The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-09

ALAsKA's BOUNDARY.
The frontier line between Alaska and British
Columbia, as defined by the treaty of cession with
Russia, follows the demarkation assigned in a
prior treaty between Great Britain and Russia
Modern exploration discloses that this ancient
boundary is impracticable as a geographical taet
In the unsettled condition of that region the
question has lacked Importance, but the dlscoy-
cry of mineral wealth in the territory tne line is
supposed to traverse admonisheS that the tlme
boundary is needed to avert jurisdictional com
plications. | recommend, therefore, that proyl-
sion be made for a preliminary reconnaissance BY
officers of the United States to the end OF acqulr
ing more precise information on the subject.
have invited her majesty'S government to CONSIDER
with US the adoption OF line to be established by
features, without the necessity of an expensive
survey of the whole
HAYTI INSURRECTIoN.
The late nsunectionary movements in Hayti
have been quelled, the government of that repub-
lie has made prompt provision for adjudicating
the losses suffered by foreigners because of hos
tlities there and the claims of certain citizens of
the United States will be in this manner determ-
ined. The long pending claims of two citizens of
the United States Pelletier and Lazare, have
been disposed OF by ar9tration, and an award IN
favor of each claimant has been made which, by
the terms OF the engagement is final. 1t remains
for Congress to provide for the payment of the
stipulated moiety of the expenses. A question
arose with Hayti during the past year by reason
of the exceptional treatment of an American citi-
zen. Mr.. Van B0kkelen, a resident OF Port an
Prince, who, on suit by creditors residing in. the
United States, was sentenced to Imprisonment,
and, under the operations OF Haytlan statute,
was denied relief secured to native Haytan;
His government asserted his treaty right to equal
treatment with natives of Hayti in all suits at law
Our contention was denied by the Haytian govern
ment, which, however, While still processing 10
maintain the ground taken against Mr.. Van Box
kelen's rights terminated the controversy by set
ting him at liberty without explanation.
SANITARY CONFERENCE.
An international conference to consider the
means Of arresting the spread of cholera and 9th
er epidemic diseases, was held at Rome in May
last, and adjourned to meet again on further no,
tice. An expert delegate, on behalf OF the United
States, has attended its sessions, and VIII submit
a report.
continue to be most cordial, as BELTS those of
neighbors between whom the strongest ties of
friendship and commercial intimacy exist, as the
natural and growing consequence of our similari-
ty of institutions and geographical propinquity
The relocation of the boundary line between the
United States and Mexico, westward of the Rio
Grande, under the convention of July 20, 1882,
has been unavoidably delayed, but apprehend
no difficulty in securing prolongaton OF the Pc
riod for its accomplishment. The lately conclud-
ed commercial treaty with Mexico, still awaits
the stipulated legislation to carry its provisions
into effect, for which one years additional time
has been secured by supplementary article
signed in February last and since ratified on both
sides AS this convention, so important TO the
commercial welfare of the two adjoining countries
has been constltutionally confirmed by the treaty
making branch. express the hope that legisla-
tion needed to make it effective may not be long
delayed. The large influx of capital and enter
prise to Mexico from the United States continues
to aid in the development OF the resources and IN
augmentng the material well-being of our sister
republic. Lines of railway, penetrating to the
heart and capital of the country, bring the two
peoples into mutually beneficial intercourse, and
enlarged facilities of transit add to profitable
commerce, create new markets, and furnish ave
nues to otherwise isolated communities. have
already adyerted to the suggested construction Of
territory of Mexico at Tehuantepec.
CHILL AND PERU.
With the gradual recovery Of Peru from the eff
fects Of her late disastrous conflict with Chill, and
the restoration of civil authority in that distracted
country, it sis hoped that pending war claims of
our citizens will be adjusted In conformity with
notification given by the government Of Peru, the
existing treaties of commerce and eXtradltl0n be-
tween the United States and that country will ter
inmate March 81, 1886.
RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
Our good relationship with Russia continues. An
officer of the navy, detailed for the purpose, is on
his way to Siberia bearing the testimonials voted
by Congress to those who generously succored
the survivors of the unfortunate Jeannette expe-
of our
INTERCOURSE WITH SPAIN.
