Omaha daily bee., 1888-12-04
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
a Review OF the Sackville-W West
Affair.

Az
Near the close of the month of October
last occurrences of a deeply regretable ma,
ture were brought to my knowledge, which
made it my painful but imperative duty to
obtain, with as little delay as possible, "A new
personal channel of diplomatic intercourse in
this country with the government of Great
Britain. The correspondence in relation to
this incident will, in due course, be laid be-
fore you, and will disclose the objectionable
conduct OF the official referred to in his inter,
ference, by advice and counsel, with the
suff RACES of American citizens in the very
crisis of the presidential election, then near
at hand; also in his subsequent public
declarations to Justify his action, super
adding impugnment of the executive and
senate of the United States in connection
with important questions now pending
III controversy between the two governments
The OifcnSc thus committed was most grave.
involving disastrous possibilities to the good
relations of the Omitted States and Great
Britain, constituting a gross breach of diplo-
matte privilege and invasion Of the purely
domestic affairs and essential sovereignty
of the government to which the envoy was
accredited.
Having first fulfilled the Just demands of
International comfy by atfordlng full oppor-
tunity for her malesty's government to act
in relief of the situatlon, | considered a pro-
longation' of the discussion TO be unWar-
ranted, and thereuDon declined to further
recognize the diplomatic character of the
person whose continuance in such function
would destroy that mutual confidence which
is essential to the good understanding of the
two governments, and was incon sistcnt with
the welfare and sclf-respect of the govern
ment of the United States. The usual inter
change OF communication has since continued
through her majesty's legation in this city.
MATTERS,
The coast and boundary between our
Alaskan possessions and British Columbia, |
regret to say, has not received the attention
demanded by its Importance, and which on
several occasions heretofore j had the honor
TO recommend to the congress. Adequate
appropriations for reconnaissance and survey
to obtain proper knowledge of tho locality
and geographical features of the boundary
should be authorized by congress with as
little delay as possible. The knowledge to
be only thus obtained in as essential pre-
requisite for negotiation for ascertaining u
common boundary, or as ~ preliminary to
any other mode of settlement.
II is much to be desired that some agree
ment should be reached with her maiesty's
government by which damages to life and
property on the great lakes may be
aleyiated by removing or humanity regulating
the obstacles TO reciprocal assistance to
wrecked or sLrandard vessels. The act of
june ~, 1873, which offers to Canadian YES
sells access to our inland waters in aid of
wrecked or disabled vessels, has not yet be-
come effective through concurrent action by
Canada.
The due protection of our citizens of French
origin or descent from the claim Of military
service In the event of their returning 10 or
visiting France, has called forth cores
pondence which was laid before you at the
last session. In the absence OF conventional
agreement as TO naturalization, which Is
| greatly to be desired, tins government sees
no occasion to recede from the sound posi-
tion il has maintained, not only with regard
To France, but us TO all countries with which
the United States have not concluded SPECIAL
treaties.
renew my recommendation of two years
ago for the passage OF a bill for the refund
ing to certain German steamship lines of the
interest upon tonnage dues illegally eXacted.
SAMOA AND CHINA.
After referring to our interests In m
he takes up the Chinese question. He refers
TO his approval OF the bill for the exclusion OF
Chinese laborers; to his recommendation
that Chinese subjects who have suffered loss
AZ the hands of lawless citizens should be
recompensed, and says that appropriations
for that purpose having been made, the fund
awaits reception by the Chinese government.
He mentions the rejection by the Chinese
government of the treaty, and concludes this
subject By saying that as the influx OF
Chinese laborers is contrary TO the expressed
wishes Of both governments IT viii cease,
and expresses a hope for pleasantcr relations
between the two governments in the future.
JAPAN.
After referring to tue notice given by the
japanese minister on August .,
1887, of an adjournment of the
conference for a revision of the treaties
Of Japan with foreign powers, owing 10 the