The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-12-14

the time prescribed, met with much
opposition from Cinnamon in this
country. Acting upon the advice of
eminent counsel that the law was
unconstitutional, the great mass of
Chinese laborers, pending judicial
inquiry as to its validity, in good faith
declined to apply for the certificates
required by its provisions. A test
case upon proceeding by habeas corpus
was brought before the Supreme Court,
and on May IS, 1898, decision was
made by that tribunal sustaining the
law.
1t is believed that under the recent
| amendment of the act extending the
time tor registration the Chinese
laborers thereto entitled who desire to
reside in this country will now avail
themselves of the renewed privilege
thus afforded of establishing by lawful
procedure their right to remain, and
that thereby the necessity of enforced
deportation may to a great degree be
avoided.
1t has devolved upon the United
States minister at Pekin, as dean of
the diplomatic body, in the absence
of a representative of Sweden and
Norway, to press upon the Chinese
government reparation for the murder
of Swedish missionaries at Sung -pu.
This question is of vital interest to all
countries whose citizens engage in
missionary work in the interior.
SALE OF FIREARMS PROHIBITED IN THE
| CONGO.
By article IL Of the general act of
Brussels, signed July 2, 1890, for the
suppression Of the slave trade and the
restriction of certain injurious COM
merce in the Independent State of the
Congo and in the adjacent zone OF
Central Africa, the United States and
the other signatory powers agreed to
adopt appropriate means for the
punishment of persons selling arms
and ammunition to the natives and
for the conhscation of the inhibited
articles. 1t being the plain duty Of
this government to aid in suppressing
the nefarious traffic, impairing as it
does the praiseworthy and civilizing
efforts now in progress in that region,
l recommend that an act to be
passed prohibiting the sale of arms
and intoxicants to natives in the re-
gulated zone by our citizens.
COSTA RcA's FRIENDLINEss.
Costa Rica has lately testified its
friendliness by surrendering to the
United States, in the absence of a
convention of extradition, but upon
duly submitted evidence of criminality,
a noted fugitive from justice. 1t is
trusted that the negotiation of treaty
with that country to meet recurring
cases of this kind will soon be ac-
complished. In my opinion treaties
for reciprocal extradition should be
concluded with all those countries
with which the United States has not
already conventional arrangements OF
that character.
l have deemed it fitting to express
to the governments of Costa Rica and
Colombia the kindly desire of the
United States to see their pending
boundary dispute finally closed by
arbitration in conformity with the
spirit of the treaty concluded between
them some years ago.
RELATIONS WITH EUROPEAN POWERS.
Our relations with the French re-
public continue to be intimate and
cordial. l sincerely hope that the
extradition treaty with that country,
as amended by the Senate, will soon,
be operative.
While occasional questions affecting
our naturalized citizens returning to
the land of their birth have arisen in
our intercourse with Germany, our
relations with that country continue
satisfactory.
The questions affected our relations
with Great Britain have been treated
in a spirit of friendliness.
Negotiations are in progress between
the two governments with view to
such concurrent action as will make
the award and regulations agreed upon
by the Bering sea tribunal of arbitra-
ton practically effective, and it 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
bound to and from the lake ports of
the United States was adjusted by the
substitution Of a more equitable
schedule of charges, and my prede-
cessor thereupon suspended his procla
nation imposing discriminating tolls
upon British transit through our
canals.
A request for additions to the list OF
eNtraditable offenses covered by the
existing treaty between the two
countries is under consideration.
HAYTI, HONDURAS, LIBERIA AND MEXICO.
During the past year an American
citizen, employed in a subordinate
commercial position in Hayti, after
suffering a protracted Imprisonment,
on an unfounded charge of smuggling,
was finally liberated on judicial ex-
animation. Upon urgent representa-.
ton to the Haytian government a
, suitable indemnity was paid to the
sufferer.
, BY law of Hayti sailing vessel
: having discharged her cargo, is refused
, clearance until the duties on such
, cargo have been paid. The hardship
: of this measure upon American ship
| owners who conduct the bulk of the
carrying trade of that country ha:
j 1 =