The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-12-05

tion Of di cusson 20 be unwarranted. and
thereupoii declined 10 further reco ynize the di-
/ plomatio character of the person. whose contin-
uance In such function would destroy that mu-
tual confidence which IL essential TO the good
understanding OF the two Governments and was
inconsistent with the welfare and self-respect
usual interchange OF communication has since
continued through her Majesty's legation in this
city.
TONNAGE DUTIES
In conformity, also, with Congressional au-
thority, the maritime powers have been invited
to confer in Washington I'm April next upon the
practicability OF devising uniform rules and
measures for the greater security OF life and
property ~ sea. disposition 10 accept on the
part of number OF the powers has already
been manifested and IL the cooperation of the
nations chiefly int rested shall be secured. inn
portant results may be confidently anticipated
The act OF June 20 1884. and the acts amenda-
tory thereof, in relation TO the tonnage duties,
have given rise TO extended correspondence With
foreign nations, with whom we nave existing
caused wide and regre table divergence of opin-
ion In relation To the imposition of the duties
referred to. These questions ars important and
l shall make them the subject OF a special aud
more detailed communication at the present
season.
With the rapid increase OF immigration 10 our
shores ant the facilities OF modern travel,
abuses OF the generous privileges afforded 10y our
naturalization laws call for their careful revision
The easy and unguarded manner in which GER
tihcates of American citizenship eau now be OBJ
tanned has induced n ciass, unfortunately large.
10 avail themselves of the opportunity TO be-
come dissolved from allegiance TO their native
land, and yet by foreign residence To escape
any just duty and con .ributOn OF service
To- the country of then proposed adoption.
Thus, while evading the duty of citi-
zensnip 10 the United States, they may
make prompt claim for its national pro
tecsion and demand rs intervention in
their behalf. International complications Of n
serious nature arise Our laws regu ating tho
issue of passports should be carefully
revised and the institution OF central bureau
of registration at the Capital is again strongly
recommended. BY this means fun particulars
OF each case of natural ization in the United
States would be secured and properly indorsed
ana recorded, and thus many cases of spurious
citizenship would be detected and unjust
probabilities would bs avoided
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
The reorganizatio oil of the consular service is
n matter of serious importan % TO our national
interests. The number OF existing principal
consular Offices is believed to be creator than is
ut all necessary for the con iuct of the public
business. 1t need not be our )licy 20 maintain
more than a moderate number OF p incipal
offices, each supported by u salary sufficient to
enable the incumbent TO 1--we in comfort, and
SO distributed rs To secure the convenient
supervision, through subordinate agencies,
of affairs over considerable district.
repeat the recommendations heretofore made
by me, that the appropriations for the mainten-
ance of our diplomatic and consular service
should DO recast that the so-called notarial or
unofficial fees, which our representatives abroad
arc now permitted TO treat as their personal per-
quisites should be forbidden that a system of
consular inspection should be instituted; and
that limited number of Secretaries OF Legation
mt Large should be authorized
THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL.
Appropriate legislation 10y Congress in regard
TO the Centennial celebration of the Inaugural
ton Of George Washington is recommended.
OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS.
My endeav9rs to establish by International
corporation measures Tor the prevention OF the
determination Of fur seals in Behring Sea have
not boon relaxed and have pes of being en-
UDlad
satisfactory conventional project with the
maritime powers for the approval of the SEN
ate. Tne COASTAL boundary between our Alas
kan possessions and British Columbia, 1 regret
to say has not + ,ceived the attention demanded
by its importance, and which, on sew
eral occasions heretofore. l have had
the honor TO RET ommend TO the CO ngress. Tho
admitted imp. acticability, if not impOssiblity,
of making an accurate aud precise survey and
emlrkation OF the boundary line. as it is ecited
in the treaty with Russia under which Alaska
was coded to the United States, renders il abso-
lutely requisite for the prevention OF national
jurisdictonal complicat ons, that adequate APP
proDriation for reconnaissance. land survey to
obtain proper knowled % OF the locality and tho
geographical features of the boundary should be
authorized by Congress with little delay
possible.
AID TO WRECKED VESSELS.
1t il much TO be desired that some agreement
should be reached with her Majesty Govern
ment by whi,h the damages To life and property
on the great lakes may be alleviated by remov-
ing, or humanely regulating, the obs lacles TO
reciprocal assistance TO Wrecked or stranded
vessels. The net of June ~, 1873, which offers
TO Canadian vessels who have access TO our in
land waters in aid OF wrecked o. disabled YES
seld, has not yet become effective through con-
current action by Canada.
REFUNDING TONNAGE DUES.
i renew my recommendation OF two years ago
OF the passage Of bill for the refunding to GER
tain German steamship lines OF the interest upon
tonnage dues illegally ex lctod
PROTECTION OF FRENCH CITIZENS.
The due protection OF citizens of French
origin or descent from claim OF m ltary service
in the event OF their returning to or visiting
France has calle1 forth CORE pondence which
was laid before you at the last ssion. In the
absence OF conventional agreement rs TO natur-
ali .ation, which is greatly TO be desired this
60 eminent sees no occasion to recede rom
the sound posit on IL has maintained not only
with regard 20 france but as TO all countries
with which the United States have not concluded
special treaties.
THE TWO DEAD EMPERoRs.
Twice within the last year has the imperial
household of Germany been visited by death,
and have fastened to express the sorrow of
this people and their appreciation 4 the lofty
chara; tec of the lac aged Emperor William,
and their sympathy with the herOism under suf-
fering OF his son. the late Emu eror Frederick.
SAMOA.
On the 18th of April last I laid before tho
House of Representatives full information re-
speeding our interests in Samoa, and in the sub
sequent correspondence on the same subject,
which win be aid be ore you in due course, the
history Of events in those Islands will DO found.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
In n message accompanying my approval, on
tho LIST DAY OF october last, or Dill Tor the eX-
clusion of hinese laborers laid before Con-
gross full information and all correspondence
touching the negotiation Of the treaty with
China, concluded at this capital on the 18th
day of March, 1888, and which, having been
confirmed by the Senate with certain
amendments, was rejected by the Chinese
recomme ndation that of money
be appropriated as compensation TO Chinese
subjects who had suffered injuries at the hands
of lawless men within Jurisdiction. such
appro ration having been duly made, the fund
awaits reception by the Chinese Governm mt
1t is sincerely hol cd that, by the cessation OF
the influx Of this class of Chinese subjects, in
accordance with the expressed wish of both
Governments, cause OF unkind feeling has
been permanently removed.
JAPAN
On the 9th OF August 1887, notihcn tion was
given by the japanese Minister mt this Capital
of the adjournment of the conference fo-
the revision OF tn treaties Of Japan with for
eign powers, owing to tho objection of his
government to the provision in the draft for
juTi sdictional invention which required the
submission OF the criminal code OF tue Eml ire
10 the powers in advance Of its being operative.
This notification was. however, accompa-
MED with assurance OF Japan's in
tenton to continue the work OF revision. Not
negotiations il is hoped that improvems nts
IN v ON be secured in the jurisdict onal ystem
as respects foreigners in Jap n and relief
afforded to that country from foreign cont oil in
matters Of commerce. i earnestly recommend
that relief be provided for the injuries accident
ally caused 10 Japanese citizens i'm the Island
OF Irisima by the target practice OF one OF our