Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-12-05


spirit which should characterize the re
lations of two great and friendly powers
While our supreme interests demand tn
exclusion of laboring element whicl
experience has shown to be incompati
BILE with our social life, all steps to com
pass this imperative need should be ac
companied with recognition of tn
claim of those strangers now lawfully
among us to humane and just treat
ment.
Samoan Affairs.
The present state of affairs in respec
to the Samoan islands is encouraging
The conference which was held in tn,
summer of 1887, between the representa-
tives of the United States, Germany AM
Great Britain, have been adjourned be
cause of the persistent divergence o
views which was developed in its delib
eratlonS- The subsequent course oi
events in the islands gave rise to ques
tions of serious character. On Febru
airy last, the German minister at this
capital, in behalf of his government
proposed resumption of the conference
in Berlin. This proposition was accepted
as congress in February last was in.
formed. Pursuant to the understanding
thus reached, commissioners were ap
pointed by me, by and with the advice
and consent of the senate, who proceeded
to Berlin, where the conference was re-
newed. The deliberations extended
through several weeks, and resulted in
the conclusion of a treatv, which will be
submitted to the senate for its approval.
Questions With Greet Britain.
The questions which have arisen dur
ing the past few years between Great
Britain and the United States are in
allegiance or in course of amicable ad-
justment on the part of the government
of the Dominion of Canada. An effort
has been apparent during the season Just
ended to administer laws and regulations
applicable to the fisheries with as little
occasion for friction as was possible, and
the temperate representations of this
government in respect of cases of undue
hardships or of harsh interpretations
have been in most cases met with meas
ures of transitory relief. 1t is trusted
that the attainment of our Just rights
under existing treaties and in virtue of
the concurrent legislation of the two
continuous countries will not be long de-
ferred and that the existing causes of
difference may be equitably adjusted.
l recommend that provision be made
by an international agreement for visi-
bly, marking the water boundary be-
tween the United States and Canada in
the narrow channels that join the great
lakes. The conventional line therein,
traced by the northwestern boundary
survey years ago, is not in all cases
readily ascertainable for the settlement
of jurisdictional questions.
A Just and acceptable enlargement of
the list of offenses for which extradition
may be claimed and granted is most de-
sirable between this country and Great
Britain. The territcry of neither should
become secure harbor for the evildoers
of the other through any avoidahle short
coming in this regard. A new treaty on
this subject between the two powers has
been recently negotiated and will be laid
before the senate.
Spanish American.
The importance of the commerce of
Cuba and Porto Rico with the United
States, their nearest and principal
market, justifies the expectation that the
existing relations may be beneficially ex-
panded. The impediments resulting
from varying dues on navigation and
from the yexatious treatment of our
vessels, on merely technical grounds of
complaint, in West India ports, should
be removed. The progress toward an
of pending claims between
the United States and Spain is not as
rapid as could be desired.
Questions affecting American interests
in connection with railways constructed
and operated by our citizens in Peru
have claimed the attention of this gov
ernment. 1t is urged that other govern
ments, in pressing Peru to the payment
Of their claims, have disregarded the
rights of American citizens.
The matter will be carefully investigated
with a view to securing proper and
equitable adjustment.
A similar issue is now pending with
Portugal. The Delagoa Bay railway, in
Africa, was constructed under conces-
sion by Portugal to an American citizen.
When nearly completed the road was
seized by the agents of the Portuguese
government. Formal protest has been
made through our minister at Lisbon
against this act, and no proper effort will
be spared to secure proper relief.
In pursuance of the charter granted
oy congress. and under the terms of its
contract with the government of Mica
-auga, the InterOceanic Canal company
las begun the construction of the i'm
)ortant water way between the two
oceans which its organization contem-
plates. Grave Complications for time
eemed imminent, in view of supposed
conflict of jurisdiction between Nicara-
,ua and Costa Rica, in regard to the
accessory privileges to be conceded by
he latter republic toward the construc-
ION of works on the San Juan river, of
which the right bank is the Costa Rican
erritory. l am happy to learn that a
riendly arrangement has been affected
,et,geen the two nations.
European Relations.
The traditional good feeling between
his country and the French republic has
eceived additional testimony in the par
icipation of our government and people |
n the international exposition neld at |
Paris during the past summer. The sue
ess of our exhibitors has been gratify |
ng. The report of the commission will |
'e laid before congress in due season.
This government has accepted, under |
roper reserve as to its policy in foreign !
erritorieS, the invitation of the govern |
nent of Belgium to take part in the in /
ernational congress which opened at |
Brussels on the 10th of November, for |
he purpose of devising measures to pro-
note the abolition of the slave trade in |
africa, and to prevent the shipment of |
laves by sea. Our interest in the ex-
in,tion of this crime against humanity. |
n the regions where it yet survives, has
,een increased by the results of emanci-
,ation within our own borders.
With Germany the most cordial rela-
ions continue. The questions arising
rom the return to the empire of Ger
mans naturalized in this country are
onsidered and disposed of in temperate
pirit, to the entire satisfaction of both
governments.
Hayti Sett'el.
1t is a source of great satisfaction that
he internal disturbances of the Republic
f Hayti are at last happily ended, and
hat an apparently stable government
las been constituted. 1t has been duly
by the United States. A
mixed commission is now in session in
he capital for the settlement of long
tanding claims against the Republic,
nd it is hoped that satisfactory conciu-
ion will be speedily reached.
This government has not hesitated to
xpress its earnest desire that the bousd-
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