The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-12-09

DilIuttOu Chains OF our CUlZen8 mas been
promised aud ia under consideration. The
| naval officer who bore to Siberia the teati-
monials bestowed by congress in recognition
OF the aid given to the Jeanette survivors
has successfully accomplished his mission.
his interesting report will be submitted It
Is pleasant to know that this MARI Of ;appre-
citation has been welcomed BY the Russian
government and people as BELTS the tradi-
uonal friendship of the two countries Civil
perturDatlOns In the Samoan islands have
during the past few years been q source Of
considerable embarrassment tn the three
the United States-whose relations and extrs
territorial rights in that important group ave
guaranteed by treaties The weakness OF
the native administration and the conflict OF
opposing interests in the islands have led
King Malietsa to seek an alliance or protec-
ton IN some one quarter, regardless of the
dlstlnct engagements whereby no one of the
three treaty powers may acquire any para
mount or exclusive interest," In May last
Mailetsa offered to place Samoa under the
protection of the United States, and the late
consul, without authority, assumed to grant
1t. The proceeding was promptly disavowell
and the overzeaious official recalled Special
agents OF the three governments have been
deputed to examine the situation in the
Islands, with change in the representation
OF az tnree powers ana harmonious under
standing between them. The peace, pros
perity, autonomous administration and nue.
trality of Samoa can hardly fail to be &C.
cured.
RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.
1t appearing that the government of Spain
did not extend to the flag OF the United States
in The Antilles the whole measure OF reci-
procity requisite under our statutes for the
continuance of the suspension OF discrimina-
lions against the Spanish flag in our ports.
was constrained, in October last. to rescind
my predecessors proclamation of Feb IA.
1854, permitting such suspension An ar.
rangemenu was, however, speedily reached
and upon notification from the government
OF Spain that all differential duties to our
vessels and their cargoes from the United
completely and absolutely relinquished,
| awaited myself OF the discretion con-
ferred by law and issued on the 9th of Oc-
tober my proclamation declaring reciprocal
suspension in the United States 1t is most
gratifying to bear testimony to the earnest
spirit i'll which the government of tho queen
regent has met our efforts to avert the
mutations of commercial discrimination and
reprlsals, which are ever disastrous to the
material interests and the.polltical good will
OF the countries they may affect The prof
liable development of the large commercial
exchanges between the United States and
the Spanish Antillesis naturally an obi ect of
sOlcltude Lying close at our doors, and
nndlng here their main markets OF supply
ana 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, freer intercourse should
be permitle ed to exist. The standing instruc-
lions OF our representatives at Madrid and
havana nave Tor Years been to leave no eff
fort 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 thus removing the
consular tonnage fees on cargoes shipped to
the Antilles, and by reducing passport fees
mas shown its recognizance of the needs of
less tramneled intercourse. An effort has
been MADE during the past year to remove
the intolerance to the proclamation of the
treaty OF naturalization with the sublime
porte, signed in 1874, which has remained
imperative owing to disagreement of the
effects OF return to and sojourn
of naturalized citizen In the
land OF origin. I trust soon to
be able to announce favorable settlement
OF the differences Us to this Interpretation
1t has been highly satisfactory to note the
improved treatment of American mission
aries in Turkey, as has been actested by their
Acknowledgements to our late minister to
that government of his successful exertions
in their behalf. The exchange of ratitica-
ton OF the convention of Dec. 5, 1885, with
Venezuela, for the reopening of the awards
OF the Caracas commission under the CLAIMS
convention OF 1886, has not yet been effected
owing to the delay OF the executive of that
republic In ratifying the measure. trust
that this postponement will be brief; but
should it much longer continue, the delay
may we'll be remembered as q RECESSION Of
the compact and a failure on the part of
Venezuela to complete an arrangement SO
persstently sought by her during many
years, and assented to by this government
in spirit Of international fairness, although
f1 f~iv .>E
awards OF the imnugned commission.
NATURALIZATION.
renew the recommendation of my last
annual message that existing legislation con-
corning citizenship and naturalization be re-
vised We have treaties with many states
providing for the remuneration Of citizenship
by naturalized aliens, but no statute ia found
to give effect to such engagements, nor any
which provides needed central bureau for
the registration OF naturalized citizens Ex-
perlence suggests that our statutes regulat-
ing extradiIlon might be advantageous!y
amended by provision for the transit
across our territory. now q convenient thor
oughfare OF travel from one foreign country
to another, of fugitves surrendered by
foreign government to third state. Such
provisions are usual in the legislation of
other countries, and tend to prevent the
mlscarrying OF justice. 1t is also desirable
to remove the present obstacles that au-
lhorlty should be conferred on the secretary
OF state to issue certificate in case of an
arrest FOR the purpose of extradition to the
OFFICER before whom the proceeding is pend
ing, showing that 4 requisition for the sur
render OF the person accused has been duly
made. Such certificate, if required to be
received before the prisoners examination,
would prevent long and expensive judicial
inquiry into charge which the foreign gov
eminent might not desire to press I also
recommend that express provision be made
Tor the immediate discharge from custody
OF persons committed for extradit;on where
the president is of the opinion that surrender
should not be made.
COPYRIGHT.
The drift of sentiment in civilized COM
munities toward full recognition OF the rights
of property in the creations OF human intel
lect has brought about the adoption bv
many Important nations of an international
copyright convention which was signed ut
Berne on the 18th of September. 1885 In
asmuch as the constitution gives congress
the power to promote the progress of science
and useful arts by securing for limited times
to authors and inventors the exclusive
right to their respective writings and dscov-
cries. this government did not feel warranted
IN becoming q signatOry pending the action
of congress upon measures Of international
copyright now before it, but the right OF ad-
hesiOn TO the Berne convention hereafter has
been reserved l trust the subject will re-
ce1ve at your hands the attention itdeserves,
0IeA CAie'p OAC JuSO ClAlulS Ol auGuOrS, 80 ufS
entity pressed, will be duly needed Repre-
sensations continue to be made to me OF the
Injurious effects upon American artists stud
ylng abroad. and having free access to the
art collections Of foreign countries, of main
tanning duty against the Introduction of the
works OF their brother artists of other coun-
tries; and am induced to repeat my recon-
mendation for the abolition OF that tax.
DIPLOMATIC AND CON ULAR.
INCREASED COMPENSATION URGED
Pursuant to provision of the diplomatic and
consular appropriation act, approved July l.
1886. the estimates submitted bv the secretary
OF state for the maintenance of the consular
service have been recast on the basis Of salaries
for all officers to whom such allowance is deemed
advisable. Advan'a re has been taken Of this to
redistribute the salaries of the officers now an
propria5cd for in accordance with tho work per-
formed, the Importance of the representative
duties Of the incumbent. and the cost of living
ut each post. The last consideration has beon
too often lost sight of in the allowance hereto-
fore made. The compensation which may suffice
for the decent maintenance Of a worthy and ca
Dable officer ir n DOSitiDn If Oner0na md ropro