The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-12-02
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-

W To Ill TINS ihSSooSSNs
The vast aud increasing business OF the
government has been transacted by the
several departments during the year with
faithfulness, energy aud success. Inc
revenues, amounting to above $3.50, 900 900,
have been collected and disbursed with
out revealing, SO far as l can ascertain, a
single case of defalcstion or ENLIGHTENMENT.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The friendly relations OF our country
with the nations ST Europe and of the
east have been undisturbed, while the
ties of gool will and common interest that
bind us to the states or the Western Hem
isnhers have been notably strengthened
bv the conference held in this capital to
consider measures for the general welfare.
Pursuant TO the invitation authorized by
congress the representatives of every in-
dependent state OF the American CONT
nent and OF Hayti met in conference in
this capital in October 1888, and continued
in session until the 1911 of last April it
is noteworthy that Brazil, invited while
under an imperial form of government,
shared as a republic in the deliberations
and results of the conference.
INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE.
The International Marine conference
With SIT at Washington last winter
lie icii. q gratifying result. The regula-
u3ns sngge ted have been brought to the
attention OF all the governments repre-
sented. AMI their general adoption is con-
iidently expected The legislation of con-
gress az the last session is in conformity
with the pro. positions OF che conference,
and the proclamation therein provided for
will be issue when the other powers have
given notice OF tteir adhesion.
The conference OF Brussels to devise
means for suppressing the slave trade in
Africa afforded an opportunity for a new
expression Of the interest the American
reO pie lelt in that great work. 1t soon be-
came evident the measure prepared would
tax the resources of the Congo beyond the
resources available under the general act
of Berlin OF 1884. The United States not
being party to that act could not share
in It's revision, but by separate act the
independent state of the Congo was freed
from restrictions upon custom revenue.
As ICON as these measures shall receive
the sanction OF the Netherlands, for
time Withheld, the general acts will be
submitted Tor ratification to the senate.
Meauwhile negotiations have been opened
for "A new and complete treaty of friend
ship, commerce and navigation between
the United States and the Independent
State ot Congo.
Toward the end of the past year the
only independent monarchicai govern
ment on HE v estern Continent that of
Brazil. ceased to exist, and was succeeded
Dy a republic.
The peace of Central America has again
been disturbed through a revolutionary
change in Salvador, which was not recoy-
nized by other states. Hostilities broke
out between Salvador and Guatemala,
threatening to involve all Central Amer
lea i'll conflict and TO undo the progress
which had been made toward a union of
their interests. The efforts of the govern
mept were promptly and zealously ex-
erted TO compose their differences, and
through the active Gen. Barrundia took
pa sage at Acapulco lor Panama.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
'i'hr Ne -ra:..i canal project under the
cont. oi 81 our citizens is making most
encouraging progress all the preliminary
conditions and initial operations having
been accomplished With he prescribed
time. During the past year negotiations
claims of American citizens against the
government of Chilli, principally growing
out of the late war with Reru.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Our relations with China, which have
for several years occupied so important a
place in our diplomatic history, have
called for careful consideration and have
been the subject of much correspondence.
The communications of the Chinese min
lister have brought into view the whole
subject of our conventional relations with
his country, and at the same time this
government, through its legation, at
Picking, has sought to arrange various
matters and complaints touching the in
terests and protection of our citizens in
China.
In pursuance of the current resolution
of Oct /, $780, | Lave proposed to the gov
ernments of Mexico and Great Britain to
consider a conventional regulation of the
passage of Chinese laborers across our
southern and northern frontiers.
WITH OTHER POWERS.
On Aug % last, Sir Edmond Monson,
the arbitrator selected under the treaty
of Dec, 6, 1888, rendered an award to the
Effect that no compensation was due from
the Danish government to the United
States on account of what is commonly
known as the Carlos Butterfield claim.
Our relations with the French republic
continue to be cordial. Our representa-
tive to that court has very diligently
urged the removal of the restrictions inn
posed upon our meat products, and it is
believed that satisfactory progress has
been made toward just settlement
AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.
The Samoan treaty, signed last year at
Berlin by the representatives of the United
CJdttS, OtTIidlly duu OredO DrlUdlu, 6iIeI
due ratification and exchange had begun to
produce salutary effects. The formation
of the government agreed upon will soon
replace the disorder OF the past by stable
administration, alike just to the natives
ard equitable to the three powers most
concerned in trade and intercourse with
the Samoan Islands. The chief justice
hiss been chosen by the King of Sweden
and Norway Oh the invitation of the three
Tot,Ay 4rS and will soon he installed
INJUSTICE IN HAWAII
In the tariff act wrong was done to
the Kingdom of Hawaii, which l am
bound TO presume was wholly uninten-
tional. Duties were LIVED on certain COM
modities which are included in the recip-
rocity treaty now existing between the
United States aud the Kingdom of Ha-
wall without indicating the necessary ex-
ceptions in favor of the kingdom. hope
congress will repair what might other
wise seem to be breach of faith on the
pa. OF this government.
LxTRADITIoN TREATY WITH ENGLAND.
iii. new treaty of extradition with
q rt8t britain, after dde ratification, was
roslaimei OH the 25th of March. Its ben
elcial working is already apparent. The
difference between the two governments
the fur seal question in the
Behring SEA, is moi All listed, as Will be
seen by the curreep )4uence which VIII
soou re ldii before congress. The oiter
10 submit he question to arbitration, as
proposed by her niajesty's government,
has not been accepted, for the reason that
the form of submission is not thought to
be calculated 10 assure conclusion salts
factory to either party. 1t is sincerely
hoped that before the opening of another
Iit,rr a~rov rfNap ho
effected which will assure to the United
States a property right, derived from
Russia. which was not disregarded by any
nation for more than fifty years preceding
the outbreak of the existing trouble.
HAYTIEN CLAIMS
An award in favor of the United States
in the matter of the claim of Mr.. Van
Bookseller against Hayti was rendered on
the 4th of December, 1888, but owing to
disorders then and afterwsrd prevailing
in Hayti the terms of payment were not
observed. A new agreement as to the
time of payment has been approved and is
now in force. Other just claims of citi-
zens of the United States for redress of
wrongs suffered during the late political
conflict in Hayti will, it is hoped, speedny
yield to friendly treatment. Propositions
for the amendment of the treaty of extra
dition between the United States and Italy
are now under consideration.
INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CONGRESS.
You will be asked to provide the means
for accepting the invitation OF the Italian
government to take part in an approach
ing conference to consider the adoption
of an universal prime meridian from
which to reckon longitude and time. As
this proposal follows "a Bhc track of the
reform sought to be initiated by the me
rridian conference of Washington, held on
the invitation of this government. the
United States should manifest friendly
interest in the Italian proposal,
DIFFICULTY WITH PORTUGAL,
In the summer of 1889 an incident oc-
curred Whlch LOT some time threatened to