The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-10


of our citizens will be adjusted. In conform
ity with notification given by the government
OF Peru, the existing treaties Of commerce
and extradition between the United States
and that country will terminate March 81.
1886.
RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
Our good relationship with Russia continues
The officer of the navy detailed for the pur-
pose is nov on his way to Siberia bearing the
testimonials voted by congress to those who
generously succOred the survivors of the I'M
fortunate Jeanette expedition. 1t is graft
flying to revert to the cordialitv our inter-
course with Spain. The long pending claim
OF the owners of the ship Unmasonic for loss
suffered through the admitted derelicti0n of
the Spanish authorities on the Phil
lipine islands has been adjusted by
arbitration aud an indemnity award.
The principle OF arbitration in such cases, to
whlca the United States has long and con-
stantly adhered, thus receives fresh and
gratifying confirmation. Other questions
with Spain have been disposed OF or are un-
der diplomatic consideration with view to
just and honorable settlement. The opera
ton OF the commercial agreement with Spain
of Jan. and Feb. l3 1854, has been found
inadequate to the commercial needs of the
United States. aud the Spanish Antilles and
the terms OF the agreement ure subjected to
conflicting interpretations in those islands.
An international copyright conference was
held at Berne i'll September on the invitation
Of the Swiss government. The envoy of the
United States attended as a delegate. but re-
Trained from committing this government to
the results, even by signing the recommend
ator' protocol adopted. The interesting and
important subject of international copyright
has been before you tor several years. Ac-
ton is certainly desirable to effect the object
In view, and while there may be q question as
to the relative advantage of treating it BY
legislation or by specific treaty, the matured
views OF the berne conference cannot fail to
aid your consideration Of the subject.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
The termination of the commercial treaty
Of 1862 between the United States and
Turkey has been sought by that government
While there is question as to the sufficency
of the notice OF termination given, yet, as
the commercial rights of our citizens in
Turkey come under the favored national
guarantees OF the prior treaty of 1880, and
as an equal treatment is admitted by the
porte, no Inconvenience can result from the
assent OF this government to the revision
of the Ottoman tariff, in which treaty
the powers have been invited to join.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
may be affected by the portes non-acquies-
cence in the right of expatriation and by the
imposition of religious tests as q condition of
residence, in which this government cannot
concur. The United States must hold. In
their Intercourse with every power, that the
equal civil privileges accorded to them with
out regard to creed. and affected by no con.
slderations save those growing out of domi-
ciiary return TO the land Of original alegi-
ance, Or of unfultilled personal obligations,
which may survive under municipal laws
after SUCH voluntary return.
VENEZUELAN AWARDS.
The negotiation with Venezuela relative to
the reheariug of the awards of the mixed CON-
mission constituted under the treaty of 1865
was resumed in view Of the recent acquies-
cence OF tho Venezuelan envoy in the princi-
pal point advanced by this government that
the effects OF the old treaty would only be set
aside by the operation of a new convention.
result In substantial accord with the advis-
Org suggestions contained in the joint resolu-
ton OF March 3, 1883, has been agreed upon
and will shortly be submitted to the senate
for ratification.
Under Sc elton 1869 Of the revised statutes
all funds held in trust by the United States
and the annual interest accruing thereon.
when not otherwise required by treaty OF the
United States. bearing a rate of interest not
less than ) per cent. per annum, there being
now no procurable stocks paying; so b gh a
rate of interest, the letter of the statute is at
present inupplicable, but its spirit is SUBJ
served by continuing to make investments OF
the nature in current stocks bearing the
highest interest now paid.
The statute, however, makes no provision
for such accretious, it being contrary to the
general rule Of this government to allow In
terest on claims. l recommend the repeal Of
the provision in question and the disposition,
under uniform rule. of the present accumu-
latiOns from Investment of the trust fund.
NATURALIZATION.
The inadeQuacy OF existing legislation
touching citizenship and naturalization de-
mands your consideration. While recognize
ing the right Of repatriation. no statutory
provision exists providing means for re-
1<S1 k;~> hvvns
or naturalized nor for terminating or vacat-
ing an improper acquisition of citizenship.
Even fraudulent decree Of natural
ization cannot now be cancelled.
The privilege and franchise Of American
citizenship should be granted with care and
extended to those who intend in good faith
to assume its duties and responsibilities when
attaining its privileges and benefits. Itshould
be withheld from those who merely go through
the forms of naturalization with the intent
of escaping the duties of their original alle-
glance, without taking upon themselves those
OF their new status, or who may acquire the
rights of American citizenship for no other
than a hostile purpose towards their original
governments. These evils have had many
fragrant Illustrations.
Negotiations have been instituted at Madrid
for full treaty not open to these objections,
and ia the line OF the general policy touching
tho neighborly intercourse of proxinate CON-
munties, to which elsewhere advert, and
aiming moreover at the removal Of existing
burdens and annoying restrictions. and al
though satisfactory term nation is prom
ised, am Compelled TO delay definite an
nOunccment.
l regard with favor the suggestion put
forth by one Of my predecessors. that pro-
vision may be made for a central bureau of
record OF the decrees Of naturalization granted
by the various courts throughout the United
States, now invested with that power. The
rights which spring from domicile in the
United States, especially when coupled with q
declaration OF intention to become a citizen,
are worthy OF definition by statute. The
stranger coming here with intent to remain,
tributing to the general welfare, and by his
voluntary act declaring his purpose to as
sumo the responsibilities of citizenship
thereby gains inchoate status. which le ylsla-
ton may properly define. The laws Of GER
tain states and territories admit do,niciled
him the rights of citizenship to a degree
which places him in the anama-
lous position OF being citizen of a state, and
yet not of the United States within the pur-
view of federal and international law. 1T is
important within the scope OF national legis-
latiOn to define this right of alien uOmicile rs
distinguished from federal naturalization.
THE COM MERC1AL RELATIONS
of the United States with its immediate
neiehbors, and with important areas of traffic
near our shores. suggest especially liberal in
tercourse between them and us. following
the treaty of 1853 with Mexico, which rested
on the basis Of reciprocal exemp-
ton from customs duties. Other
similar treaties were initiated bv
my predecessor. Recognizing the need
of less obstructed traffic with Cuba and Porto
Rico. and not by the desire OF Spain to succor
lanyuishing interests in the Antilles, steps
were taken to attain these ends by treaty of
commerce. similar treaty was afterward
signed by the Dominican republic. Subse-
Quently overtures were made by her Britanio
majesty's government for like mutual ex-
tension of commercial intercourse with the
British West India and South American de-
Tendencies, but without result. On taking
Office l withdrew for REORGANIZATION the
treaties signed with Spain and SantO Domingo.
then pending before the senate. The result
has been to satisfy me of the inexpedency
of entering into engagements of this
character not covering the entire
tariff. These treaties contemplated the sur
render, by the United States, Of large rev.
enues for Inadequate considerations. Upon
sugar alone duties were surrendered to an
amount far exceeding all the advantages
offered in exchange. Even were it intended
to relieve our consumers. it was evident that,
80 long as the exemption but partially COW