Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-12-13


bor.n
Dealing with the state of the,union, the
president says foreign relations have been
strengthened. The International questions
which still await settlement are all reason
ably within the domain OF capable neg0-
tiaton, and there is no existing subject OF
dispute between the United States and any
foreign power that is not susceptible VI
satisfactory adjustment by frank diplo-
matte treatment
1.-THE questions between Great Britain
and the United States relating TO the rights
of American fishermen under treaty and
international comfy in the territorial
waters Of Canada and Newfoundland, l
regret TO say, are not satisfactorily ad-
justed."
He recites the diplomatic history Of these
disputes. He then goes on and says:
"Having essayed in the discharge OF my
duty to procure by negotiation the settle
ment of long standing cause OF dispute
and TO remove constant menace 10 the
good relations of the two countries and
continuing TO be of the opinion that the
treaty of February last, which failed to
receive the approval OF the senate, did sup
ply n satisfactory, practical and final adj
justment upon n basis honorable and just
10 both parties of the difficult and vexed
question to which it related and having
subsequently and unavailingly recommend
ed other legislation TO congress, which
/ hoped would suffice to meet the
exigency created by the rejection
of the treaty, now again invoke the earn
est and Immediate attention Of the congress
| TO the condition of this important question
| as it now stands before them and the coun-
try, aud for the settlement of which am
! deeply solicitious. Near the close OF the
month of October last, occurrences OF
| deeply regretable nature were brought 10
my knowledge which made it my painful
| but imperative duty 10 obtain with as little
delay y y nnr6Onal channel
| of diplomatic intercourse in this country
with the government OF Great Britain.
1.-THE correspondence in relation to this
| incident will, in due course, be laid before
| you, and will disclose the objectionable
conduct of the Official referred to, in his in
reference by advice and counsel with
the suffrages of American citizens in the
very crisis of the presidential election near
at hand, and also in his subsequent pubic
| declarations to justify his action, superadd-
ing impugnment of the executive and SEN
ate of the United States, in connection with
| important questions now pending in contro-
versy between the two governments.
"The offense thus committed was most
| grave, involving disastrous possibilities 10
| the good relation of the United States and
| Great Britain, constituting gross breach
of diplomatic privilege and an invasion OF
the purely domestic affairs and essential
| sovereignty Of the government TO which the
envoy was accredited. Having first fulfill
ed the just demand ofiuternational comfy,
| by affording full opportunity for her maies-
! TVS government TO act in relief Of the stua-
| ton, | considered prolongasion OF the dis
cussion TO be unwarranted, and thereupon
! declined 10 further recognize the diplomatic
character of the person whose continuance
| in such function would destroy the mutual
confidence which is essential 10 the good
understanding of the two governments, and
was inconsistent with the welfare and self
respect Of the government Of the United
! States"
A survey of the Alaskan boundary is
! recommended.
An arrangement with Great Britain
looking to the removal of obstacles TO the
humane relief of shipwreckcd sailors on
the great lakes is suggested.
! The relations with France on the i'm
pressing OF American citizens into its mill
| tary service, and the relations with Samoa
and China on the restriction act, are retold.
| The convention with Japan is still in prog
ress. A consular court in Corea is recon-
| mended. Our representative in Hayti has
been instructed to abstain from interior
ence in the revolution now ca there, while
| due precautions for the observance of
neutrality laws have been taken. Sub
| marine telegraph connection with Honolu-
III is recommended. A precise location of
the Mexican boundary line is urged to
avoid future complications. Claims OF
American citizens against the foreign gov
eruments have been amicably settled.
The president then takes Up the question
! of naturalization, dealing with IL thus
'With the rapid increase Of immigration TO
! our shores and the facilities of modern
| travel, abuses Of the generous privileges
afforded by our naturalization laws call for
| their careful revision. The easy and up-
| qua" Ied manner in which certificates of
| American citizenship can be obtained has
induced class, unfortunately large, to
avail themselves of the opportunity TO be-
| come abSolved from allegiance 10 their
native land, and yet by foreign residence
escape any just duty and contribution of
| service TO the country Of their proposed
adoption. Thus, while evading the duties
I Of citizenship to the United States, they
may make prompt claim for its national
| protection, and demand its intervention in
their behalf. International complications
| Of a serious nature arise and the cores
pondence of the state department discloses
| the great number and compleXity of the
questions which have been raised. Our
laws regulating the issue of passports
should be carefully revised, and the insti-
tuition Of a central bureau of registration
at the capital is again strongly recommend
ed. BY this means full particulars of
each case of naturalization in the United
States would be secured and properly re
| corded, and thus many cases of spurious
citizenship would he detected and unjust
responsibilities would be avoided.
''The reorganization of the consular SER
vice is a matter of serious Importance 10
our national interests. The number of ex-
listing principal consular officers is believed
10 be greater than is at all necessary for
the conduct of the public business. 1t need
not be our policy TO maintain more than a
moderate number of principal officers, each
supported by salary sufficient to enable
the incumbent TO live in comfort and so
distributed as 10 secure convenient super
vision over considerable district. / re-
peat the recommendations heretofore made
by me, that the appropriations for the
maintenance Of our diplomatic and consular
service should be recast; that the socalled
notarial or unofficial duties which our rep
| resentatives abroad are now permitted TO
treat as personal perquis ties, should be for
hidden; that a system Of consular inspec-
ton should be instituted; and that limited
number of secretaries of legation at large
should be authorized"
The preparations for a centennial of the
inauguration of Washington, to be held at
New York. are adverted 10.
The message then goes on TO deal with
the reports Of the various departments,
heretofore sent out Ivy the press. The sur
plus in the treasury is put at Sl04, 0Oo, 900.
TIE money saved BY purchase of bonds not
| Vat due IL mt at 81. lai OgO At frat SIGHT