Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Reviewing Affairs Of nGNad0I
SLIGHT FOREIGN COMPLICATIONS.
Mexico's Pretensions in the Cutting
Case Inadmissible.
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
RETRENCHMENT in EXPENSES
Increase of the Treasury Surplus.
NEED OF TARIFF REVISION
The Subject Discussed at Length
CIVILIZATION OF THE INDIANS.
REFORM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Strong Concentrations of the Working Of
the Law.
NEED OF TARIFF REVISION
The Subject Discussed at Length
CIVILIZATION OF THE INDIANS.
REFORM OF THE CIVIL SERVICE
Strong Commendations of the Working Of
the Law.
DISTRICT AFFAIRS TOUCHED ON.


In discharge or a constitutional duty and fol.
lowing a well established precedent In the Execu.
tive office herewith transmit 20 the Congress al its
certain Information concerning the
state Of the Union, together with such recon-
mendaions for legislative consideration as appear
necessary and expedient.
our Government has consistently maintained its
relations OF friendship toward all other powers,
and OF neighborly interest toward those whose
possessions are contiguous 10 our own. Few ques-
tions have arisen during the past year with other
governments, and none OF those are beyond the
reach OF settlement I'm friendly counsel.
We are as yet without provision for the settle
ment CT claims OF citizens OF the United states
against Chile for injuries during the late war with
Peru and Bolivia The mixed commissions, organ-
lied under claims conventions, concluded by the
Chilean government with certain European states,
have developed an amount OF friction which we
trust can be avoided In the convention which our
representative at Santiago is authorized TO nego-
tiate.
oUTRAGEs CHINESE.
The cruel treatment OF inoflensive Chinese haA
regret to say, been repeated I'm some OF the far
western states and territories and acts or vio-
lence against those people, beyond the power OF
the local constituted authorities to prevent, and
difficult to punish, are reported even In distant
Alaska. Much OF this violence can be traced %
race prejudice and competition OF labor which
Hol, HoNtNff. JUSTLY the Dpprf-SSiDn Ol
whose safety is guaranteed by our treaty With
China equally with the most favored nations.
In opening our vast domain 10 alien elements,
the purpose OF our law-gtyers was TO invite as
simflatfon, and not TO provide an arena for endless
antagonlSmS. The paramount duty or maintain
ing public order and defending the interests of our
own people may require the adoption OF measures
OF restriction but they should tolerate the op-
preston OF individuals OF a special race. I am
not without assurance that the government OF
China, whose friendly disposition towards US i am
most happy TO recognize, will meet us half way In
devising a comprehensive remedy, by which an
effective limitation OF Chinese emigration, Ioined
TO protection or those Chinese subjects who rs-
main In this country, may be secured.
Legislation is needed 10 execute the provisions
OF our Chinese convention OF 1880 touching the
opium traffic.
While the good will OF the Colombian govern.
ment toward our country is manifest, the situa-
tion of American interests on the Isthmus OF Pam
anna has at times excited concern, and invited
friendly action looking TO the performance OF the
engagements OF the two nations concerning the
territory embraced In the interoceanic transit.
With the subsiQence OF the Isthmian disturbances,
and the erection OF the State Of Panama into a
federal district under the direct government OF the
constitutional administration at Bogota q new
order OF things has been inaugurated which, ale
ing scope for arbitrary exercise OF power by the
delegates OF the national authority, promises
much improvement.
The sympathy between the people OF the United
States and France, born during colonial str1lg.
gle for tndepe ndence and continuing to-day, has
received a fresh impulse I'm the successful compile
ton and dedication OF the colossal statue OF sfib-
erty Enlightening the World" In New York har.
bor-the gift OF Frenchmen 10 Americans.
convention between the United States and
certain other powers for the protection OF sub
marine cables was signed at Paris ON March IL
1854 ana mas peen duIy raIlhsn ana proclaimed
high contracting parties this convention is to 20
into effect on the lst OF January next, but the
legislation required for its execution I'm the United
States has not yet been adopted. Earnestly rec
omnend its enactment.
