The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-12-18
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

vite to every branch of the service the at
tention and scrutiny of congress-
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
What Has Been Done in the Sealing, Chill
ian and Italian Lynching Difficulties.
The work of the state department. during
the last year has been characterized by an
unusual number of important negotiations
and by dirlomatic results of a notable and
highly beneficial character. Among these are
the reciprocal trade arrangements which
have been concluded. in the exercise of the
powers conferred by section of the tariff
law, 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 furt her
defnitive trade arrangements OF great value
will be concluded
AFFAIRS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
In view of the reports which have been
received as to the diminution of the
seal herds in the Behring sea, deemed
II wise to propose to her majesty's
government in February last that an agree
ment for closed season should be made,
pending the negotiations for arbitration
which then seemed to be approaching
favorable conclusion After much corre-
spondence, and delays for which this gov
ernment was not responsible, an agreement
was reached and signed on the 18th of June,
by which Great Britain undertook from
that date and until Nav l, 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 existing prohibition against
pelaglc sealing and to limit the catch by the
fur seal company upon the Islands to $500
skins If this agreement could have been
reached earlier. in response TO the strenuous
hnUn
been more effective. but coming as late
as it did, it unQuestionably resulted in
greatly diminishing the destruction Of the
seals by the Canadian sealers.
In my last message 1 stated that the basis
OF arbitration proposed by her majesty's
government for the adjustment OF the long
pending controversy as TO the seal fisheries
wns not acceptable. l am glad now 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 comp. elton OF the
convention. In view of the advanced posi-
tion which this government has taken upon
the subject of international arbitration. this
renewed exprtssion OF our adherence to this
method for the settlement of disputes such
as have arisen in the Behring sea, will l
doubt not, meet with the concurrence OF
congress.
NEAT INSPECTION.
Tho law of the last congress providing a
eys EN- OF inspection for our meats intended
for export, and clothing the president with
power to exclude foreign products from our
market in case the country sending them
should perpetuate unjust Determinations
against any pro iuct of the United States,
placed this government in a position to
effectively urge the removal of such discrim-
nations against our meats 1t is gratifying &
TO be able to state that Germany, Denmark
aud in ha
named. have opened their ports to Inspected
American pork products. The removal of
these restrictions in every instance was
asked for and given solely upon the ground
that VIC had now provided a meat inspection
that should be accepted as adequate to the
complete removal of the dangers, real or
fame ed, which had been previously urged.
The state department our ministers abroad
and the secretary of agriculture have CO.
operated with unhagging and intelligent
zeal for the accomplishment of this great
result The outlines of an agreement have
been reached with Germany looking to
equitable trade concessions in consideration
of the continued free importation of her
sugars but the time has not yet arrive !
when this correspondence can be submitted
70 congress.
THE NEW ORLEANS LYNCHISG
The lynching at New Orleans in March last
ofeleven men of Italian nativity by a mob OF
citizens was most deplorable and discred-
liable incident. 1t did not, however, have its
origin in any gener Il animosity to the ltal-
Ian people. nor in any dis respect to the gov.
ernment of Italy, with which our relations
were of the most friendly character. The
fury of the mob was dir ,cted against these
men as the supposed participants or acces-
sories on the murder o city offcer / dc
not allude to this as mitigating in any de.
gree this OFF nse against law and humanity,
brrs only aS afffacfiDy the International n
tions which grew out of it. 1t was once re-
presented by tie Italian minister that
sew raj of those whose lives had been taken
by the mob were Italian sui iects, and a de-
mand was made for the pun ,shment of the
participants and for an Indemnity to the
families of those who were killed
1t is TO be regretted that the
manner in which these claims
were presented was not such as to promots
a calm discussion Of the questions involved
but Thls may well be attributed to the ex
citement and Indignation with which the
crime naturally evoked. The views of this
government as to its obligations 20 foreign
ers domici ed here wers fully stated in the
correspondence, as well as its purpose &c
make an Investigation of the affair with {
view 10 determine whether there werS
present any circumstances that could, under
such rules of duty as We had indica'ed ere
ate an obligation upon the United States
The temporary absence OF a minister pIeni-
potentiary at this capital has retarded the
further correspondence, but it is not doubt
ed that friendly conclusion is attainable
Some suggestions growing out OF this un
happy incident are worthy the attention o
congress. 1t would, I believe, be entirely
competent for congress to make offrn ses
against the treaty rights of foreigners domi-
ciled In the United States cognIzab G in the
federal courts. This has not, however. beer
done and the deral off ers and court:
have no power in such cases to intervene
either for the protection of a foreign citiz n
or for the punishment OF his slayers II
seems to re TO follow in this state of Law
that the officers of the state charged with the
police and judicial powers in such case:
must in the consideration of international
questions, growing out of such incidents, bt
regarded ia such sense as federal agents as tC
make this government answerable 70. theil
acts in cases where it would be Rnswereble Il
the United States had >ed its constitutions
power to define and punish crimes agains
treaty rights.
GILLIAN AFFAIRS
The civil war in Chilli. which began IL
january last was continued, bus. fortunate
Iy with infrequent and not important armed
collisions until August Is. when the con
Rressional forces landed near Valparaiso
and, after a bloody engagement. captured
the city. President Baim8ceda at onci
recognized that his cause was lost. and
provisional government was speedily es
tablIsheG by the victorious party. Oul
minister was promptly directed TO recog
niZe and put himself in communication will
this government so soon as it should hav'
established its de facto charter, which wa