The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-12-07
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
President HarrisOn's COmmu-
nicatiOn to Congress.

uhy, anu suggestions as TO the needed legtsla-
tioD find an earlier voice than that which
speaks in these annual communications OF
the president 20 congress.
Good will and cordiality have character
lied our relations and correspondence with
other governments, and the year Just closed
leaves few international questions of impor-
tance remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is
pelleved to exist that can long postpone the
consideration and adjustment of the still
pending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms. The dealings of this gov
ernment 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 nation to preserve the heritage of
| good repute which century of right deal
ing with foreign governments has secured
to us. fs
The Pan-American Congress.
In the course of his remarks on the Pan
American congress the president says:
The recommendations of this international
conference of enlightened statesmen will
doubtless have the considerate attention Of
| congress and its cooperation in the removal
of unnecessary barriers to beneficial inter
course between 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 crowning ben
eft will be found in the better securities
which may be devised for the maintenance
of peace among all American nations and
the settlement of all contentious by methods
that a Christian civilization can approve
While viewing with interest our national re-
sources and products, the delegates will,
am sure, find higher satisfaction in the evil
dences OF unselfish friendship which every
where attend their intercourse with our peo-
ple
The Rank of Our Enjoys.
The president then speaks Of the maritime
conference, and adds:
In this connection it may be noted that all
the nations of the western hemisphere, with
one exception send to Washington envoys
extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary
being the highest grade accredited to this
government. The United States, on the CON
trary, sends envoys of lower grade to some
OF our sister republics. Our representative
In Paraguay and Uruguay is a minister resi-
dent, while to Bolivia we send minister
resident and consul general. In view f>the
Importance 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 so elevated by the last congress with
happy effect and / recommend the compile
tion of the reform thus begun, with the in
clusion also of Hawaii and Hayti, in view OF
their relations to the American system of
states.
also recommend that timely provision be
made for extending to Hawaii an invitation
! to be represented in the international confer
ence now sitting at this capital
/ Relations with China.
Our relations with China have the atten-
\ tive consideration which their magnitude
and interest demand. The failure Of the
treaty negotiated under the administration
of my predecessor for the further and more
complete restriction of Chinese labor immi-
grafton, and, with it, the legislation of the
last session Of congress dependent thereon
leave some questions open which congress
should now approach in that wise and just
spirit which should characterize the rela-
tions Of two great and friendly powers
While our supreme interests demand the ex-
cluson of a laboring element which expe-
rience has shown to be incompatible with
our social life, all steps to compass this i'm
perative need should be accompanied with
recognition of the claim of those strangers
now lawfully among US to humane and just
| treatment
The accession of the young Emperor of
China marks, we may hope, an era of prog
ress and prosperity for the great country
over which he is called to rule.
Samoan Affairs.
The present state of affairs in respect 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 having been adjourned because of
he.persistent divergence of views which was
developed in its deliberations, the subse-
quent course Of events in the islands gave
rise to questions of a serious character. On
the 4th of February last. the German min
lister at this capital, in behalf of his govern
ment, proposed a resumption of the confer
ence at Berlin This proposition was accept
ed, as congress, in February last, was in
formed.
Pursuant TO the understanding thus reached,
commissioners were appointed by me, by and
with the advice and consent of the senate
who proceeded to Berlin, where the confer
ence was renewed. The deliberations ex-
tended through several weeks and resulted
in the conclusion of treaty, which will be
submitted TO the senate for its approval /
trust that the efforts which have been made
30 effect an adjustment of this question will
ment Of law and order in Samoa, upon the
basis of the maintenance of the rights and
interests Of the natives as well as Of the
treaty powers.
The questions which have arisen during
1 the past few years between Great Britain
and the United States are in allegiance or In
course Of amicable adjustment.
The Fisheries Question.
On the part of the government of the Do
minion OF Canada an effort has been appar-
ent during the season just ended TO admin
ister the laws and regulations applicable TO
the fisheries with as little occasion for fric-
tion AZ was possible, and the temperate rep
resentations Of this government in respect
of cases OF undue hardship or of harsh inter
pretations have been in most cases met with
measures of transitory relief. 1t is trusted
that the attainment of our Just rights under
existing treaties and in virtue of the concur
rent legislation of the two contiguous coun-
tries will not be long deferred, and that all
existing causes of difference may be equit-
ably adjusted.
] recommend that provision be made by
; an international agreement for visibly mark
ing she water boundary between the United
States and Canada in the narrow channels
thai Join the Great Lakes. The conventional
line therein traced by the northwestern
boundary survey, years ago, Is not IN all
oases readily ascertainable for the settle
n,ent Of jurisdictional questions,
just and acceptable enlargement of the
list OF oifenses for which extradition may be
claimed and granted is most desirable be
tween this country and Great Britain. The
territory Of neither should become a secure
harbor for the evil doers Of the other through
any avoidable ehortcoming in this regard
A new treaty ON this subject between the
two powers has been recently negotiated and
! will soon be laid before tho senate
Narious International Questions.
The importance Of the commerce Of Cuba
aud Porto Rico with the United States their