Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-18

ity 10 these men sailors OF the United states,
wearing the uniform of their government and
not in any individual act or personal animosi-
| ". The attention or the Gillian Government
was ut once called 10 this affair and state
ment of the facts obtained by the invcstiga-
| ton we had conducted was submitted and was
accompanied By a request 10 be advised OF any
tha rSilan t;3xesnment that mfcht tend 70
relieve this affair of the appearance OF an In
suit To this government. The CHILEAN Govern
ment was also advised that IL such qualifying
| facts did not exist this government would con-
fdently expect full and prompt reparation.
II is to be regretted that the reply Of the
| Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the provisional
government was couched in an offensive tone.
To this no response has been made. This gov
vestiTation N which has been conducted by the
criminal court at Valparaiso. ! will by
special message bring this matter again To the
attention of Congress for suca action as may
be necessary. The entire correspondence with
the Government of Chill will at an early day
be submitted 10 Congress.
CHINESE AFFAIRS.
The late outbreak against foreigners in vari-
Gus parts OF the Chinese Empire has been
cause of deep concern In view of the numerous
establishments of our citizens in the interior
of that country. This government can do no
less than insist upon continuance of the pro
tective and punitory measures which the
Chinese Government has heretofore applied.
No effort will be omitted TO pr tect our citi-
zens peaceably sotourning in China, but recent
unofficial Information indicates that what was
| at first regarded as an outbreak or mob vlo-
lence against foreigners has assumed the
| larger form OF an instruction against public
order.
The Chinese government has declined TO re-
ceive Mr.. Blair as Minister OF the United
States on the ground that as participant,
while a Senator, in the enactment OF the ex-
| listing legislation against the Introduction or
Chinese laborers he has become untriendly
and Objectionable 10 China. have felt con-
strained TO point out to the Chinese govern
ment the untenableness Of this position. which
seems TO rest rs much on the unacceptability
NHtn Lori laf fDVan IN hnf nf ma Zn
chosen, and which. il admitted. would prac-
tically debar the selection of any representa-
| tive so long as the existing laws remain in
force.
I You will be called upon to consider the ex-
pediency of making special provision by law
for the temporary admission of some Chinese
artisans and laborers in connection with the
exhibit OF Chinese industries at the approach
ing Columbian Exposition. | regard II as de-
sirable that the Chinese exhibit be facilitated
| in every proper way.
OUR RIGHTS IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS.
A question has arisen with the government
of Spain touching the rights of American citi-
zens in the Caroline Islands. Our citizens
there, long prior to the confirmation Of SPANS
claim 10 the islands. had secured by settle
ment and purchase certain rights, To the rec
ognition and maintenance OF which the faith
Of Spain was pledged. have had reason
within the past year very strongly TO protest
against the failure to carry out this pledge on
the part of her majcsty's Ministers. which has
resulted in great injustice and injury to the
The government and people Of Spain propose
to celebrate the four-hundredth anniversary
of the discovery OF America by holding an ex-
position at Madrid which Will open on the 18th
OF September. and continue until the 3lst Of
December, 1872. \ cordial invitation has been
extended 10 the United States 10 take part in
this Commemoration, and, as Spain was one
of the first nations 10 express the intention 10
participate in the Worlds Columbian EXPOSE
ton at Chicago, il would be very appropriate
for this government TO give this invitation its
friendly promotion.
HAWAII.
The death of King Kalakauka afforded oc-
casion to testify our friendship for Hawaii by
conveying the kings body - his own land in a
naval vessel with all due honurs. The govern
ment Of lis successor. Queen Liliuokalani, is
seeking 10 promote closer commercial rela-
tions with the United states. Surveys for the
much needed submarine cable from our Pa
cific Coast TO Honolulu are in progress and
this enterprise should have the suitable promo
tion of the TWO governments. Isirongly recon-
mend that provision be made for improving
the harbor OF Pearl River and equipping IL as
a naval station.
RUsSIA's PERSECUTION or TIE HEBREWS.
This government has found occasion to ex-
press in a friendly spirit but with much earn
estness, to the government of the Car, Its
serious concern because of the harsh measures
now being enforced against the Hebrews in
Russia. BY the revival Of antsemitic laws,
long in allegiance great numbers of those UNI
fortunate people have been constrained TO
reason Of the impossibilUy OF finding sub
sistence within the pale 10 which II is sought
to confine them. The immigration of these
people TO the United States-many other coun-
tries being closer to them-is largely increased
and is likely TO assume proportions which may
make il difficult TO find homes and employ
ment for them here and to seriously affect the
labor market. 1t Is estimated that over one
million will be forced from Russia within a
few years. The sudden transfer of such a null
ttude, under conditions that tend 10 str y
them of their small accumulations and 10 de-
press their energies and courage, is neither
good for them nor Tor us.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The annual report Of the Maritime Canal
Company. of Nicaragua, shows that much
costly and necessary preparatory work has
been done during the year in the construction
of shops, railroad tracks and barbor piers and
hreakwaters. and that the work of canal con-
struction has made some progress. i deem il
to be n matter of the highest concern to the
United States that this canal, connecting the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and
giving 10 us a short water communication be-
tween our ports upon these two great seas,
smallest practicable limit OF cost. ! most sim
cerely hope that neither party nor sectional
lines will be drawn upon this great American
project, full Of interest 10 the people OF all
our states and influential in its effects upon
the prestige and prosperity of our common
country.
THE ISLAND OF NAvAssA.
The Island of Navassa, in the West Indian
group, has, under the provisions OF title ~ or
the revised statutes, been recognized by the
President rs nppertaining 10 the United
States. IL contains guano deposits, is owned
by the NHvassa Phosphate Company and oc-
cupied solely by its employees. | recommend
legislation that shall place labor contracts
upon this ami other islands having the rcla-
ton that Navassa has 10 the United States
under the supervision Of Court Commissions
er, and that shall provide, at the expense of
tho owners, an officer TO reside upon the
] islands with power 10 judge aud adjust dis
putes and TO enforce just and humane treat
mcnt of the employe IL is ineXcusable that
| American laburcrs should be left within our
own jurisdiction without access TO any gov
eminent officer or tribunal for their protec-
ton and the redress OF their wrongs.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
International copyright has been secured. in
| accordance with the conditions Of the act of
March g. 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
| Britain and the British possessions and
| switzerland, the laws OF these countries per-
| hitting TO our citizens the benefit of copy
| right on substantially the same basis as their
! own citizens subjects. With Germany a
! special convention has been negotiated on the
subject which will bring that country within
| the reciprocal benefits of our legislation.
/ THE TARIFF.