The long pending claim of the owners OF the
ship Masonic for loss suffered through the admit
ted dereliction of the Spanish authorities in
the Philippine Islands, has been adjusted by arbi-
tration and an indemnity awarded. The principle
Of arbitration in such cases, to which the United
States have long and consistently adhered, thus
receives a fresh and gratifying confirmation. 9th
er questions with Spain have been disposed OF or
are under diplomatic consideration, with view
to Just and honorable settlement The operation
of the commercial agreement with Spain OF Jan.
2. Feb. 13, 1884, has been found inadequate TO
the commercial needs of the United States and
the Spanish Antilles, and the terms of the agree
ment are subjected to conflicting interpretations
in those islands. Negotiations have been inSti-
tpted at Madrid Tor 19ii treaty n3t a6 open 70
policy touching the neighb0rly intercourse of prox-
innate communities to which l elsewhere advert,
and aiming, moreover, at the removal of existing
burdens and annoying restrictions, and, although
a satisfactory termination is promised, am COM
PEELED to delay its announcement. An
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
conference was held at Berne in September, on
the invitation of the Swiss government. The en-
voy of the United States attended as delegate,
but refrained from committing this government
to the results, even by signing the recommends
important subject OF international copy
right has been before you for several years
action IS certainly desirable eHecb OBJECT Ill
view. And while there may be questions as to
the relative advantages of treating it by legiSla
ton or by specific treaty, the matured views OF
the BeTne conference cannot fail to aid your con-
sideration of the subject
TREATY WITH TURKEY.
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 suciency of the notice of ter
mination given, yet, as the commercial rights OF
our citizens in Turkey come under the favored ma
tions guarantees of the prior treaty 1880, and, as
equal treatment is admitted by the Porte. no in
convenience can result from the assent of this
government to the revision of the Ottoman tariffs
in which the treaty powers have been invited to
join. Questions concerning our citizens in
Turkey may be affected by the P0rte's MONACO
quescence in the right of expatriatiOn, and by the
imposition of religious tests as condition OF resi-
dence, in which this government cannot concur.
The United States must hold in its intercourse
with every power that the status OF their citizens
is to be respected and equal civil privileges ac-
corded to them without regard to creed and affect
cd by no considerations save those growing out OF
domiciliary rrturn to the land of original allege-
ance or of unfuflled personal obligations which
may survive under municipal laws after such vol
untary return.
VENEZUELAN AWARDS.
The negotiations with Venezuela relative to the
rehearing of the awards of the mixed commission
constituted under the treaty of 1856 was resumed
in view of the recent acquisescence of the VeneZu
elan envoy in the principal point advanced by this
government, that the effects of the old treaty
could only be set aside by the operation of new
convention. A result in substantial accord with
the advisory suggestions contained in the joint
resolution of March 3, 1888, has been agreed up
on and will shortly be submitted to the Senate for
ratification.
INVESTMENT OF FUNDS.
Under sec. 1850 of the Revised Statutes all
funds held in trust by the United States and the
annual interest accruing thereon. when not other.
wise required by treaty, are to be invested in
stocks of the United States bearing rate of i'll
terest not less than 8 per centum per annum
There being now no procurable stocks paying sc
high rate OF interest," the letter of the statute is
at present napplicable but its spirit is subserved
by continuing to make investments of this nature
in current stocks bearing the highest interest
paid. The statute, however, makes no provision
for the disposal of such accretions 1t being con
trary to the general rule of this government tC
allow interest on claims, | recommend the repeal
under a uniform rule of the present accumulations
from investments OF trust funds.
CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIzATIoS.
The inadequacy OF existing legislation touching
citizenship and naturalization demands your con
sideration. While recognizing the right of eXpat
ration, no statutory provision exists providing
means for renouncing citizenship by an American
citizen, native born or naturalized nor for termin
ating and yacating an improper acquisition Of cti
zenship. Even a fraudulent decree of naturalza
tion cannot now be cancelled. The privilege anC
franchise -of American citizenship should bt
granted with care, and extend to those only whC
intend, in good faith to assume its duties and re
sponsbilities when attaining its privileges ant
benefits. 1t should be withheld from those who
merely go through the forms of naturalization