The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-12-09
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Status of the Difficulties in Brazil, Hawaii
and Boring Sea.


and Boring Sea.
While our foreign relations have not
at all times during the past year been
free from perpleXing questions no EN-
barrassing situations remains that will
not yield to the spirit of fairness and
love of Justice which, joined with con-
sistent firmness, characterize true
American policy.
THE BRAZILIAN AFFAIR.
NV predecessor having accepted the
office of arbitrator of the long stand
ing boundary dispute, rendered to
the president by the Argentina Republic
and Brazil it has been my agreeable
duty to receive the special ENJOYS COM
missioned by these states to try the
evidence and arguments in behalf Of
their respective governments. The out
break of domestic hostilities in the re-
public of Brazil found the United States
alert to watch the interests of our coun-
try, 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 between the established
government which controls the ma
chinery Of administration and with
and certain officers of the navy employ
ing the vessels of their command in an
attack upon the national capital and
chief seaport, and lacking as it does the
elements of divided administration,
nave failed TO see that the insurgents
can reasonably claim recognition as be-
hgerents. Thus the position of our gov
eminent has been that of an attentive
but impartial observer of the unfortu-
nate conflict. Emphasizing our fixed
policy of impartial neutrality in such a
condition of affairs as now exists, l
deemed it necessary to disavow in a
manner not to be misunderstood, the
unauthorized action of the late naval
commander of these waters in saluting
the revolutionary Brazilian admiral, be-
ing indisposed to couptenance an act
calculated to give gratuitous sanction to
the local insurgents.
The convention between our govern
ment and Chilli, having for its object
the settlement and adjustment of the
demands of the two countries against
each other, has been made effective by
the organization of the claims commits
sion 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 as provided in the treaty
and the selection of the Swiss repre-
sentative in the country to complete
the organization was gratifying TO the
United States AID Chill.
THE GEARY LAW.
The legislation last year known as
the Geary law, requiring the registra-
tion of all Chinese laborers entitled to
residence in the United States and the
deportation Of all not complying with
the provisions of the act within the time
described, met with much opposition
from Cinnamon in this country. Acting
upon the advice of the eminent counsel
that the law was unconstitutional, the
great mass of Chinese laborers pending
judicial inquiry as to its validity in good
faith declined to apply for their Ger.
Jifcates required by its provisions. a
test upon proceeding by habeas corpus
was brought before the supreme court
and on May Is, 1898, decision was made
by that tribunal sustaining the law. II
is believed under the recent amendment
of the act extending the time for regis.
tration that the Chinese laborers there
TO entitled who desire to reside in this
country will now avail themselves oil
. the renewed privilege thus afforded by
establishing by lawful procedure theil
right to remain and that thereby the
necessity of enforced deportation may
TO a great degree be avoided.
THE BERING SEA QUESTION.
The questions affecting our relations
with Great Britain have been treated
IN spirit of friendliness. Negotiation.
are in progress between the two gov
ernments with a view TO such concur
rent action as will make the award an(
regulations agreed upon by the Berins
sea tribunal of arbitration practically
effective and it is not doubted tina
Great Britain will cooperate freel,
with this country for the accomplish