Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-11
NO. so.

The Independent state OF tue OJngO mas
been organized as government under the
sovereignty of his majesty, the King OF ths
Belgians, who assumes its chief magstracy
in his personal character only, without max
ing the new State a dependency Of Belgium
It Is fortunate that benighted region owing
all II has OF quickening civilization TO the
beneicence and philanthropic spirit OF this
monarch should bave the advantage and seou-
rity Of his benevolent supervision. The ac-
tion taken by this government, last year, in
being the FIRST TO recognize the flag OF tho in
ternatonal association Of the Congo has been
followed by formal recognition of the new
nationality which succeeds to its sovereign
powers. conference of delegates OF this
principal commercial nations was held at Ber-
lin last winter TO discuss methods whereby
the Congo basin might be kept open to the
worlds trade. Delegates attended in behalf
of the United States on the understanding
that their part should be merely deliberative
without impariing to the results any binding
character so far as the United States we're
concerned. This resolve was due to the in
disposition Of this government TO share in
any disposal by an international congress Of
a jurisdictional question in remote foreign
territories The results of the conference
we're embodied in a formal agreement Of the
nature of an international convention which
laid down certain obligations purporting to be
binding on the signatures subjsct to ratihca-
tion within one year. Notwithstanding the
reservation under which the delegates of the
United States attended, their signatures we're
attached to tie general act in the same man
ner as those of the plenipotentiaries OF the
government, thus making the United States
appear, without reserve or qualification, as
sgnatories to joint international engage
ment imposing on the signers The copserva-
# s..t. II 4
gions where we have no established interests
or control. This government does not, how
ever regard its reservation of liberty of ac-
ton in the premises as at all impaired, and
holding that an engagement to share in the
obligation of enforcing neutrality in the re-
mote valley of the Congo would be an al
lance whose responsibilities we are not in
position to assume, l abstain from asking
the sanction of the senate to that general act.
GOOD WILL TOWARD coREA.
No opportunity has been omitted to testify
the friendliness of this government toward
OOrea, whose entrance into the family of
treaty powers the United States were the first
to recognize. 1 regard with favor the appli-
cation made by the Corean government to be
allowed TO employ American officers az mill
tary instructors to which the assent Of Con-
gress becomes necessary, and 1 am happy to
say this request has the concurrent sanction
of China and Japan.
THE RESTRICTION ON AMERICAN PORK.
1 regret to say that the restrictions upon
the importation of our pork into France con-
tinue, Notwithstanding the abundant demon
stration Of absence OF sanitary danger in its
use, but entertain strong hopes that with a
better understanding of the matter, this vex-
atious prohibition will be removed. 1t would
be pleasing to ba able to say as much with
respect to Germany, Austria and the other
countries where such food products are abso-
lutely excluded without present prospect OF
reasonable change.
THE CARcLINEs DISPUTE.
The dispute of Germany and Spain rela-
tive to the domination of the Caroline islands
has attracted the attention of this govern
ment by reason of extensive interests of
American citizens having grown up in those
parts dur ng the past 80 years, aud because
the question of ownership Involves jurisdic-
tion of matters affecting the status of our
citizens under civil and criminal law. While
standing wholly aioof from the proprietary
issues raised between the powers to both of
which the United States are friendly, this
government expects that nothing in the pres
ent contention shall untavoraby affect our
citizens carrying on peaceful commerce or
there domiciled, and has so informed the gov
ernment5 OF SPAN anu Germany.
THE FISHERIES
The marked good will between the United
States and Great Britain has beer maintained
during the past year. the termination of the
fishery ella uses OF the treaty of Washington,
in pursuance of the joint resolution of March
3, 1888, must have resulted in the abrupt ces-
sation on the 1st Of July of this year, in the
midst of their ventures, of the operations of
citizens Of the United States engaged in fish
ing in British American waters, but for di-
plomatic understanding reached with her
Majesty's government in June last, whereby
assurance was obtained that no interruption
of those operations should take place during
the current fishing season. Following out tho
intimation given by me when the extensory
arrangement desired was negotiated, 1 recon-
mend that Congress provide for the appoint
ment of q commission in which the govern
ments of the United States and Great Britain
shall be respectively represented, charged
with the consideration and settlement upon a
| Just, equitable and honorable basis of the en-
| tire question of the fishing rights of the two
governments and their respective citizens on
| the coasts of the United States and British
North America.
The Arctic exploring steamer Alert, which
was generously given by her majesty's gov
ernment to aid in the relief of the Greedy ex-
pculllOu was, dtlcT lu6 buCCchblul
of that humane purpose, returned to Great
Britain in pursuance of the authority confer
red by the act of March, 1885.
ExTRADITIoN WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
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 compaots in this regard entered into
| by us, stipulated for surrender in respect of
a limited number OF ofenses. Other crimes
no less inimical TO social welfare should be
embraced, and the procedure of extradition
brought in harmony with present internation-
al practice. Negotiations with her majesty
government for an enlarged treaty of extradi-
tion have been pending since 1870, and en-.
terrain strong hopes that a satisfactory result
may be soon attained.
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY.
The frontier between Alaska and British
Columbia, as defined by the treaty of session
with Russia, follows the demarkation assigned
| in prior treaty between Great Britain and
Russia. Modern exploration discloses that
this ancient boundary is impracticable as a
geographical fact in the unsettled condition
of that region. The question has lacked i'm,
portance but the discovery Of mineral wealth
in the territory the line is supposed to trav.
erse admonshes US that the time has come
when an accurate knowledge of the boundary
is needful to avert jurisdictional complica
tions recommend, therefore, that provi
sion be made for preliminary reconnaissance
by officers Of the United States, TO the end o
acquiring more precise information on the
subject. have invited her majesty's gov
ernment to consider with US the adoption OF
a more convenient line, TO be established by
the meridian observations or by known geo
graphical features, without tho necessity Of
an expensive survey of the whole.
MEXICO.
Our relations with Mexico continue to be
most cordial, as BELTS those of neighbors be
tween whom the strongest ties of friendship
and commercial intimacy exist as the natura
and growing consequence of our similarity o
institutions and geographical propinquity
The relocation OF the boundary line between
the United States and Mexico, westward o
the Rio Grande, under the convention Of Jul!
29, 1882, has been unavoidably delayed, bu
l apprehend no difficulty in securing u pro
longation of the period for its accomplish
ment. The lately CONCLUDED commercial
treaty with Mexico still waits the stipulated
legislation to carry its provisions into effect
for which one year additional time has beei
secured by a supplementary article signed il
February last and since ratified on both sides
As this convention, 80 important to the com
mercial welfare OF the two adjoining ooun
l.