National Republican., 1886-12-07

To THE CoNoREss OF THE UNITED STATES
In discharge Of a constitutional duty, and
following well established precedent In
the executive Office, herewith transmit TO
the Congress at its ronssembling, certain
information concerning the state OF the
Union, together with such recommends
tions for legislative consideration, as ap-
pear necessary and expe0lent.
Our government has consistently main
tanned its relations OF friendship toward all
other powers, and Of neighborly interest to.
ward those whose possessions are contlgu-
Gus to our own. Few questions have arisen
during tho past year with other govern
ments, and none Of those are beyond the
reach Of settlement in friendly counsel.
We are as yet without provision for the
settlement OF claims Of citizens of the
United States against Chill for injuries dur
ing the late war with Peru and Bolivia. The
mixed commissions, organized under claims
conventions, concluded by the Gillian gov
eminent with certain European states, have
developed an amount Of friction which, we
trust, can be avoided I'm the convention
which our representative at Santiago is au-
thorlzed to negotiate.
The cruel treatment OF inofTensive Chi
nese has, ] regret TO say, been repeated in
some OF the far western states and terrltor-
les, aud acts of violence against those peo-
pie beyond the power OF the local constl-
tuted authorities TO prevent and difficult to
punish are reported even In distant Alaska.
Much Of this violence can be traced to race
prejudice and competition Of labor, which
cannot, however, justify the oppression OF
strangers whose safety is guaranteed by our
treaty with China equally with the most
favored nations.
In opening our vast domain to alien ele-
ments the purpose OF our law-givers was to
invite assimilation, and not to provide an
arena for endless antagonisms. The para
Hount duty Of maintaining public order
and defending the interests OF our own
people may require the adoption Of meas
ures of restriction, but they should not
tolerate the oppression of individuals Of a
special race. am not without assurance
that the government Of China, whose
friendly disposition towards us am most
happy to recognize, will meet us half way
in devisiDg a comprehensive remedy by
which an effective limitation OF Chinese
emigration, Joined to protection Of those
Chinese subjects who remain in this co, n
try, may be secured.
Legislation is needed TO execute the pro-
visions Of our Chinese convention Of 1880
touching the opium traffic.
While tie good will Of the Colombian
government toward our country is mani
fest, the situation Of American interests on
fba IathrnYa ~ Panama IN of finnaa
cited concern, and invited friendly action
looking to the performance OF the engage
ments of the two nations concerning the
territory embraced In the enteroceanic
transit. With the subsidence OF the
isthmian disturbances, and the erection of
the state OF Panama into federal district
under the direct government of the consti-
tutional administration at Bogota, a new
order Of things has been inaugurated
which, although as yet somewhat expert
mental and affording scope for arbitrary
exercise of power by the delegates of the
3 national authority, promises much improve
ment.
The sympathy between the people OF the
United States and France, born during our
colonial struggle for independence and con-
tinuing to-day, has received fresh impulse
in the successful completion and dedication
of the colossal statue Of "Liberty Enlight-
ening the Worldn In New York harbor-
A convention between the United States
and certain other powers for the protection
Of submarine cables was signed at Paris on
March IA, 1884, and has been duly ratified
and proclaimed by this government. BY
agreement between the high contracting
the 1st Of January next, but the legislation
required for Its execution in the United
States has not yet been adopted. earnestly
recommend its enactment,
Cases have continued to occur In Ger
many giving rise to much correspondence
in relation to the privilege Of sojourn Of
our natural2ed 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
cordiality.
The claims for interest upon the amount
OF tonnage dues Illegally exacted from GER
tain German steamship lines were favorably
reported In both houses Of Congress at the
last session, and trust will receive final
and favorable action at an early day.
There concentrations contained in my last
annual message In relation to mode OF
settlement OF the fishery rights In the wa
ters of British North Amer!ca-so long a
subject OF anxious difference between the
United States and Great Britain--was met
by an adverse vote of the Senate on April
13 last; and thereupon negotiations were
instituted to obtain an agreement with her
Britannia majesty's government for the pro,
mitigation Of such joint Interpretation and
definition of the article Of the convention of
1878, relating to the territorial waters and
inshore fisheries Of the British provinces,
as should secure the Canadian rights from
encroachment by United States fishermen,
and, at the same time, ensure the enjoy
ment by the latter Of the privileges guar
anteed to them by such convention.
The questions involved are Of long stand
ing, OF grave consequence, and from time
TO time for nearly three'quarters OF a CEN
tury have given rise to earnest International
discussions, not unaccompanied by irrita-
tion.
Temporary arrangements by treaties have
served TO allay friction-which, however,
has revived as each treaty was terminated.
The last arrangement, under the treaty Of
1871, was abrogated after due notice by the
United States on June 30, 1885, but 1 was
enabled to obtain for our fishermen for the
remainder OF that season enjoyment OF the
full privileges accorded by the terminated
treaty.
The Joint high commission by whom the
treaty had been negotiated, although in
vested with plenary power to make per
nanent settlement, were content with q
temporary arrangement, after the termina
tion Of which the question was relegated TO
the stipulations OF the treaty OF 1878, 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 population in the British provinces to
which the fisheries In question are contlg-
nous, and the expansion OF commercial
intercourse between them and the United
States, present to day a condition OF affairs
scarcely realzable at the date Of the nego-
tiatious OF 1918.
New and vast interests have been brought
Into existence; modes Of intercourse be-
tween the respective countries have been
invented and multiplied; the methods OF
conducting the fisheries have been wholly