Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-12-19

uD'lCr. M oApeTt u'ltStt's III rldJ Oh Lud
report.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO
continue to be the most cordial, rs BELTS those
| If neighbors between whom the strongest ties OF
| friendship and commercial intimacy exist, AZ
the natural and growing consequence OF our
-imilarlty OF institutions and geographical pro-
pinqniiy.
the United States and Mexico eastward Of the
Rio Grande, under the convention of July -.
1892, has been unavoidably delayed, but l appre-
bend no difficulty in securing a proclamation, of
the period for its acconp lishinent. The lately
concluded commercial treaty with Mexico stu
awaits tho stipulated legislation to carry its pro-
visions into effect, for which one years addi-
uonSs time has been secured by u supplementary
article, signed in February last. and since rati-
he'd on both sides. Az this convention, so i'm
portant TO the commercial welfare of the two adj
Joining countries, has been constitutionally con-
med by tho treaty-Haking branch, 1 express
TO hope that legislation to make it effective
may 30; be long delayed.
The large influx of capital and enterprise to
/ Mexico from the United States continues 10 aid
nenting the material well-beins Of our sister re-
public. lines of railway penetrating to the heart
and capital OF the country. bringing the two
tho enlarged facilities of transit add TO profit
able commerce, create new markets, and furnish
avenues To other isolated communities.
i have already adverted to the suggested con-
s~truc'lon of a ship railway across the narrow
formation of the territory OF Mexico at Tehuan-
tepec.
PERU.
With the gradual recovery OF Peru from the
effects of her late disastrous conflict with Chill,
and with the restoration of civil authority in
that, distracted country, it is hoped that the
ptslding war claims of our ctizeus will be ad-
iusted. In conformity with tho notification
given by the government OF Peru. the existing
treaties of commerce and extradition between us
and that country will terminate March 81, 1856.
RUSSIA.
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 so gen.
efously ,uccored the survivors Of the unfor-
tunate Jeanette expedition.
SPAIN.
1t is CRAFTY ing to advert to the cordially Of
our intercourse with Spain. The long-pending
ciaim Il the owners Of the ship Masonic for loss
suffered throng! the admitted dereliction. Of the
Spanish authorities in the PHILIPPINE Islands
has been adjusted by arbitration. and an
indemnity awarded. The principle OF arbitra-
ton in such cases to which the United States
have long and consistently adhered thus receive
a fr,sh and gratifying confirmation. Other
questions with Spain have been disposed of or
are under di diplomatic consideration with "A view
to a Just and honorable settlement. The opera
tons of The commercial agreement with Spain
OF January : aud February l3, 1884. has been
found inadequate to the commercial need of the
, United States and the Spanish Antilles, and the
terms or the agreement are subjected to conflict
ing interpretations in these islands. Negotia-
tions have been instituted al Madrid for a full
treaty not open to the objections and in the line
of the general policy touching the neighborly
intercourso OF proximate communities 10 which
elsewhere advert. and aiming moreover at the
removal of existing burdens and annoying re-
strictions, AMI although a satisfactory termina-
ton is romised, l am compelled to delay its an
nouncement.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
An international copyright conference was
held at ilerne in September on the invitation of
the SWlgg government. The puVpy of the United
States attended as a delegate, but refrained from
committing the government to the results, even
by signing the e'ommendatory protocol
adopted. he interesting and important subject
of international copyright las been before you
for several years. Action is certainly desirable
TO effect tie object in view, and while there may
be n question az to the relative advantage OF
treating it by legislation, or by specific treaty,
the inatnred views of the berne conference can
not iail % ad your consideration Of the subject.
RELATIONS 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
a question ~ to the suthclency 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 trea y Of 1880, and
rs equal treatment is admitted by the porte. no
Inconvenience can result from the assent OF this
government TO the revision Of the Ottoman tar
ifs in which the treaty powers have been invited
10 Join.
The question concerning orr citizens in Turkey
may be affected by the pOrte's non-acquiasence
in the right Of expatriation and by the imposition
of r~elisigns tests as a condition Of residence, in
which this government cannot concur. The
United States must hold in their intercourse
with every power that the status of their citizens
is 10 be- respected and equal civil privilege ac-
corded to them without rogard to creed and A.
fected by no considerations save those growing
out ofdOmiciliHn return 10 the laad OF original
allegiance, or if unfulhl'ed personal obligation.
which may survive under municipal laws, after
such voluntary return.
THE NEGOTIATION WITH VENEZUELA
relative to the rctearing u the awards of the
Mexican commission, constituted under the
treaty OF 1875, was resumed in view Of tie recent
acQ uiescrnce Of tle Venezuelan envoy. TIE
PRINCIPAL uoint advanced by this Governments,
that the effects of the old treaty could only be ret
aside by the operation OF "a now convention, a r-
suit in substantial accord win the advisory sug-
geetious cont. incd i tho Joint resolution of
March 8. 1857, has been agreed upon and will
shortly be submitted to the senate for ratnca-
ton.
INVESTING TREAT FUNDS.
Under section 1853 OF the revised statutes, all
funus held in trust by She United States and the
i.nnual interest sccruing thereon, when not
Otherwise REQUIRED by treaty, are to be invested
in stocks OF the United States bearing a rate
Of interest not less that . pr cpntum per anium.
There being now no proGurable stocks paying
SO high a cate OF interest, "a, letter Of the stat
ute is at present inapplicabie. but its spirit is
subeerved by continuing To maze Investments
OF this nature ia current stocks bearing the nigh
est interest now paid. The statute, however,
makes no provision fof the disposal Of such ac-
crctions. IL being contrary to the general rule
OF this government to allow interest on ciai ns.
| recommend the repeal Of tho provision
question and the disposition under a unif
rule OF tho present ac,uinulations from ~
vestment Of trust funds.
CITIZENSHIP x NATURALIzATl
The inadequacy Of existing Legislation a.. 80
ing cit ztnship and II turalizitiou d 'mands .1ur
consideration. While recognizing the night of
ex repatriation, no statnary provision exists pro-
viding means for rpyerenCiGg citizenship by AN
American, natiye-bocn or nn,ur1ll2cd. nor for
terminating and vach'irg improved acquisition
of citiZ Dehip. Even "a fraudulent decree of nat
uralizatinn cannot now b. cancelled. TIE Drivi-
lrge and franchise of American citizenship
should be granted With care and eZtcndad "a
those only who intend in good faith 10 assume
ito duties and responsibilities when attaining ,ts
pr ilege. 1t should hc Withheld from thost sao
me: ely 20 through tie forms OF naiu! HliL don
with al attempt OF escaping duties with thGir
original allegiance without taxing upon them
selves these Of their new status, or wlo may Hc-
quire the rights OF American citizenship for no
other than "A hostile LnrDose towards their orig
incl goyernmynts. These evils have had many
LA rant illustrations.
| regard viii favor the suggestion put forth 10y
one Of ny pred cc>surs that provision may be-
| made for n GENITAL bureau of record for the de-
cre7s Of naturalization granted by the various
courts throughout the United States, now in
vested with that power. The rights which spring
from domiciIe in the Unitod States. especially
when coupled with a decia alton OF intention to
become "A citizen, are worthy OF definition by
sCatut'. The stranger coming hither with intent
10 remain, establishing his residence in our
mid-r. contributing To ia" q neral welfare and
by lie voluntary act de'liring his pm rIo-e to ~
Gains - i~nchoate statns which | isiation may
pronA,ly define. The laws of certain atat.s and