The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09

and annoying RESTRICTIONS ana altnougn a saus-
factory termination Is promised am compelled
to delay it's announcement
An International copyright conference was
held at Berne, ia September, on the invitation
of the Swiss government. The envoy of the
United States attended as a delegate, but re-
trained from committing this government to the
results, even by signing the recemmendatory
protocol adopted. The interesting and important
subject of international copyright has been be
fore you for several years. Action is certainly
desirable to effect the object in view. and while
there may be questions as to the relative advau-
tage of treating it by legislation or by specific
treaty, the matured views of the Berne confer
ence cannot fail to aid your consideration 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 to the sufficiency OF the notice OF
termination given, yet as the commercial rights
of our citizens in Turkey come under the favored
nation guarantees of the prior treaty of 1880,
and as equal treatment is admitted by the Porte,
no inconvenience can result from the assent OF
of this government to the revision of the Otto
man tariffs, in which the treaty powers have
been invited to join.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
may be affected by the Porte's non aequiescence
in the right of expatration, and by the imposl-
ton of religious tests a condition of residence
in which this government cannot concur. The
United States must hold in their intercourse
WIFI every power GLaL Uu6 STATUS OI biclE ClIi'
zens is to be respected, and equal civil privi-
leges accorded to them without regard to creed,
and affected by considerations save those
growing out of domiciary return to the land of
original allegiance, or of unfulhled personal OBJ
legations which may survive, under municipal
laws. after such voluntary return.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative to the
rehearing of the awards of the mixed commission
constituted under the treaty OF 1866, was re-
sumed in view of the recent acquiescence of the
h. AMI, ,vn1 otv,% nd
vanced by this government, that the effects of
the old treaty could only be set aside by the op-
Grafton of new convention. A result in sub
stantial 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 ratification.
COMMERCIAL TREATIES
The commercial relations of the United States
with their immediate neighbors and with impor
tant areas of traffic near our shores, suggest an
especially liberal intercourse between them and
US. Following the treaty of 1885, with Mexico.
which rested On the basis of reciprocal ex-
emption from customs duties, other similar
treaties were initiated by my predecessor, recog-
nizing the need of less DISTRACTED traffic with
Cuba and Porti Rico, and, met by the desire of
Spain to succor languishng interests in the
Antilles, steps were taken to attain those
ends by treaty OF &c, commerce I'M .:
Dominican Republic. Subsequently, overtures
were made by her Britannia Majestys govern
ment for a like mutual extension of commercial
intercourse with the British West Indian and
South American dependencies. but without re-
suit.
On taking Office, withdrew, for re-examina-
tion the treaties signed with Spain and San Do
mngo, then pending before the Senate The re-
suit has been to satisfy ME of the inexpediency
of entering into engagements of this
p~nfar NJ fhn fJrn frof1I
These treaties contemplated the surrender by
the United States of large revenues for made
quate consideration. Upon sugar alone duties
were surrendered to an amount far exceeding all
the advantages offered in exchange Even we're
it intended to relieve our consumers, 1t was
evident that so long as the exemption bill par
TALLY covered our importation, such relief would
be illusory. To relinquish revenue essen
tial seemed highly improvident at a time when
new and large drains upon the Treasury were
contemplated. Moreover, embarrassing ques-
tons would have arisen under the favored nation
clauses Of treaties with other nations
AS furth err objection, it is evident that tariff
regulation by treaty diminishes that independent
for the safety and welfare of any government.
Emergency calling for an increase of taxation
may, at any time, arise, and no engagement
with foreign power should exist to hamper the
action of the government.
By the fourteenth section of the shipping act,
approved June 26, 1884, certain reductions and
contingent exemptions from tonnage dues
were made as to vessels entering ports
of the United States from any foreign
port in North and Central America.
the West Indiasislands, the Bahamas and Ber-
mudas, Mexico, and the isthmus far as AS
pinwall and Panama. The governments Of Bel
GUM, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Swe
den and Norway, have asserted. under the IA
vored nation clause in fheir treaties with the
United States. a claim to like treatment in re-
spect to vessels coming to the United States
from their home ports. This government, how
ever, holds that the privileges granted by the act
are purely geographical enuring to any vessel
of any foreign power that may choose to
engage in traffic between this country and any
port within the defined zone and warrant
exists, under the most favored nation clause, for
the extension of the privileges in question to
vessels sailing to this country from ports outside
the limitation of the act. Undoubtedly the re-
lations of commerce with our near neighbors,
whose territory forms so long frontier line,
difficult to be guarded, and who find in our
country, and equally offer to us natural markets,
demand special and consderate treatment. It
rests with Congress to consider what legislative
action may increase the facilities of intercourse
which contiguity makes natural and desirable.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
earnestly urge that Congress recast the ap-
preparation for the maintenance of the dplo-
matte and consular service on footing common
terests At every post where representative
is necessary, the salary should be graded as to
permit him to live with comfort With the as
signment of adequate salaries, the so called
notarial extraoficial fees, which our officers
abroad are now permitted to treat as personal
perquisites, should be done away with. Every
act requiring the certificate and seal of the of
fcer should be taxable at schedule rates, and the
fee therefor returned to the Treasury. By re-
storing these revenues to the public use the con-
sular service would be self supporting, even with
q liberal increase of the present low salaries
In further prevention of abuses, a system of
consular inspection should be instituted The
appointment of limited number of secretaries
Of legation at large, to be assigned to duty wher
ever necessary and, in particular. for temporary
service at missions which. for any cause, may be
without head, should also be authorized.
| favor, also, authorization for the detail of