River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-10
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Government on AunicabIe Terms
with All Powers.

~ AAA a "a NV
It is gratifying to announce that the rela-
tions OF the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our posi-
ton. after nearly a century of successful
constitutional government and the mantle
nance OF good faith in all our engagements,
the avoidance of complications with other
uatiOus and a consistent and anicaJle atti-
tude toward the strong and weak alike, fur
nish proof OF d political disposition which
renders profession of good viii unnecessary.
There are no questions OF difficulty pending
with any foreign government.
THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT
has revived the long-dormant question of the
Falkland islands by claiming from the United
States indemnity for them. The loss Is at
tributed to the commander of the sloOp-Of-
war Lexington in breaking up practical col
ony on those islands in 1881 and tneIr subse-
queut occupation by Great Britain. In view
of the ample justification tor the act OF the
Lexington and the derelict condition of the
islands before ANA after their alleged occupa-
ton by Argentine colonISts. this government
considers the claim as wholly groundleSS-
A question has arisen with the government
of Austria-Huugary touching the representa-
tion OF tue United States at Vienna. Having
under NV constitutional preTOgative APP
pointed our estimable citizen OF untmpeached
probity and competence rs minister at that
court, the government OF Austria
Hungary invited tins government
to the COgnizance of certain exceptions
based upon attEtIlOtiS ak ttIloL tue pei otAisli
accountability OF Mr. Kelley, the appointed en-
vow asking that, in view thereof, the APP
pointment should be withdrawn. The reasons
advanced were such Is could not be acqui-
esced in without violation of my oath of
Office and the precepts of the constitution,
since they necessarily involved limitation
in favor of q foreign government upon the
right of selection by tue executive and re-
quired such an application OF d religious test
as a qualification Tor Office under the United
haly- q
OF large class OF our clti-
Zens and the abandonment of a vital principle
OF our government. The Observation-Disclosures
government finally decided not to receive MIR.
Kelley as the envoy of the United states, and
that gentleman has since resigned his com
mission,
LEAVING THE POST VACANT.
have made no new nominations, and the
Interests OF this government at Vienna are
now in the care of the secretary of legation,
acting as charge d'ahares ad interim.
Early in March last war broke out in Cen
tral America, caused by the attempt of Qua
teInaIa to consolidate the several states into
q single government. In this contest between
our ueighboring states, the United states
forehOre to interfere actively, but sent the
aid of their friendly offices in deprecating
war and to promote peace and concord among
the belgerents, and by sucu council con
tributed impartiaily to the restoration OF
tranquility in that locality
I'm the United States of Columbia demanded
of the government at the beginning of this
administrator the employment OF an armed
force to fulfill its guarantee under the thirty
nth article of the treaty of 1876, in order to
keep the transit open across the lsthmus OF
Panama DESTROYS of exercising only the
powers expressly reserved to US by the treaty
and mindful of the rights of Columbia, the
forces sent to the isthmus were instructed to
confne their actions TO
.rrrENT y
preventing the transit and its accessories
from being interrupted or embarrassed
The execution of this delicate and RESPONSE
ole task necessarily involved police control
where the local authority was temporarily
Iowerless, but always in aid of the soVer-
eighty of Columbia. The prompt and sue
cessful fulfilIInent of its duty by this govern
ment was highly appreciated by the COVER n
mont of Columbia, and has been followed by
expression of its satisfaction. High praise IS
due to tne officers and men engaged in TINS
servies. the restoration of peace on the ista-
mus by the re-establs hmeut OF the const-
tuted government there being thus accom-
plished The forces OF tue United States
were withdrawn. Pending these occurrences
a question of much importance was presented
by DEGREES of the Columbian government pro-
claiming the closure OF certain ports and then
in the hands OF the insurgents, and in declar-
fug vessels held by the revouuouists TO be pi-
ratical and liable 10 capture by any power.
To neither of these propositions could tie
United States assent. An effective closure OF
the ports. not IN the possession Of the gov
ernment, but held 10y
HOSTILE PARTIsANs.
could not be recOgnIzed; neither could the
vessels Of the Insurgents against the legiti-
mate sovereignty be deemed hosts huma nj
Uenerfs within the precepTs of international
lsw whatever might be the definition aud pen
atty of their acts under the municipal law
of the state against whose authority they
were in revolt. The denial b. this government
nslf1 ID.
e,5ar f,nulv rhe admission of q belligerent
status on the part of the insurgents. The
Columbian government has expressed IT'S
willingness to negotiate conventions for the
adjustment By arbitration OF claims Dy
sreiEu citizens arising out of he destrue-