Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-10

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. 9.--The presi-
dents message was read in the Senate and
House to-day:
TO the Senate and House Of Representa-
tireS.
The reports Of the heads of the several de-
partments required by law, to be submit
ted to me- furnish q comprehensive view of
the administrative work of the last fiscal
year relating to internal affairs The re-
ports will, / believe show that every ques-
ton has been approached, considered and
decided from the standpoint of public duty
and upon considerations affecting the public
Interests alone.
The work of the state department during
the last year has been characterized by an
unusual number of important negotiations
and by diplomatic results OF a notable and
highly beneficial character. Among these
are the reciprocal trade arrangements which
have been concluded with the republic of
Brazil, with Spain for its West India pos
sessions and with San Domingo Like nego.
tiations with other countries have been
much advanced, and it is hoped that before
the close of the year further definitive trade
arrangements Of great value will be con-
cuded.
The Seals.
in view OF tue reports WHICH ndu peeu re-
ceived as to the dminution of the seal herds
in the Behring sea, [ deemed it wise to pro-
prose to her majesty's government in Feb
ruary last that agreement for closed
season should be made. If this agreement
could have been reached earlier, it would
have been more effective; but, coming even
as late as it did, it unquestonably resulted
in greatly diminishing the destruction of
the seals by the Canadian sealers. In my
last annual message l stated that the basis
of arbitration proposed by her majcsty's
government for the ad justment of the long
pending controversy to the seal fisheries
not acceptable. / am glad now to be
able to announce that terms satisfactory to
this government have been agreed upon and
that an agreement rs to the arbitrators is
oil that is necessary to the completion Of the
convention.
Pork Products Abroad.
The law of the last Congress providing
system Of inspection for our meats intended
for export placed this government in posi-
ton to effectively urge the removal OF dis
ordinations by foreign countries against
our meats. 1t is gratifying to be able 10
state that Germany, Denmark, Italy, Aus
tria and France in the order named, have
opened their ports to inspected American
products.
The New Orleans Eynching.
The lynching at New Orleans in March
last Of II men of Italian nativity by mob
OF citizens 4 most deplorable and as
creditable incident. 1t was at once repre-
sented by the Italian minister that several
OF those whose lives had been taken by the
mob were Italian subjects, and demand
was made for the punishment Of the parti
cipants and for an indemnity to the
families Of those who were killed.
The temporary absence Of a minister
plenipotentiGry OF Italy at this capital has
retarded the further correspondence, but it
is not doubted that a friendly conclusion is
attainable.
The Trouble with Chill.
The civil war in Chilli which began in
January last was continued until August IS
when the congressional forces captured tho
city OF Valparaiso and a provisional govern
melt was speedily es'ai,li- he'd by the victo-
rious party The r.ltata, an armed vessel
commanded by an officer OF the ineurgent
feet, Wa. seized under process Of the United
States Court at San Diego Cal, for vio-
lation Of our neutrality laws. While in
tie custody of an officer of the court the
vessel was iorcibly wres oil from his control
ana put to sea. 1t would have been incon-
siStent with the dignity and selfrespect OF
this government not to have insisted that
the ltata should be returned to San Diego
to abide the judgment Of the court. This
wos clear TO the Junta of the congress
sioual party that, before the arrival of the
ltata at that port she ordered
to be returned to this country for trial
a trial III the District Court of the United
States for the southern district of Califor-
MIA has recently resulted in Il decision hold
lag that lnasmuch as the congressional party
had not been recognized as a beiigerent, the
acts done in its interest could not I've viola
ton OF our neutrality laws. From this
judgment the United States has appealed
During the progress OF the war in Chill the
instructions to our naval officers and t. our
minister at Santiago enjoined upon them
the most impartial treatment and absolute
non-interlerence. l am satisfied that these
instructions were observed and that no OIL
cal complaint OF the conduct Of our minis
ter OF OF our naval officers during the strug-
gle has been presented to this government
WITH the overthrow Of the Balmaceda gov
eminent, he and many of his councillors
and officers became fugitives and appealed
10 the commanding officers of the foreign
ua"al vessels i'll the harbOr of Valparaiso
and to the resident foreign ministers at
Santiago for asylum. This asylum was
freely given. The American minister, as
pulses of humanity, extended asylum to pol
itical refugees whose lives were in peril.
The treatment Of our minister was SUCH
as to call for decided protest. Unfriendly
measures were rescinded or greatly relaxed
On the 18th Il October an event occurred
in Valparaiso SO serious and tragic in its
circumstances and results ms to very Justly
excite the indignation of our people and Ia
call for prompt and decided action on the
part of this government A considerable
Number of the sailors of the United States
steamship Baltimore, being upon shore leave
and unarmed, were assaulted by armed men
nearly simultaneously in different localite.
in the city. One petty officer was killed
outright and seven or eight seamen wer,
seriously wounded, one of whom has sine,
died. An investigation Of the affair Shove.
that these assaults were unproyoked, tina
our men were conducting themselves in
peaceable and orderly manner, and tina
some of the police Of the city took part ii