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


The reports of the several executive depart
ments which will be laid before Congress in the
usual course will exhibit in detail the opera
tions Of the Government for the last fiscal
year. Only the more important incidents and
results, and chiefly such may be the founda-
ton of the recommendations / shall submit,
will be referred to in this annual message.
The vast and increasing business Of the Gov
ernment has been transacted by the several
departments during the year with faithfulness,
energy, and success. The revenues. amount
ing to above four hundred and fifty million
dollars have been collected and disbursed with
out revealing. SO far as can ascertain, a single
case of defalcation 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 un-
favorable criticism. 1 speak of these matters
with freedom because the credit of this good
work is not mine, but is shared by the heads of
the several departments with the great body of
faithful officers and employees who serve under
them. The closest scrutiny of Congress is in
vited to all the methods of administration and
to every item of expenditure.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The friendly relations of our 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 have been notably
strengthened by the Conference held in this
capital to consider measures fo- the general
welfare. Pursuant to the invitation authorized
by Congress, the representatives of every in
dependent State of the American Continent
and of Hayti met in Conference in this capital
in October, 1889, and continued in session until
the 18th of last April. This important convo-
cation marks most interesting and influential
epoch in the history of the Western Hemi-
sphere. 1t is noteworthy that Brazil. invited
while under an imperial form of government,
shared as a Republic in the deliberations and
results of the Conference. The recommenda-
tions of this Conference were all transmitted 10
Congress at the last session.
The international marine conference. which
sat at Washington last winter reached a very
gratifying result. The regulations suggested
have been brought to the attention of all the
governments represented, and their general
adoption is confidently expected. The legisla-
ton of Congress at the last session is in con-
formity with the propositions of the confer
ence, and the proclamation therein provided
for will be issued when the other powers have
given notice of their adhesion.
The conference of Brussels. to devise means
for suppressing the slave trade in Africa, az
fOrded an opportunity for a new expression OF
great work. 1t soon became evident that the
measure proposed would tax the resources of
the Congo basin beyond the revenues available
under the general act of Berlin Of 1854. The
United States, not being party to that act,
could not share in its revision, but by a sep
arate act the independent State of the Congo
was freed from the restrictions upon customs
revenue. The demoralizing and destructive
traffic in ardent spirits among the tribes also
claimed the earnest attention of the conference
h. I'LL Al
foremost in advocating measures for its repres-
sion. 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 submit
ted for ratification by the Senate. Meanwhile
negotiations have been opened for new and
complete treaty Of friendship, commerce and
navigation between the United States and the
independent State of the Congo.
Toward the end of the past year the only indie.
pendent monarchial government on the western
continent, that OF Brazil, ceased to exist and
was succeeded by a republic. Diplomatic re.
lations were at once established with the new
government, but it was not completely reor.
ganized until an opportunity had been afforded
to ascertain that it had popular approval and
support. When the course of events had
yielded assurance of this fact no time was lost
In extending to the new government a full and
cordial welcome into the family of American
commonwealths. 1t is confidently believed tina,
the good relations of the two countries will be
preserved, and that the future will witness an
increased intimacy of intercourse and an ex.
pansion OF their mutual commerce.
The peace OF Central America has again beer
disturbed through q revolutionary change in
Salvador, which was not recognized by other
states, and hostllities broke out between Saliva
dor and Guatemala, threatening to involve all
Central America in conflict and to undo the
progress which haG been made toward union
OF their interests. The efforts of this govern
ment were promptly and zealously exerted to
compose their differences, and through the
dese nita snorss s1s OF the rePresentat,ve OF the
signed August rs, whereby the right Of the Re
public OF Salvador to choose its own rulers was
recognized. General Ezeta, the chief of the
Provisional Government, has since been con.
firmed in the Presidency by the Assembly, and
diplomatic recognition duly followed
THE BARRuNDIA INCIDENT.
The killing of General Barrundia on board the
Pacific mail steamer Acapulco while anchored
in transit in the port Of San Jose de Guate-
mala, demanded careful inquiry. Having
failed in Q revolutionary attempt TO invade
Guatemala from Mexican territory, General
Barrundia took passage at Acapulco for
Panama The consent Of the representatives
of the United States was sought TO effect his
seizure, first at Champerico, where the
steamer touched, and afterward at San Jose.
The captain of the steamer refused TO give up
his passenger without written order from the
United States minister; the latter Furnished the
desired letter, stipulating, as the condition OF
his action, that General Barrundia's life should
be spared and that he should be tried only for
offenses growing out of his insurrectionary
movements. This letter was produced TO the
captain Of the Acapulco by the military COM
mander at San Jose, - his warrant TO take the
passenger from the steamer. General
6arrundis resisted capture and was
killed Il being evident that the
minister, Mr.. Mixner, had exceeded the bounds
Of his authority in intervening, in compliance
with the demands Of the Guatemalan author
ities, to authorize and effect, in violation of
precedent the seizure on . vessel Of the United
btates Of Q passenger In transit charged with
political offenses, In order that he might be
q martial law, I vas constrained TO diaavow