Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-02
l hope congress will repair what might
otherwise seem to be breach. OF faith
on the part of this government.
Haytian Claims.


on the part of this government.
Haytian Claims. rs
An award in favor of the United States
in the matter of the claim of Mrs. Van
Bokkelen, against Hayti, was rendered
on the 4th of December, 1888, but owing
to the disorders then and afterwards
prevailing in Hayti, the terms of pay
ment were not observed. A new agree
ment as to the time of payment has
been approved and is now in force.
Other just claims of citizens of the
United States for redress of wrongs suf-
fered during the late political conflict in
Hayti, will, it is hoped, speedily yield to
friendly treatment.
Propositions for the amendment of the
treaty of extradition between the
United States and Italy are now under
consideration.
Proposed International Conferences.
You will be asked to provide the
means of accepting the invitation of the
Italian government to take part in an
approaching conference to consider the
adoption OF an universal prime meridian
from which to reckon longitude and
time. AS this proposal follows in the
by the meridian conference at Washing
ton, held on the invitation of this gov
ernment, the United States should man
ifest friendly interest in the Italian
proposal. In this connection, may re-
fer with approval to the suggestion of
my predecessors, that standing pro-
visions be made for accepting, when
ever deemed advisable, the fre-
quent invitations of foreign governments
to share in conference, looking to the
advancement OF international reforms in
regard to science, sanitation, CONNER
cial laws and procedure and other mat
ters affecting the intercourse and pro-
gress of modern communities.
The Delagoa Bay Affair.
In the summer of 1889 an accident oc-
Cured, which for some time threatened
to interrupt the cordiality of our rela-
tions with the government of Portugal.
That government seized the Delagoa Bay
railway, which was constructed under a
concession granted to an American citi-
zen, and at the same time annulled
the charter. The concessionary, who had
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 coincidentally with
those of Great Britain, whose subjects
were also largely interested. happily
resulted in the recogniti n by Portugal
OF the proprety of submitting the claim
for indemnity, growing out of Its action,
to arbitration. This plan of settlement
having been agreed on, the interested
powers readily concurred in the pro-
posal to submit the case to the Judgment
of three eminent jurists to be designated
by the president OF the Swiss republic,
who, upon the joint Invitation OF the
governments of the United States, Great
Britain and Portugal, has selected per-
sons well qualified for the task before
them.
The Treaty With Japan.
The revision of our treaty relations
with the empire of Japan has continued
to be a subject Of consideration and of
correspondence. The questions in
volved are both grave and deli
cate, and while it will be
my duty to see that the interests of the
United States are not by any changes
exposed to undue discrimination, l sim
cerely hope that such revision as will
satisfy the legitimate expectations of
the Japanese government and maintain
the present and long-existing friendly
relations between Japan and the United
States, will be effected.
Friendship with Mexico.
The friendship between our country
and Mexico, born or close neighboring,
and strengthened by many considera-
tions OF intimate intercourse and recip-
rocal interests, has never been more
congenious than now, nor more hopeful
for increased benefit to both nations.
The intercourse OF the two countries by
rail is already great, and is making con-
stant growth. The established lines and
those recently projected, add to the init
macy OF traffic, and open new channels
of access to fresh areas of demand and
supply. The Importance of the
Mexican railway system will be further
enhanced to degree almost impossible
to forecast, if it should become link in
the projected intercontinental railway.
recommend that our mission to the
City of Mexico be raised to the first
class.
Cordial Relations with Spain.
The cordial character of our relations
with Spain warrants the hope by the
continuance of methods of friendly ne
gotiations, that much may be accom-
plished in the direction of an adjust
ment of the pending questions and in
crease of our trade. The extent and de-
velopment of our trade with
the islands of Cuba invest
the commercial relations of the
United States and Spain with peculiar
1t is not doubted that a
special arrangement in regard to COM
merce, based upon the reciprocity pro-
vision of the recent tariff act, would
operate most benefcially for both gov
ernments. This subject is now receiving
attention.
Ericsson's Remains.
The restoration of the remains of John
Ericsson to Sweden afforded gratifying
occasion to honor the memory of the
great inventor to whose genius our
country owes so much, and to bear wit
ness to the unbroken friendship which
has existed between the land which bore
him and our own, which claimed him as
a citizen.
Venezuelan Claims:
On the I'd of September last, the COM
mission appointed to revise the pro-
ceedings under the claims convention
between the United States and Vene-
zuela, OF 1866, brought it's labors to
close within the period fixed for that