The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09
regard to this class OF questions will doubtless
leaa TO a satisfactory understanding.

regard to this class Of questions will doubtless
lead TO a satisfactory understanding.
The dispute of Germany and Spain. relative to
ths domination of ths Caroline islands, has az
traeted the attention of this government, by rea
son of extensive interests OF American citizens
having grown up in those parts during the past
thirty years, and because the ques-
tson of ownership involves jurisdiction
of matters affecting the status of our citizens
under civil and criminal law. Whilst standing
wholly aloof from the proprietary issues raised
between the powers, to both of which the United
States are friendly, this government: expects that
nothing in the present contention shall unfa-
vcrably affect citizens resident IN the islands,
soi has so informed the governments OF Spain
and Germany.
The marked good will between the United
States and Great Britain has been maintained
dsring tho past year. The termination of the
fishing clauses of the treaty of Washington, In
Pursuance of the joint resolution of March 3,
1853, must have resulted in the abrupt cessation,
On the lst of July Of this year, in the midst or
their ventures, of the operations of citizens OF
the United States engaged In fishing IN britls n
American waters. but for diplomatic under
standing reached with her Majesty's government
in June last, whereby assurance was obtained
that no interruption of those operations should
take place during the current fishing season
In the interest of good Deighbornood, and OF the
commercial intercourse of adjacent communities,
the question of the North American fisheries is
one of much Importance. Following out the In
timation given by me when the extensory ar
rangement above described was negotiated,
recommend that the Congress provide for the
appointment of commission in which the gov
ernments of the United States and Great Britain
shall be respectively represented, charged with
the consideration and settlement, upon just,
equitable and honorable basis, OF the entire
question of the fishing rights of the two gov
ernments and their respective citizens on the
coasts of the United States and British North
America. The fishing interests, being intimately
related to other general questions
dependent upon contiguity and intercourse. con
sideration thereof in all their equities might
also properly come within the purview OF such
commission, and the fullest latitude of express
sion on both sides should be permitted The cor
respondence in relation to the fishery rights will
be submitted.
The arctic exploring steamer Alert, which was
generously given by her Majesty's government
to aid in the relief of the Greedy 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 3,
1885.
The inadequacy of the existing engagements
for extradition between the United States and
Great Britain has been long apparent. The
tenth article of the treaty of 1912, one of the
earliest compacts in this regard entered
into by US, stipulated for surrender
in respect of a limited number Of offenses
Other crimes, no less inmical to the social vel
fare, should be embraced, and the procedure OF
international practice. Negotiations with her
Maiesty's government for an enlarged treaty OF
extradition have been pending since 1870, and
entertain strong hopes that a satisfactory result
may be soon attained
The frontier line between Alaska and British
Coumb ia defined by the treaty of cession
with Russia. follows the demarkation assigned
in a prior treaty between Great Britain and
Russia. Modern exploration discloses that this
ancient boundary is impracticable as geograph
ira1 for In ad 0f hat
gion 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 &C
curate knowledge of the boundary is needful to
avert jurisdictional complications. l recon-
mend, therefore, that provision be made for a
preliminary reconnaissance. by officers OF the
United States, to the end of acquiring more pre-
else information on the subject have invited
her Majesty's government to consider with the
United States the adoption of more convenient
line, to be established by meridian observations
or by known geographical features, without the
necessity of an expensive survey of the whole.
The late insurrectiunary movements in Hayti
having been quelled, the government of that re-
public has made prompt provision for adjusting
the loss suffered by foreigners because of hostil-
ties there. and the claims of certain citizens of
the United States will be in this manner deter
mined. The long pending claims of the two cit
izens of the United States, Pellitier and Lazare.
have been disposed Of by arbitration. and an
award in favor Of each claimant has
been made, which. by the terms Of the
Congress to provide for the payment of the slip
ulated moiety Of the expenses.
A question arose with Hayti during the past
year, by reason of the exceptional treatment of
an American citizen. Mr.. Van Bokkelen, resi-
dent of Port au- Prince. who, suit by credi-
tors residing in the United States. was sentenced
70 imprisonment and under the operation of
Haytian statute, was denied the relief secured
to a native Haytiap. This government asserted
his treaty right to equal treatment with natives
OF Hayti in all suits at law. Our contention was
denied by the Haytian government, which, how
ever, while still processing to maintain the
ground taken against Mr.. Van Bokkeion's right
terminated the controversy by setting him at
liberty without explanation.
An international conference, to consider the
means of arresting the spread of cholera and
other epidemic Diseases was held at Rome, in
May last, and adjourned to meet again on fur
Their notice. An expert delegate behalf of
the United States has attended It's sessions and
will submit a report.
Our relations with Mexico continue to be most
cordial, as BELTS those of neighbors between
whom the strongest ties of friendship and COM
mercial intimacy exist as the natural and grow
ing consequence Of our similarity of institutions
and geographical propinquity. The relocation
of the boundary line between the United States
and Mexico, eastward of the Rio Grande, under
the convention of July 20, 1882 has been unavoid-
ably delayed. but apprehend no difficulty in Sc
curing prolongation of the period for its accom-
plshment. The lately-concluded commercial
treaty with Mexico still awaits the stipulated
legislation to carry the provisions into effect for
which one years additional time has been Sc
cured by supplementary article, signed in Feb
ruary last, and since ratified on both sides. AS
this convention, so important to the commercial
welfare of the two adjoining countries has been
constitutionally confirmed by the treaty-making
branch. / express the hope that legislation need
ed to make it effective may not be long DELAYED
The large influx of capital and enterprise to
Mexico from the United States continues
to aid in the development of the
resources and in augmentlng the material
well-being Of our sister republic. Lines OF rail
way penetrating to the heart and capital of the
country bring the two people into mutually
beneficial intercourse, and enlarged facilities Of
transit add to profitable commerce. create new