Wiarus. (Winona, Minn.) 1886-1893, 1890-12-11
President Harrison Launches Some.
thing Like Twelve Thousand
Words Upon Congress.
In His Opinion the New Tariff Law
Is Precisely What the Coun-
try Needs.

tant incidents and results, and chiefly such
as may be the foundation Of the recon-
mendations l shall submit, will be referred
to in this annual message.
The vast and increasing business of the
government has been transacted by the
several departments during the year with
falthtulness, energy and success. The reve-
nues, amounting to above $3.50, 900, 600, have
been collected and disbursed without reveal
ing, SO far as l can ascertain, a single case
OF deialcation or embeZzlement. An earn
est effort has been made to stimulate a
sense of responsibility and public duty in
all officers and employees of every
grade, and the work done by them
has almost wholly escaped u%nfavorable
criticism.
speak Of these matters with freedom be-
cause the credit of this good work is not
mine, but is shared by the heads of the sew
eral departments with the great body of
faithful officers and employees who serve
under them. The closest scrutiny Of con-
gress is invited to all the methods of ad-
ministration and to every item of expendi-
ture.
The friendly relations ofour country with
the nations OF Europe and of the East have
been undisturbed, while the ties of good
will and common interest that bind us to
the states of the Western hemisphere havc
been notably strengthened by the confer
ence held in this capital to consider meas
ures for the general welfare.
Pursuant to the invitation authorized by
congress, the representatives of every indie
pendent state of the American continent
and of Hayti met III conference in this
capital in October, 1889, and continued in
session until the 10Th of last April. This
important cOnvOcation marks a most
interesting and influential epoch
in the history OF the Western
hemisphere. 1t is noteworthy that Brazil,
invited while under an imperial form of
government, shared as a republic in the de-
liberations and results of the conference.
The recommendations of this conference
were all transmitted to congress at the last
session.
The international marine conference,
which sat at Washington last winter,
reached a very gratifying result. The regu-
lations requested have been brought to the
attention of all the governments repre-
sented, and their general adoption is conf
IDENTIFY expected.
The legislation of congress at the last ses-
sion is in conformity with the propositions
of the conference, and the proclamation
therein provided for will be issued when the
other powers have given notice Of their adj
hesion.
The conference of Brussels. to devise
means for SURPRISING the slave trade in
Africa, afforded an opportunity for a new
expression of the interest the American
people feel in that great work. 1t soon be-
came evident that the measure proposed
would tax the resources of the Congo basin
beyond the revenues available under the
general act cf Berlin in 1884. The United
States not being a party to that act, could
not share in its revision, but by a separate
act the independent state OF the Congo was
freed from the restrictions upon a customs
revenue The demoralizing and destructive
ira tfic i'll ardent spirits anon the tribes
also claimed the earnest attention of the
conference, and the delegates OF the United
States were foremost in advocating meas
ures for its repression. An accord was
reached, the influence of which will be
very helpful and extend over a wide region.
AS soon as these measures shall receive the
sanction of the Netherlands, for a time
withheld, the general acts will be presented
for ratification by the senate. Meanwhile
negotiations have been opened for anew
and complete treaty of friendship, COM
merce and navigation between the United
States and the independent state OF the
Congo.
Toward the end Of the past year the only
independent monarcnical government on
the Western continent, that Of Brazil ceased
to exist and was succeeded by Il republic.
Diplomatic relations were at once estab-
lished with the new government, but it was
not completely recognized until an oppor-
tunity had been afforded to ascertain tllati it
had popular approval and support. When
the course Of events had yielded assurance
of this fact no time was lost in eXtendingto
the new government Il full and cordia: well
come into the family of American COM
monwealths. 1t is confidently believed
that the good relations of the two countries
will be preserved, and that the future will
witness an increased intimacy of intercourse
and an expansion of their mutual COM
merce.
The peace of Central America has again
been disturbed through a evolutionary
change in Salvador, which was not recog-
broke out between Salvador and
Guatemala, threatening to involve ali
Central America in conflict and to
undo the progress which had been made to-
ward a union OF their interests. The efforts
Ofthls government were promptly and zeal
OuSly eXcrlcu 10 compose their differences,
and though the active efforts of the repro
sentstivcs OF the United States a provisional
treaty of peace was signed Aug. %. whereby
the right of the republic Of Salvador to
choose Its own rulers was recognized. Gen.
Ezeta. the chief of the provisional govern
ment, has since been confirmed III the
presidency blythe assembly, and diplomatic
recognition duly followed.
The killing of Gen. Barrundia on board
the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco while
anchored in transit in the port Of San Jose
de Guatemala demanded careful inquiry.
Having tailed in a revolutionary attempt
to invade Guatemala from Mexican terri
tory, Gen. Barrundia took passage at Aca-
pulco for Panama. The consent of the rep
1esentativcs of the United States was sought
to effect his seizure. first at ~Champerico,
where the steamer touched, and afterwards
at San Jose. The captain of the steamer
refused to give up his passenger without a
written order from the United States minis
ter. The latter furnished the desired
letter, STIMULATING as the condition
of his action. tina: Gen. Barrundia's lie
should be spared and that he should be
tried only for u~tlenses growing out of his
insurrectionary movements. This letter
was produced to the captain of the Aca-
r,,1rp Inv tho commander nt S.p lose nc