The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
AT Peace With the World, But Occasionally
1Iistreated.

At Peace With the World, But Occasionally
Mistreated.
Goodwill and cordiallty have character
lied our relations and correspondence with
other governments, and the year just
closed leaves few international questions
of importance remaining unadjusted.
No obstacle is believed to exist that can
long postpone the consideration and adj
.justment OF the still pending questions
upon satisfactory and honorable terms.
The dealings of this government with
other states have been, and should always
be, marked by frankness and sincerity,
our purposes avowed, and our methods
free from intrigue. This course has borne
rich fruit in the past, and it is our duty as
a nation 70 preserve the heritage of good
repute which a century of right dealing
with foreign governments has secured
TO us
1t is matter of high significance, and
no less OF congratulation, that the first year
of the second century of our constitutional
existence finds, as honored guests within
our borders, the representatives of all the
independent states of North and South
America met together in earnest confer
ence touching tie best methods of perpet-
uating and expanding the relations OF
mutual interest and frlendllness existing
among them. That the opportunity
Thus afforded for promoting closer inter-
national relations, and the increased pros
perity of the states represented, will be
used for the mutual good of all, | cannot
permit myself TO doubt. Our people will
await with interest and confidence
the results TO flow from so ausplcious
a meeting of allied and, in large part,
identical interests. The recOmmenda-
tons Of this international conference OF
enlightened statesmen will doubtless have
the considerate attention of congress, and
Its cooperation in the removal of unneces-
sary barriers to beneficial intercourse be-
tween the nations of America. But while
the commercial results which it is hoped
will follow this conference are worthy of
pursuit and of the great interest they have
excited, it is believed that the browning
benefit will be found in the better Sc
curity which may be devised for the
maintenance OF peace among the Amer
lean nations and the settlement of all con-
tentions by methods that a Christian
civilization can approve. While viewing
with interest our national resources and
products, the delegates will, l am sure,
find higher satisfaction in the evidences
of unselfsh friendship which everywhere
attend their intercourse with our people.
Another international conference, hav-
ing great possibilities for good has lately
been assembled and is now in session in
this capital. An invitation was extended
by the government under act of congress
of July 9, 1888, TO all maritime nations to
send delegates TO confer touching the re-
vision and amendment OF the rules and
adopt a uniform system of marine signals
The response 10 this invitation has been
very general and very cordial. Delegates
from twenty-six nations are present in the
conference, and they have entered upon
their useful work with great zeal, and
with an evident appreciation of its i'm
portance. So far as the agreement 10 be
reached may require legislation to give it
effect the cooperation of congress is con-
fidently relied upon. 1t is an interesting,
If not indeed an unprecedented fact, that
the two international conferences have
brought together here accredited repre-
sentatives OF thirty-three nations.
Bolivia, Ecuador and Honduras are now
represented by resident ENJOYS OF the
plenipotentiary grade. All the states of
the American system now maintain diplo-
matte representation at this capital.
In this connection il may be noted that
all the nations of the Western hemisphere
with but one exception, send to Washing
ton ENJOYS extraordinary and ministers
plenipotentiary being the highest grade ac-
credited 10 this government. The United
States, on the contrary, sends envoys of
OF the lower grade to some of our sister re-
publics. Our representative in Paraguay
and Uruguay is a minister resident, while
10 Bolivia we send a minister resident and
consul-general. In view of the import
ance of our relations with the states OF the
American system. our diplomatic agents in
those countries should be of the uniform
rank Of envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary. Certain missions were 80
elevated by the last congress with happy
effect / recommend the completion of the
form thus begun, with the inclusion also
Of Hawaii and Hayti, in view of their rela-
tons to the American system Of states
also recommend that timely provision be
made for extending to Hawaii an invita-
ton to be represented in the international
conference now sitting at this capital.
Our relations with China have the at
tentive consideration whichs their magni-
tude and interest demand. The failure OF
the treaty negotiated under the adminstra-
ton of my predecessor for the further and
more complete restriction OF Chinese labor
immigration, and with il the legisla-
ton of the last session of con-
gress dependent thereon, leave some ques.
tons open which congress should now APP.
proach in that wise and just spirit which
should characterize the relations OF two
great and friendly powers. While our su.
preme interests demand the exclusion OIL
laboring element which experience has
shown to be incompatible with our social
lie. all steps to compass this imperative
end should be accompanied with recog
milton of the claim of those strangers now
lawfully among us to humane and JUS
treatment. The accession of the young
emperor of China marks, we may hope, ar
area OF progress and prosperity fort great
country over which he is called to rule.
The present state of affairs in respect
to the Samoan Islands is encouraging