Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16

means of arresting the spread of cholera and
other epidemic diseases, was held at Rome in
May last, and adjourned to meet again on fur
Their notice. An expert delegate in behalf of the
United States has attended, and will submit o.
report.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Our relations with Mexico continue to be most
cordial as BELTS those of neighbors between
whom the strongest ties Of friendship and init
macy exist as the natural and growing
institutions and geographical propinquity
The relocation of the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico eastward of the Rio
Grande, under the convention of july 20 1889
has been unavodably delayed but see no Diff
Guilty in securing prolongation of the period for
its accomplishment. The lately concluded COM
mercial treaty with Mexico still awaits the
stipulated legislation to carry it's provisions into
effect, for which one years additional time has
been secured by supplementary article signed
In February last, and since ratified on both sides
mercial welfare of the two adjoining countries
has been constitutonally confirmed by the
treaty making branch, I express the hope that
legislation to make it effective may not be long
delayed. The large influx of capital and enter
prise to Mexico from the United States contin-
ues to hid in tho development of the resources
and in augmenting the material wel1-beng Of
our sister Republic. Lines of railway penetrnt-
ing to the heart and capital of the country, are
bringing the two people into mutually beneficial
intercourse, and enlarged facilities of tran
sit add to profitable commerce, create
new ne otba markets. g ana furnish avenues
have already adverted to the suggested con-
struction of O. ship railway across the narrow
formation of the Territory of Mexico at Tehu-
anUepec.
THE PERUVIAN WAR CLAIMS.
With the gradual recovery of Peru from the
effec is of her late disastrous conflict with Chilli
and with the restoration of civil authority in that
distracted country, it is hoped that the pending
war claims of our citizens VIII be adjusted. In
conformity with the notification given by the
Government of Peru, the existing treaties of
commerce and extradition between the United
States and that country will terminate March
81, 1886.
RUSSIA AND THE JEANNETTE
Our good relationship with Russia continues.
An officer OF the navy, detailed for the purpose
is now on his way to Siberia, bearing the testi-
monials voted by Congress to those who gener-
ously succored the survivors of the unfortunate
Jeannette expedition.
CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH SPAIN
It is gratifying to advert to tho cordia1ity of
our intercourse with Spain. The long pending
claim of the owners of the ship Masonic, for loss
suffered through the admitted dereliction of the
Islands, has been adjusted by arbitration
and an indemnity awarded. The
principle of arbitration in such cases. to
which the United States have long and consis-
tently adhered thus receives a fresh and graft
flying confirmation Other questions with Spain
have been disposed of or are under diplomatic
consideration with view to just and honor
able settlement. The operation of the CONNER
cial agreement with Spain of JAN and Feb. ID,
1884, has been found inadequate to the CONNER
cial needs of the United States and the Spanish
Antilles and the terms of the agreement are
subjected to conflicting interpretations in those
islands.
Negotiations have been. instituted at Madrid
for full treaty not open to these objections,
and in the line of the general policy tracing the
neighborly intercourse of proximate commune
ties to which / elsewhere advert, and aiming
moreover at the removal of existing burdens
and annoying restrictions; and, although sat
isfactory termination is promised, l am COM
PEELED to delay its announcement.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
An international Copyright Convention was
held at Berne in September, the invitation of
the Swiss Government. The Envoy of the
United States attended as q delegate, but
Trained from committing the Government to the
results even by signing the recommendations
protocol adopted. The interesting and important
subject of international Copyright has been be-
fore you for several years. Action is desirable
to effect the object in view, and while there may
be q question as to the relative advantage of
treating it by legislation or specific treatment
the matured views of the Berne conference can
not fail to aid your consideration of the subject.
COMPLICATIONS WITH TURKEY.
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 sufficency of the notice of
termination given, yet the commercial gIts
of our citizens i'll 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 this Government to the
revision of the Ottoman tariffs, in which
the treaty powers have been invited to join.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
! may be affected by the Por5e's non-aquiescence
in the right of repatriation and by the imposi-
in which this Government cannot concur.
AMERICAN CITIZENS MUST BE RESPECTED.
The United States must hold, in their inter-
course with every power, that the status of their
citizens is to be respected and equal privileges
accorded to them without regard to creed, and
affected by no considerations save those grow
of
original allegiance or of unfulflled personal obi
cations which may survive under municipal
laws after such voluntary return.
THE VENEZUELAN AWARDS.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative to
the rehearing of the awards of the Mixed Com
mission, constituted under the treaty of 1885,
was resumed in view of the recent acquiescence
of the Venezuelan Envoy in the principal point
advanced by this Government, that the effects
of the old treaty could only be set aside by the
operation OF @ new convention. A result in sub
stantial accord with the advisory suggestions
contained in the joint resolution of March g.
1883, has been agreed upon, and will shortly be
submitted to the Senate for ratification.
UNITED STATES TRUST FUNDS
Under section 1863 of the Revised Statutes, all
funds held in trust by the United States and the
| annual interest accruing thereon, when not 9th
erwise required by treaty, are to be invested in
stocks of the United States, bearing q RATE CT
interest not less than per centum per ailntlln.
There being procurable stocks paying so
high rate of interest the letter of the statute
is at present inapplcable, but it's spirit is sub
served by continuing to make investments of
this nature in current stocks bearing the highest
interest now paid.
The statute, however, makes no provision for
the disposal of such accretions 1t being con-
trary to the general rule of this Government to
allow interest claims, [ recommend the
repeal of the provision in question.
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION.
The inadequacy of existing legislation touch
ing citizenship and naturalization demands your
consideration. While recognizing the right of
repatriation, no statutory provision exists pro-
viding means for renouncing citizenship by
American citizen, native-bOrn or naturalized
nor for terminating and vacating improved
QUESTION of citizenship. Even a fraudulent de-
cree of naturalization cannot now be Cancelled
The privilege and franchise of American ci6-
zenship should be granted with care and e1-
tended to those only who intend in good faith to
assume it's duties and responsibilities when at
tanning it's privileges. 1t should be withheld
from those who merely go through the forms of
naturalization with intent of escaping duties
with their original allegiance, without taking
upon themselves those of tie new status, or
who may acquire the rights of American citizen
ship for no other than a hostile purpose toward
their original government. These evils have
had many fragrant illus eratiOns.
regard with favor the suggestion put forth bv
one of my predecessors, that provision may be
made for central bureau of record of the
DEGREES 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
dor intention to become iii o,.o