The herald., 1893-12-04

citizen, employed in subordinate COM
mercial position in Hayti, after suffer-
ing protracted imprisonment on an un-
founded charge Of smuggling, WAS
finally liberated on q justice examina-
tion. Upon urgent representation to
the Haytian government suitable in
demnity was paid to the sufferer. By a
law of Hayti sailing vessel having dis
charged her cargo, is refused clearance
until the duties on such cargo have
been made. The hardship of this
measure upon American Hhipowners,
who conduct the bulk of the carrying
trade Of that country, has been insisted
on, with view OF securing q removal OF
this cause of complaint.
THE AMAPALA AFFAIR.
Upon receiving authentic information
OF the firing upon an American mail
steamer touching at the port of Amapala
because her captain refused to deliver
up passenger in transit from Nicaragua
to Guatemala, upon demand of the mil
itary authorities OF Honduras, our min
lister to that country, under instructions,
protested against the wanton act and
demanded sstisiaction. The government
of Honduras, actuated by sense OF JUS
tice and in spirit OF the utmost friend
ship, promptly disavowed the illegal
conduct Of its officers and expressed sim
cere regret for the occurrence.
1t ia confidently anticipated that
satisfactory adjustment will soon be
reached of the questions arising out of
the seizure and use of American vessels
by insurgents in Honduras, and the
subsequent denial by the successful
government of commercial privileges to
these vessels on that account.
soLICITUDE FOR LIBERIA.
notable port OF tie southeRsterly
coast OF Liberia, between the Oavally
and San Pedro rivers. which for nearly
hall century has been generally rocog-
nized as belonging to that republic by
accession and purchase, has been
claimed to be under the protectorate of
France, in virtue of agreements entered
into by the native tribes, over whom
Liberals control has not been well
maintained. More recently negotiations
between the Liberian representative
and the French government resulted in
the signature at Paris of treaty
whereby. as an adjustment, certain
hiUOilaA 10 OCAON w
France, this convention, at last ad-
vices, had not been ratified by the Lii
berian legislature, and the executive
ieeleng sympathetic interest in the
fortune OF the little commonwealth, the
establishment and development Of
which were largely aided by the benev-
olence OF our countrymen and which
constitutes the only independent SOW
ereign state on the weet coast of Africa,
this government has suggested to the
French government its earnest concern
lest territorial impairment in Liberia
should take place without her uncon-
strained consent.
FRIENDSHIP FOR MEXICO.
Our relations, yitshh tshhoM MffSjjfi2 continYs
which should always characterize the
intercourse Of two neighboring repub.
lies. The work OF relocating the monu-
ments marking the boundary between
the countries from Paso del Norte to the
Pacific, is now nearly completed. The
commission organized under the con-
ventions Of 1884 and 1889, it is expected,
will speedily settle the disputes growing
out OF the shifting currents of the Rio
Grande river, east of Ell Paso.
AFFAIRS IN NICARAGUA.
Nicaragua has recently passed through
two revolutions, the party at fret sue
cessful having in turn been displaced by
another. Our newly appointed minister
by his timely good efforts aided in
peaceful adjustment of the controversy
involved in the first conflict. The large
American interests established in that
country in connection with the Nicara-
qua canal were not moleeted.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
The canal company has unfortunately
become financially seriously embar-
raised, but generous treatment has
been extended to it by the government
of Nicaragua. and the United States are
especially interested in the successful
achievement of the vast undertaking
this company has in charge. That it
should be accomplished under distinc-
lively American auspices and it's enjoy
ment assured not only to the vessels of
this country, as q channel of CONNER
cial communication between out Attain
tic and Pacific seaboards, but the ships
of the world in the interests OF civiliza--
tion, is proposition which in my judg-
mont does not admit OF question.
GUATEMALA's TRIALS.
Guatemala has also been visited by
the political vicissitudes which have
afflicted her Central American neigh
bors, but the dissolution OF its legislature
and the proclamation of the Dictatorship
have been unattended by civil war.
NEW ExTRADITIoN TREATIES.
An extradition treaty with Norway
has recently been exchanged and pro.
The extradition treaty with
Russia signed in March, 1887, and
amended and confirmed by the senate in
February last, was duly proclaimed last
June.
THE SAMOAN SETTLEMENT.
Led by desire to compose the differ
ence and contribute to the restoration of
order in Samoa, which for some years
previous had been the scene of conflict
ing foreign pretensions and native
strife. the United States, departing from
lts policy consecrated by a century OF
observance, entered four years ago into
the treaty OF Berlin, thereby becoming
jointly bound with England and Ger
many to establish and maintain
Malietoa Laupepa as king of Samoa.
The treaty provided for a for
eign court OF justice. municipal council
Tor the district of Apia. with foreign
president thereof, authorized to advise
the king tribunal for the settle ement
Of native and foreign land titles, and
L r D..