Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-12-08

lands second annual message, which
was read to both houses of Congress
to-day:
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: In
discharge of a constitutional duty and following
a el-established precedent in the executive
office, herewith transmit to the Congress at Its
reassemblng certain information concerning the
state of the Union, together with such recon-
mendations for legislative consideration as ap
pear necessary and expedient.
Our government has consistently maintained
its relations of friendship toward all other pow
and of neighborly interest toward those
whose possessions are contiguous TO our own.
Few questions have arisen during the past year
with other governments, and none of these are
beyond the reach of settlement of friendly
council
We are az vet without provision for the settle
ment OF claims oil citizens of the United States
against Chill for injuries during the late war
with Peru and Bolivia. The mixed commissions
organized under claims conventions concluded
by the Chilli government with certain European
states have developed an amount of friction
which we trust can be avoided in the oonven.
tion which our representative at Santiago is au-
lhoTiZed 10 negotiate.
The cruel treatment of inoHensive Chinese has,
| reg ret TO say, beer repeated in some of the far
Western states and territories and acts of vic.
]ence against those people beyond the power of
the local constitutional authorities, and dlthcult
to prevent, and difficult to punish, are reported
even in distant Alaska. Much of this
violence can be traced 10 preu.
dice and complication of labor, which
cannot however, justify the oppression
OF strangers whose safely is guaranteed by our
treaty with China equally with the most favored
nations In opening our vast domain 10 alien
elements the purpose of our law giyers was TO
invite assimilation and not to provide
an for antagonism. The para
mount duty Of maintaining public or
der and defending the intereslsof our
own people may require the adoption of
measures of restriction; but they should not
tolerate the oppression of individuals of special
race am not without assurance that the sov-
eminent of China. whose friendly disposition
towards us am most happy 10 recognize, will
meet us half way, in devising q comprehensive
remedy by which an eff Give Limitation OF
Chinese emigration joined 10 protection of those
Chinese subjects VINO remain in this country,
may be secured. Legislation is needed TO execute
the provisions of our Chinese Convention OF 1880,
touching the opium tratfic.
While the good will of the Columbian govern.
menI toward our country is manifest, the situa-
ton of American interests on the Isthmus of
Panama has at times elected concern and invited
friendly action looking to the performance OF the
engagements of the two nations concerning the
territory embraced in the inter oceanic transit
With the subsistence OF the Isthman disturb
anceS and the erection of the State OF Panama
into federal district under the direct govern
ment of the constitutional administration at
Bogota, a new order of things has been inaugu
rated which, although as yet somewhat ex-
perimental aud afording scope for arbi-
trHry exercise OF power by the delegates
of the national authority. promises much
improvement
. The sympathy between the people of the
United States and France born during our COLO
NAL struggle for independence and continuing
today, has received fresh impulse in the sue
cessful completion and dedication OF the colo
stat ue of Liberty Enlig htening the WoIld,' in
New York harbor the gift OF Frenchmen TO
Americans.
A convention between the United States and
certain other powers for the protection OF sub
marine cables was signed in Paris on March a.
1854, and has been duly ratified and proclaimed
by this government. By agreement between the
1hiQ o.
into effect The LIST Of January next But the legis
lation requiredI for its execution in the United
States has not yet been adopted. / earnestly rec
ommend its enactment.
Cases have contnued to occur in Germany,
giving rise TO much correspondence in relation
to he privilege of sojourn of our raturaliZed
citizens of German origin re-visiting the land of
their birth Yet, am happy 10 state that our re-
lations with that country have lost none OF their
accustomed cordially.
The claims for interest upon the amount Of ton
mage dues illegally exacted from cert9in Ger
man steamship lines were favorably reports
upon in both Houses of Congress at the last
Sion and | trust will receive final favorable
action at early day.
The recommendation contained In my last an
nual message in relation TO mode Of settlement
of the fishery rights in the waters OF British
North America, so long subject OF anxious off
ference between the United States and Great
Britain. was met by an adverse vote of the Sen.
ate, april Is last and theTeupon negotiations
were instituted to obtain agreement with Her
Brittanic Majestys government for the promul
ton of the article of the convention of 1918 re-
lating to the territorial waters a. d in
shore fisheries of the British Provinces as should
secure the Canadian rights from encrOachment
by United Sta ties fishermen and at the same time
ensure the enjoyment by the latter of the privi
leges guaranteed 10 them by such convention.
The questions involved are of long standing of
grave consequence and from time to time for
nearly three-quarers OF a century have given rise
to earnest international discussions not unaccom.
panied by irritation. Temporary arrangements
by treaties have served 10 allay friction which,
however, was revived as each treaty was ter
minated. The last arrangemen mt under the treaty
of 1871 abrogated after due notice by the
United States on June 80, 1885 but was enabled
to obtain for our fishermen for the remainder of
that season enjoyment OF the full privilege &C.
corded by the terminating treaty. The Joint
commission by whom the treaty had been
negotiated, although invested with plenary
power to make permanent settlement, were con-
tent with d temporary arrangement, aft-r the
termination OF which the question relegated
to the stipulations of the treaty of 1915 to the
first article OF which 40 construction satisfactory
to both countries has ever been agreed upon.
The progress of civilization and growth of
population in the British pr, vinces to which the
fisheries in question are contiguous, and the ex-
panslon of commercial intercourse between them
and the United states presents to-day condition
OF affairs scarcely realiZaDl at the date Of the
negotiations of 1878 New and vast interests
have been brought into existence; modes of in
tercourse between the respective countries have
been invented and multiplied; the mt thodS of
conducting the fisheries have been wholly
changed; and all this is necessarily entitled to
candid and careful consideration in the adjust
ment of the terms and conditions of inter
course and commerce between the United states
and their neig hbors along frontier of over g.,
800 miles This propinquity of community of
language and occupation and similarity of pOlit-
ical and social institutions indicate the practica
billty and obvious wisdom of maintaining mutu.
ally beneficial anG friendly relations. Whilst
/ am unfeignedly DESTROYS that such relations
should exist between US and the Inhabitants of
Canada. yet the action of their officials during
the past season toward our fishermen has teen
such as to seriously threaten their continuance
Although disappointed in my efforts TO
secure satisfactory settlement OF
the fishery question, negotiations are still
pending, with reasonable nope that before the
close of the present session of Congress announce
ment may be made that an acceptable conclusion
has been reached. AT all early day there may be
laid before Congress the correspondence of the
department of state in relation to this important
subject, so that the history OF the past fishing
season may be fully discussed and the action and
the attitude of the administration clearly COM
pretended. More extended reference is not
deemed necessary in this communication.
The recommendation submitted last year that
provision be made for a preliminary TeconnOis-
sance of the conventional boundary line between
Alaska and British Columbia is renewed.
express my unhestating conviction that the
intimacy of our relations with Hawaii should be
emphasized. AS a result OF the reciprocity
treaty OF 1875, those islands on the highway Of
Oriental and Australasian traffic are virtually an