The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-12-16


treaty has terminated
The last arrangement, under the treaty OF
1871, was abrogatsd, after due notice by the
United states, ON June 30, 1885, but l was
able: 20 obtain for our fishermen for the re-
maindor Of that season enjoyment of the full
privileges accorde by the terminating treaty
The Joint Commission by whom the treaty had
been negotiated, although invested with plenary
power 10 make n permanent settlement were
content with temporary arrangement, after
the termination of which the question was
relegated 10 tho stipr-tions of tho
treaty OF 1913, as 20 the frst article or
which no construction satisfactory 20 both
countries has ever been agreed upon. The prog
ress Ot civilization and growth Of population in
the British provin ,os 70 which the fisheries in
question are contiguous ana the expansion OF
commercial inttr curse between them and the
Unite States. present n condition OF affairs
scarcely reaizabie NJ the date OF the negotiations
OF 1918. New and vastinterests have been brought
into existence Modes OF int srcourse between the
respective countries have been Invented and
mutt piled the methods of conducting the fish
cries have been wholly changed and all this
is necessarily entitled 10 candid and care
ful consideration in the adjustment of
the terms and conditions OF intercourse and
commerce between the United States and their
ne ghbOrs along frontier OF over 3, 500 miles
This propin4uitY, community OF language and
occupation, and similarity OF political and social
institutions, ind cate the practcability and OBJ
Vous wisdom OF maintaining mutually bene-
fetal md friendly relations. While am UNI
feignedly DESTROYS that such relations should
exist between us and the inhabitants or Canada,
season toward our hsherm en- has been such as to
seriously threaten their continuance.
Although disappointed ia my efforts to secure
a satisfactory settlement Of the fishery question,
negotiations are still pendin with reasonable
hope that before the close OF the present ses-
sion OF Congress the announcement may DO
made that an acceptable conclusion has been
reached.
1T an early day there may be laid before Con-
gress the correspondence OF the Department OF
State in relation TO this important subject, SO
that the history OF the past nshing season may
be fully disclosed and the action and the atti-
tude II the administration clearly compre-
hended. More extended reference is not deem
ed necessary in this communication.
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY.
The recommendation submitted last year
that provision be maze for preliminary recon
noissance OF the conventional boundary line be-
tween ALASKA and British Columbia, is re-
newed.
TIE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Expressed my unhestatin5 conviction that
the intimacy Of our relations with Hawaii
should be emphasized. As result OF the re-
ciprocity treaty of 1875, those islands, on the
highway OF oriental and Australian traffic. are
virtually outpost OF American commerce
and steppins-stone TO the growing trade of the
Pacific. The Polynesian island groups have
been 80 absorbed by other and moro power
full governments, that the Hawaiian
Islands are left almost alone in the
enjoyment OF their autonomy which IL is
important for us should be preserved. Our
treaty is now terninable on one years notice.
but propositions 10 abrogate 1t would be, in my
influence we have there acquired, once relin-
quished, could only with difficulty be regained,
and II valuable colgn OF vantage for ourselves
might be converted into stronghold for our
mend that the existing treaty stipulations be
extended for futher term OF seven years. y
recently siguei treaty ID this end is now before
the Senate.
The Importance OF Geographic communica-
ton between these islands and the United
States should not be overlooked.
Ia
The question OF u general revision Of tho trea-
ties Of Japan is again under discussion at To-
RiO. As the first 70 open relations with that en-
pire and as the nation in most direct CONNER
cial relation with Japan tho United States have
lost no opportunity To testify their consistent
friendship by supporting the just claims OF ia
tions. treaty OF eXtfaditiOn 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 effective SOW
ereignty over its outlying districts have exposed
that republic @ encrOachment. IL can not be
forgotten that this distant community is an OFF,
shoot OF our own system, owing its origin TO The
associated DenevOlence of American citizens,
whose praiseworthy efforts TO create nucleus
of CT ,iiizntiOn in the dark continent have COM
manded respe I ana sympathy everywhere, es-
pecally in tdis country. Although a formal
protectorato over Liboria is contrary 10 our
traditional policy, the moral right and duty of
the United states 70 assist in all proper ways
the maintenance of its integrity is obvious,
and has been consistently announced dur
ing nearly hall century. l recommend
that in the re reorganization of our navy, n small
vessel, no longer found adequate TO our needs,
10 presented to Liberia TO b5 employed by it in
the protection OF its cOustwis3 revenues
OUR SISTER REPUBLIC.
The encouraging development Of beneficial
and intimate relations between the United
States and Mexico, which has been so marked
within the past few years. is at once the oc-
oasiOn of congratulGtiOu and Of friendly solicit
tude. urgently renew my former representa-
I'm Gf Zla~ff
gress to carry into effect the reciprocity COM
mercial convention Of January t40,
1883. Our commercial treaty OF 1881
with Mexico was terminated according TO its
provisions III lSjl, upon the notification given
by Mexico. in pursuance Of her announced pol
icy of recasting all her commercial treaties.
Mexico has since concluded with several for
eign governments new treaties OF commerce
and navigation defining alien rights Of trade,
property, and residence treatment OF shipping,
consular privileges, and the like. Our yet un-
executed reciprocity convention Of 1888 covers
none OF these points, the settlement of which is
so necessary 20 goOd relationship, and propose
70 initiate with Mexico negotiations for new
and enlarged treaty Of commerce anu naviga-
ton.
In compliance with a resolution of the Senate
] communicated to that body on August last,
and also 20 the House OF Representatives the
correspondence in the case OF \. N. Cutting, an
American citizen, then imprisoned in Mexico,
charged with the commission OF penal ofense
in Texas, of which a Mexican citizen was tho
object. After a demand had been made for his
release the charge against him was amended so
as to include violation of Mexican law within
Mexican territory. This joinder OF al
legged ofenses, one within and the other
exterior 20 Mexico, induced me to
order. special investigation OF the case, pend
Ing which Mr.. Cutting was released. The incident
has, however disclosed a claim for jurisdiction
by Mexico novel in our history, whereby any
offense committed anywhere by II foreigner,
penal in the place of its commission. and OF
offender be found in Mexico, he there tried and
punished in conformity with Mexican laws.
Jurisdiction was sustained by the courts OF
Mexico in tho Cutting case and approved by the
executive branch of that Government upon the
authority of the Mexican statute. The Appellate
] Court, in releasing Mr.. Cutting, decided that
! the abandonm mt BIZ tho Mexican citizens ag-
/ grieved by the alleged crime 90 libelous pub
| lication), removed the basis of further prosecu-
! ton, and also declared justice 20 have been
| satisfied by the enforcement OF n small part OF
! the original sentence. The admission Of such
! a protension would be attended with serious re-
suits, invasive Of the jurisdiction of this Gov
eminent, and highly dangerous 20 our citizens
in foreign lands therefore l have denied IL,
and protested against its attempted exercise,
as unwarranted by the principles of
/ law and international usage. sovereign
has jurisdiction of offenses which take effect
within his territory, although concerted or COM
| menced outside Of il, but the right is denied OF
| any foreign sovereign 70 punish citizen Of the
United States for an oiiense contaminated on
/ our soil in violation OF our laws, even though
the offense DO against subject or citizen of
/ such sovereign The Mexican statute in ques-