The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-09
THE TREATMENTS MESSAGE.

make about 10 Of our columns.
1t is written in the plain, straightforward
style customary in Mr.. Cleveland's compost
tons, and is an improvement on his veto
messages in that it contains no attempts to
be either witty or sarcastic. Mr. Cleveland
has some talent for matter-of-fact statement,
but be never appears 10 SO little advantage
as when he abandOns the safe ground of
businoss-like prose and tries TO be humorous
OF scathing at the expense of disabled SOL
diers.
The message begins with an announce
ment that we are at peace with our neigh
bors, and likely TO remain so, since the
matters Of dispute are few, relatively I'M
important, and likely to be amicably set
tied.
He deprecates the cruel treatment Of the
inoffensiEe Chinese" in the far West, but
wants a restriction of immigration, and ex-
poets that the Chinese Government viii
meet us half way in this matter.
He blames the Senate for not agreeing TO
his method Of settling the fisheries dispute;
claims that in spite Of this he was able TO
secure some concessions for our fishermen,
but says that the action Of the Dominion
officials has been irritating and dangerous.
He hopes that a satisfactory settlement Of
this long-standing cause Of serious dispute
viii be arrived at before Congress adjourns.
He dwells upon the importance Of main
tanning our paramount influence in the Ha-
waiian Islands, and urges that the treaty
now before the Senate to continue the pres
ent arrangement with the islands for seven
years more be ratified.
He wants more substantial assistance
given the struggling Republic of Liberia,
and recommends that We present her with
one of our small naval vessels, TO be en-
ployed in the protection Of her coastwise
revenues.
The execution Of Reciprocity Convention
Of 1888 with Mexico is strongly recon-
mended.
The claim Of Mexico 10 the right TO pun
ish any foreigner found in the Republic for
any ofense against = Mexican, no matter
where committed, is declared 10 be danger
Gus and wholly inadmissible:
In the case Of Mexico there are reasons es-
pecially strong for perfect harmony in the
mutual exercise Of jurisdiction. Nature has
made us irrevocably neighbors and wisdom and
kind feeling should make us friends.
The overflow Of capital and enterprise from
the United States is potent factor in assisting
the development of the resources of Mexico,
and in building up the prosperity Of both coun-
tries.
To assist this good work all grounds Of APP
prehension for the security of person and prop
1 erty should be removed; and trust that in the
| interests Of good neghborhOod the statute re-
ferred 10 will he so modified as 10 eliminate the
present possibilities Of danger 10 the peace OF
the two countries.
The Dutch Government having protested
against the discrimination against Sumatra
tobacco, he prOnounces against the unwis-
dom of legislation appearing TO have spe-
cial national discrimination for its object
which, although unintentional, may give
rise TO injurious retaliation.
OF the Samoan incident he says:
Civil perturbations in the Samoan Islands
have during the past few years been source
of considerable embarrassment TO the three
,.ss,sc I-ss al
United States-whose relations and extra-terri.
torial rights in that important group are guar.
anteed by treaties. The weakness Of the ma.
tive administration and the conflict OF oppos
ing interests in the Islands have led King
Malietoa TO seek alliance or protection in some
one quarter, regardless of the distinct engage
ments whereby no one Of the three treaty
powers may acquire any paramount or eXclu
sive interest. In May last Malietoa offered Il
place Samoa under the protection Of thu
United States, and the late Consul, with
out authority, assumed TO grant it, Tn,
preceding was promptly disaYowed and thu
OyerzealOus official recalled. Special agents o
the three governments have been deputed Il
examine the situation in the Islands With /
change in the representation Of all thret
powers and harmonious understanding be
tween them, the peace, prosperity, autonomou
administration, and neutrality of Samoa ca
T hardly fail 10 be secured.
, OF our relations with Spain he says:
IT appearing that the Government of Spail
did not extend TO the flag OF the United State
IN the Antilles the full measure Of reciprocit
requisite under our statute for the continuanc
of the suspension Of determinations agains
!, the Spanish flag in our ports, / was constraine
in October last 10 Tescind my predecessor
proclamation Of February H. 1884, permittin
such suspension An arrangement was, how
ever, speedily reached, and upon modification
> from the Government Of Spain that all differ
I ental treatment Of our vessels and their car
goes, from the United States or from any foreig
country, had been completely and absolutel
e relinquished, availed myself Of the discretio
conferred by law, and issued on the 9th
October my proclamation, declaring reciproc;
: suspension in the United Utates. 1t is mo-
gratifying to bear testimony TO the earne
spirit in which the Government Of the Quee
Regent has met our efforts 10 avert the initi
tiOn Of commercial Determinations and repri
7. ais, which are ever disastrous 10 the matters
interests and the political good will Of the coul
tries they may affect.
: The profitable development OF the large cor
mercial exchanges between the United Stat
4 and the Spanish Antilles is naturally an obje
e Of sOlicitude. Lying close at our DOORS al
finding here their main markets Of supply al
. demand the welfare Of Cuba and Porto Iii
Jf and their production and trade, are scarce
r. less important 10 us than 10 Spain. Their col
u mercial and financial movements are SO nat
D. rally part Of our system that no obstacle
fuller and treer intercourse should be permitt
C. 20 exist The standing instructions Of our re
~ resentatives at Madrid and Havana have (
years been 10 leave no effort unessayed 20 FL
Their these ends, and at no Time has the ecu