Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-15
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.

ment.
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.
In view OF the impaired financial
resources OF Venezuela, consequent
upon the recent revolution there, a
modified arrangement for the satisfac-
ton Of the awards OF the late advisory
claims commission in progressive in
stallments has been assented to, and
payments are being regularly made
hereunder.
The boundary dispute between
Venezuela and British Guiana is yet
unadjusted. =
A restoration of diplomatic inter-
course between that republic and
Great Britain and reference of the
question to impartial arbitration will
be most gratifying consummation.
The ratification by Venezuela of the
convention for the arbitration of the
long-deferred claim OF the Venezuelan
Transportation Company is awaited.
PEACEFUL ARBITRATION.
BY concurrent resolution passed
by the Senate February II, 1890, and
by the House OF Representatives the
Sd OF April following. the President
was requested:
"To invite from time to time, as the
fit occasion may arise, negotiations
with any government with which the
United States has or may have diplo-
matte relations, to the end that any
difference or dispute arising between
the two governments, which cannot be
adjusted by diplomatic agency, may
be referred to arbitration and be
peaceably adjusted by such means"
April Is, 1890, the international
American Conference OF Washington
by resolution expressed the wish that
all controversies between the republics
of America and the nations of Europe
might be settled by arbitration, and
recommended that the government
OF each nation represented in that
conference should communicate this
wish to all friendly powers. A favor
able response has been received from
Great Britain in the shape OF resolu-
tion adopted by parliament July Is
last, cordially sympathizing with the
purpose in view and expressing the
hope that her majesty's government
will lend ready cooperation to the
government of the United States up
on the basis OF the concurrent resolu-
ton above quoted. It affords me
signal pleasure to lay this preliminary
resolution before Congress and to ex-
press my qualification that the senti-
ment OF two great and kindred ma
tions is thus authoritively manifested
in favor OF the rational and peaceful
settlement of international quarrels
by honorable resort to arbitration.
OUR REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD.
Since the passage of the act OF
March 3. 1898, authorizing the Presi.
dent to raise the grade of our envoys
to correspond with the rank with
which foreign countries accredit their
agents here, Great Britain, France,
Italy and Germany have conferred
upon their representatives at this
capital the title of ambassador, and
have responded by accrediting the
agents of the United States in those
countries with the same title. A like
elevation of mission is announced by
Russia and when made will be
similarly met. This step fittingly
comports with the position the United
States holds in the family of nations.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
During my former administration l
took occasion to recommend a recast
OF the laws relating to consular ser.
vice in order that it might become
more efficient agency in the promo
ton OF the interests it was intended
to subserve. The duties and powers
OF consuls have been expanded with
the growing requirements of our foreign
trade. Discharging important duties
affecting our commerce and American
citizens abroad, and in certain coun.
tries exercising judicial functions,
these officers should be men OF charac-
ter, intelligence and ability.
EXTENSION OF THE COPYRIGHT.
Upon proof that the legislation of
Denmark secures copyright to Ameri-
can citizens on equal footing with its
own, the privileges of our copyright
laws have been extended by proclama-
ton to the subjects of that country.
OUR FINANCES.
The Secretary of the Treasury re-
ports that the receipts OF the govern.
ment from all sources during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1893,
amounted to $46l, ,7l0,56lO4, and its
expenditures to $459, ,374, ,674.2O. There
was collected from customs $206, ,355,.
Ol6.75, and from internal revenues
$l61,027 ,623.93. Our dn,iable i'm
ports amounted to 1921 ,256,5lI. an in.
crease OF $52, 1853 over the preced.
ing years, and the importations free
of duty amounted to $444, ,5H,2II, a
decrease from the preceding year of
$l5, ,455,4 ,447. Our internal revenue re-
ceipts exceeded those of the preceding
year by $7,l47445.33. The total tax
collected was:
| On distilled spirits ......... sa 7so a;o q
On manufactured tobacco ........ ri ss9 III 09
oh iermented liquors -........... 32,5Is gS3 O7
We exported merchandise during
the year amounting to $S47 ,565 1874. a
decrease of $lS2,6l3,24y54 from the
preceding year. The amount of gold
exported was larger than any previous
year in the history OF the government
amounting to $lOs.5SO,S44, and ex.
ceeding the amount exported during
the preceding year by $5s,4S55l7.
The sum paid from the Treasury for