New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-16
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

THEY CONTINUE FRIENDLY.
1t is gratifying to announce that the relations
of the United States with all foreign powers con-
tinue to be friendly. Our position, after nearly
century of successful constitutional govern
ment the maintenance of good faith In all our en-
gagements, the avoidance of complications with
other nations and consistent and amicable atti-
tude toward the strong and weak alike, furnish
proof Of political disposition which renders
profession Of good will unnecessary.
There are , no questions stten Of difficulty
The Argentine government has revived the long
dormant question Of the Falkland islands by
claiming from the United States indemnity for
their loss, attributed to the action Of the COM
mander OF the sloop-of-war Lexington in break
ing up practical colony Of those islands in
1881, and their subsequent occupation by Great
Britain. In view Of the ample justification for
the act Of the Lexington and the direlect condi-
tion Of the islands before and after their alleged
occupation by Argentine colonists, this govern
ment considers the claim as wholly groundless.
TEE TILT WITH AUSTRIA.
A question has arisen with the government OF
Austrio-Hungary, touching the representation OF
the United States at Vienna. Having, under
my. constitutional prerosative, appointed our
estimable citizen OF unimpeached probity, and
competence as minister at that court. the gov
eminent OF Austrio- Hungary invited this gov
eminent to take cognizance Of certain exceptions,
based upon alterations against the per
Of, the appointments should be withdrawn.
The reasons advanced were such as could not be
acQu1esced In without violation OF the oath of
Office and the precepts OF the constitution, since
they necessarily involved limitation In favor OF
foreign government upon the right OF selection
by the executive. and required such an applica-
tiOn OF religious test as qualification for office
under the United States as would have resulted
in the practical Acknowledgement OF large class
Of our citizens and the abandonment of vital
principle OF our government The Austro- Hun
garian government finally decided not to receive
MIR. Kelley as the envoy Of the United
States and that gentleman has since re-
have made no new nomination. and the inter-
ests Of this government at Vienna are now in
the care Of the secretary OF legation. acting as
charge d'Gfaires ad interim EARLY In March
last war broke GU, in Central America, caused
by the attempt Of Guatemala to consolidate the
several states into single government In this
contest between our neighboring states the
United States forbore to interfere actively, but
sent the aid Of their friendly offices in depre-
eating OF war and to promote peace and concord
among the belligerents, and by such counsel
contributed impartially to the restoration OF
tranquility in that locality.
THE PANAMA EPISODE.
Emergencies growing out Of civil war In the
United States OF Columbia demanded Of the gov
eminent at the beginning of this administration
the employment OF an armed force to fulfill its
guarantees under the thirty-fifth article OF the
treaty OF 1916, in order to keep the transit open
across the Isthmus of Panama. DESTROYS Of OK
us by the treaty, and mindful of the rights Of
Columbia, the forces sent to the 18TH
mus were instructed to confine their
preventing the transit and its accessories
from beng interrupted or embarrassed"
The execution Of this delicate and responsible
the local authority was temporarily pow rless,
but always in aid of the sovereignty Of Colon
bia The prompt and successful fulfllment of
Its duty by this government was highly app1e-
hV a nf or,l hos
been followed by an expression of its sat;sfac-
tion. High praise is due TO the officers aud men
engaged in this service, the restoration Of the
peace on the isthmus by the re-establishment
OF the constituted government. These be-
Ing thus accomplished, the forces
Of the United States were withdrawn
importance was presented by DEGREES Of the
Colombian government proclaiming the closure
OF certain ports, then in the hands OF insurgents
lists to be p1rat1cal and liable to capture by any
power. To neitherscf these propositions could
the United States assent. An effective
government, but held by hostile parti-
sans, could not be recognized; neither could
the vessels of insurgents against the legiti-
mate sovereignty be deemed hostes humane
0ene'1s within the precepts of International law
whatever might be the definition and penalty
OF their acts under the municipal law OF the
state against whose authority they were in re-
volt; The denial by this government Of the CO.
tomblan propositions did not, however. imply
the admission OF belligerent status on the part
OF the Insurgents. The Colombian government
has expressed its willingness to negotiate con-
vantions for the adjustment by arbitration
OF claims by foreign citizens arising out OF the
destruction Of the city OF Aspinwall by the
tnsurrectionary forces.
THE NICARAGUAN CANAL
The interest ct the United States In practi-
cal transit for ships across the strip of land sep
arating the Atlantic from the Pacific has been
repeatedly manifested during the last half cen
fury. My immediate predecessor caused to be
negotiated with Nicaragua treaty for the con-
etruct1on by and at the sole cost OF the United
States of canal through Nicaraguan territory,
and laid before the senate, pending the action
of that body thereon. Withdrew the treaty. for
REORGANIZATION. Attentive consideration of
its provisions leads me to withhold
It from re-submission TO the senate.
Maintaining. az do, the position OF line OF
presidents from WashingtOn's day which pro-
scI1bes entangling alliances with foreign states
do not favor policy OF acquisition Of new aud
distant territory or the incorporation Of remote
interests with our own. Laws OF progress are
vital and organic, and we must be conscious OF
that irresistible tide OF commercial expansion
which. as the concomitant Of our active ciyiliza-