The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-05

arbitration, would be most gratifying
! contamination.
The ratincation by Venezuela of the con-
vention for the arbitration OF the long
deferred claim Of the Venezuelan trans
portation con pany is awaited.
The Hawaiian Affair.
II "a hardl, necessary for me 10 state
that the questions arising from our rela-
tions with Hawaii have caused serious
embarrassment Just prior 10 the instaila-
! ton of the pfC no administration the ex-
listing government OF Hawaii had been
| suddenly overthrOwn. and a treaty Of an
nexation had been negOtiated between the
provisional government OF the Islands
and the United states and submitted 10
! the Senate for ratification. This treaty
/ withdrew for examination, and Dispatch
ed Hon. Ian IL. BlOunt. OF Georgia,
10 Honolulu as q special commissioner
TO make an impartial investigation Of the
circumstances -ttending the change of
government. and OF all the conditions
bearing upon The subject of the treaty
| After a thorcpgh and exhaustive examfn-
alton, Mr. Blount submitted to me his re-
port. showing beyond all question that the
constitutional government OF Hawaii had
been subverteQ with the active aid OF
our represent 10 that government
and through he intimidation caused by
the presence OI an armed naval force OF
the United States, which was landed for
that purpose az the instance OF our minis
ter. Upon the facts developed It seemed
10 me that thefDnly honorable course for
our government TO pursue was TO undo
the wrong that had been done by those
representing as and TO restore as far as
practicable the status existing al the
time Of our forcible intervention. with a
view Of accomplishing this result within
the constitutional limits Of executive
power and recognizing all our obliga-
lions and responsibilities growing out OF
any changed conditions brought about by
our uniustifable interference. our present
minister at Honolulu has received appro-
pirate instructions 10 that end. Thus far
no information of the accomplishment OF
any definite results has been received
from him.
Additional adyices are soon expected.
When received they viii be promptly sent
10 the Congress togetner with I'll other
Fl formation ut hand. accompanied by a
special executive message fully detaili g
all the facts necessary 20 a complete un-
derstanding of ihe case and presenting Il
history Of an the material events leading
up 10 the present situation
To Arbitrate Disputes.
BY a concurrent resolution passed bv
the Senate, February IA. 1890 and by
the House Of Representatives on the "a
of April following. the President was
requested "to invite. from time to time.
as the occasions may arise, negotiations
with any government with which the
United States has or may have dipio-
matte relations 20 the end that any diff
ferences OF disputes arising between the
two governments which cannot be ad-
justed BY diplomatic agency may be
referred 10 arbitration and be peaceably
adjusted by such means"
April Is, 1890. De- International Ameri-
can Conference at Washington, by resO-
lutions expressed the wish that the con-
troversies between the republics of Amer
lea 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 10 all friendly
powers. A favorable response has been
received from Great Britain i'm the shape
of a resolution adopted by Parliament
July 18th last, cordially sympathizing with
the purpose in view and expressing the
hope that her Maiestys government will
lend ready cooperation 20 the govern
meut of the United States upon the
basis OF the concurrent resolution above
quoted.
IL affords me signal pleasure to lay
this parliamentary resolution before the
Congress, ana 90 express my sincere
gratihcation that the sentiment OF two
great and kindred nations rs thus au-
thoritatiyey manifested ion favor of the
national and poaccablc settlement OF
International quarrels by honorable resort
to arbitration.
Our Consular Service.
Since the passage Of the act Of March
3, 1898, authorizing the President to raise
the grade Of our ENJOYS to correspond
with the rank Ia which foreign countries
accord their agents here. Great Britain.
France Italy, and Germany have conferred
upon their representatives, at this capi-
tai the title Of ambassador and have
responded by according the agents Of
the United States in these countries
the same titles.
\ ike elcys Oh Of mission is announced
by Russia. aud when made will be sim
ilarly met. This step fittingly comports
with the position the United States held
in the family OF nations.
During my former administration ]
took occasion to recommend a recast Of
the laws relating 10 the consular service
I'm order that it might become a more
efficient agency in the promotion of the
interests it was intended to subserve.
The duties and powers of consuls nave
been expanded with the growing require
ments of our foreign trade
Bischarging important duties affecting
our commerce and American citizens
abroad. and in certain countries cXercis-
ing judicial functions. these officers
should he men Of character, intelligence,
and ability.
Upon proof that the legislation Of Den
mark secures copyright 10 American citi-
zens on equal footing with its own. the
privileges of our copyright law have been
extended by proclamation to subjects Of
that country.
Financial Statement.
The Secretary Of the Treasury reports
that the receipts of the government from
all sources during the fiscal year ended
June 50, 1893 amounted TO s46l 7l6, sol 81
and its expenditures TO $50 ,354, 2.
There was collected from customs S2o5.
3o5.0l6.13. and from internal levenues
SlGl or, ,62se3 our dutiqbe imports
amounted to s42l, s56,7l1. an increase of
@2,i53,07 over the preceding year, and
importations free Of duty amounted 10
S44.54A2ll, a decrease from the preced-
ing year Of sl3l55,4H. Internal reve-
nue. receipts exceeded those OF the pre-
ceding year by E,liz4i5.52.
The total tax collected on distilled
spirits was S94, ~. .260.55. on manufactured
tobacco, S3l $50 "a, ana on fermented
liquors. $S2.54S.!83.07. We exported mer-
chandlse durirr the year amounting 10
SSi7 6G5, 1884, a decrease OF slS2, 954 from
the preceding year. The amount OF
gold exported VAS larger than any pre-
vious year in the history OF the govern
rnenf apountfog TO slOS $50 S44 and ex-