The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-10

SOuIUeIn part OIL COLOMBIA. Inc reports OF Tue
engineers are very satisfactory. and show that
no insurmountable obstacles have been met with.
On November IL, 1884, treaty was con-
cludsd with Mexico reatfrming the boundary
between the two countries as described in the
treaties of February 2, IS4S. and December 80,
1853. March l, 1889, IA further treaty was ne
goliated TO facilitate the carrying OUT OF The prin-
clples OF the treaty OF 1884, ana 10 avoid the diff
hcultles occasioDed by reason of the changes and
alterations that take place from natural causes
In the Rio Grlnde ana Colorado rivers 10 the
proportions theI eof constituting the boundary
line between The two republics. The lnierna-
tional Boundary Commission. provided Tor by the
treaty OF 1889, TO have exclusive jurisdiction of
any question that may arise. has been named by
the Mexican Government. An appropriation is
necessary 10 enable The United States 10 fulfill
It's treaty obligations In this respect.
Hawaiian Relations.
The death OF King Kalakaua in the United
States, afforded occasion to testify our friend
snip Tor Hawaii by conveying the Kings body 10
his own land IN an available vessel, with all due
honors. The Government of his successor.
closer commercial relations with the United
States. Surveys for the much-needed submarine
cable from our Pacific Coast 10 Honolulu are IN
progress and This enterprise should have the
suitable promotion of the Two Governments.
strongly recommend that provision be made
for improving tie harbOr of Pearl River and
eQuppng IL as naval station. The Arbtra-
lion Committee formulated by The International
American Conference lapSed by reason of The
failure 10 exchange Publications fully within the
limit OF time provided, but several of the Govern
ments concerned have expressed a desire TO
save ms lmDo tant result OF the conference by
an extension of The period. 1t Is In my judg-
meat incumbent upOn the United States TO con-
serve the influential initiative In this measure by
ratiIYlng The instrument aud by advocating the
proposed extension of the lime for exchanging.
These views have been N de known TO The other
slgnatoIlcs.
Immigration From Russia.
This Government has found occasion to ex-
press in friendly split bur with much earnest
ness 10 the Government of the Car its serious
concern because OF The harsh measures now be-
- EnHh nlf lNl klnhY sRtp
tile revival OF anti-Semtic laws, long in abey-
ance, great numbers of these unfortunate peo-
pie have been constrained TO abandon their
homes. and leave the empire by reason Of The
impossibility Of finding subsistence within the
pale Of the territory TO which il is proposed 10
hne them. The emigration OF these people TO the
United States, many other countries being
Closed Is largely Increasing, and 1t is
likely 10 reach proportion which may
make 1t difficult 10 tind homes aud
ployment for those here, aud TO seriously
affect the labor ma ket. 1t is estimated that
over 1,0O0,0u0 Will be forced from Russia
within few years. The Hebrew is never beg
ger lie has always kept the law OF life by OIL
often under severe and oppressive civil reStric-
lions. Ii Is also true that no race, sect OF class
has more fully cared for its own than The tie
brew FACE. But the sudden transfer of such a
multitude, under conditions that tend 10 strip
them Of their small accommodations aud 10 depress
Their energies aud courage, neither good tor
them nor for us. Tie Punishment. whether by
decree OF by not less certain Indirect methods of
so large number OF men anu women is not
local question. a decree 10 leave one country is
In The nature OF things an order TO enter some
other. 1hs consideration, as well as he sugges-
tions of humanity, furnishes u ample ground
Tor the circumstances which we have presented
10 Russia while our historic friendship for that
Government cannot tail 10 give the assurance
that our representations are those OF u sincere
well-wlsber.
The Nicaragua Canal.
The annual resort of the Maritime Canal Com
pany OF Nicaragua shows that much costly and
necessary preparatory work has been done dur
ing the year tu lie construction OF shops railroad
lTdckS ana ldI Dor piers and breakW and
that Inc work of canal construction has made
some progress. deem II 10 be matter of The
highest concern TO the United States that this
canal, connecting the waters OF the Atlantic and
Pdclhc ans and giving us short water COM
mnnlcItlOH between our ports upon those two
seas. should be speedily constructed and at The
smallest practicable limit of cost. The gain In
ffeights 10 The people and the direct saving TO
the Government of the United States In the use
of naval vessels would pay the cost of this work
Wi hin short series OF years. The report OF he
Secretary OF the Navy shows the saving In our
naval expenditures which would result. The
Senator from Alabama (Mr Morgan, in his argu-
ment on this subject befuie the Senate at The
last session, did not oYerestmate the importance
of this work when he said that 1.-The canal is the
most important subject now connected with the
commercial growth and progress of The United
States" II this Work is TO be promoted by the
usual financial methods. and without tile aid of
Ills Government, Tile expenditure In Its interest
bearing securities and stocks will probably be
twice The actual cost. ThlS will necessitate
higher tolls and constitute a heavy and altogeIh-
er needless burden upon our commerce and that
vi the NOIll. Every uuIaf OF the ponds ana the
stock OF the company should represent dollar
expended IN the legitimate and economical pros.
ecullou OF the Work.
