The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1893-12-16

failed In an attempt at revolution. and
against whom criminal charges were pend
ing, growing out of a former abOrtiye dis
turbance. The doctrine Of asylum, as
applied to this case is not sanctioned by
the best preeedents. and when allowed
tends to encourage seditien and strife.
The president refers to the Geary anti
Chinese law and the decision of the SUI
preme court. rendered May Is, 1898 sus-
tanning its constitutionality and expresses
the belief that such Cinnamon as desire TIC
remain in the country will register. and
hopes that the necessity for enforced de
portation may be avoided.
Reference is also made to the Brussels
conference and the agreement OF July 2,
1899, under which the United States and
the other signatory powers pledged them
selves to adopt means to prohibit the sale
of firearms and intoxicating liquors to the
nations in the Congo Free State, and CON
tiguous belt of territory. The president
asks for appropriate legislation to carry
out this agreement. He coumends the
friendly action of Costa Rica in surren-
dering fugitive criminal, though no ex-
tradition treaty with that country exists.
France and Germany Our Friends,
Our relations with the French republic
continue to be intimate and cordial |
sincerely hope that the extradition treaty
with that country, as amended by the SEN
ate, will soon be operative. While occa-
sional questions affecting our naturalized
citizens returning to the land of their
birth, have arisen in our intercourse with
Germany, are relations with that country
continue satisfactory.
The questions affecting our relations
with Great Britain have been treated in a
spirit of friendliness. Negotiations are in
progress between the two governments
with view tn af1ch copf1Trrprtf nctlun "a
will make the award and regulations
agreed upon by the Bering sea tribunal of
arbitration practically effective: and ii is
not doubted that Great Britain will CO.
operate freely with this country for the
accomplishment of that purpose. The
dispute growing out of the discriminating
tolls imposed in the Welland canal, upon
cargoes of CEREALS and from the lake ports
of the United States was adjusted by the
substitution of a more equitable schedule
OF charges, and my predecessor thereupon
suspended his proclamation imposing dis
eliminating tolls upon British transit
through our canals.
Upon receiving information of the firing
upon an American mail steamer touching
at the port of Amapala because her cap
tain refused to deliver up n passenger in
transit from Nicarauga to Guatemala upon
demand of the military authorities of
Honduras, our minister to that country,
under instructions protested against the
wanton act mathematical satisfaction The
government of Honduras, actuated by a
sense of justice and in a spirit OF the ut
most friendship, promptly disavowed the
illegal conduct of its officers and expressed
sincere regret fot the occurrence II is
confidently anticipated that satisfactory
adjustment will soon be reached of the
questions arising from the seizure and use
of American vessels by the insurgents in
Honduras and the subsequent denial by
the successful government of commercial
privileges to those vessels on that account
France and Liberia.
The president says that representations
have been made to France Of the sympa-
thetic interest in the fortunes of the Re-
public of Liberia, TO the end that She may
not be despoiled of a portion of the terri
tory without her unconstrained consent.
Our relations with Mexico continue to
be friendly and intimate.
Nicaragua has recently passed through
two revolutions, the party at first success
full having in turn been displaced by an
other. Our newly appointed minister. by
his timely good offices, aided in peaceful
adjustment of the controversy involved in
the first conflict. The large American in
terests established in that country in CON
nection with the Nicaragua canal were not
molested.
The Nicaragua canal company has, un-
fortunately, become financially seriously
embarrassed, but a generous treatment
has been extended to it by the government
of Nicaragua 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 distinctively
American auspices, and its enjoying as
sured not only to vessels of this country
as a channel of communication between
L..
the ships of the world in the interests of
civilization is proposition which in my
judgment, does not admit of question.
Led by desire to compose differences
and contribute to the restoration of order
in Samoa, which for some years previous
had been the scene of conflicting foreign
pretentions and native strife, the United
States, departing from it's policy conse-
Grated by a century of observance, entered
four years ago into the treaty of Berlin,
thereby becoming jointly bound with
England and Germany to establish and
maintain Malietoa Laupepa as king of
Samoa. The treaty provided for foreign
court of justice; municipal council for
the district of Apia with foreign presi-
dent thereof, authorized to advise the
king; tribunal for the settlement of ma
tive and foreign land titles, and a revenue
system for the kingdom. 1t entailed upon
the three powers that part of the cost of
w
nue. of the islands.
Native Discussions Revived.
Early in the lifo of this protectorate the
native discussions it was designed to uueil
revived. Rivals defied the authority of
the new king refusing to pay taxes and
demanding the election of ruler by ma
tive suffrage. Maraafa an aspirant to the
throne, and a large number of his native
a0hprentS IN
OF the islands. Quite lately, at the re-
quest of the other powers, and in fulfill
ment of its treaty obligations, this govern
ment agreed to unite in joint military
movement of such diminsions as would
probably secure the surrender of the in
surgents without bloodshed The war
ship Philadelphia was accordi ngly put
under orders for Samoa, but before she az
rived the threatened conflict was precipi-
tated by King Malietoa's attack upon the
insurgent camp. Mataafa was defeated
and a number of his men killed. The
British and German naval vessels present
subsequently secured the surrender of
Mataafa and his adherents The defeated
chief and 10 of his principal supporters
were deported TO German island of the
Marshall group, where they are held as
prisoners under the joint responsibility
dent and the events leading up to it sig
nally illustrate the impolicy of entang-
ling alliances with foreign powers
More than Is years ago this government
preferred claim against Spain, in behalf
OF one of our citizens for property seized
and confiscated in Cuba. In 1886 the claim
was adjusted. Spain agreed to pay, uncon-
ditionally, as a fair indemnity, 81 500, 0O0
A respectful but earnest note was recently
addressed to the Spanish government in
sisting upon prompt fulfillment of its
long neglected obligation. Other claims,
preferred by the United States against
Spain in behalf of American citizens for
confscated in Cuba, have been
pending for many years. At the time
Spain's title to the Caroline islands was
confirmed by arbitration, that govern
ment agreed that the rights which had
been acquired there by American mis-
sionaries should be recognized and re-
spected. 1t is sincerely hoped that this
pledge will be observed by allowing our
missionaries, who were removed from
Sonape to place of safety by United
States war ship during the late troubles
between the Spanish government and the
natives to return to their field of useful
ness
Important matters have demanded at
tention in our relations with the Ottoman
Porte. The firing and partial destruction,