Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-01-01
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Ties of Good VIII and Common Interest
Materially STRENGTHENED.

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OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Ties of Good VIII and Common Interest
Materially Strengthened.
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 confer
ence held in this capital to consider meas
ures for the general welfare. Pursuant to
the invitation authorized by congress, the
representatives Of every independent state
of the American continent and OF Hayti
met In conference In this capital in OCTOBER,
1889, and continued in session until the 10th
of last April. This important convocation
marks most interesting and continental
epoch In the history OF the western hemis-
phere. 1t is noteworthy that Brazil, In
vited while under an imperial form OF gov
eminent, shared as republic in the DELHI
erations and the results OF the conference.
The recommendations of this conference
were all transmitted to congress at the last
session.
The International marine conference
which sat I'm Washington last winter
reached q very gratifying result. The reg
ulations suggested have been brought to
the attention OF all the governments repre-
scented, and their general adoption is conf
IDENTIFY expected.
The legislation Of congress at the last
session Is in conformity with the PROPOSE
lions OF the conference, and the proclama-
ton therein provided for will be issued
when the other powers have given notice OF
their adhesion. The conference Of Brus-
sells, to devise means for suppressing the
slave trade in Africa, afforded an oppor-
tunity for d new expression of the interest
the American people feel In that 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 1884 The United States, ae*heing
party to that act, could not share in its re-
vision, but by a separate act the tndepend-
emit state Of the Congo was freed from the
restrictions upon q customs revenue. The
demoralizing and destructive traffic In ard
emit spirits among the tribes also claimed
the earnest attention of the conference.
and the Delegates OF the lated States weEe
foremost in advocating measures for
its suppression, the influence Of which will
be very helpful and extend over wide
region. AS soon as these measures shall
receive the sanction Of the netherlands, for
a time withheld, the general acts will be
submitted for ratification by the senate.
Meanwhile negotiations have been opened
for new and complete treaty Of friendship
OF commerce and navigation between The
United States and the independent state Of
Congo.
Toward the end Of the past year the only
independent imperial government on the
western continent ceased to exist and was
succeeded by a republic. Diplomatic rela-
lions were at once established with the new
government, but it was not completely rec
ogniZed until an opportunity had been at
forded to ascertain that 1T had popular APP
prevail and support. When the course of
events had yielded assurance of this fact,
no time was lost In extending to the new
government o full and cordial welcome into
the family of American commerce and
wealth. 1t is confidently believed that the
good relations of the two countries viii be
preserved and that the future will witness
an increased intimacy of intercourse and
an expansion of their mutual commerce.
The peace OF Central America has again
been disturbed through q revolutionary
change in Salvador which was not recOg-
nized by other states, and hostlllties broke
out between Salvador and Guatemala
threatening to involve all Central America
in q conflict. Under the progress which
has been made toward a union Of their in
terests the efforts of this government were
promptly and Zealously eXerted to compose
their differences, and through the active
efforts of the representative OF the United
States q provisional treaty of peace was
signed August 6, whereby the right OF the
republic of Salvador to choose its own ruler
was recognized. Gen. Ezeta, the chief of
the provisional government, has since been
confirmed in the presidency by the assembly,
and diplomatic recognition duly followed.
The killing of Gen. Barrundia, on board
the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco, while
anchored in transit to the port OF San Jose,
De Guatemala, demanded careful inquiry.
Having failed in q revolution by attempt
to invade Guatemala from Mexican terri
tory, Gen. Barrundia took passage at Acap-
ulco for Panama. The consent of the repre-
sentatives of the United States was sought
to effect his seizure, first at Champerio,
where the steamer touched and afterward
at San Jose. The captain of the steamer
refused to give up his passenger without "A
written order from the United States min
lister. The latter furnished the desired let
ter, stipulating as the condition of his ac-
tion that Gen. Barrandia's life should be
spared, and that he should be tried only
for offenses growing out of his insnrrection-
ary movements. This letter was produced to
the captain of the Acapulco by the military
commander at San Jose as his warrant to
take the passenger from the steamer. Gen.
Barrundia resisted capture and was killed.
1t being evident that the minister, Mr..
Miner, had exceeded the bounds of his au-
thority in intervening In compliance with
the demands OF the Guatemalan authori-
ties to authorize and effect In violation OF
precedent, the seizure on a vessel OF the
s limited States OF a passenger of transit
charged with political offense Ina order that
he might be tried for such offenses under
what is described as martial law, was con-
strained to disavow Mr.. Miners act and
recall him from his post.
The Nicaragua canal project under the
control of our citizens, is making most en-
couraging progress, all the preliminary con-
ditions and initial operations having been
accomplished within the prescribed time,
During the past year negotiations have
been renewed for the settlement of the
claims OF American citizens against the
government of Chilli principally growing out
OF the late war with Peru. The reports
from our minister at Santiago warrant the
expectation OF an early and satisfactory
adjustment.
Our relations with China, which have for
several years occupied SO important place
In our diplomatic history. have called for
careful consideration and have been the
subject Of much correspondence. The COM
munications OF the Chinese minister have
brought interviews on the whole subject OF
our conventional relations with his country:
and at the same time this government.
Through its legation at Picking. has sought
10 arrange various matters and complaints
touching the interests and protection of our
citizens In China. In pursuance OF the con-
current resolution of Get 1. 1890. have
proposed to the governments OF Mexico and
Great Britain a conventional regulation OF
the passage OF Chinese lab0rers across our
southern and northern frontiers.
On the 22d day of August last Sir Edmund
" Manson, the arbitrator selected under the
treaty of Dec O, 1883, rendered an award to
i the ssfact that no compensation was duo
from the Danish government to the United
states on account OF what is commonly
known Ms tho Carlos Bntterfeld claim.
Our relations with the french republic
scontinne to be .cordial Our representative
I'll TINT court has very diligently urged the
removal 0f the restrictions Imposed upon