National Republican., 1886-12-07


Stable government is now happily re-
| stored In Peru by the election OF a constitu-
| tlonal president, and n period OF rehabili'
| tatlon Is entered upon. But the recovery
Is necessarily slow from the exhaustion
caused by the late war and civil disturb
onces. A convention to adi Just, by arbltra-
| tion, claims Of our citizens has been pro-
| posed, and Is under consideration.
The naval officer who bore 10 Siberia tho
Testimonials bestowed by Congrets in recog-
milton Of the aid given TO the Jeanneite
| survivors has successfully accomplished
| his mission. His interesting report will be
sui mite II is pleasant TO know that this
mark OF appreciation has been welcomed by
the Russian government and people as BELTS
| the traditional friendship OF the two coun-
| tries.
Civil perturbations in the Samoan Islands
have, during the past few years, been a
source OF considerable embarrassment TO
| the three Overnments-Germany Great
| Britain, and the United States-,whosc re.
| latlons and eXtraterritorial rights In that
important group are guaranteed by treaties,
| The weakness Of the native administration
and the conflict Of opposing interests in the
Islands have led King Malietoa to seek
alliance or protection In some one quarter,
| regardless OF the distinct engagements
whereby no one Of the three treaty powers
may acquire any paramount or exclusive
interest. In May last Malletoa offered TO
place Samoa under the protection Of the
United States, and the late consul, without
authority, assumed 10 grant IL. The pro-
cceding. was promptly dIsavowed and the
| overZealous official recalled. Special agents
OF the three governments have been deputed
to examine the situation in the islands.
With change in the representation OF all
three powers, and harmonious under
standing between them, the peace, pros
perity, autonomous administration, and
neutrality Of Samoa can hardly fail to be
secured.
II appearing that the government OF
Spain did not extend to the flag Of the
United States IN the Antilles the full meas
ure of reciprocity requisite under our
statute for the continuance Of the suspen-
eion Of determinations against the Spanish
flag in our ports, | was constrained In Octo-
Der last to rescind my predecessors procla-
nation Of February IL, 1884, permitting
such suspension. An arrangement was,
however, speedily reached, and upon notifl.
cation from the government Of Spain that
all differential treatment Of our vessels and
their cargoes, from the United States or
from any foreign country, had been com.
pletely and absolutely relinqushed,
availed myself Of the discretion conferred
by law and Issued on the 18th Of October
my proclamation, declaring reciprocal sus-
pension in the United States. It is most
| W btuI W tut CuTutbJ
spirit in which the government Of the queen
regent has met our efforts to avert the
initiation of commercial Determinations and
reprisals, which are ever disastrous to the
material interests and the political good
will of the countries they may affect.
The profitable development OF the large
commercial exchanges between the United
States and the Spanish Antilles Is naturally
an object OF solicitude, Lying close at our
doors, and finding here their main markets
Of supply and demand, the welfare OF Cuba
and Porto Rico and their production and
trade are scarcely less important to us than
to Spain. Their commercial and financial
movements are so naturally part of our
system that no obstacle to fuller and freer
intercourse should be permitted to exist.
The standing instructions Of our representa-
tiyes at Madrid and Havana have for years
been to leave no effort unessayed TO further
these ends, and at no time has the equal
good desire OF Spain been more hopefully
manifested than now.
=, The government Of Spain, by removing
the consular tonnage fees on cargoes shipped
to the Antilles, and by reducing passport
fees, has shown its recognition OF the needs
of less trammeled intercourse.
An effort has been made during the past
year to remove hinderances to the procla-
nation Of the treaty Of naturalization with
the sublime porte, signed in 1874, which
| mas IbludluGu OMlnH w u
greement Of Interpretation iof the clauses
relative to the effects of the return to and
sojourn of naturalized citizen In the land
OF origin. j trust soon to be able to an
nounce favorable settlement Of the differ
ences as TO this Interpretation.
1t has been highly satisfactory to note
the improved treatment Of American mis-
sionaries in Turkey, as has been attested by
their Acknowledgements TO our late minis
ter TO that government Of his successful ex
ertions In their behalf.
The exchange Of ratifcations Of the con
vention Of Dec. 8, 1885, with Venezuela
for the reopening Of the awards of the Car
acas commission under the claims conven
tiop of 1866, has not yet been effected owing
to the delay OF the executive OF that repub
lie in ratifying the measure. j trust that
this postponement will be brief; but should
II much longer continue, the delay may
well be regarded as rescision OF the com
pact and failure ou the part Of Venezuela
to complete an arrangement so persistently
sought by her during many years and as.
sented to by this government In spirit oi
international fairness, although to the detri
menJ OF holders OF bona fide awards Of th(
impugned commission.
/ renew the recommendation OF my last
annual message, that existing Legislation
be revised. We have treaties with many
states providing for the remuneration Of cit
izenshlp by naturalized aliens, but no statut
is found to give effect TO such engagements
nor any which provides needed centra
bureau for the registration OF naturalizet
citizens.
Experience suggests that our statutes
regulating extradition might be advantage
ously amended by a provision for the transi
across our territory, now conyenien
thoroughfare of travel from one Foreign
country to another, of fugitives surrendered
by a foreign government to third state
l Such provisions are not unusual In the leg
islation Of other countries, and tend TO pre-
vent the miscarriage OF justice. II is ais,
desirable, in order TO remove present un
eertainties, that authority should be con
5 ferred on the Secretary Of State to issue
, certificate in case Of an arrest for the pur
B pose Of extradition to the officer befor
! whom the proceeding is pending, showing
that requisition for the surrender Of tn,
person charged has been duly made. Sucl
4 a certificate, II required to be received be
D fore the prisoners examination, would pre-
/ vent a long and expensive judicial inquiry
0 into charge which the foreign govern
ment might not desire to press. alst
: recommend that express provision be mad
{ for the immediate discharge from custod.
I of persons committed for eXtradition wher
the President is OF opinion that surrende
should not be made.
The drift of sentiment In civilized com
| munities toward full recognition of tn
rights OF property in the creations OF tn
human intellect has brought about til,
: adoption, by many important nations, Of al
5 international copyright convention, whicl
: was signed at Berne on the 18th Of Sep
, tember, 1855.
. Inasmuch as the constitution gives tt
: Congress the power "to promote the prog
ress OF science and useful arts by securing
for limited times to authors aud inventor
| the exclusive right to their respeetiv
writings and dscoyerles,n this govern
ment did not feel warranted In becoming
: a sIgnatory pending the action OF Congress
: upon measures of international copyrigh