The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-06
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Discussion of the Situation i'm Brazil
and Elsewhere.

and Elsewhere.
While our foreign relations have not at
all times during the past year been en-
tirely free from perplexity, no embarrass-
ing situation remains that will not yield
to the spirit of fairness and love of justice,
which, joined with consistent firmness.
aracterize a truly American foreign pol
icy. My predecessor having accepted the
Office of arbitrator of the long-standing
missions boundary disputes, rendered to
the president by the Argentine Republic
and Brazil. IT has been my agreeable duty
TO receive the special ENJOYS commissioned
by those states 10 lay before me evidence
and arguments in behalf of their re-
spective governments.
The outbreak of hOstilites I'm the repub-
lie of Brazil found the United States alert
10 watch the interests of our citizens in
that country, with which we carry on i'm
portant commerce. Several vessels of
our new navy are now. and for some
time have been, stationed at Rio de jan
eiro. The struggle being between the es-
tablished government which controls the
machinery of administration, and with
which we maintain friendly relations and
certain officers of the navy employing the
vessels of their command in an attack upon
the national capital and chief seaport, L
have failed to see how the insurgents can
reasonably claim recognition belliger-
ents. Thus far the position of our govern
ment has been that Of an attentive, but
impartial, observer of the unfortunate con-
fiict. Emphasizing our fixed policy of i'm
partial neutrality in such condition of af-
fairs as now exist. 1 deemed IL necessary
10 dfsavow, in manner not to be misunder-
stood, the unauthorized action of our late
naval commander in those waters, in sa-
luting the revolving Brazilans an admiral
being unauthorized to countance an act
calculated to give gratuitous sanction to
the local insurrection.
The convention between our government
and Chill having for its object the settle
ment and adjustment of the demands OF
the two countries against each other has
been made effective by the organization
of the claims commission provided for.
The two governments failing to agree up
on the third member of the commission,
the goood Offices Of the president of the
Swiss republic were invoked, provided
in the treaty, and the selection of the
Swiss representative in this country, 10
complete the organization was gratifying
alike TO the United States and Chilli
The vexatiOus question Of a so-called
legation asylum for offenders against the
state and its laws was presented anew in
Chilli BY the unauthorized action Of the
late United States minister in receiving
into his official residence two persons who
and against whom criminal charges were
pending, growing ont Of former abortive
disturbance. The doctrine Of asylum, as
applied in this case, is not sanctioned by
the best precedents, and. when allowed,
tends 10 encourage sedition and strife.
Under no circumstances can the repre-
sen Ia tives of this government be permitted
under the ill-deflned fiction Of extra terri
tOriality TO interrupt the administration Of
criminal justice in the countries TO which
they are accredited A temperate demand
having been made by the Gillian govern
e. r.f
the instance mentioned, the minister was
instructed no longer to harbor the Offend
ers.
The Chinese Question.
The legislation of last year known as the
Geary law requiring the registration of all
Chinese iaborers entitled to residence in
the United States, and the deportation of
all not complying with the provisions Of
the act within the time prescribed, met
with much opposition from Cinnamon In
this country. Acting upon the advice of
eminent counsel, who said the law was
unconstitutional. the great mass Of Chinese
laborers pending judicial inquiry to its
validity. in good faith declined TO apply
for the certificates required by its pro-
visions a test case upon proceeding by
supreme court. and on May IS. 1893, de-
cisiOn was made by that tribunal sustain
II is believed that under the recent
amendment Of the act, extending the time
for registration, the Chinese laborers
thereto entitled, who desire TO reside in
this country, viii now avail themselves of
the renewed privilege thus afforded, of es-
tablishing by lawful procedure, their right
20 TeFla4H. and tuat thereby the necessity
OF enforced deportation may TO great de-
gree be avoided
II has deyolved upon the United States
minister at Peking, as dean OF the diplo-
matte Dody. and in the absence OF a
representative Of Sweden and Norway to
press upon the Chinese government repara-
zion for the recent murder Of Swedish
<lissiondries at SuJlg Put This question