The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-12-10

standing.
CAROLINA ISLANDS.
The dispute of Germany and Spain relative to
the domination of the Carolina islands. has at
tracted the attention of this government by
of the extensive interests of American citizens
having grown up in the ports during the past thirty
years, and because the question of ownership in
wolves the jurisdiction of matters effecting the
status of citizens, under criminal law whilst
standing wholly aloof from the property issues
raised between the powers, to hoth of which the
United States friendly. This government ex-
poets that nothing in the present condition shall
unfavorably effect our citizens carrying trade,
and has so informed Spain and Germany.
The marked good will between the United States
and Great Britain has been maintained during the
past year. The termination of the fishing clauses
of WashngtOn in pursuance of the joint resolution
OF March B, 1884, must have resulted in the abrupt
cessation on the 1st of July of this year, in the
midst of their ventures of the operations of citizens
of the United States engaged in fishing in British
American waters, but for diplomatic understand
ing reached with her majestys government in
Junc last, whereby assurances was obtained that
| the interruption of these operations should take
place during the current fishing season.
In the interest of good neighborhood and of the
commercial intercourse of adjacent communities,
the question of the North American fisheries is one
of much importance. Following out the intima-
ton given by the men when Inc extensOry arrange
ment above described was negotiated, recommend
that the congress provide for the appointment of a
commission in which the governments of the
United States and Great Britain shall be respect
lively represented, charged with the consideration
and settlement upon just, equitable and honora-
|
of the governments and their respective citizens
the coast of the United States and British North
America.
| The fishing interests being intimately related
to other general questions dependent upon conti-
guilty and intercourse the consideration thereof in
all their equities might also properly within
the purview of such a commission, and latitude
of expression of both sides should be permitted.
The correspondence in relation to the fishing rights
will be submitted.
The Arctic exploring steamer, Alert, which was
generously given by her maiestys government to
aid in the relief of the Greeley expedition was, af
ter the successful attainment of that humane pur-
pose returned to Great Britain in pursuance of the
authority conferred by the act of March B. 1885.
EXTRADITION.
| The inadequacy of the existing engagements for
eXtradition between the United States and Great
Britain has been so long apparent that the tenth
article of the treaty of 1872 of the earliest
compacts in this regard entered into by us, stipu-
lated for surrender in respect to limited number
of offenses, and other crimes no less inimical to
the social welfare should be embodied and the pro-
cedure of eXtradition brought in harmony with the
present international practices. Relations with
her maJestys government on an enlarged treaty OF
eXtraditiOn have been pending since 1872 and
tertaln strong hopes that satisfactory result may
be soon attained.
l recommend, therefore, that provision be made
for preliminary reconnaissance by officers of the
United States to the end of acquiring precise
information the subject. l have invited her
majesty's government to consider with the United
States the adoption OF a more convenient line, to
be established by meridian observation, or by
known geographical features, without the necessity
of an expensive survey of the whole.
The late insurrechOnary movements in Hayti
having been quelled, the government of the repub-
loss suffered by the foreigners because of hostities
there, and the claims of certain citizens of the
United States will be in this manner determined.
The long pending claims of the two citizens of the
United States Peltier and Lasare, hove been dis
posed of by arbitration, and award in favor of
each claimant has been made which by the terms
gress to provide for the payment of the
stipulated molety OF the expense
HAYTIAN JUSTICE.
A question arose with Hayti during the past year
by reason of the exceptional treatment of Ameri-
can citizen, Mr.. Van Bokel, resident of Port-an-
Prince, who, suit of creditors residing in the
United States, was sentenced to imprisonment and
under the operation of a Haytian statute was de-
MED relief secured to a native Haytian. The gov
ernment asserted his treaty rights to equal treat
ment with natives of Hayti in all suits at law Our
protest was denied by the Haytian government,
which, however, while still protesting to maintain
the ground given against Mr.. Van Bokels right,
ended the controversy by setting him at liberty
without explanation.
As this convention so important to the CONNER
cial welfare of the two adjoining countries has
been constitutionally confirmed by the treaty max
ing branch, express the hope that the legislation
needed to make it effective may not be long de-
x ed. ZFAe large iilttsse-e.s s.sss..l
prise on Mexico from the United States continues
to aid in developing the resources and in augment
ing the material well being of our sister republic.
Lines of railway penetrating to the heart and CAPT
tai of the country bring the two people into mutu-
ally beneficial intercourse and enlarged facilities
of transit added to profitable commerce, create
new markets and furnish avenues to otherwise iso-
lat I'D 90 imunites
| have already adverted to the suggestion of the
construction of ship railway across the narrow
formation of the territory of Mexico at Tehuan-
tepec.
fects of her late disastrous conflict with Chilli, and
with the restoration of civil authority in that dis
tracted country, it is hoped that the pending war
| claims of our citizens will be adjusted.
Iu conformity with the notification given by the
government of Peru, the existing treaties OF COM
merce and extradition between the United States
| and that country will terminate March IS, 1886.
Our good relationship with Russia continues.
An officer of the navy detailed for that purpose, is
his way to Siberia, bearing the testimonials
voted by congress to those who generously sue
cored the survivors of the unfortunate Jeannette
| expedition.
| intercourse with Spain.
The long pending cloim of the owners of the
ship ssMasonic'' for loss suffered through the ad
mitted direliction OF the spanish authorities has
been settled.
The Philippine island difficulty has been ad
| justed by arbitration and indemnity awarded.
| The principles of arbitration in such cases to
which the United States have long and consistently
! adhered, thus gives fresh and gratifying confirm
alton that other questions with Spain have been
disposed of, or are under diplomatic consideration
with a view to just and honorable settlement
/ The operation of the commercial agreement with
Spain, of January 2 and February ID, 1884, has
been found inadequate to the commercial needs o.
the United States and the Spanish Antilles.
a full treaty, not open to these objections and II
the line of the general policy touching the neigh
bory intercourse of proXimate communities,
which / elsewhere advert and moreover at the re
moval of existing burdens and annoying restrlc
tions, and although satisfactory termination Il
promised 1 am compalled to delay its announce
ment.
An international copyright conference was hell
at Berne in September, the invitation OF tn
Swiss government. The envoy of the United State
attended as a delegate, but refrained from commit
ting this government to the result even by slgnln
the recommendatory protocol adopted. The intel
esting and important subject of international copy
right has been before you for several years. AZ
ton is certainly desirable to affect the object i
view, and while there may be questions as to tn
relative advantage of treating it by legislation or
specific treaty. the matIred views of the Berne con
ference cannot fail to aid your consideration OF tn
subject.
The termination of the commercial treaty OF 1S6
, between the United States and Turkey has bee
sought by that government, while there is ques
ton to the sutficiency of the notice of the tel
mination given yet as the commercial rights G
our citizens in Turkey come under the fayore
nation guarantees of the prior treaty of 1870, and
, equal treatment is admitted by the porte no II
convenience can result from the assent OF tn
I government to the revision of the Ottoman tariffs
i in which the treaty powers have been invited
! join.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey ma
be affected by the porte's non-acquiescence In I'll
right of expat Ition and by the imposition OF r
: lgious tests as condition of residence, In whlc