4 Government Guarantee.
This Is only possible by giving to tie bonds the
guaranty OF The United States Government. Such
guaranty would secure the ready sale at par of
per cent bond, from time 10 lime, as The
money needed. / DO not doubt thar, built
upon business methods, the canal would. when
operating ex penses. But if it, bones IRE TO be
discount md va u bpD nd al
is to be accompanied by a gift of STOCK, as has
come 10 be expected by investors in such enter
pIis 5, he traffic VIII be seriously burdened 10
pay interest and dividends. l am quite willing
TO recommend Government promotion in the
prosecution of the work If other means offered
Tor securing 1t are iuad quate. It's completion
Is OF such transcendent interest that the Govern
ment should, Ia my opinion secure Il by direct
appropriations from its treasury. A guaranty
OF the boEdS OF The canal company o an amount
necessary 10 the completing OF the canal could.
think. be so given as not TO involve any serious
rlsk ut ultimate loss. The things TO be carefully
guarded are The completion OF the work within
the limits OF the guaranty, the subrogation Of
III United States to the rights of the first mott
gage bundBOlderS for any amounts II may have
to pay. aud, In the meantime, a control OF the
stock OF The company. Is security against mis-
management ana loss. l most sincerely hope
That neither party nor sectional lines VIII be
drawn uron this great American project, so iull
of interest 10 the people OF ali States, and so n-
tuential IN its effects on the prestige and spirit
OF our common country.
The Island of Navassa.
The Island of NayaSsa in the West Indian
group, has, under the provision OF Article ~ of
lhe Revised Statutes. been recognized by the
President as appertainlng To the Uniled States.
IL contain euanO deposits IS owned by the Ma
vassa Phosphate Company. and Is occupied
solely by Its employees. In September, 1889, a
revolt TOOK place among these labOrers. result
ing In The killing OF the agents OF The company,
caused, as the laborers claimed by cruelty.
These men were arrested aud iied in the United
states courts at Baltimore, under Section 5576
of the stature referred to, rs If The oifenses had
committed board a pf
the United States on the high seas. There APP
peared on the trial and Otherwise came 10 me
such evidences of the bad treatment OF the men
that in consideration of this and oil the fact that
the men had no access to any public officer OF
tribunal for protection or the redress OF their
Wrongs, l committed the death sentences that
had been passed by the court upon three of tn M
In April last my attention was again called 10
this island and 10 The unregulaled condition of
things there by a letter from a cOioied laborer
WHO complained that lie was wrongfuly detained
upon the island by the phosphate company alter
the expiration of his contract Of service.
Naval Investigation.
naval vessel was sent to examine into the
case OF ihlS man and generally into the coudi
ton of things on the Islands Ii was found that
the laboreI referred to had been detained beyond
the contract limit, and that a condition of revolt
again existed among the laborers. A board of
following: ave would desire to state further
that the discipline maintained on the Islands
seems TO be that OF convict establishment,
without Its cOmtorts and cleanliness and that
until more attention is paid 10 the shipping of
laborers, by placing IL under Government SUPER
vision to prevent misunderstanding and misrep-
resentation, and until some amelorating infu-
ence Is shown In the treatment OF The laborers
these disorders VIII be OF constant occurrence"
/ recommend legislation that shall place labor
contracts on This aud other Islands having
the relation that Navassa has to the United
ates under the supervision of a COutt Commits
si0ner, and that shall provide at the expense OF
the owners an officer to reside upon the Islands,
with power TO judge and adjust disputes and to
enforce n just and humane treatment OF the EN-.
ployes. IL Is inexcusable that American laborers
should be left within our own jurisdiction With
out access to any Government officer or tribunal
for their protection ana rhe redress OF their
wrongs.
International copyright has been secured In
accordance with the conditions OF tile act OF
March 3, 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
Britain aud the British possessions and SwltZer-
land The laws OF these countries permitting to
our citizens the benefit OF copyright on substan-
TALLY the same basis as their own citIZeus or
subjects With Germany, n special convention
had been negotiated upon this subject, which
Will briug that country within the reciprocal
benefits Of our legislation.