The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-10
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Government on A m icn bic Terms
With All Powers.

1t is gratifying to announce that the rela-
tons OF the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our posi-
lion, after neurly century of successful
constitutional government and the mainte-
nance of good faith in all our engagements,
the avoidance OF complications with other
nations, and a consistent and amicaule atti-
tude toward the strong and weak alike, fur
Dish proof of political disposition which
renders profession OF good will unnecessary.
There are no questions OF difficulty pending
With any foreign government.
THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT
has revived the lOn2-dOrulant question Of the
Falkland islands by claiming from tue United
States indemnity for them. The loss is at
tributed TO the commander Of the sloOp-of-
war Lexington ia breaking up practical COL
ony on those islands in 1881 and their subse-
quent occupation by Great Britain. In view
Of the ample Justification for the act OF the
Lexington and the derelict condition of the
islands before and after their alleged Occupa-
ton by Argentine cOlonists. this government
considers the claim US wholly groundess
a question has arisen with the government
of Austrla-Hungary touching the representa-
ton of the United States at Vienna. Having
under my constitutional prerogative ap-
pointed our cstimaDle citizen OF unimpeached
probity and competence rs minister at that
court, the government OF Austria
Hungary invited this government
to the cognizance Of certain exceptions
based upon allegations against the personal
acceptabiity of Mr.. Kelley, the appointed en-
voy, asking that, in view thereof, the ap-
pointment should be withdrawn. The reasons
advanced were such as could not he acqui-
esced in without violation Of my oath of
Office and the precepts OF the constitution,
since they necessarily involved a Limitation
in favor OF foreign government upon tho
right OF selection b, tue executive, and re-
quired such an application OF a religious test
as qualification for Office under the United
States as would have resulted in the practical
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF u large class Of our cili-
zens and the abandonment OF Il vital principle
Of our government. The Austria II ungarIan
government finally decided not to receive Mr..
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'afaires ad interim.
Early in March last war broke out in Gen.
trail America, caused by the attempt Of Qua
telnalA to consolidate the several states into
Il single government. In this contest between
our neighboring states. the United States
fOrebOre to interfere actively, but sent the
aid of their friendly offices in deprecating
war and to promote peace and concord amoug
the belligerents. aud by such a council con-
tributed impartially to the restoration of
tranquility in that locality.
Emergencies growing out Of the civil war
In the United States Of Columbia demanded
of the government at the beginning OF this
administration The employment OF an armed
force to fulfill its guarantee under the thirty
fifth article OF the treaty Of 1916, 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
oOntne their actions TO
"POSITIVELY AND EFEICACTOTrSIY'
preventing the transit and its accessories
from being Uninterrupted or embarrassed"
The execution Of this delicate and RESPONSE
Ole task necessarily involved police control
where the local authority was temporarily
powerless, but always in aid Of the sover-
eighty Of Columbia. The prompt and sue
cessful fultillment of Its duty by this govern
ment was highly appreciated by the govern
ment Of Columbia, and has been followed by
expression of its satisfaction. High praise is
due to the officers and men engaged in this
service, the restoration Of peace on the 18TH
mus by the re-establishMent of the consti-
tuted government there being thus accom-
plished The forces of the United States
were withdrawn. Pending these occurrences
q 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-
ing vessels held by the revOlutionsts to be pi-
ratical and liable to capture by any power.
TO neither Of these propositions could the
United Sta tes assent. An effective closure OF
the ports, not in the possession of the gov
eminent, but held by
HOSTILE PARTIsANs,
could not be recOgniZed; neither could the
vessels of the insurgents against the legiti-
mate sovereignty he deemed hosts huma nj
generis, within thePrecepts Of international
law whatever might be the definition and pen
atty of their acts under the municipal law
of the state against whose authority they
were in revolt. The denial by this government
of the Columbian propositions id not, how
ever, imply the admission OF belligerent
status on the part of the insurgents. The
Columbian government has expressed its
willingness to negotiate conventions for the
adjustment by arbitration Of claims by
0geign citizens arising out Of t he destruc-