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

been suddenly overthrown., and treaty
of annexation had been negotiated be-
tween the Provisional government of the
Islands and the United States, and sub
mitted to the Senate for ratification.
| This treaty withdrew for examination
and dispatched Hon. James FL. Blount
of Georgia, to Honolulu as a special COM
missioner to make an impartial investi-
| cation of the circumstances attending the
change of government, and of all the con-
ditions bearing upon the subject OF the
| treaty. After a thorough and exhaustive
examination Mr.. Blount submitted to
me his report showing beyond all ques-
tion that the constitutional government
OF Hawaii had been subverted with the
1 active aid of our representative to that
government and through the intimida-
ton caused by the presence of an armed
naval force of the United States which
was landed for that purpose at the in
stance of our minister. Upon the facUs
| developed it seemed to me the only hon
orable course for our government to pur-
sue was to undo the wrong that had been
done by those. representing us and to re-
store as far as practicable the status ex-
| listing at the time of our forcible inter-
vention. With view of accomplishing
| this result within the constitutional linn
| its of executive power and recognizing
all our obligations and responsibilities
growing out of any changed conditions
brought about by our unjustifable in
reference our present Minister at
Honolulu has received appropriate in
structions to that end. Thus far no in
| formation of the accomplishment of any
definite results has been received from
him. Additional advices are soon expect
ed. When received they will be promptly
sent to the Congress, together with all
other information at hand, accompanied
by special executive message fully de-
failing all the facts necessary to a COM
plete understanding of the case, and pre-
senting history of all the material
facts leading up to the present situation.
International Arbitration.
By concurrent resolution passed by
the Senate February IA, 1890, and by the
House on the 3rd of April followingssthe
President was requested to invite. from
time to time as fit occasions may arise,
negotiations with any governments with
which the United States has or may have
| diplomatic relations to the end that
| any differences or disputes arising be-
tween the two governments which can
| not be adjusted by diplomatic agency
| may be referred to arbitration and be
| peaceably adjusted by said means !"
April IS, 1890, the international Ameri-
| can conference of Washington by resolu-
ton expressed tine wish that all contro-
versies between the republics of America
and the nations Of Europe might be set
| tied by arbitration and recommended
| that the government of each nation rep
resented in that conference should COM
| municate this wish to all friendly
powers. A favorable response has been
received from Great Britain in the shape
/ of a resolution adopted by Parliament
( July IS last, cordially sympathizing with
| the purpose in view, and expressing the
hope that her majesty's government will
| lend ready cooperation to the govern
ment of the United States upon the basis
| of the concurrent resolution above quoted.
1t affords me signal pleasure to lay
this parliamentary resolution before the
/ Congress and to express my sincere
qualification that the sentiment of two
| great and kindred nations is thus author
| itativeiy manifested in favor of the
rational and peaceable settlement of in
ternational. quarrels. by honorable resort
to arbitatlon.
Diplomatic and 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 in which foreign countries
accredit their agents here, Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and Germany have
conferred upon their representatives at
this capital the titles of am bassador, and
have responded by accrediting the
agents. of the United States in those
countries with the same title. A like re-
lation of mission IS announced by Rus
STA, and when made will be similarly met.
This step fittingly COMFORTS with the
position the United States holds in the
family of nations.
took occasion to recommend a re-cast of
sthe laws relating to the consular service,
in order that it might become more
efficient agency in the promotion of the
interest it was intended to subserve
Thesduties and powers of consuls .have
lnents of our foreign trade. Discharging
impor tanJ duties affecting our commerce
and American citizens abroad, and in
certain countries exercising judicial
functions these officers should be men of
character, intelligence and ability
Upon proof that the Legislation of Den
mark secures copyright to American citi-
szens OH equal footing with its own, the
privileges of our copyright laws have
been extended by proclamation to sub
jects of that country.
The Country's Finances.
The Secretary of the Treasury reports
that the receipts of the government from
all sources during the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1898, amounted to $461, 716, SOL
"a, and ltssexpenditures to $459, 374, 674. 80.
There was collected from customs $685.
335, 016.73, and from internal revenue
Sl61, 027, 62s.93. Our dutiable imports
amounted to $421, 1856, III, an increase of
So, 453 907 over the preceding year, and
importatons free of duty amounted to
444, 544, I'll, a.decrease from the preceding
year of S13, 455, AT. Internal revenue re-
ceipts exceed those of the preceding
year by 81, 147, 445. 81. The t tai tax col
lected on distilled spirits was $94. 72O, 800
IS on manufactured. tobacco ..$31 ,8S9, ILL.,
"A and on fermenJed liquor S33, 54S, 9S3. OF.
We exported merchandise during the
year amounting to $S4T, 665, 1874, de-
crease of $780, 6l2, 1854 from the preceding
year. The amount Of gold exported was
larger than any previous year lin the his
tory of the government, amounting to
$1oS, $50, s44 and exceeding the amount
exported during the preceding year by
hS 4SS 517 The srpo maid from, tho trpae-