The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-05

seriously embarrassed, but a generous
treatment has been extended to 1t by
the government of Nicaragua. The
United States are especially interested
in the successful achievement OF the
vast undertaking this company has in
charge. That it should be accomplished
under diStinctively American auspices.
and its enjoyment assured not only
to the vessels of this country, as
channel Of commercial communication
between our Atlantic and Pacific sea-
boards, but the ships of the world, in
the interests of civilization, is a propo-
sition which in my judgment does not
admit of question.
Guatemala has also been visited by
the political vicissitudes which have
afflicted her Central America neigh
bors, but the dissolution of its legis
lature and the proclamation of die
tatorship have been unattended by civ
il war.
An extradition treaty with Nor
way has recently been exchanged
and proclaimed. The extradition trea-
ty with Russia signed in March, 1887,
and amended and confirmed by the
Senate in February last, was duly
proclaimed last June.
Led by desire to compose differ
ences and contribute to the restoration
of order in Samoa, which for some
years previous had been the scene Of
conflicting foreign pretensions and ma
tive strife, the United States, depart
ing from its policy, consecrated by a
century of observance, entered four
years ago into the treaty of Berlin,
thereby becoming Jointly bound with
England and Germany to establish and
maintain Malietoa Laupepa as king
of Samoa The treaty provided for a
foreign court of justice, municipal
council for the district of Apia with
a foreign president there authorized
to advise the king, a tribunal for the
settlement of native and foreign land
titles and a revenue system for the
kingdom. 1t entailed upon the three
lpoWers that part of the cost of the
new government not met by the reve-
nue. of the islands. Early in the life
ldissensions it was designed to quell
ldefied the authority of the new king,
refusing to pay taxes and demanding
the election of a ruler by the native
lSuffrage. Mataafa, an aSpirant to the
throne, and a large number of his ma
tive adherents, were in open
rebellion on one of the
islands. Quite lately, at the request
of the other powers, and in fulfllment
of its treaty obligation, this govern
ment agreed to unite in joint mill
tary movement of such dimensions as
would probably secure the surrender
of the insurgents without bloodshed.
The warship Philadelphia was accord
Iingly put under orders for Samoa, but
before she arrived the threatened con-
flict was precipitated by King Ma
tafaas attack upon the insurgent
camp. Mataafa was defeated. and a
number of men killed. The British and
German vessels present subsequently
secured the surrender of Mataafa and
his adherents. The defeated chief and
ten of his principal supporters were
deported to a German island of the
| Marshal group, where they are held
las prisoners under the joint RESPONSE
bility and cost of the three powers.
This incident and the events leading
up to it signally illustrate the impolicy
lof entangling alliances with foreign
powers.
More than fifteen years ago this gov
eminent preferred a claim against
Spain in behalf of one of our citizens
flor property seized and confiscated in
lCuba In 1886 the claim was adjusted,
lSpain agreeing to pay Internationally,
as a fair indemnity, $1,500,000. A re-
Espectful but earnest note was recently
! addressed to the Spanish government,
Insisting upon a prompt fulfllment of
its long neglected Obligation. Other
I claims preferred by the United States
d
citizens for property confiscated in
Cuba have been pending for many
years. At the time Spains title to the
Caroline islands was confirmed by ar
bitration, that government agreed that
the rights which had been acquired
thereby by American missionaries
should be recognized and respected. 1t
lis sincerely hoped that this plan will
be observed by allowing our mission
aries who were removed from
! Ponape to place of safety
by United States warship
during the late troubles between
the Spanish garrison and the natives,
to return to their field of usefulness.
The reproduced caravel Santa Maria,
built by Spain and sent to the Column
bian Exposition, has been presented to
the United States in token Of amity.
and in commemoration of the event
that it was designed to celebrate. 1 rec
ommend that in accepting this gift,
Congress make grateful recognition of
the sincere friendship which prompted
lit
Important matters have demanded
attention in our relations with the OF
toman porte. The firing and partial
destruction, by an unrestrained mob,
of one of the school buildings of An
atoly college, established by citizens of
the United States at Marsovan, and
the apparent indifference Of the Turk
ish government to the outrage, not
withstanding the completely of some of
its officials, called for an earnest re-
lmonstration, which was follwed by
promises of reparation and punishment
of the offenders. Indemnity for the in
Jury to the building and permission to
rebuild was given, registration of the
school property in the name of the
| American owners was secured and eff
lrsn <rt4a lafo Inf
ton received of the maltreatment
suffered by an inoffensive American
| woman engaged in missionary work in
Turkey was followed by such reprcsen-
tations to the porte as resulted in the
issuance of orders for the punishment
of her assailants, the removal of a de-
linQuent official and the adoption of
measures for the protection of our citf-
Zens engaged in missionary and other
lawful work in that quarter. Turkey
complains that her Armenian subjects
obtain citizenship in this country not
TO identify themselves in good faith
with our people, but with the intention
of returning to the land of their birth
and there engaging in sediton.
This complaint is not wholly without
foundation. A journal published in
this country in The Armenian language
openly counsels its readers to arm, Or
ganize and participate in movements
for the subversion of Turkish author
ity in the Asiatic provinces. The OF
4 toman government has announced its
intention to expel from its dominion
Arnenians who have obtained natu-
radiation in the United States since
1868. The right to exclude any. or all
classes, of aliens is an attribute of
sovereignty. 1t is a right asserted and
10 limited extent enforced by the
United States with the sanction of our
highest courts. There being no natu-