Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-09

ing, Oh grave consequence, and from
time to time for nearly three-quarters Of
a century have g1Vea rise to earnest inter
national discussions, not unaccom panied
by irritation. Temporary arrangements
by treaties have served to allay the l.;
ton, which, however, has revived a. a,,t,
treaty was terminated. The last arraa,.sr,.
ment under the treaty of 1871 was abro-
gated after due notice by the United
States, on June 3, 1880, but was enabled
to obtain for our fisheries for the remain
der of that season the enjoyment of the
full privileges accorded by the terminal
ing treaty-the joint commission by whom
the treaty had been negotiated, although
invested with plenary power to make per
maEent settlement, were content with a
temporary arrangement = after the ter
minatiou of which the question was rel
egated to the stipulations of the treaty
of 1918 as to be, the first article of which
no construction satisfactory to both
countries has ever been agreed upon
The progress of civilization and growth
of population in the British Provinces
to which the fisheries in question are con,
t1glous, and the expansion of commercial
intercourse between them and the United
States, present to-day condition of af-
fairs scarcely realizable at the date
of the negotiations of 1918. New
and vast interests have been brought into
existence. Modes of intercourse between
the respective countries have been in
vented and multiplied; the methods of
conducting the fisheries have been wholly
changed; and all this is necessarily en-
titled to candid and lawful consideration
in the adjustment of the terms and con-
ditions of intercourse and commerce be-
tween the United States and their neigh
bors along frontier of over $500 miles.
This propenquity community of Ian
guage and occupation and similar of
political and social estimates induce the
practicibility and obvious wisdom of main
tanning mutually benefcially and friendly
relations, whilst am unfeignedly DESTROYS
that such relations should exist between US
and the inhabitants of Canada; yet the
action of their officials during the fall
season toward our fishermen has beer
such as to seriously threaten their con-
tinuance. Although disappointed in my
efforts to secure satisfactory adjustment,
the fishery question negotiations are
still pending with reasonable hope that
before the close of the present session of
congress, an advancement may be made
that an acceptable conclusion has been
laid before congress the correspondence
of the department of state in relation to
this important subject, so that the history
of the past fishing season may be fully
disclosed, and the action and the attitude
of the administration clearly compre-
hended. More extended reference is not
deemed necessary in this communication.
The recommendation submitted last year
that provision be made for preliminary
reconnaissance of the conventional
BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN ALASKA AND BRIT
ISL COLUMBIA.
is reviewed. [ express my unhesitating
conviction, that the intimacy of our relat-
ions with Hawaii should be emphasized as
a result of the reciprocity treaty of 1875.
Those islands on the highway of Oriental
and Australian traffic are virtually an
outpost of American commerce and a
stepping stone to the growing trade OF
the province. The Polynesia Island
groups have been so absolved by other
and more powerful groups that the
Hawaiian Islands are left almost alone
in the enjoyment of their autono-
micy which it is important
for us should be preserved.
Our treaty Is now terminated on one
years notice, but propositions to abro-
gate it would be in my Judgment most ILL
advised. The paramount influence we
have there acquired, once relinguished,
could only with difficulty be regained and
a valuable coign Of vantage for ourselves
might be connected into a stronghold
for our commercial competitors. l earn
estIy recommend that the existing treaty
stipulations be extended for further
term of seven years. A recently signed
treaty to this end is now before the SEN
ate. The Importance of Geographic com
municatiOns between these Islands
and the United States should not
be overlooked. The question of the gen
eral revision of the treaties of
JAPAN
| in again under discussion at Toxic, as the
first to open relations with that empire
and as the nation in most direct CONNER
cial relation with Japan, the United States
have lost no opportunity to testify their
consistent friendship by supporting the
just claims of Japan to autonomy and in
dependency among the nations. The
treaty of extradition between the United
States and Japan, the first concluded by
that empire, has been lately proclaimed.
The weakness of
LIBERIA
and the difficulty of maintaining an effec-
tive sovereignty over its outlying dis
tricts have exposed that republic to en-
croachment. 1t cannot be forgotten that
this distant community is an off-shoot of
our own system, owing its origin to
the associated benevolence of the Ameri-
can cities whose praiseworthy efforts to
create a neuclus of civilization in the
dark continent has commanded respect
! and sympathy everywhere, especially III
this country. Although formal protect
crate over Liberia is contrary to our ira
ditional policy, the moral right and duty
of the United States to assist in all proper
ways in the maintenance of its integ
rity is obvious and has been consistently
announced during nearly half a century.
l recommend that in the reorganization
of our navy a small vessel no longer
found adequate to our need be presented
to Liberia to be employed by it in the
| protection of its coastwise revenues.
he Of