Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-07
Presidents Message.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 6.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 6.
President Clevelsnd in his message to m
Fiftieth Congress, states that the governmer
has consistently maintained its relations @
friendship with other wers. and of neigh
borly interest toward those whose possession
are contiguous with our own. Few question
have arisen during the past wear with othe
governments, and none of these were bevon
the reach of 4 settlement in friendly council
Some friction has occurred in the matte
of claims sgains, Chill but negotiations 70
settlement are proceeding. The President re
erets Ia say that the cruel treatment of tn
Chinese in certain parts of the country hs
been repeated. R'ce prejudice and labo
competition cannot Justify the oppression o
strangers. The purpose of our law Sivrrs i
tn invite the assimilation of alien elements
and not TO provide an arena for endless antag
onsm. The paramount duty of mGintaiuin,
public order, and defending the interests o
our own people may require the adoption
of measures OF restriction, but we should no
tolerate the oppression OF individuals of specia
race. The Government of China will NEE
us half way in devislng some comprehensiv,
remedy bv which an effective limit To Chimes,
immigration, ,jni ed TO the protection uf those
Chinese subjects who remain in this country
ihhN oV stNuItu. lStRlsiatlou Nttutu
execute the provisions of our Chicago con
ventioa OF 1880 toucni ( opium traffic rh,
Bsrtholdi statue is alluded to as another bond
of friendship between this Government snt
France. The President earnestly recomme nd
the enactment of legislation for the
ratification OF the convention between tn,
United States and certain other powers fol
| the protection of the ocean cables. Thougl
there las been considerable correspondence,
| with Germany with relation TO the privile Sei
of naturalized citizens OF the United States
visiting their native land, our frieady rels
tions with that country have not been dis
turbed.
The FISHERIES.
OF the fisheries dispute the President saws
The recommendation contained in nv last
message in relation to the mode Of settlement
of the fishery rights in the waters of Britlsb
North America. long the subject
of anxious differences between the
United States aud Great Britain, was met by
the adverse vote of the Senate of April 10
last and the recent negotiations were in
stituted to obtain an agreement with her
Britannia msjesty's government for
the promulgation of such Joint
interpretation and definition of the arti
Gle OF the convention of 1878, relating to the
territorial waters and inshore fisheries of
the British provinces. as should secure the
Canadian rights from encroachments by the
| United States fishermen and al the sams time
insure enjoyment by the latter Of privileges
guaranteed them by such convention. The
questions involved are of long standing and
of grave consequence, and from time to time
| for nearly seventv-five years have given rise
to earnest international discussion not un-
accompanied by irritation. Temporary ar.
rsngements by treaties have served to sllay
friction, which, however, has revived as each
treaty was terminated. The last arrangement
under the treaty of 1871 was sbrogated, after
due notice. by the United States on June 80
1885. but | was enabled to obtain for our
fishermen for the remainder of that season
the enjoyment of the full privileges accorded
by the terminated treaty. The joint higt
commission by whom the treaty had
been negotiated although invested with
plenary power to make the permanent settle
ment were content with the temporary
arrangement, after the termination of which
the question was rtlegated to the stipulation.
of the treaty of 1884, as to the first article OF
which no construction satisfactory to both
countries ever has been agreed upon. Pro
gress of civilization and growth of popula
ton in the British provinces
to which the fisheries in ques.
tion are contiguous and the expansion
| of commercial intercourse between them q nd
the United States, present to dav a c)ndi-
tion of affairs, scarcely realizabe at the date
of negotiations in 1918. New and vast interest,
been brought into existence, and methods of
conducting fisheries have been wholly changed
and all this is entitled to candid considera-
ton and judgment in adjusting the condition,
of inter course and commerce between the
United States and their neigbbors along q
roDtier of over $500 miles. / he prOpnquitv
community of language and the occupation
and similarity of political and social institu.
tions indicate the practicability and obv lou.
wisdom of maintaining mutually beneficial
and friendly relations While | an
desirous that such relations should exist
yet the actions of the Canadian officials dur
ing the past season oward our fishermen have
be, such as to seriously disturb their con
tiuusnce Although disappointed in nv ef
forts to secure n satisfactory settlement o.
the fishery question, negotiations are still
pending, with a reasonable hope that befor,
the close of the present session Of Congress
the announcement may be made that &C
ceptable conclusion has been reached, asC
that at an earlv day may be lajd befor,
Congress the correspondence of the depart
ment of State in relation to this importan
subject so that the history of the past fi.hipl
season may be fully disclosed, and the actor
and attitude of the administration clearly
comprehended. more extended reference
is not deemed necessary in this matter.
SANDWICH ISLANDS AND LIBERIA.
The importance of maintaining our com
mercial treatv with the Hawaiian Islands
strongly emphasized. 1t is recommends
, that in view Of the weakness Of the colony O
Liberia and the interest of the United States i
its welfare, a small war vessel be presente
to Liberia, to be employed in the proteciio
of its coastwise revenues.
COMMERCIAL MEXICAN TREATY
The need OF speedy legislation I
carry into effect the commercis
treaty of 1888 with Mexico,
urgently renewed and negotiations will b
initiated for new and enlarged treaty O
commerce and navigation, alien rights o
trade, property and residence, the treatment Q
shipping, consular privileges. etc.
The CUTTING CASE.
The President reviews the Cuttp
case. and says: Admission of such preien
sion as in the Mexican statute covering tn
case, would be attended with serious re
suits invasive e of the jurisdiction of thi. govern
ment and highly dangerous to our citizens il
foreign lands, therefore | have denied
and protested against its attempted exercis
4 az unwarranted bv principles o
law and international usage Tn,
right is denied Of any foreign sovereigl
-. n