Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-09
against Ecuador for indemnify for
arrest and imprisonment, Is endorsed.
FpEscH AND AMERICAN CLAIMS.


arrest and imprisonment, is endorsed.
French AND AMERICAN CLAIMS.
The President then says that the amount
adiudged BY the late French and American
Claims Commission to be due from the
United States to French claimants on account
of injuries suffered by them during the war
of secession, having been appropriated oy the
last Congress, has been duly paid to the
French government. The act Of February
rs, 1885, provided for preliminary search
of records of French prize courts for evil
dence bearing on claims of American citi-
gems against France for spoliations commit
ted prior to 1901; that duty has been per-
formed, and the report of the agent
will be laid before you. regret to say
that restrictions upon importation have
has ttracted attention by reason of the ap-
parent tendency on the part of the imperial
government to extend the scope of residential
restrictions. to which returning naturalized
citizens of German origin are asserted to be
liable, under the laws of the empire. The tenn
perate and lust attitude taken by this govern
ment with regard to this class of questions,
will doubtless lead to a satisfactory under
standing.
FISHING INTERESTS.
Marked good will between the United
States aud Great Britain, has been maintained
during the past year. The termination of
the fishing clauses of the treaty of Washing
ton, in pursuance of the joint resolution of
March 3, 1888, must have resulted in an abrupt
cessation on the LIST of July of this year. in
the mids. of their ventures, of operations of
citizens of the United States engaged in fish,
ing in British American waters, but for the
diplomatic understanding reached with her
msiesty's government in June last whereby
assurances were obtained that no Interrupt
ton of those operations should take place
during the current fishing season. In the in
terest of good neighborhood and the CONNER
cial intercourse of adjacent communities, the
question of North American fisheries is one
of much Importance Following out the in
timation given by me when the extensory
arrangement above described was me-
gotiated,I recommend that Congress provide
for appointment Of commission in which the
governments of the United States and Great
Britain shall be respectively represented,
charged with the consideration and settlement
upon just, equitable, and honorable basis.
of the entire question of the fishing rights OF
the two governments and their respective cit
liens, on the coasts of the United States and
British North America. The fishing inter-
ests being intimately related to other general
questions dependent upon contiguity and in
tercourse, the consideration thereof in all
their equities might also properly
come within the purview of such
commission, and the fullest latitude
permitted. The correspondence in relation
to fishing rights will be submitted. The
inadequacy of existing engagements for
ExTRADITION
between the United States, and
Great Britain has long been apparent. The
tenth article of the treaty of 1912, one of the
earliest compacts in this regard entered into
by the United States. stipulated for surren-
der of criminals, but the list was limited.
ALASKA, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND Mexico.
President Cleveland next refers to the I'M
certain boundary line between Alaska and
British Columbia and recommends a commits
sion to establish full and accurate knowledge
of the exact boundary. Then he SAYS: Our
relations with Mexico continue to be most
cordial. as BELTS those of neighbOrs between
whom the strongest ties of friendship and
commercial intimacy exist, as the natural and
growing consequence of our similarity of
institutions and geographical propinquity.
The relocation of the boundary line between
the UnitedStates and Mexico, westward of the
Rio Grande, under the convention of July 80,
1882, has been unavoidably delayed, but
apprehend no difficulty in securing prolong-
alton of the period for its accomplishment
He recommends early action on the CONNER
cial treaty with Mexico.
TREATIES WITH PERU.
In conformity with the notification given
by the government of Peru, the existing
treaties of commerce and extraditiOn between
the United States ard that country will ter
inmate March 81. 1886 The long pending
claim of the owners OF the ship Masonic for
the loss suffered through the admitted dere-
LECTION of the Spanish authorities in the Phil
lipine Islands, has been adjusted by arbitra-
ton and indemnity awarded.
SPANISH ANTILLES.
The operation of the CONNIE. cial agree
ment with Spain of January 2, and February
10, 1884. has been found inadequate to the
commercial needs of the United
States and the Spanish Antilles, and the
terms of 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 lire of our general policy touching
neighborly intercourse of proximity commun-
tiles.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
An International copyright conference was
held at Berne in September. The interesting
and important subject of international copy
right has been before you several years. Action
is certainly desirable to effect the object in
view, and while there may be questions as to
the relative advantage of treating it by legis-
lation or by specific treaty, the matured
views Of the Berne conference cannot fail to
aid your consideration Of the subject
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION.
The inadequacy Of existing legislation
touching citizenship and naturalization de-
mands your consideration. While recogniz-
ing the right of expatriation, no statutory
provision exists providing means for renounc-
ing citizenship BY American citizens. native
born or naturalized, nor for terminating and
vacating improper acquisition of citizenship.
Even a fraudulent decree of naturalization
cannot now be cancelled. | regard with
favor suggestions put forth by one OF
my predecessors that provision be
made for a central bureau of record
of DEGREES of naturalization granted bv
various courts throughout the United States
now invested with that power.
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
of the United States with their immediate
L