The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-05

preston of the slave trade and the re-
striction of certain injurious commerce
in the independent States of the Congo.
and in the adjacent scene of Central
Africa, the United States and the other
signatory powers agreed ito adopt appro-
pirate means..for the punishment of per-
sons selling arms and ammunition to the
natives and for the con1iscation of the in
hitlbed articles. 1t being the plain duty
OF, this government to aid in suppressi,lg
the nefarious traffic impairing as it does
the praiseworthy and civilizing efforts
nowsln progress in that region | recon-
mend that a n act be passed prohibiting
the sale of arms and intoxicants to ma
tives in the regulated scenes by our citi-
zens.
Relations With Costa Rica.
Costa Rica has lately testified to its
friendliness by surrendering to theUnited
States in the absence Of convention of
eytradition, but upon duly submitted
evidence of criminality, a noted fugitive
from Justice 1t is trusted that the ne
gotiation of a treaty with that country
to meet cases of this kind will soon be
accomplished, In my opinion treaties
for reciprocal extradition should be con
cluded with all those countries with
which the United States has not already
conventional arrangements of that char
acter. | have .deemed 1T fitting TO ex-
press to the governments of Coast Rica
and Columbia the kindly desire of the
United States to end .the pending boun-
Diary, dispute finally closed by arbitration
IN conformity with the spirit of the
treaty conducted between them some
years ago.
With France and Germany.
Our relations with the French republic
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 natur-
allzed citizens returning to the land of
their birth have arisen in our intercourse
with Germany, our relations with the
country continue satisfactory.
With Great Britain.
The questions affecting sour relations
with Great Britain have been treated in
spirit of friendliness. Negotiations
are in progress between the two govern
ments with view to such concurrent
action as will make the award and regu-
lations agreed upon by the Behrlng Sea
tribunal of arbitration practically effec-
tive, and it is not doubted that Great
Britain will cooperate freely with this
country for the accomplishment of that
purpose *f22
The dispute growing out of the discrimi-
mating 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 more equitable schedule of charges,
and my predecessor thereupon suspended
his proclamation imposing discriminate
ing tolls upon British transit through
our canals.
A request for additions to the lists of
extradltable offences covered by the ex-
listing. treaty between the 1.-TWO countries
is under consideration
With Hayti.
During the past year an Amer
lean citizen employed in a
subordinate commercial position in
Hayti after suffering a protracted i'm
prisonment on an unfounded charge of
smuggling was finally liberated on Judi
cial e Examination. Upon urgent repre-
sentation to the Haytian governments a
suitable indemnity was paid to the
sufferer.
By the law of Hayti a 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, has been insisted
on with view of securing the removal
of this cause of complaint.
Upon receiving authentic information
of the firing upon an American mail
stamer touching at the port of Anapola
because her captain refused to deliver
up passenger in transit from Nicaragua
to Guatemala upon demand of the mill
tary authorities of Honduras, our Minis
ter to that country under instructions
portested against the wanton act and
demanded satisfaction. The government
of Honduras, actuated by sense of
justice and in spirit of the utmost
friendship, promptly disavowed the lille
gal conduct of its officers and expressed
sincere regret for the occurrence. 1t is
confidently anticipated that satisfacto-
ry adjustment will soon be reached for
the questions arising out of the seizure
and use of American vessels by insur-
gents in Honduras and the subsequent
denial by the successful government of,
commercial privileges to those vessels
on that account.
Liberia.
A notable part of the southeasterly
coastssof Liberlasbetween the Cavally and
San Pedro rivers, which for nearly half
century has been generally recognized
as belonging to the republic by cession
and purchase has been claimed to be
under the protectorate of France in vir-
tue of agreements entered into by the
native tribes over whom Liberian con-
troll has hot been well maintained. More
recently negotiations between the Liber-
ian representative and the French gov
eminent resulted in the signature at
Paris of treaty whereby as an adjust
ment, certain Liberian territory is coded
to France. This convention at. last adj
vices had not been ratified by the Libe-
rian Legislature and executive. Feeling
a sympathetic interest in the fortunes of
the little commonwealth, the establish
ment and development of which were
largely aided by the benevolence of our
countrymep. and which constitutes the
only independently sovereign State on
the west coast of Africa, this govern
ment has suggested to the French gov
eminent it's earnest concern lest territor-
ial impairment in Liberia should take