The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-04


WAsHINGToN, Dec. 1.-The president
today sent To congress the following
message:
The Messaye.
20 THE CoxGnEss OF THE UNITED STATES:
The constitutional duty which requires the
president from time to time TO give 10 the
congress information of the state of tho
Union, and recommend 10 their consideration
such measures as he shall judge necessary
and expcdient, Is fttingiy entered upon by
commending 20 tho congress a careful exam
ination OF the detailed statements and well
supported recommendations contained in the
reports OF the heads of departments who are
chiefly charged with the executive work OF
the government.
In an effort TO abridge this communication
as much as is consistent with its purpose. i
shall supplement brief reference To the con-
tents OF these departmental reports by the
mention Of such executive business and incl
dents as are not embraced therein, and by
such recommendations as appear 10 be at this
particular time appropriate.
Our Foreign Relations.
While our foreign relations have not at all
times during the past year been entirely FREQ
srom perplexity. no embarrassing situation
remains that win not yield TO the spirit of
fairness and love OF justice, which, Joined
With consistent firmness, characterize truly
American foreign policy.
My predecessor, having accepted the Office
OF arbitrator Of the long standing missions
boundary dispute, rendered TO the president
by the Argentine Republic and Brazil, il has
been my agreeable duty t6 receive the specia'
ENJOYS commissioned by those states to lay
before mo evidence and arguments in behalf
OF their respective governments.
The outbreak OF domestic hostilities in the re-
public of Brazil found the United States alert
into Of ~ fr, haf
country, with which we carry on important
comme Several vessels of our new navy
arc now. and for some time have been, sta
toned at Rio de Janeiro.
The struggle being botween the established
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, and lacking, as 1t does, the ele-
ments OF divided administration, l have
failed to see that the insurgents can reason
ably claim recognition as belligerents.
Thus far the position Of our government has
been that of an attentive but impartial OBJ
server OF the unfortunate conflict. Empha-
sizing our fixed policy of impartial neutrality
In such a condition of affairs as now exists,
deemed II necessary TO disavow. In a manner
not 90 be misunderstood, the unauthorized
action of our late naval commander in those
waters in saluting the revolving Brazilian
admiral, being indisposed TO countenance an
act calculated 10 give gratuitous sanction TO
the insurrection.
The convention between our government
and Chill, having for its object the settlement
and adjustment of the demands of the two
countries against each other. has been made
effective by tho organization of the claims
commission provided for. The two govern
ments failing TO agree upon the third member
n m tL.a nod nf tp
president of the Swiss republic were invoked
as provided in the treaty, and the selection Of
the Swiss representative in this country 10
complete the organization, was gratifying
alike 10 the United States and Chilli.
The vexatious question of so-called legation
asylum for offenders against the state and its
laws was presented anew In Chill by the un-
authorized action of the Late United States
minister in receiving into his official residence
two persons who had just failed in an attempt
at revolution and against whom criminal
charges were pending, growing out of former
abortive disturbance.
Tie doctrine of asylum as applied 10 this
case is not sanctioned by the best precedents,
and, when allowed, tcnds to encourage scal-
ton aud strife. Under no circumstances can
the representatives OF this government be per-
mittod under the ill-defincd fiction of extra
territoriality 10 interrupt the administration
OF criminal justice in the countries TO which
they are accredited. A temperate demand
having been made by the Gillian government
Tor the correction of this conduct in the in
stance mentioned, the minister was instructed
no longer 70 harbor tho offenders.
The Geary Law.
The legislation of last year, known as the
Gcnry law. requiring the registration of all
Chinese lahorers entitled to reside In the
United States. and the deportation of all not
complying with the provisions OF this act
within tho time prescribed, met with much
opposition from Cinnamon in this country.
Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel
that tho law was unconstitutional, the great
mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial in
quiry rs TO its validity, in good faith declined
10 apply for the certificates required by its
provisions. a test case, upon proceeding 10y
habcas corpus, was brought before the SUI
prcme court, and on May H. 1898, decision
was made by that tribu nal sustaining the law
IL is believed that under the recent amend
ment Of the act extending the time for regis
tration. the Chinese laborcrs thereto entitled
who desire 10 reside in this country, will now
avail themselves OF the rene wed privilege
thus afforded Of establishing by lawful pro.
cedure their right to remain, and that thereby
the necessity OF enforced deportation may 20
a great degree be avoided. II has dcvolvod
upon tho United States minister Mt Peking, as
dean Of the diplomatic body. and In the ab.
sencc OF representative oi Swedcn ana Nor
way. 90 press upon The Chinese government
rcparation for the recent murder Of Swedish
missionaries at Sung-Pu. This question Is
OF vital interest 90 all countries whose citi-
zens engage In missionary work in the interior
Extradition.
Costa Rica has lately testified it's friendli.
ness by surrcndcrlng TO the United States. In
the absence Of q convention ~ cxtradition,
but upon duly submitted evidence OF crimi.
nality noted fugitive from justice. II Is
trusted that the negotiation OF a treaty with
that country 10 meet recurring cases OF this
kind will soon be accomplished. In my opinion
treaties for reciprocal extradition should be
concluded with all those countries with which
the United States has not already conven.
tional arrangements 81 that character.
/ have deemed IL fitting TO express to the
governments Of Costa Rica and Colombia the
Kindly desire u the United States 10 ses a, q.