The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-02
Sent to Congress by President Har-
rison and Read in Both
Houses.
The Document Touches Upon All
Affairs Of Moment, Domes-
tic and Foreign.
Peace and Amitv Characterize Interna-
tiOnal Relations-Work OF tho De.
partments.

WARRINGTON. Dec. Ito the Senate an
several executive departments, which vii
be laid before congress IN the usual course
will exhibit in detail the operations OF th
government for the last fiscal year. Onl
the more important incidents and results
and chiefly such as may be The
foundation of the recommendations
shall submit. will be referred
to in this annual message. The vast ant
increasing business OF the government has
been transacted by the several departments
during the year with faithfulness, energy
and success. The revenues, amounting tc
above $3.50, 10000 have been collected and
disbursed without revealing, 90 far as car
ascertain, single case of defalcation OF
embezzlement. An earnest effort has beer
made to stimulate sense OF responsibility
and public duty in all officers and employees
of every grade, and the work done by them
has almost wholly escaped unfavorable crit.
icism. speak Of these matters with free
dom, because the credit of this great worl
is not mine, but is shared by the heads OF
the several departments with tho great bod,
of faithful officers and employees who serve
under them.
The closest scrutiny of congress is invited
to all the methods of the administration
and to every item of expenditure. 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 the
United States to the states Of the western
hemisphere have been notably strengthened
by the conference held in this capital to
consider measures for the general welfare.
Pursuant to the invitation, authorized by
congress, the representatives of every inde-
pendent state of the American continent
and of Hayti met in conference in this
capital in October, 1889, and continued in
session until the nineteenth of last April,
This important convocation marks most
interesting and continental epoch in the
history of the western hemisphere.
1t ia noteworthy that Brazil, invited un-
der an imperial form Of government, shared
as' q republic in the deliberations and re-
sults Of this conference. The recommenda-
tions of this conference were all transmitted
to congress at the last session. The Interna-
tional Marine congress. which sat at Wash
ington last winter, received a very crafty
ing result. The regulations suggested have
been brought to the attention Of all the
governments represented, and their gener al
adoption is confidently expected. The leg
islation of congress at the last session is in
conformity with the proposition Of the con-
ference, and the proclamation therein pro-
vided will be issued when the other powers
have given notice Of their adhesion.
The conference at Brussels, to devise
means for suppressing the slave trade in
Africa, afforded an opportunity for a new
of the interest the American
people feel in that work. It
soon became evident that the measure
would tax the resources of the
Congo basin beyond the revenues available
under the general act OF Berlin of 1884.
The United States not being a party to
that act could not share in its revision, but
by separate act the Independent state of
The Congo was freed from the restrictions
upon custom revenue. The demoralizing
and destructive traffic in ardent spirits
among the tribes also claimed the earnest
attention of the conference. and the dele
gates of the United States were foremost in
advocating measures for it's repression, and
m accord was reached. the influence Of
which will be very helpful and extend over
q wide region as soon as these measures
shall receive the sanction of the Neither
lands, for time withheld. Tho general
acts will be submitted to the senate for
Meanwhile, negotiations have
been opened for new and complete treaty
of friendship, commerce and navigation
between the United States and the indie
state Of Congo.
Toward the end OF the past year the only
Independent imperial government ON the
,xist, and was succeeded by republic.
Diplomatic relations were at once estab-
lshed with the new government, but Il was
lOt completely recognized until an opportu-
lity had been afforded to ascertain that il
lad popular approval and support. When
ne course OF events had yielded assurance
I this TACT, no time was lost in extending
the government full and cordial vel
ONE into the family OF American common
'ea!ths. It ia confidently believed that the
ood relations Of the two nations will be
reserved, and that the future will witness
increased intimacy of intercourse and an
expansion of their mutual commerce.
The peace of Central America has again
cen disturbed through revolutionary
mango IN Salvador which was not recog-
izeo Dy other states, and hOstilities broke
ut between Salvador and Guatemala,
nreatenng to involve all Central America
4 conflict and to undo the progress which ,
as been made toward union Of their in
erests. The efforts of this government j
7ere promptly and zealously exerted to !
ompose their differences and through the I
ctive efforts of the representative Of the !
)nlted States provisional treaty of peace |
,as signed August 26, whereby the right OF i,
he republic of Salvador to choose its own 1
ulers was recognized. Gen. Ezeta, the |
hief of the provisional government, has
ince been confirmed in the presidency by
be assembly and diplomatic recognition
uly followed. The killing of Gen. Bar t
nndia on board the Pacific mail steamer I
capulco, while anchored in tran
it in the part Of San Jose .
o Guatemala, demanded careful 1
inquiry. Having failed in revolutionary .
tempt to invade Guatemala from Mexi- s
an territory, General Barrundia took pas g
lRe at Acapulco for Panama. The con- q
mt OF the representatives of the United i
tates was sought to effect his seizure, first {
Champerico. where the steamer touched,
nd afterwards at San Jose The captain 4
the steamer refused to give up his pas 8
snger without a written order from the i,
nited States minister. The latter fur- b
ished the desired letter ,stipulating as the a
,nditi0n of his action that General Bar b
nda's life should be spared aud that he 9
lould be tried only for offenses growing 9
IT OF his insurrectionary movements. a
his letter was produced to the captain OF ii
y Acapulco by the military commander o
San jose. - his warrant to taka the / 2