Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-12-07


engagements of that character. have
deemed it fitting TO express TO the govern
nents of Costa Rica and Columbia 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. Our relations with
the French republic continue to be lnti-
mate and cordial. | sincerely hope that
the eztradition treaty with that country,
90 a-""-'ded by the senate, will soon be
operative.
- ..r- vccasionaLquestions affecting our
natdralized citizens returning to the land
of their birth have arisen in ourintercourse
with Germany, our relations with that
country continue satisfactory.
The questions affecting our relations
with Great Britain have been treated in
spirit of friendlinese. 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 Behring sea tribunal of
arbitration practically effective, and 1t is
not doubted that Great Britain will CO.
operate freely with this country for the ac-
complishment OF that purpose.
The dispute growing out of the discrim-
mating tolls OF the Welland canal, upon
cargoes of cereals bound to and from the
justed by the substitution o. a more equita-
BILE schedule of charges, and my prede-
cessor thereupon suspended his proclama-
tion imposing discriminating tolls upon
British transit through our canals.
A request for additions to the list of eX-
traditable oifenses covered by the existing
treaty between the two countries is under
consideration.
During the past year an American citizen
employed in a subordinate commercial
position in Hayti, after suffering pro
tracted Imprisonment on an unfounded
charge of smuggling, was finally liberated
upon judicial examination. Upon urgent
representation to the Haytian government,
suitable indemnity was paid to the sut-
ferer 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 has been insisted on with a
view of securing the removal OF this cause
of complaint
Upon receiving authentic information OF
the firing upon an American mail steamer
| touching at the port of Amapala because
| her captain refused to deliver up passen'
| ger in transit from Nicaragua to Guate'
| mala upon demand of the military authori-
| ties OF Honduras our minister to that coun,
| try under instructions protested against
/ the Wanton act and demanded satisfaction
| The government of Honduras, actuated by
| a sense of Justice and in a spirit Of the ut
| most friendship, promptly disayowed tht
| illegal conduct of its officers and expressed
sincere regret for the occurrence.
| 1t is confidently anticipated that salts
factory adjustment will soon be reached @
| the questions arising cut of the seizure allt
use Of American vessels by insurgents IL
| Honduras aud the subsequent denial b.
| the successful government OF commercial
privileges to those vessels on that account
| Ahotable part OF the southeasterly coas
of Liberia, between the Cayally and Sal
Pedro rivers, which for nearly half cen
tury has been generally recognized as be
longing to that republic by cession ant
purchase, has been claimed to be under th
protectorate Of France in virtue OF agree
ments entered into by the native tribe
over whom Liberals control has not beel
well maintained.
More recently negotiations between tn
Iiberian representative and the Frenci
government resulted in the signature a
Paris of treaty whereby as an adjust
ment certain Libcrian territory is ceded t
France This convention at last advice
had not been ratified by the Liberian legis
lature and executive.
Feeling o sympathetic interest in tn
fortunes of the little commonwealth th
establishment and development of whicl
were largely aided by the benevolence Q
our countrymen, and which constitutes th
only independently sovereign state on tn
west coast of Africa, this government ha
suggested to the French government it
earnest concern lest territorial impairmen
in Liberia should take place without he
unconstrained consent.
Our relations with Mexico continue to
of that close and friendly nature whic
should always characterize the intercours
of two neighboring republics
The work of relocating the monument
marking the boundary between the tw
countries from Paso del Norte to tn
Pacific is now nearly completed.
The commission recently organized ur
der the conventions Of 1884 and 1889; it j
expected, will speedily settle dispute
growing out of the shifting currents of tn
Rio Grande river east of Ell Paso
Nicaragua has recently passed throug
two revolutions, the party at first success:
full having in turn been displaced by al
other. Our newly appointed minister,
, his timely good offices, sided in peacefr
adjustment of the controversy involved
the first conflict.
The large American interests establishe
in that country in connection with th
Nicaragua canal were not molested.
The Nicaragua Canal company has VI
fortunately become financially seriousl
embarrassed, but a generous treatment ha
been extended to it by the government {
!, Nicaragua. The United States are e.
pecially interested in the successful achieve
: ment of the vast undertaking this compan
has in charge That it should be accom-
plished under distinctively American au,
pices and its enjoyment assured not only t
the vessels Of this country as a channel {
communication between our Atlantic an
Pacific seaboards but to the ships of th
world in the interests of civilization, is
proposition which, in my Judgment, doe
not admit of question.
Led by desire to compose difference
and contribute to the restoration Of orde
in Samoa, which for some years previor
had been the scene of conflicting foreig
; pretensions and native strife, the Unite
States, departing from its policy, cons
Grated by century of observance entere
four years ago into the treaty of Berlil
thereby becoming jointly bound viii
England and Germany to establish an
maintain Malletoa Lanpepa as king
Samoa.
The treaty provided for foreign court
justice; q municipal council for the distrit
of Apin, with q foreign president thereo
authorized to advise the king; tribun;
: for the settlement of native and foreig
land titles, and revenue system for tt
kingdom. 1t entailed upon the thrt
powers that part of the cost of tbs ne
government not met by the revenue of I'll
islands.
EARLY in the life of this triple protecto
: ate the native dissensions, it was designe
: to quell, revived. Rivals detied the autho
ity of the new king, refusing to pay take
and demanding the election OF ruler b
, native suffrage. Mataafa, an aspirant t
the throne, and large number Of his nj
tive adherents were in open rebellion O
one of the islands
Quite lately, at the request of the othe
powers, and in fulfillment of its treaty oil
legations, this government agreed to unit
in joint military movement of such
mensiohs as would probably secure th
surrender of the insurgents without bloet
shed. The warship Philadelphia was a,
cordingly put under orders for Samoi
: but before she arrived the threatene
conflict was precipitated by King Nal