deliberative. without i'm
parting to the results any binding character
so far as the United States were con-
cerned. This reserve was due to the indis-
position of this Government TO share in any
disposal by an international Congress of
juriSdictional questions in remote foreign
territories.
The results of this conference were en-
bodied in a formal act of the nature of an In
ternational Convention, W hich laid down GER
tain obligations purportlng to be binding on
the signatories, subject TO ratification within
one year, and Notwithstanding the reserva-
tioR under which the dsieg ates of the United
States attended, their signatures were at
tached TO the general act in the same manner
as those of the plenipotentiarieS of other Gov
ernments, shus making the United States APP
pear without reserve or qualification as sig
nstories TO joint internatioual gagement,
imposing on the signers the conservation Of
the territorial integrity of distant regions,
where we have no established interests or
control. This Government does not, how
ever, regard its reservation Of liberty OF
action ia the premises as at
all impaired, and holding that an
engagement to share in the obligation of
enforcing neutrality in the remote valley of
the Congo would be alliance whose response
bIlltiss we are not IN q position to assume l
abstain from asking the sanction Of the Sem
ate to that general act. The correspondence
will be laid before you and the instructive
and interesting report of the agent sent by
this Government to the Congo country, and
bis recommendations for the establishment
Of commercial agencies or, the African coast,
are also submitted for your consideration.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
The commission appointed by my prede-
cessor last winter to visit the Central and
South American countries and report on the
methods OF snlarging the commercial rsla-
ti0ns OF the United States Herewith, has
submitted reports, which will be laid before
you No opportunity has been omitted to
testify the frieudliness of this Government
toward Cprsa, whose entrance into the fam
lily of treaty powers the United States was
the first TO recognize. l regard with favor
the application made by the Corsan Govern
ment TO be allowed TO employ American
officers military instructors, TO which the
assent of Congress becomes necessary, and
am happy to say this request has the concur
rent sanction Of China aud Japan.
The arrest and Imprisonment of Julio r.
Santos, a citizen of the United States, by the
authorities OF Ecuador gave rise TO con-
tention with that Government in which his
right to be released or to have a speedy and
impartial trial on announced charges and
with all guarantees of defense stipulated by
treaty was insisted upon by us. After an
elaborate correspondence and repeated and
earnest representations on our part, Mr..
Santos was, after an alleged trial and con-
viction, eventually included in general de-
cree of amnesty and pardonsd by the EcuS-
dorian Executive and released, leaving the
question of mis- American citizenship denied
by the Ecuadoriau Government, but insisted
upon by our own.
The amount adjudged by the late French
and American Claims Commission to be due
from the United States to French claimants
on account of injuries suffered by them dur
ing the war of secession, having been npDro-
prIated by the last Congress, has bsen duly
paid the French Government. The act of
February %, 1885, provided for a Prelim-
mary search of the records of the French
priZs courts for evidence bearing on the
claims of American citlzeus against France
for speliatiOns committed prior to 1901.
The duty has been performed, and the re-
port of the agent will be laid before you.
1 regret TO say taat she restrictions upon
the importation OF our pork into France
still exist, notwithstanding the abund-
ant demonstration of the absence OF
sanitary dangers in its uss; but
l entertain strong hopes that, with
a better understanding OF the matter, this
Vexatious prohibition will be removed.
OUR RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
It would be pleasing to be able to say as
much with respect to Germany, Austria,
and other countries where such food products
are absolutely excluded without present
prospect of reasonable change.
The Interpretation of our existing treaties
of naturalization by Germany during the
past year has attacted attention by reason
of an apparent tendency on the
part of the Imperial Government
TO extend the scope OF the
residential restrictions to which returning
nsturalized citizens of German origin are
asserted to be liable, under tue laws Of the
empire. Tbs temperate and just attitude
taken by this Government with regard to
this class of questions will doubtless lead to
understanding.
The dispute of Germany and Spain rela-
tive 10 the domination of the Caroline Islands
has attracted the attention of TINS Govern
ment. by reason of extensive interests Of
American citizens having grown up i'll those