The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-07
AFFAIRS OF STATE.
They Are Reviewed at Length by
President Harrison.
HIS ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS-.
Satisfactory Foreign Relationship Sur
plus, Revenues, Tariff. silver Coinage,
Civil Service Pensions and Other
Important Topics Discussed.
THE MESSAGE.


annual message of President Harrison to
the Fifty-First Congress-:
TO the Senate and Houss OF Representatives.:
There are few transactions in the administra-
ton OF Government even temporarily held in
the confidence OF those charged with the con-
duct of the public business. Every step taken
Is under the observation OF an intelligent and
watchful people. The State OF the Union is
known from day to day and suggestions as TO
needed legislation find an earlier voice than that
which speaks in these annual communications
Of the President to Congress.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Good will and cordially have characterized
our relations and correspondence with other
governments, and the year just closed leaves
lew international questions of Importance re.
naming unadjusted. No obstacle is believed
ton and adjustment of the still pending ques-
lions upon satisfactory and honorable terms.
The dealings Of this Government with other
states have been and ALWAYS should be marked
by franknesS ana sincerity, our purposes
avowed and our methods free from intrigue.
The President, referring to the Congress OF
representatives Of the North ana South
American governments, now In session IN
Washington, says that the gathering is mat
ter Of high significance, and the earnest de-
alterations of the body touching the best
methods of perpetuating and expanding the
existing relations OF mutual interest," ana
friendliness will undoubtedly result in In.
creased prosperity and to the mutual gooa OF
mendations will have the cooperation OF the
Congress- of the United States in the
removal of unnecessary barriers to Dene.
efcial intercourse between the nations OF
America.
The response to the invitation extended by
this Government by the act of Congress OF
July 8, 1888, TO all maritime nations to SEND rep
resentatives to engage in conference touch
ing the revision and amendment OF the rules
and regulations governing vessels, ana 10 adopt
uniform system of marine signals, has been
very general and very cordial. Twenty-six ma
tions are represented in the conference, and the
work has been entered upon with great zeal
and an evident appreciation OF its Importance:
Referring to the fact that all the nations OF
the Western hemisphere, with one exception
send to Washington ENJOYS Extraordinary and
Ministers PlenipOtentiary while the United
States, on the contrary, sends ENJOYS OF a lower
grade to some OF our sister republics, the Presi-
dent says that in view of our relations with the
states Of the American system, our diplomatic
agents in those countries should be OF the uni
form rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary.
Our relations with China are receiving due at.
tention; The failure OF the treaty negotiated
under President Cleveland'S administration,
relative to the further and more complete re
striction Of Chinese labor immigration, leaves
some questions open which should be ap.
preached in u wise and just spirit. While our
supreme interests demand the exclusion or
laboring element which experience has shown
to be incompatible with our social life, all steps
to compass this imperative need should be ac
companied with recognition OF the claim OF
those strangers now lawfully among US to hu
name and just treatment.
The present state of affairs with respect to Sa
moa is encouraging. He trusts the efforts made
to adjust the question will be productive of the
permanent establishment of law and order in
Samoa upon the basis Of the maintenance of
the rights and interests of natives.
THE FISHERIES.
On the part of the government of the Domin-
ion Of Canada an effort has been apparent dur
ing the season Just ended to administer the
laws and regulations applicable to the fisheries
with as little occasion for friction as was pos
sibe, and the temperate representations OF this
Government in respect OF cases OF undue hard
ship or of harsh interpretations have been in
most cases met with measures OF transtory re
lief. 1t is trusted that the attainment OF our
Just rights under existing treaties and in virtue
of the concurrent legislation of the two con
tiguous countries will not be long deferred, and
that all existing causes of difference may be
equitably adjusted.
EXTRACTION.
just and acceptable enlargement OF the list
of ofenSeS for which eXtradltlon may be claimed
and granted is most desirable between TINS
country; and Great Britain. The territory OF
neither should become secure harbor for the
evil-doers of the other through any avoidable
shortcoming in this regard.
THE NICARAGUAN CANAL.
In pursuance of the charter granted by Con.
gress, and under the terms of its contract with
the Government Of Nicaragua, the Inter
Oceanic Canal Company has begun the con-
struction of the important waterway between
the two oceans which its organization contem.
plates Grave complications for time seemed
Imminent between the governments OF MIC
aragua and Costa Rica but these have been ad-
justedin friendly manner.
THE FRENCH EXPOSITION.
The traditional good feeling between this
country and the French republic has received
additional testimony in the participation OF our
Government and people in the international
exposition held at Paris duisng the past sum,
mer. The success of our exhibition has been
THE ANTrsLAvERY CONFERENCE.
This Government has accepted, under proper
reserve as to its policy in foreign territories,
the invitation of the government of Belgium to
take part in an International Congress which
opens at Brussels on the 18th OF November, for
the purpose OF devising measures to promote
the abolition Of the slave trade in Africa and
to prevent the shipment of slaves by sea- Our
interest in the extinction of this crime against
humanity in the regions where it yet survives
has been increased by the result OF emanclpa-
ton within our own borders.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY
With Germany the most cordial relations con-
tinue. The questions arising from the return
to the empire of Germans naturalized in this
country are considered and disposed OF in
temperate spirit to the entire satisfaction OF
both Governments.
1t is a source of great satisfaction that the in.
ternal disturbances OF the Republic OF Hayt
are at last happily ended ana that an apparent.
ly stable government has been constituted. IL
has been duly recognized by the United States
RIGHTS OF NATURAIIZED CITIZENS.
Questions continue to arise in our relation
naturalized citizens. Especially is this the
case with France. Italy, Russia and Turkey, and
TO a less extent with Switzerland. From time
to time earnest efforts have been made to regu
late this subject by conventions. An improper
use Of naturalization should not be permitted,
but il is important that those who have been
duly naturalized should everywhere be accord
ed recognition OF the rights pertaining to citi-
zenship of the country of their adoption
THE BRAZILIAN REVOLUTION.
The recent revolt in Brazil in favor OF the eS-
tablishment of republican form OF government
Is an event of great interest to the United
States Our Minister at Rio de Janeiro was at
once instructed TO maintain friendly diplomatic
relations with the Provisional GoyerT.nent and
the Brazilian representatives at this capital
were instructed by the Provisional Government
to continue their functions. Our friendly inter-
course with Brazil has therefore suffered no In
terruption Our Minister has been further In
structed to extend on the part OF this Govern
ment a formal and cordial recognition OF the
new republic so soon as the majority OF the peo-
pie of Brazil shall have signihed their assent to
its establishment and maintenance.
PROSPEROUS PEOPLE.
Within our own borders general condition OF
prosperity prevails. The harvests OF the last
summer were exceptionally abundant and the
trade conditions now prevailing seem TO prom
Use a successful season to the merchant and the
manufacturer and general employment 70 our
working people
OUR FINANCES
The report Of the Secretary OF the Treasury
for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1889, presents
with clearness the fiscal OperafionS of the Gov