Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-01


and initial operations having peeh hscconiphsheo
within the prescribed time.
Durinc the past wear negotiations have been
renewed for the settlement OF the claims od
American citizens against the government of
Chill. principally growing out Oh tne ave wa.
Santineo warrant the expectation OF an early
opr relations with China. which have FOR sew
eral wears occupied so important place IN our
diplomatic history. have called for careful con-
sheraton and have been the subject OF much
The communication Of the Chinese minister
have brought into view the whole subject OF
relations with his country ana ~
the same tirae this government. hrough ns h-
CATION at Peking. has sought 90 arrange various
matters and COMPLAINTS touching the interests
and protection of our citizens IN CHINA.
In pursuance OF the concurrent resolution m
October I, $50. have proposed 70 tne govern
ments OF Mexico and Great Britain 10 consaer
a conventional regulation OF the passage OF
Chinese labcrcrs across our southern and north
ern frontiers.
On the 22d day OF August last Sir Edmund
MonSon. the arbitrator selected under the
treaty Of December 6, lSss. rendered an AWARD
from the Danish government 90 the United
States ON account Of what Is commonly known
as the Carlos Butterfeld claim.
Our relations with the French republic con-
tinue 10 be cordial. Our representative at that
court has very diligently urged the removal OF
the restrictions imposed upon our meat pro-
ducts, and IL is believed that substantial pro-
gress has been made toward just settlement
THE SAMOAN SITUATION.
The Samoan treaty, signed last year at Berlin
by the representatives of the United States,
Germany and Great Britain, after due ratifica-
ton and exchange has begun 20 produce salu-
tary effects. The formation OF the government
agreed upon will soon replace the disorder OF
the past by stable administration, alike luss
90 the natives and equitable 10 the three powers
most concerned in trade and intercourse with
the Samoan Islands The chief Justice has been
chosen by the King Of Sweden and Norway, on
the invitation of the three powers. and will
soon be installed. The land commission and
the municipal council in process OF or
ganization. A rational and evenly distributed
scheme Of taxation. both municipal and upon
imports, Is in operation. Malietoa is respected
as King
The new treaty Of extradition with Great
Britain. after due ratification, was proclaimed
ON the 25th Of last March. Its beneficial work
ing is already apparent.
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-. The offer to submit the question to
arbitration. proposed by Her Majesty's Cow
ernment. has not been accepted. for the reason
u
Thought 10 be calculated TO assure CONCLUSION
satisfactory 10 either party. IL is sincerely
hoped that before the opening of another seal
ing season some arrangements may he effected
which VIII assure to the United States a prop
erty right derived from Russia. which was not
disregarded by any nation for more than
eighty years preceding the outbreak OF the
existing trouble.
WRONG TO HAWAII.
In the tariff act a wrong was done to the king
dom Of Hawaii which am bound TO presume
was wholly unintentional. Duties were levied
on certain commodities which are included an
the reciprocity treaty now existing between the
United States and the kingdom of Hawaii with
out indicating the necessary exception in favor
of that kingdom. i hope Congress will repair
what might otherwise seem TO be a breach Of
faith on the part of this government.
An award in favor of the United States in the
matter of the claim of Mr.. Van Bokkelen
against Hayti was rendered on the 4th of De-
cember, 1888, but owing to disorders then and
| afterward prevailing i'm Hayti the terms Of pay
ment we're not observed. A new agreement 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
suffered during the late political conflict in
Hayt will, il is hoped, speedily yield to friendly
| treatment
Propositions for the amendment of the treaty
OF extradition between the United States and
/
You will be asked TO provide the means Of
accepting the invitation of the Italion Govern
ment to take part in an approaching confer
ence to consider the adoption Of a universal
prime meridian from which to reckon longi-
tude and time. As this proposal follows In The
track of the reform sought TO be initiated by
the Meridian Conference of Washington. held
on the invitation of this Government, the
United States should manifest a friendly inter-
est in the Italian proposal.
| In 4 rofar re
to the suggestion of my predecessors, that
standing provision be made for accepting.
whenever deemed advisable, the frequent in
yitations of foreign governments TO share in
conferences looking TO the advancement Of in
| ternatlonal reforms in regard TO science. sani-
| tation, commercial laws and procedure, and
other matters affecting the intercourse and
progress Of mo Tern communities.
| THE DELAGo BAY RAILWAY.
In the summer Of 1889 an incident occurred
which for some time threatened to interrupt
the cordiality of our relations with the govern
ment Of Portugal. That government seized the
Delagoa Bay railway, which constructed
4 under a concession granted TO an American
citizen, and at the same time annulled the
charter. The concess:onary, who had en-
barked his fortune in the enterprise having
exhausted other means of redress was COM
PEELED to invoke the protection Of his Govern
ment. Our representations. made coincidently
1
subjects were also largely interested. happily
resulted in the recognition by Portugal Of tine
propriety of submitting the claim for indemnity
1 growing out of its action, 20 arbitration. This
plan of settlement having been agreed upon.
the interested powers readily concurred in the
proposal 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 persons well qualified for the task be-
| fore them.
The revision Of our treaty relations with the
| Empire OF Japan has continued to be the sub
ject of consideration and OF correspondence.
i The questions involved are both grave and
delicate and, while it will be my duty to see
| that the interests Of the United States not
| by any changes exposed TO undue discrimina-
tion, sincerely hope that such revision as will
satisfy the legitimate expectations OF the
japanese Government, and maintain the pres
ent and long existing friendly relations between
| INTERCOURSE WITH MEXICO.
| The friendship between our country and
Mexico, born of close neighborhood and
strengthened by many considerations OF init
mate intercourse and reciprocal interest, has
| never been more conspicuous than now, nor
more hopeful Of increased benefit TO both
| nations The intercourse OF the two countries
| by rail, already great, Is making constant
| growth The established lines, and those re-
Gently projected, add 10 the intimacy Of trafic
/ and open new channels Of access to fresh arsas
| of demand and supply. The importance OF
the Mexican railway system will be further en-
HANGED. to a degree almost impossible TO fore