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


Of civil authority in that distracted country,
It IS hoped that the pending war claims OF our
citizens will be adjusted. In conformity with
the notification given by the government o.
Peru, the existing treaties Of commerce and
eXtraditi0n between the United States ana
that country viii terminate March 81 1885.
FRIENDSHIP WITH RUSSIA.
Our good relationship with Russia contins
ues. An officer OF the navy, detailed for tho
purpose, is now on his way 70 Siberia bearing
the testimonials voted by Congress 20 those
who generously succored the survivors OF the
unfortunate Jeanette expedition.
III Is gratifying to advert to the cordiality or
our intercourse with Spain. The long pend~
ing claim Of the owners OF the ship Masonics
for loss suffered through the admitted dere-
hction Of the Spanish authorities in the Phil-
hpplne Islands, has been adjusted by arbltra@
ton and an indemnity awarded. The princi~
pies Of arbitration in such cases, TO which the
United States have long aud conslstently adj
hered, thus receives a fresh and gratifying
confirmation.
Other questions with Spain have been dis4
posed OF or are under diplomatic confederation
with view TO just and honorable settlement.
The operation OF the commercial agreemenr
with Spain OF Jan. and Feb. 18. 1884, has been
found inadequate to the commercial needs OF
the United states and the Spanish Antilless
and the terms of the agreement are subject To
conflicting interpretations in the islands.
Negotiations have been instituted at Madrid
for full treaty not open TO these 0bjectlonss
and in the line or the general policy touching
the neighbory intercourse OF pr0ximate cOm4
munities TO which / elsewhere advert, an6
almlng moreover at the removal OF existing
burdens and annoying restrictions, and al
though satisfactory termination is promiseds
i am compelled 20 delay its announcement.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
An International copyright conference waa
held at Bernc in September, on the invitation
OF the Swiss Government The envoy of the
United States attended as a delegate. but rev
Trained from committing this government TO
ihe results even by signing the recommenda-
tory protocol adopted. The interesting and
important subject Of International copyright
has been before you for several years. Action
Is certainly desirable TO effect the object in
view; and while there may be question az
to the relative advantage OF treating IL by
legislation or by specific treaty, the matured
views Of the Berne conference cannot fail te
AID your consideration OF the subject.
The termination Of the commercial treaty
OF 1882 between the United States and Turkey
has been sought by that government. while
there is q question as to the suiiciency Of the
notice OF termination given, yet as the com4
mercial rights OF our citizens In Turkey came
under the favored nation guarantees OF tho
prior treaty OF 1880, and as equal treatment ID
admitted by the Porte Noinconyenience can
result from the assent OF this government ia
the revision OF the Ottoman tariha, In which
the treaty powers have been invited to joing
RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.
Questions concerning our citizens in Turkey
may be affected By the Porte's non-acquies-
cence in the right of expatriation and by the
imposition OF religious tests as condition oe
residence in which this government cannot
concur. The United States must hold in their
intercourse with every power that the status
Of their citizens is TO be respected and equal
civil privileges accorded 20 them without res
gard to creed, and affected by no considera-
tiOns save those growing ont II dOmlcniarY
return TO the land of original allegiance, or O6
unfulhlled personal obligations which may
survive under municipal laws after such volI
untary return.
The negotiation with Venezuela, relative 20
the rehearing OF the awards Of the mixed
commission constituted under the treaty OF
1865, was resumed In view OF the acqulescenca
OF the Venezuelan envoy in the principal
point advanced by this government that thel
effects OF the old treaty could only be set
aside Dy the operation OF new convention.
result in substantial accord with the adyi-
sorry suggestions contained ia the joint res0lu-
tion OF March 3, 1883, has been agreed upon,
and will shortly be submitted to the senate
INVESTMENT OF FUNDS.
Under section $50 OF the revised statutes.
all funds held In trust by the United States.
and the annual interest accruing thereons
when not otherwise required by treaty, are
TO be invested in stocks OF the United states
bearing a rate OF interest not less than per
centum per annum. There being now no
procurabe stocks paying 80 high rate OF in-
terest, the letter OF the statute is at present
inaDplicable but its spirit is observed by con-i
tinuing TO make investments Of this nature IN
current stocks bearing the highest interest
now paid. The statute. however. m kes no pro-
being contrary 10 the general rule Of tins gov-
ernment TO allow interest on claims, ] recom-
mend the repeal Of the provision IN question
and the disposition, under uniform rule. or
the present accumulations from investments
Of trust funds.
The inadequacy OF existing legislation
touching citizenship and naturalization de-
manda your consideration. While recOR-
nizing the right Of expatriation no statutory
provision exists providing means for re-
nouncing citizenship by an American citizens
native born or natdralized, nor for terminals
ing and vacatlng an improper acquisition of
citizenship. Even a fraudulent decree OF
naturalization cannot now be cancelled. The
privilege and franchise Of American citizen
ship should be granted with care, and ex-
tended to those only who intend In good faith
10 assume its duties and responsibilities when
attaining It's privileges and benefits.
FROM WHO 1T SHOULD BE WITHHELD
1t should be withheld from those who merely
go through the forms OF NATURALIZATION with
ihe intent OF escaping the duties Of their
original allegiance without taxing upon them-
selves those OF their new status, or who may
acqur re the rights OF American citizenship for
no other than hostile purpose towards their
original governments. These evils have nat
many hagrant illustrations. regard with
favor the suggestion put forth by one OF my
predecessors that provision be made for cen-
trail bureau OF record OF the DEGREES Of natu-
ralizatiOn granted By the various oOurt9
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 hither with intent 70 re-
main. establishing his residence in our miast.
contributing 10 the general welfare by his
voluntary act, declaring his purpose 70 as
sumo the responsibilities Of citizenship, there
by gains an inchoate status which legislation
may properly define. The laws Of certain
States and Territories admit domiciled alien
10 the local franchise. comforting on him thu
rights Of citizenship to degree which places
him In the anomalous position Of being a
citizen Of a state, and yet not Of the United
states within the purvieW OF
Federal and international law. 10
Is important within the scope OF
national legislation 20 define this right OF alien
domcle ~ distinguished from Federal
naturalization.
TREATIES WITH NEAR NErGHBoRs.
The commercial relations Of the United
States with their immediate neighbora and
with important areas Of traflc near our
shores, suggest especially liberal intercourse
between them and uB. Following the treaty
OF 1889 with Mexico, which rested on the bana
OF a ecipr0cal exemption from customs duties,
other qimilar treaties were Initiated by my
PREDECESSOR Recognizing the need 0f
iess obstructed trnnic with Cuba and
Porto Rico, and met By the desire Of
spain % auccOr the languishinr interests
In the Antilles steps wore taken 10 attain those
enns by treaty Of commerce. A similar
treaty WA Afterwards aligned by the DOmin-
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