Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-12-05
I he Seal Question.

The difference between the two governments
touching the fur seal question in the Behring
Sea is not yet adjusted, as will be seen by the
correspondence which will soon be laid before
Congress. j he offer to submit the question 10
arbitration, proposed by her Majesty's Gov
ernment, has not been accepted for the reason
that the form of submission proposed is not
thought to be calculated to assure conclusion
satisfactory TO either party. 1t is sincerely
hoped that before the opening OF another seal
Ing season some arrangement may be effected
which y i'll nssu 9 to the United States prop
erty right, derived from Russia which was not
disregGrded by any nation for more than eighty
trouble
In the tariff ast tt wrong was done to the King
dom OF Hawai- which l am bound to presume
WAS wholly uu1ntentional Duties were levied
on certain commodities which are included III
the reciprocity II now existing between the
United States ~. Kingdom of Hawaii with
out tndicatill -ary exception in favor of
that Kingdoui - Congress will repair what
mi ght otherwfs n TO be a bre ach of faith on
the part of tni= 30 oTsrnment.
An award il fa,1f OF the United States in the
matter of the lain of Mr.. Van BOkkeIen against
Hayti was rendered on the 4th of December. 1885,
but owing to disorders then and afterward pre-
vsIing III Hay,I, the terms of payment were not
observed. EeW agreement as to The time of
payment has hoyn approved AID is now In
force. Other .USJ claims of citizens of the
United Stetrs or redress OF wrongs suffered
during the lac political conflict in Hayti will,
It is hoped speedily yield to friendly TIRE ,1lent.
Propositions tor the amendment of the treaty
OF extradition between the United states and
Italy are now under consideration.
You will be asked to prOyiie the means of &c
oepting the invitation of the Italian Govern
ment to take tt in an approaching conference
TO consider the adoption of a universal prime
meridian iron which to reckon 'ngit tude and
time. As this prop sal follows in the track of
the reform sought to be initiated by the merid-
ian conference at Washington, held on the invi-
tstion of this Government, the United States
should manifest friendly interest in the Ital-
Ian proposal.
In this connection l NAV refer with approval
to the suggestion of my predecessors that
standing provision be made for accepting when
ever deemed advisable, the frequent Invitations
of foreign governments to share in conferences
looking to the advancement of international
reforms in regard to science, sanitation, COM
mercial law, and procedure: AMI other matters
affecting the intercourse auu progress Of modern
commU mites.
The ortugue Incident.
In the summer of \ 50 an incident occurred
which for some time threatened interrupt the
cOrdiality Of our laCiOus with the Governmen
OF Portugal. hat Government seized the Del
agoa Bay Railway. which v as constructed under
a concession Erantt d t. an American citizen,
and at tue same time an4ulied the
charter The couCessiOnaTy, who had en-
barked his fortune in the enterprise.
having exhausted other means Of redress
vas compelled to invoke the protection Of his
Government. Our repTese. tafiCns, made
coincidently With those Of tie Brus sells Govern
pnenu whose subjects were also largely inter
ested, happily resulted IN the recognition by
Portugal Of .ns opTety OF submitting the claim
for Indemnity growing out Of its action to srbi-
tration. This plan Of settlement having been
agreed upon the interested powers readily con-
CURED 10 L IrolC sal 70 Sc mt tie ca Sc 70 ne
judgment OF three eminent iuIists. to be desig-
mated by the President Of the SWISS Republic,
who, upon the joint inyitatiO Of the Govern
ments Of the Uni ed StateE, Great Britain. and
Portugal has selected persons well qualified Tor
the task ore them.
The revision Of our treaty relations with the
Empire of Japan has continued To be the sub
ject OF consideration and Of correspondence.
The questions involved are both grave and deli
cate; and while il viii be nv duty to see that
the interests Of the United States aye not by any
changes exposed 10 undue Discrimination, sin
cerely hope tbas saCh revision wiz sa isfy
the legitimate expectations Of the Japanese
Government and maintain the present and long
existing friendly relations between > 81 an and
the United States. VIII be elected
The friendship between cur country aIld Mex
leo born OF close neighborhood and strength
ened bv many con 5deraUions OF in ina inter
course and recirrucaI interest. has never been
more conspicuous than nov, nor more hopeful
of frcrsa ef benefit % both nations. The inter
course Of tn two countries = rail eIresd =
great, is making constant growth.
The established lines and those recently
projected aid 10 the intimacy Of traffic and
open new channels Of access 70 fresh areas Of
demand .~4 -4.rrrDI- The Of -irs
Mexican railway system VIII De further En-
haucei 70 q decree almost impossible 10 fore
cast II il should become link IL the projected
( intercontinental railway. l recommend that
our mission in the City Of Mexico lie raised
TO the class.