The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-12-13

- -AlLoalNL u a. y -
This Country Department reports
snmmnrizea-Grewtn Of the Navy
WAsH1NeroN, Dec. 4.-The message
of President Cleveland was Shorter
than usual. for him. containing but
about $1,000 words. In brief it Was Is
follows:
10 the Congress Of the United 6tateas
T',a constfiutional 81 sri.i..I.. 1...... +.
the president rom tin'c q time to give to
the congress Information Of the state Of
the Union and recommend TO their consid-
Grafton such measures as he shall judge
necessary and expedient, is fttingly en-
tered upon by commenting to the congress
a careful examination of the detailed state
ments and well supported recommends
| tions contained in the reports of the heads
of departments, who are chiefly charged
with the executive work of the govern
ment. In an effort to abridge this commu-
nication as much as Is consistent with its
purpose, / shall supplement a brief refer
reports by the mention of such executive
business and incidents as are not embraced
therein, and by such recommendations as
appear to be at this particular time appro-
pirate.
Foreign Relations.
While our foreign relations have not at
all times during the past year been en-
tirely free FROM perplexity, no embarrass-
the spirit of fairness and love of justice,
which, Joined with consistent firmness,
characterize n truly American foreign
policy.
Ny predecessor having accepted the
Office of arbitrator of the long standing
missions boundary dispute. rendered to
the president by the Argentine Republic
and Brazil, it has been my agreeable duty
to receive the special ENJOYS commissioned
by those stated to lay before me evidence
and arguments in behalf of their respective
governments.
The outbreak of domestic hostilities In
the Republic of Brazil found the United
States alert to watch the interests of our
citizens in that country, with which we
carry on important commerce.
Several vessels of our new navy are now,
and for some time have been, stationed at
Rio de Janeiro. The struggle being be-
tween the established government, which
controls the machinery of administration,
and with which we maintain fHendly rela-
tions, and certain officers of the navy EN-.
ploying 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, i have
failed 60 see that the insurgents can reason
ably claim recognition as belligerants.
Thus far the Eosition of our government
has been that of an attentive but impartial
observer of the unfortunate conflict The
convention between our government and
Chill, having for its object the settlement
and adjustment of the demands of the two
effective by the organization of the claims
commission provided for.
The two governments failing to agree
upon the third member of the commission.
the good Offices of the president of the
Swiss republic were invoked rs provided.
in the treaty, and the selection of the Swiss
representative In this country to complete
the organization was gratifying alike to
the United States and Chill. The vexatious
question of so-called legation asylum for
offenders against the state and its laws
was presented anew in Chilli by the un-
authorized action of the late United States
minister in receiving into his official resi-
dence two persons who had just failed in
an attempt at revolution and against
whom criminal charges were pending, grow
ing out of a former abortive disturbance, the
doctrine of asylum as applied to this case
is not sanctioned by the best precedents,
and, when allowed, tends to encourage Sc
dition and strife. Under no circumstances
can the representatives of this government
be permitted. under the ill-defined fiction
of extra territoriality, to interrupt the ad-
ministration of criminal justice in the
countries to which they are accredited. A
temperate demand having been made by
the Chilian government for the correction
of this conduct in the instance mentioned
the minister was instructed no longer to
harbor the Offenders.
The legislation last year known as
The Gesry Law,
quiring the registration of all Chinese h
borers entitled to residence in the United
States and the deportation of all not COM
plying with the provisions of the act with
in the time prescribed, met with much op-
position from Chinese in this country
Acting upon the advice OF eminent counsel
that the law was unconstitutional, the
great mass of Chinese laborers, pending
5urciicial inquiry as to its VALIDITY. in eoo5
faith declined to apply for the certificates
required by its provisions. a test case
upon -proceedinG b. haheas corpus was
Drought before the supreme court. and ON.
Nav X IRQ2 a daaiGinr NvaC NV
tribunal sustaining the law.
1t is believed that under the recent
amendment of the act extending the time
for registration the Chinese laborers
this country, will now avail themselves of
the renewed privilege thus afforded of es-
tablishing by lawful procedure their right
to remain, and that thereby the necessity
of enforced deportation may to o great de
gree be avoided.
1t has devolved upon the United States
minister at Peking, as dean of the 5iplo-
matte body, and in the absence of q repre-
sentative of Sweden and Norway, to press
upon the Chinese government reperation
for the recent murder of Swedish mission
aries at Sung Pu. The question is of vital
interest to all countries whose citizens en-
gage in missionary work in the interior.
By article - of the general act of Brus-
sells, signed July 2, 1890, for the suppress
sion OF the slave trade, and the restriction
OF certain injurious commerce in the indie
pendent state of the Congo and in the adj
jacent zone of Central Africa, the United
States and the other signatory powers
agreed to adopt appropriate means Tor the
punishment OF persons selling arms and
ammunition to the natives and for the
confiscation of the inhibited articles
1t being the plain duty of this govern,
ment to aid in suppressing the nefarioua
traffic, impairing asst does the praiseworthy
aud civiIizing efforts now in progress in that
region, recommend that an act be passed
prohibiting the sale of arms aud intoxi-
cants to natives in the regulated zone by
our citizens.
Costa Rica has lately testified its friendli-
ness by surrendering to the United States
In the absence of convention of extradi-
tion, but upon duly submitted evidence of
criminality, a noted fugitive from Justice
It is trusted that thenegotiation of treaty
with that country to meet recurring cases
of this kind will soon be accomplished.
In my opinion treaties for reciprocal ex-
tradition should be concluded with all
those countries with which the United
states has not already conventional ar.
engagements of that character. have
deemed 1t fitting to express to the govern
,aenb 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 inti-
mate and cordial. sincerely hope that
the extraditlon treaty with that country,
r. "'r'Hnded by the senate, will soon be
operative.
.l4ls occasional questions affecting our
naturalized citizens returning to the land