Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-17
The Presidents Message.

iisou transmitted MS message TO congress
this noon. The following is an abstract of
the document which was very lengthy con-
tanning about twenty thousand words:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
The reports of the several executive de-
partments, which are herewith transmit
ted, and the reports of the Secretary of the
Treasury, and the Attorney General, to
Congress, furnish comprehensive view of
the administrative work of the last fiscal
year relating to internal affairs. An atten-
tive perusal cannot fail to excite high
appreciation of the conscientious effort
given to the conduct Of our civil admins
tration.
The reports will show that every Ques-
ilon has been approached, considered and
decided from the stand point Of public duty
and upon considerations affecting the pub
lie interests alone. The work of the State
department, during the last year has in
Guided a number of important negotiations,
followed by results OF a notable and high
ly beneficial character.
Reciprocity and Foreign Relations.
Among these are the trade arrangements
with the Republic of Brazil, with Spain for
Its West India possessions, and with San
Domingo. Like negotiations with other
countries have been much advanced and il
Is hoped that before the close of the year
further defnitive trade arrangements of
great value will be concluded. In view of
reports received as to the diminution Of
seal in Behring Sea | proposed to Her
MaJesty's government an agreement for u
close season. After delays for which
this government was not responsible,
an agreement was signed on the 18th of
June by which Great Britain undertook,
until May /, 1892, TO prohibit the killing BY
her subjects Of seals In the Behring Sea
and the government of the United States
during the same period to enforce its exist
ing prohibition against pelagc sealing and
TO limit the catch by the Fur Seal Company
upon the Islands If this agreement could
have been reached earlier. it would have
been more effective; but, coming even as
late a. ii did. 1t unquestionably resulted in
greatly diminishing the destruction of the
seals by CaDadisn seaers.
am glad to be able to announce that
terms satisfactory to this government have
been agreed upon and that an agreement as
to the arbitrators is all that is necessary to
the completion of the convention. This re-
newed expression of our adherence to arbi-
tration for the settlement Of disputes such
as have arisen in the Behring Sea will,
doubt not, meet with the concurrence of
Congress.
Provision should be made for demar-
kation of the line between Canada and
the United States, wherever required BY
the increasing border settlements, and es-
pecially for the exact location Of the water
boundary in the straits aud rivers. This
government Will continue to express its
concern at any appearance Of foreign en-
on territory long under the
control of the American
States.
The law of the last Congress providing a
system Of inspection for our meats intend
ed for export placed this government in
position to effectively urge the removal of
such Determinations against our meats.
Germany, Denmark, Italy, Austria and
France have opened their ports to inspected
American pork products. The State de
partment and secretary of agriculture have
co-operated with unfiagging zeal.
The outlines Of an agreement have been
reached with Germany, looking to equit-
able trade concessions in consideration of
the continued free importations of her su-
gars.
The disturbances in Brazil have excited
solicitude. The information possessed did
not enable US TO judge of the causes lead
ing to the temporary assumption of power
by President Fonseca, but this government
did not fail to express to him its anxious
solcitude for Brazil and the maintenance
OF the free political institutions. These
counsels were received in the most friend
ly spirit.
The New Orleans Incident
The lynchibg at New Orleans of II men
of Italian nativity was deplorable and dis
creditable incident. 1t did not. however,
have its origin in animosity to the Italian
people nor Ia any disrespect to the gov
ernment Of Italy.
The fury of the mob was against the
supposed accessories in the murder of
city officer. 1t was Represented by the
Italian minister that several of the victims
of the mob were Italian subjects and de-
mand was made for the punishment Of the
participants and for an indemnity.
The views Of this government as to its
obligations to foreigners domiciled here
were fully stated as we'll as its purpose to
investigate the affair to determine whether
the present circumstances could create an
obligation upon the United States The
temporary absence of minister plenipo.
tentiary of Italy at this capital has retard-
ed that friendly conclusion is attainable.
1t would be competent for Congress to
make ofienses against the treaty rights of
foreigners domiciled in the United States,
cognizable in the Federal courts The
Federal officers and courts have now no
power in such cases.
1t seems to follow that State officers
charged with police and judicial powers in
such cases must, in the consideration of in
ternational questions growing out of such
incidents, be regarded in such sense as
Federal agents as to make this government
answerable for their acts in cases where it
would be answerable if the United States
had used its constitutional power to define
and punish crimes against treaty rights.
Relations with Chill.
When the provisional government in
Chill was established upon the defeat of
Balmaceda our minister was directed to
recognize and put himself in communica-
tion with it. During the pendency of the
civil strife in Chill this was declined and
that policy was pursued by this govern
ment throughout, which, when wrenched
by civil war, 1t SO strenuously insisted upon
on the part Of European nations.
The ltata was seized under process of
the United States court for q violation of
our neutrality laws. While in the CUSTODY
of the court the vessel was wrested from
its control and put to sea. 1t would have
been inconsistent with the self respect of
this government, not to have insisted that
the Itata should be returned to abide the
judgment of the court. This was so clear
that its correctness was promptly recog-
nized by the Junta Of the Congressional
party.
A decision in the District Court of the
United States for the southern district of
California holds that inasmuch as the Con.
gressional party had not been recognized
as a belligerent the acts done in its inter-
est could not be violation Of our neutral
ity laws. From this judgment the United
States has appealed, that we may know
what the present state of our law is, for If
this construction of the statute is correct
there is obvious necessity for revision and
amendment.
The instructions to our naval officers
and to our minister at Santiago from the
first to the last of this struggle enjoin up
on them the most impartial treatment and
l am satisfied that these instructions
were observed. We could not forget how
ever. that thie government was in dinlo.