Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-08

Aoosf
prehend no difficulty in securing a prolongation
of the period tor its accomplishments.
The lately concluded commercial treaty with
Mexico still awaits the stipulated legislation TO
carry us provisions into effect, for which one
supplementary article signed in FEBRUARY last
and since ratified on both Sides
AS . tn,s convention, so important to the COM
iheFciai Weiiare or the two adjoining countries
has been constitutonally Confirmed by the
treaty-making branch, express the hone that
be long delayed. '-' Nv
The large influx of capital and enterprise to
Mexico from the United States continues to aid
in the development of the resources and i'm aup
mentlnS the material weI-being of our sister
rePnonc. Lines OF railway, penetrating to the
near1 ana capital of the country bring the two
peoples Ihto mutually beneficial intercourse
ana enlarged facilities OF transit add to profit
aoie commerce. create new markets and FUR.
nish avenues to Otherwise Isolated con, n,nni
ties.
have already adverted to the suggested con-
strucuon OF a Ship-railway across the narrow
formation OF the territory OF Mexico at Tehuan-
teP Wt;, tho or.a no, .
effects or her late disastrous conflict with Chile
ana Win the restoration of civil authority In
tnat distracted country, it is hoped that pend
ing war claims OF our citizens will be adjusted
Government of Peru, the existing treaties of
commerce and extradition between the United
States and that country will terminate March
81, 1856.
RUSSIA AND SPAIN.
Our good relationship with Russia continues.
An ofncer OF the Navy, detailed for the pur-
pose is now on his way to Siberia bearing the
testimonials voted by Congress to those who
generously succored the survivors of the un.
fortunate Jeanette expedition.
1t is gratifying to advert to the cordialitv Of
intercourse with Spain.
The long pending claim OF the owners OF the
ship Masonic. for loss suffered through the adj
in the Philippine Islands, has been adjusted by
arbitration. and indemnity awarded. The
principle OF arbitration in such cases, to which
the United States have long and consistently
confirmation.
posed of, or are under diplomatic considera-
ton with view to just and honorable settle
The operation of the commercial agreement
with SPAIN OF January 2-February 13, 1884,
has been found inadequate to the nInerciai
needs of the United States and the Spanish An
TILES, and the terms of the agreement are sub
islands.
for a ful! treaty, not open to these objections,
and in the line of the general policy touching
lhe neishborly intercourse of proxiinate COM
munltles, to which l elsewhere advert, and
aiming moreover at the removal of existing
burdens and annoying restrictions; and al
| am compelled to delay its announcements
An International copyright conference was
held at Berne in September, on the invitation
Mod states attended as a delegate but re-
framed from committing this Government to
the results, even by Signing the recommends
tory protocol adopted. The interesting and i'm
portant subject OF international copyright has
been before you for several years. Action is
certainly desirable to effect the object in view
And while there may be question to the rela-
tive advantage OF treating it by legislation or
10y specific treaty, the matured views of the
Berne conference cannot fail to aid YOUR consid.
Grafton of the subject.
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 sufficency of the
notice OF termination given, yet as the conn er-
ciil rights OF our citizens In Turkey come under
the layored-natiOn guarantees of the prior treal
,sof1Sa0. and as equal treatment is admitted u
the Porte no Inconvenience can result from the
assent Oh this Government to the revision OF the
ottoman tarl1s, III which the treaty powers
have been invited to join.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
may be affected by the Porte's non-acouiescence
In the right OF repatriation and by the impo-
sition OF religious tests as a condition Of resi-
dence, in which this Government cannot concur
Inc United states must hold in their inter-
course with every power, that the status of their
citizens is to be respected and equal civil privi-
leges accorded to them without regard to creed
and affected by no considerations save those
growing out of domiciiary return to the land OF
original allegiance, or OF unfulfilled personal
obligations which may survive, under NUM-
cipal laws, after such voluntary return
=, Inc negotiation with Venezuela, relative to
the rehearluy Of the awards OF the Mixed
Commission constituted under the treaty of
1866, WAS resumed in view of the recent ac-
Quiescence of the Venezuelan envoy in the
principal point advanced by this government
that tine effects of the old treaty could only be
set aside by the operation of new convention.
A result IN substantial accord with the advisory
suggestions contained in the joint resolution of
March 3. 1883, has been agreed upon and will
shortly be submitted to the Senate for ratitica-
ton.
Under section 1863 Of the Revised Statutes.
all funds held in trust by the United States and
the annual interest accruing thereon when not
n no m tod
in stocks OF the United States bearing a rate of
interest not less than five per ceutum per an
mum. There being now no procurabe stocks
paying so high rate OF interest, the letter of
the statute is ut present inappiicable, but its
spirit Is snbserved by continuing to make in
veSt1nents OF this nature in current stocks bear
ing the highest interest now paid The statute.
however. makes no provision for the disposal
III suciI accretions. 1t being contrary to the
general rule OF this government to allow in
tereSt on claims, recommend the repeal of the
provision in question, and the disposition, un-
der uniform rule, of the present accumuta.
lions from investment of trust funds.
CITIZENSHIP AND NArURALIzA1roS
The fnadequacy of existing .egisIa ion touch
ing citizenship and NATURALIZATION demands
your consideration.
While recognizing the right of expatriation
no statutory provision exists pro.idIng means
for renouncing citizenship by an American citi-
zen, native-born or naturalized, nor for termi-
mating and vacating an improper acquisition OF
citizenship. Even a fraudulent decree of. nat
uralization cannot now be Cancelled. The priyi-
lege and franchise OF American citizenship
should be granted with care, and extended to
those only who intend in good faith to assume
its duties and responsibilities wnen attaining
its privileges and benefits; it should be with.
held from those who merely go through the
forms of naturalization with the intent of es-
Gaping the duties OF their original allegiance
without taking upon themselves those of their
new status, or who may acquire the rights of
American citizenship for no other than q hos
tile purpose towards their original governments
These evils have had many fragrant ilIustra-
tions.
/ regard with favor the suggestion put forth
by one OF my predecessors that provision be
made tor a central bureau of record of the de-
crees OF naturalization granted by the various
courts throughout the United States now in
vested with that power.
The rights which spring from domicile in the
United states, especially when coupled with q
declaration or Intention to become n citizen
are worthy of definition by statute, The
stranger coming hither with intent to remain
establishing his residence in our midst con.
tributing to the general welfare, and hy his
voluntary aci, declaring his purpose to assume
the responsi biities of citizenship thereby gains
an 1nchoate status which legislation NAV prop
erly define. The laws of certain States and Ter
rto11fs admit a domiciled alien to the local
franchise, comforting on him the rights of citi-
zenshiP to a degree which places him in the
anomalous position of being citizen of State
ana yet not Of the United States within the
purvlew OF Federal and International law
IL Is important within the scope of national
81 a fear.f 30 1s.ferx t,s