Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-02

proposal lOltONS III luV W."
form sought 10 be made, italy by the
meridian conference of Washington
held on the invitation of this govern
ment. the United States should manifest
friendly interest in the Italian pro-
poSal. ;.1
In this connection | may refer with
approval 10 the suggestion OF my pre-
decossers. that standing provision be
made for accepting, wherever deemed
advisable. the frequent invitations Oh
foreign governments to share In CONFER
ence looking TO the advancement OF IN
ternational reforms in regard to science,
sanitation. commercial laws and proceed
ures and other matters affecting the IN
tercourse and progress OF modern com
muntieS.
TROUBLE WITH PORTUGAL.
In the summer of 1859 an incident oc-
curred which. for some time threatened
10 interrupt the cordially OF our rela-
tions with the Government OF Portugal.
That Government seized the Delagoa
Bay railway, which was constructed un-
der a concession granted TO an Amerl-
can citizen, and at the same time an
nulled the charter. The conceSSionary,
who had embarked his fortune in the
enterprise, having exhausted other
means of redress, was compelled TO IN
woke the protection OF his Government
our representative made, coincidentaily
with those of the British Govern
ment whose subjects were
also largely interested, happily
resulted in the recognition by
Portugal of the proprieiy OF submitting
the claim for indemnity, growing out OF
its action, TO 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 IN
vitation of the governments OF the
United States, Great Britain and Portu-
gal. has selected persons well qualified
for the task before them.
The revision of our treaty relations
with the Empire of Japan has continued
10 be the subject of consideration and of
correspondence, the questions involved
are both grave and delicate; and, while
il will be my duty to see that the inter
eStS of the United States are not by any
changes exposed TO undue diScrimina-
ton. sincerely hope that such revision
as will satisfy the legitimate cNpecta-
tons of the japanese government and
maintain the present and long existing
friendly relations between Japan and
the United States will be effected.
~ H. ut ~
and Mexico. borne OF close neighbour
hood aud strengthened by many conSid-
erationS of intimate intercourse and
reciprocal interest, has never been more
conspicuous than now, nor more hOE-
ful of increased benefits to both nations.
The intercourse of the two countries by
rail. already great, is making constant
growth. The ESTABLISHED lines, and
those recently projected, add To the III
timacy OF traffic and opens new chan
nelS OF access to fresh areas of demand
and supply The Importance of the
Mexican railway system will be further
enhanced, 10 a degree almost impOSSi-
BILE TO forecast. if it should become Il
link in the projected intcr-continental
railway. | recommend that our mis-
sion in the city of Mexico be raised to
the tirSt-claSS.
The cordial character of our relations
with Spain warrants the hope that sy
the continuance of methods of friendly
negotiation much may be accomplished
in the direction of al adjustment of
pending questions and of the increase
of our trade. The extent and develop
. ,s-i.h Island nf
Cuba invest the commercial relations OF
the United States and Spain with Pc
culiar Importance. Il is not doubted
that special arrangement in regard TO
commerce, based upon the reciprocity
provision OF the recent tariff act, would
operate most beneiicially for both gov
ernmentS. This subject is now receiV-
ing attention.
The restoration OF the remains OF
John Ericsson To Sweden afforded
gratifying occasion TO honor the memory
of the great inventor, 90 whose genius
our country owes 80 much, and to bear
witness To the unbroken friendship
which has existed between the land
which bore him and our own, which
claimed him aS Il citizen.
VENEZUELA CLAIMS.
On the second of September last the
commission appointed TO revise the pro-
cecdingS of the commission under
the Claims Convention between
the United States and Nenc-
zuela of lSS6. brought its laborS
10 a close within the period fixed for
that purpose. The proceedings of the
late commission were characterized BY
spirit of impartiaiity and high sense
of Justice and an incident which was for
many years the subject of discussion be-
tween the two governments has been
disposed of in manner alike honorable
and satisfactory To both parties for the
settlement of the claim of the Venezuela
Steam Transportation Company, which
was the subject Of u joint resolution
adopted at the last session of Congress.
Negotiations are still i'm progress, and
their early conclusion is anticipated.
The legislation OF the past few years
has evnced ON the part of Congress 4
growing realization of the Importance
of the Consular service in fostering
our commercial relations abroad and in
protecting the domestic revenues. As
the scope of operations expands. in
creased provision must De made to keep
up the essential standard of efficiency.
The necessity OF some adequate meas
ure of supervision and inspection has
been 50 often presented tina; ! need
only commend the subject 10 your at
| tentiOn.
| REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
The revenues of the Government
| from all sources for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1890, were SAGA, 963, OS0.55,
and the total expenditures for the same
period were S35S, 6ls, 5Sf.52 The pos
tai receipts have not heretofore been
included in the statement of these ag
gregateS, and for the purpose of com
parisOn the sum of 500, So, O9c.99 should
be deducted from both sides of the ac-