St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-09
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Government on = micable Terms
With All Powers.

1t is gratifying to announce that the rela-
tions of the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our posi-
ton, after nearly q century of successful
constitutional government and the mainte-
nance of good faith in all our engagements,
the avoidance of complications with other
nations, and consistent and amicable atti-
tude toward the strong and weak alike, fur
nish proof of a political disposition which
renders profession of good Will unnecessary.
There are no questions of difficulty pending
with any foreign government.
THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT
has revived the long-dormant question of the
Falkland islands by claiming from the United
States indemnity for them. The loss is at
tributed to the commander Of the sloop-of-
war Lexington in breaking up practical col
ony on those islands in 1881 and their subSe-
quent occupation by Great Britain. In view
of the ample Justification for the act of the
Lexington and the derelict condition of the
islands before and after their alleged occupa-
ton by Argentine colonists. this government
considers the claim as wholly groundleSs
A question has arisen with the government
of Austria-Hungary touching the representa-
ton of the United States at Vienna. Having
under my constitutional prerogative ap-
pointed our eStimable citizen of unimpeached
probity and competence as minister at that
court, the government OF Austria
Hungary invited this government
to the cognizance of certain exceptions
based upon allegations against the personal
ecceptability of Mr.. Kelley, the appointed en-
voy, asking that, in view thereof, the APP
pointment should be withdrawn. The reasons
advanced were such as could not be acqui-
esced in without violation of my oath of
office and the precepts of the constitution
since they necessarily involved a limitation
in favor of foreign government upon the
right of selection by tine executive, and re-
quired such an application of a religious test
as a qualification Tor office under the United
States as would have resulted in the practical
Acknowledgement of large class of our citi-
zenS and the abandonment of vital principle
of our government. The Austria-Hungarian
government finally decided not to receive Mr.
Kelley as the envoy of the United States, and
that gentleman has since resigned his COM
mission,
LEAVING THE POST VACANT.
have made no new nominations, and the
Interests of this government at Vienna are
now in the care of the secretary of legation
acting as charge d adaires ad interim.
Early in March last war broke out in Cen
tral America, caused by the attempt of Qua
temala to consolidate the several states into
Al single government. In this contest between
our neighboring states, the United States
forebore TO interfere actively, but sent tue
aid of their friendly offices in deprecating
war and TO promote peace and concord among
the belligerents, and by such a council con-
IflpuJeu lmparIlally 10 the restoration OF
tranquility in that locality
Emergencies growing out of the civil war
in the United States of Columbia demanded
of the government ut the beginning of this
administration the employment OF an armed
force to fulfill its guarantee under the thirty
fifth article of the treaty Of 1916, in order to
keep the transit open across the Isthmus of
Panama DESTROYS of exercising only the
powers expressly reserved TO US by the treaty
and mindful OF the rights of Columbia. the
forces sent to the isthmus were instructed to
contne their actions to
POSITIVELY AND EFFICACIoUsLY''
preventing the transit and its accessories
from being interrupted or embarrassed
The execution of this delicate and responsi-
pie task necessarily involved police control
where the local authority was temporarily
powerleSS but always in aid of the sover-
eighty of Columbia. The prompt and sue
cessful fulfillment of its duty by this govern
ment was highly appreciated by the govern
ment of Columbia. and has been followed by
expression of its satisfaction. High praise is
due to the officers and men engaged in this
service, the restoration of peace on the 18TH
mus by the REIMBURSEMENT of the consti-
tuted government there being thus accom-
plished. The forces of the United States
were withdrawn. Pending these occurrences
q question of much Importance was presented
by DEGREES of the Columbian government pro-
claiming the closure of certain ports and then
in the hands of the insurgents, and in declar-
ing vessels held by the revolutionists TO be pi-
ratical and liable to capture by any power.
To neither of these propositions could the
United States assent. An effective closure OF
the ports, not in the possession of the gov
eminent, but held by
HOSTILE PARTISANS,
could not be recognized; neither could the
vessels of the insurgents against the egiti-
mate sovereignty be deemed hosts huma nj
generis, within the precepts Of international
law,whatever might be the definition and pen
atty of their acts under the municipal law
of the state against whose authority they
were in revolt. The denial by this government
of the Columbian propositions did not, how
ever, imply the admission of belligerent
status on the part of the insurgents. The
Columbian government has expressed its
Willingness to negotiate conventions for the
adjustment by arbitration of claims by
foreign citizens arising out of the destruc-