The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-12
NO SLAVES ON THE CONGO,
Uncle Sam Joins in the Crusade
Against the Traffic.
SENATOR TELLER ON HAND WITH
A SCHEME OF BI-METALLISM.

Biddeford Naturalization Cases Subject
of National Legislation Breckenridge
of Kentucky Adds One to the Attacks
the Mckinley Law-Ratifcation of
the Brussels Treaty-Saving Clauses
Respecting European Complications.
WASHINGTON, January 1.-THE Sen
ate today, in executive session, ratified
the general act signed at Brussels, July
I'd, 1890, by II powers, including the
United States, for the suppression of the
African slave trade, and also conven-
ton of commerce and navigation be-
the United States and the Independent
State of the Congo, signed at Brussels,
July 24th, 1891. The slave trade treaty
was sent to the Senate by the President
nearly year ago, and but a few weeks
remained of the time allowed for the ex-
change of the final ratifcations. Six
teen of the powers represented at the
Brussels conference signed the conven-
ton many months ago. The failure of
the Senate to act upon the convention
until this late day, was caused by reluc-
tance ON the part of a number of sena-
tors to recognize the justice of the parti-
cipation of Africa among the nations OF
the world. This sentiment was voiced
strongly by. Senator Chandler when the
treaty was under consideration last year.
At the beginning of this session, he IN
troduced proposed amendment to the
pending ratification act, disclalmlng on
e G4ntnc ON
proval of the wisdom, eXpediency or
lawfulness of the protectorates in Afri-
ca. No substantial objection to the trea-
ty on other grounds was made. The
views of the senators who sided with
Mr.. Chandler were recognized in the
adoption, as part of the ratifying act, of
the language OF Mr.. Chandler's amend
ment.
The resolution of ratification adopted
by the Senate accepts the partial ratifica-
ton of Franceon the part of the slave trade
suppression ctand declares that the Uni
ted States having neither possessions nor
protectorates in Africa disclaims any in
tention in ratifying the treaty of indi-
eating any interest in the possessions or
protectorates established or claimed on
that continent by other powers or any
approval of the wisdom, expediency or
1awfulness thereof, and does not join IN
any expressions in the act which might
be construed as such declaration or ac-
acknowledgements. The resolution states
that it is desirable that a copy of this
resolution be inserted in the protocol to
be drawn up at the time of the exchange
of the ratifications of this treaty on the
part of the United States.
The commercial convention with the
State of Congo, ratified today, was made
necessary by the adherence of the United
States to the general slave trade act. In
1884, the United States recognized the
flag of the Congo Free State upon condi-
ton that United States products should
be admitted to that territory free of duty.
1t was represented to the Brussels con-
ference that the heavy expenses attend
ant upon the enforcement of the slave
treaty would oblige the State of the Congo
to impose duties upon imports al means
eff raising revenues. The other parties
to the conference recognized the right of
the Congo State to impose these duties.
This special convention was thus made
necessary between the United States and
the Congo State by the existence Of th
agreement referred to. This con-
vention recognizes the amenability
of United States subjects to jury
service, PROVIDES IOf Iull TlSntS oI Hay
igation, conserves the rights our citizens
in the matter of moderate railroad charg
es on state railroads around cataracts
and forbids prohibition upon the impor-
tation of any article of legal commerce,
unless the prohibition extends to all ma
tions. American beef and pork products
were the main points in view. The con-
vention embodied an extradition law,
but this was stricken out and the matter
left for future consideration. The treaty
provides that import duties cannot go be-
yond 10 per cent Of the value OF the mer-
chandise at the port of entry during Is
wears from 1889, except for spirits, which
are specially provided for.
BIDDEFORD NATURALlZATIONS
A p;11 II, conoress to Make Them Legal