, 1890-12-04

conflict, and TO undo the progress which
had been made toward union of their
interests. The efforts of this govern
ment were promptly and zcalously cx-
crled to compose their differences, and
through the active efforts of the repre-
sentative OF the United States pro.
Vistonal treaty OF peace was signed
August 20, whereby the right of the re-
public oil San Salvador to choose its own
rulors was recognized. General Ezeta,
the chief OF tho provisional government,
mas since been confirmed in tho pres-
dcncy by the assembly, md diplomatic
recognition duly followed.
The Killing Of General Bnrrundio on
BOARD the Pacific mail steamer Acapulco,
while anchored in transit In the port of
san jose Dc Guatemala, demanded care.
inl inquiry. Having failed in reyo!u-
tlohary attempt to invade Guatemala
from Mexican territory General Barrun-
dia TOOK passage at Acapulo for Panama.
me consent OF the representative oil the
| United States was sought to effect his
SEIZURE iirst at Champerico, where the
steamer touched, and afterward at San
jose. The captain Of the steamer re-
fused to givo up his passenger without
written orler from the United States
minister. The latter furnished the de.
sired letter, stipulating US the condition
-, h'e uCllOll tHHt teUeral BlrrundlaS
lie should be spared and that he should
be tried only for otlenses growing out of
MS insurreCtionary movements This
/ letter was produced to- the captain of the
/ Acapulco by the military commander at
san Jose, together with his warrant to
takethe passenger from tho steamer.
General Burrundia resisted the capture
! and was killed.
| 1t being evident that the United states
i nNpnnInH Ia
of his authorityin interfering, in
compliance with tho demands of
the Guatemalnn authorities, in vio-
| latIon OF precedent, b. allowing
the seizure, on II vessel of the United
states, OF a passenger in transit charged
with political oilenses, in order that he
might be tried for such oilonses under
what was described as martial law
was constrained to disavow MIR. Miners
act, and recall him from his post.
The Nicaraguan canal project, under
tho control of our cltizcns, is making
most encouraging progress, all the pre-
! liminary conditions and initial opera
tions having been accomplished within
the prescribed time.
The Samoan treaty, signed last year at
Berlin by the representatives of the
United states, Germany and Great Brit
ain, after due ratification and exchange,
has begun to produce a salutary effect.
lHc Oh lls gONtTntuent agreed
upon Will soon replace tue disorder of
the past by stable administration,
alike just to the natives and to the three
powers most concerned in trade and in
tcrcourse with the Samoan islands. A
chief justice has been chosen by tho king
OF Sweden and Norway, on the invita-
tion of tho three powers, and will soon
be installed. The land commission and
the municipal council are in process of
organization, and rational and evenly
iii attributed scheme of taxation is in OPP
Grafton. Malletoa is respected as king.
The new treaty OF eStraditiou with
Great Britain, after duo ratification, was
proclaimed on the 2jth of last March.
Its bonctccnt workings are already ap-
parent. The differences between the
two COVE nments touching the fur seal
question in Behring sea, is not yet ad-
justed. Us will be seen by the cDrrespon-
dence which will soon he laid before
congress. The offer to submit the ques-
tion to arbitration, as proposed by her
mniesty's government, has not been
accepted, for the reason that the sub
mission proposed is not thought to be
calculated to assure conclusion salts
Factory TO either party. IL is sincerely
hoped that before the opening of
another scaling season some arrange
nients may be effected which will assure
to the United States a property by right
derived from Russia, which was not dis.
regarded by any nation for more than
eighty years preceding the outbreak OF
the existing trouble.
In the new tariff act a wrong was done
to the Kingdom of Hawaii which | am
bound to presume was wholly unin-
territorial. Duties were levied on certain
commodities which are included in the
reciprocity treaty now existing between
the United States and the kingdom OF
Hawaii, and without indicating the nee
essary exception in favor of that king
dom. l hope congress will repair what
might otherwise seem to be breach of
faith on the purt OF this government. An
award in favor of the United States, in
the matter OF the claim of Mr.. Van
Baakclen against Hawaii, was rendered
on the 4th of December, 1888, but owing
to disorders then and aiterward prevail
ing in Hawaii the terms of payment
were not observed. A new agreement us
10 the time of payment has been APP
proved and is now in force. Other just
claims OF citizens of the United Suites
for redress of wrongs suffered during the
late political conflict in Hayti will,
hope, speedily yield TO friendly treat
ment.
Proposals for the amendment of tho
treaty of extradition between the United
States and Chill are now under consd-
Grafton.
You will be asked to provide means of
accepting the invitation of the Italian
government to take part in an approach
ing conference to consider the adoption
of universal prime meridian from
which to reckon longitude and time.
As this proposal follows in the track OF
the reform sought to be melted by tho
meridian conference of Washington, held
ON the invitation of this government,
the United States should manifest II
friendly interest in the Italian proposal.
In this connection | may refer, with APP
proval, to the suggestion of my prede
Cessors that standing provision be made
for accepting, whenever deemed adyis.
able, the frequent invitations of foreign
governments to share in conferences
looking to the advancement of internal
re eforms in regard to science, sanitation,
commercial laws and procedure, and
other matters affecting the commerce
and progress OF modern communities,
In the summer of 1889, an incident oc
CURED which for some time threatened
TO interrupt the cordiality of our rela-
tions with tho government of Portugal.
That government seized the Delagoa
railway which was constructed under a
concession granted to an American cit
zen, and Mt the same time annulled the
charter. The concessionary, who mad
embarked his fortune in the enterprise
having exhausted other means OF re-
dress, was compelled to invoke the pro
lection of his government. Our repre-
sentations, made coincidently with those
of the British government, whose sub
jects were also largely interested, hap
PLY resulted in the recognition by POr- !
tugnl of the propriety of submitting the
Claim for indemnity growing out oi its |
action to arbitration. This plan of set |