Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-07

4 Is lO W Ou
the 1st of January next. As the legisla-
ton required for its execution in the United
States has not yet been adopted / earnestly
recommend its enactment. Cases have
continued to occur in Germany giving rise
to much correspondence in relation to the
privilege of sojourn of our naturalized
citizens of German origin revisiting the
land Of their birth, yet l am happy to
state that our relations with that country
have lost none of their accustomed eordi-
ality. The claims for interest upon the
amount of tonnage dues Illegally exacted
from certain German steamship lines were
fayorably reported in both Houses of
Congress at the last session and trust will
receive final and favorable action at an
early day.
THE FIsHHERY DISPUTE.
| The recommendation contained in my
last annual message in relation to a mode
of settlement OF the fishery rights in the
waters of British North America, so long a
sabject OF anxious difference between the
United States and Great Britain, was met
by an adverse vote OF the Senate on April
Is, last, and thereupOn negotiations were
4 W SuCI NAbii
her Brittanic Majesty's Government for
the promulgatiOn of such joint
| Interpretation and definition Of
the article of the Convention of 1918,
relating to the territorial waters and in
shore fisheries of the British provinces, rs
should secure the Canadian rights from
encroachment by United States fishermen,
and at the same time insure the enjoyment
by the latter of the privileges
granted to them by such conven-
tions. The questions involved are of
long standing, of grave consequence,
and from time to time for nearly three
quarters of century, have give rise to
earnest International discussions, not un-
accompanied by irritation. Temporary
arrangement by treaties have served to al
lay friction, which, however, has revived
as each treaty has terminated. The
last agreement under the treaty
of 1871 was abrogated after due notice by
the United States on June Both, 1885, but
| was enabled TO obtain for our fishermen
| for the remainder of that season engage
ment of the full privileges accorded by the
terminated treaty. The joint high COM
mission by whom the treaty had been ne
gOtiated, although invested with plenary
power to make n permanent settlement
were content with temporary arrange
ment, after the termination of which the
question was relegated to the stipulations
of the treaty of1SlS as to the first article of
which no construction satisfactory to both
Countries has ever been agreed upon. The
progress OF civilization and growth of
| pr,ktCh 10 tNrhinh
the fisheries in question are contiguous.
and the expansion OF commercial inter
course between them and the United States,
present to-day n condition of affairs scarcely
realiZable at the date OF the negotiations OF
! 1918. New and vast interests have been
brought into existence; modes Of inter
course between the respective Countries
have been increased and multiplicd; the
methods of conducting the fisheries
have been wholly changed and all this is
necessarily entitled to candid and careful
consideration in the adjustment OF
| the terms and conditions of intercourse
and commerce between the United States
and their neighbors along frontier ofOyer
$500 miles. This prOpinquity, cOmmuni-
ty of language and occupation and SINH
larity of political and social institutions
indicates the practicability and obvious
wisdom of maintaining mutual and friend
| " relations Whilst | am unfeignedly
deSirouS that such relations should exist
between us and the inhabitants of Canada,
yet the action Of their officials during the
! past season towards our fishermen has been
such as to impair their continuance.
Although disappointed in my efforts
! to secure q satisfactory settlement Of
the fishery question negotiations are still
pending with reasonable hope that before
| the close of the present session of Congress
announcement may be made that an ac-
ceptable conclusion has been reached; aS
at an early day there may be laid before
! Congress the correspondence Ofthe Depart
ment of State in relation to this important
subject so that the history of the past fish
ing season may be fully disclosed, and the
| the action and the attitude of the admins
| tration clearly comprehended, a more eX-
tended reference is not deemed necessary
in this communication.
TherecommendatiOn submitted last year
| that provision be made for
preliminary reconnaissance of the con-
ventiOnal boundary line between Alaska
and British Columbia is renewed. | eX-
press my unhesitating conviction that the
| intimacy of our relations with Hawaii
should be emphasized. As a result of the
reciprocity treaty of 1915, those Islands on
the highway of Oriental and Australian
traffic are virtually an outpost Of Ameri-
can commerce and stepping stone to the
growing trade of the Pacific. The Poly
nesian Island groups have been so absorb
ed by other and more powerful govern
ment, that the Hawaiian Islands are left
almost alone in the enjoy
ment of their autonomy which it is
| important for us should be preserved.
Our treaty is now terminable on one years
notice, but propositions to abrogate it
would be, in my judgement, most i'll adj
vised. The paramount influence we have
there acquired if once relinquished could
only with difficulty be regained, and val
liable ground of vantage for ourselves
might be converted into stronghold for
our commercial competitors. ! earnestly
recommend that the existing treaty stipu-
lations be extended for further term of
seven years A recently signed treaty to
| this end is now before the Senate The
Importance of telegraphic communica-
ton between those islands and the
United States should not be overlooked.
JAPANESE TREATY.
The question of a general revision of the
treaties of Japan is under discussion at
Toxic, rs the first to open relations with
that empire, and as the Nation is in most
direct commercial relation with Japan, the
United States have lost no opportunity to
testify their constant friendship by sup
porting the Just claims of Japan to auton-
omy and independence among nations. A
treaty for extradition between the United
States and Japan, the first concluded by
that empire, has been lately proclaimed.
LIBERIA.
The weakness Of Liberia and the
difficulty of maintaining effective sover
eighty over its outlying districts
have exposed that Republic to encroaeh-
ment. 1t cannot be forgotten that this
distant community is an offShOOt -four own
| 60 ha Ncio tod