Cases have continued TO occurin Germany giving
N m I'm al laffa 70. 81
privilege OF SOjourn or our naturaliZed citizens OF
German origin revisiting the land OF their birth,
yet am happy to state that our relations with
that country have lost none OF their accustomed
cordalty.
The claims for interest upon the amount OF ton
mage dues Illegally exacted from certain German
lines were favorably reported I'm both
Houses of Congress at the last session. and trust
will receive final and favorable action at an early
day.
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
The recommendations contained in my las1
annual message In relation TO a mode OF settle
ment OF the fishery rights In the waters OF British
North America-so long a subject OF anxious diff
ference between the United states and Great
Britain-was met by an adverse vote OF the Senate
On April 18th last, and thereupon negotiations
were instituted 20 obtain an agreement with Her
Britannia Ma1esty's government for the promul-
cation OF such Joint Interpretation and definition
5r the article OF the convention OF Isls relating
10 the territorial waters and inshore fisheries of
ihe British Provinces as should secure the Cana
and, at the same time, ensure the en-
oyment by the latter OF the privileges guaranteed
TO them by such convention.
The questions Involved are OF long standing, OF
grave consequence, and from time TO time for
nearly three-quarters OF century have given
ise TO earnest international discussions not unac
companied by irritation.
Temporary arrangements by treaties have
served 10 allay fr1ction-which, however, has rt.
v1ved as each treaty was terminated. The last
under the treaty OF 1871, was abro-
gated after due notice by the United States ON
June 30, 1885, but was enabled 10 obtain for our
for the remainder OF that season, enjoy
nent OF the full privileges accorded by the termi-
mated treaty.
The Joint High Commission by whom the treaty
had been negotiated-although invested with
plenary power 20 make permanent settlement
were content with temporary arrangement, ,after
Lhe termination OF which the question was rele.
gated TO the stipulations OF the treaty OF 1915
70 the first article OF which no construction salts
actory 10 both countries has ever been agreed
lpon.
The progress OF civilization and growth OF popu-
alton In The British Provinces 10 which the fshe-
les In question are contiguous, and the expansion
)f commercial Intercourse between them and the
United States, present to-day condition or affairs
scarcely realzable at the date or the negotiations
of 1918.
New and vast interests have been brought into
existence; modes or Intercourse between the re-
pect1ve countries have been invented and multi
,lied the methods OF conducting the fisheries have
,een wholly changed; and all this is necessarily
adjustment OF the terms and conditions OF inter.
course and commerce between the United states
lnd Their nelghoors along q frontier Of over 500
niles
This propinquity, community OF language and
'ccupation and similarity OF political and social
Institutions, indicate the practicabinty and obv1.
friendly relations
Whilst am unfeignedly desirous that such rela.
ions should exist between us and the Inhabitants
u Canada, yet the action OF their of1cials during
he past season towards our fishermen has been
uch as 70 seriously threaten their continuance
Although disappointed IN my efforts 70 secure
settlement OF the fishery question.
regulations are stu pending, with reasonable
lOpe that before the close OF the present sessOno
congress announcement may be made that an 20
eptable CONCLUSION has been reached.
As al an early day there may be laid before Con-
,ress the correspondence OF the Department of
tate In relation 70 this important subject so that
he history OF the past nshing season may be fully
disclosed and the action and the attitude OF the
ADMINISTRATION clearly comprehended, more ex.
ended reference Is not deemed necessary In this.
The recommendation, submitted last year that
fUvtsaon be maoe Ter q preliminary reconnoia.
ance OF the conventional boundary line betWeon
Alaska and British Columbia Is renewed
IMPORTANCE or oUR RELATIONS wr1H HAWAII
I express my unhesitating conviction that ths
intimacy OF our relations with Hawaii should n