, 1889-12-05
country over which he is called to rule.
THE SAMOAN TREATY.

TO the Samoan Islands is encouraging.
The conference which was held In this
city In the summer of 1887, between the
representatives OF the United States,
Germany and Great Britain, was ad-
journod, because Of the persistent diver
pence of views which was developed In
its deliberations. The subsequent
course oil the people in their lands gave
rise to questions Of a serious character.
! On the 4th of FEBRUARY the German
minister at the capital, In behalf Of his
government, proposed the resumption Of
the conference at Berlin. This propo-
sition was accepted, as congress In Feb
ruary last was informed. Pursuant to
the understanding thus reached, COM
missioncrs were appointed, by and with
the advice and consent of the senate,
who proceeded to Berlin, whore the con-
ference was renewed. The deliberations
extended through several weeks, and re-
| suited In the conclusion of the treaty,
which will he submitted to the senate
for its approval. | trust that the efforts
which have been made to effect an adj
justnent of tins question will be pro-
duCtivc of the permanent cstablishmen
OF law and order In Samoa, upon the
basis of the maintenance of the rights
and interests oi the natives.
GREAT BRITAts.
The questions which have arisen dur
| ing the past few years between Great
Britain aud the United States are In
allegiance, or In course of adjustment.
ON the part of the government of the
Dominion OF Canada, an effort has been
F-uppurcnt during the season just ended to
administer the laws and regulations ap-
=. Al. III l..
casion for friction US was possible, and
the temperate representations OF this
government In respect to cases Of undue
hurlships or of oflarsh interpretations have
been IN most cases met with measures of
transitury relief. II is trusted that the
attainment of our just rights under cx-
isting treaties, and In virtue OF the con-
current legislation of the two contiguous
countries, will not be long deferred. and
that all existing causes OF difference
may I've cquitably adjusted. | recon-
| mend that provision be made by an
international agreement for the re-
marking OF the water boundary between
/ tho United states and Canada In the
marrow channels that join the great
lakes. The conventional line therein,
| traced by the Northwestern boundary
/ survey years ago, is not In all cases
readily usccrtainable. For the settle
mcnt OF jurisdic,ionul questions
a just AMI acceptable enlargement
of the list of oifcnscs Tor
and granted is most desirable
between this country and Great Britain.
| The territory OF neither should become
u secure harbor for the evil-dvers OF the
other through any ayoidable short
coming in this regard a new treaty on
this subject between the two powers has
been recently negotiated and will soon
be laid before the senate.
CuBA AND PORTO RICO.
! The importance of the commerce OF
| Porto Rico with the United States, their
nearest and principal market, justiiies
the expectation that tho existing re.
Iations may be benciicially expanded.
The impediments resulting from varying
uues OH navigation and from the veN-
atious treatment ofour vessels on merely
technical grounds of coinvlaint in West
| India ports should be removed.
The progress toward nn adjustment OF
the pending claims between the United
States and Spain is not 50 rapid as de-
sired.
AMERICAN INrEREsrs ~ PERU
The questions affecting American inter.
ests in connection with the railway
constructed and operated by our citizens
in Peru have claimed the attention OF
this government. 1t is urged that other
governments In pressing Peru to thc
payment of their claims have disrc-
gardcd the property rights OF American
citizens. The matter will he carefully
investigated with view to secure u
proper and equitable adjustment.
THE pgLooA BAY RAILWAY.
A similar issue is now pending with
Portugal The Delgon Bay railway in
Africa was constructed with conccs-
sion by Portugal to an American citi.
zen, and when nearly completed, the
road was seized by the agents of tho
Portuguese government, and formal
protest hgs been made through our min
istcr ut Lisbon against this act, and no
proper effort will be spared to secure
proper relief.
THs NichRAuGuA CANAL.
In pursuance OF the charter granted
by congrcs ss, and under the terms of its
contract with the government Of Mica
raugua, the Inter. Oceanic Canal Com
pany has begun the construction of this
important waterway between the tive
oceans whicn the organization contcm-
plates. Grave complications for time
seemed imminent, In view OF n supposed
conflict of jurisdiction between Nicarau'
qua and Costa Rica In regard to the
accessory privileges to he conceded by
,he latter republic toward the copstruc
ton of the works OH the San Juan, d
river, the right bank of which Is in Costa
Rica territory. 1 am happy to lean
that n friendly nrrangemcnt has been
effected between the two nations. This
government hat held itself ready TO pro
mote in every proper way the dust
I # all n ions that VoiOht 80 N