Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09


military operations Of Chilli in Peru and
Bolivia are the subject OF negotiation for
a claims convention with Chill provid-
ing for their submission TO arbitration.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The harmony of our relations with
China is fully sustained. In the appli-
cation OF the acts lately passed to execute
the treaty of 1880, restrictive OF the immi-
grafton of Chinese laborers into the
United States, individual cases of hard
ship have occurred beyond the power Of
the executive to remedy, and calling for
judicial determination.
The condition of the Chinese question
IN the Western States and Territories is
despite this restrictive legislation far
from being satisfactory. The recent out
break in Wyoming Territory, where
numbers Of unotfending Cinnamon, indis-
putably within the protection of the
treaties and the law, were murdered by a
mob, and the still more recent threatened
outbreak of the same character in WASH
lngton Territory are fresh in the minds OF
all, and there is apprehension lest the
bitterness of feeling against the MongO-
liam race on the Pacific slope may find
vent IN similar lawless demonstrations.
All the power OF this government should
be exerted TO maintain the amplest good
faith toward China in the treatment OF
these men, and the infiexible eternness OF
the law in bringing the wrOngdoers TO
justice should be insisted upon.
NoN-REsIDENTs TO BLAME.
Every effort has been made by this gov
ernment to prevent these violent out
breaks and to aid the representatives of
China in their investigation of these out
RACES; and it is but just TO say that they
are traceable to the lawlessness of men
not citizens of the United States engaged
In competition with Chinese laborers.
Race prejudice is the chief factor in
originating these disturbances, and it ex-
lists IN large part Of our domain, jeopar-
dizing our domestic peace and the good
relationship we strive to maintain with
China.
The admitted right Of government to
prevent the influx OF elements hostile to
its internal peace and security may not
be questioned, even where there is no
treaty stipulation on the subject. That
the exclusion of Chinese labor is demand
ed in other countries where like cond-
tions prevail is strongly evidenced in the
dominion OF Canada, where Chinese i'm
migration is now regulated by laws more
exclusive than our own. If the existing
laws are inadequate to compass the end
in view, shall be prepared TO give ear
nest consideration to any further rene
dial measures within the treaty limits
which the wisdom Of Congress may de-
wise.
THE CONGO FREE STATE.
The Independent State of the Congo has
been organized as government under
the sovereignty of His Majesty. the King
OF the Belgians, who assumes its chief
magistracy in his personal character
only, without making the Few State de-
tendency of Belgium. 1t is fortunate that
benighted region, owing all it has Of
quickening civilization to the benefcence
and philanthropic spirit Of this monarch,
should have the advantage and security
of his benevolent supervision. The action
taken by this government last year in be-
ing the first to recognize the flag of the
International Association of the Congo,
has been followed by formal recogni-
tion of the new nationality which
succeeds to its sovereign powers.
A conference of delegates of the principal
commercial nations was held at Berlin
last winter to discuss methods whereby
the Congo basin might be kept open to the
worlds trade. Delegates attended on be-
half the United States on the understand
ing that their part should be merely de-
Lucrative, without imparting TO the re-
suits any binding character, so far as the
United States were concerned. This re-
serve was due TO the lndispOsition of this
government to share in any disposal by
an international congress of jurisdlc-
tional questions in remote foreign terri
tories.
RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE
The results of the conference were en-
bodied in formal act of the nature of an
international convention which laid down
certain obligations, purpOrting TO be bind
ing on the signatories, subject 10 ratiflca-
tion within one year. Notwithstanding
the reservation under which the delegates
Of the United States attended, their sigma
lures were attached to the general act IN
the same manner as those of the plenipo-
tentiaries OF other governments, thus
making the United States appear, without
reserve or qualification, as signatories TO
joint international engagement, fmpOs-
ing on the signers the conservation of the
territorial integrity Of distant regions
where we have no established interests or
control. THIS government does not, how
ever, regard its reservation OF liberty Of
action In the premises as at all impaired,
and holding that an engagement TO share
in the obligation Of enforcing neutrality
in the remote valley Of the Congo would
be an alliance whose responsibilities we
are not in a position TO assume. / abb
stain from asking the sanction Of the
Senate TO that general act.
The correspondence VIII be laid before
you and the instructive and interesting
report Of the agent sent by this govern
ment TO the Congo country, and his recon-
mendations for the establishment OF COM
mercial agencies on the African coast
are also submitted TO your consideration.
The commission appointed by nv predeces-
sor last winter TO visit the Central and South
American countries and report on the meth
ods OF enlarging the commercial relations OF
the United States herewith, has submitted
reports which will be laid before you. No OPP
pOrtunity has been omitted 10 testify the
freDdliness Of this government toward COrea,
whose entrance into the family OF treaty pow
er8 the United States were the iiTst 10 recOg-
niZe. I regard with favor the application
made By the COrean government TO be allowed
TO employ American officers az military in
structOrs, 10 which the assent Of Congress be-
comes necessary, and am happy TO say that
this request has the concurrent sanction OF
China and Japan.
THE SANTOS CASE.
The arrest and imprisonment OF Julio r.
Santos, a citizen OF the United States, by the
authorities Of Ecuador, gave rise 20 conten-
ton with that government, In which his right
10 be released, or 70 have speedy and imuar-
tial trial on the announced cha ges, and with
an the guarantees Of defense stipulated by
treaty, was insisted on by us. After an elab-
crate correspondence, and repeated earnest
representations on our part, Mr.. Santos was,
after an alleged trial and conviction, eventu-
ally included In "a general decree Of amnesty
and pardOned by the EcuadOrlan executive
and released. leaving the question Of his
American citizenship denied by the Ecuador