The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-12-13


ministration's Pension Policy.
The Presidents annual message which
has been read in both Houses OF Congress,
is mainly as follows
To the Congress Of tho United States.
The constitutional duty which requires
the President from time to time to give to
tho Congress Information ofthe state OF tho
Union, and reco mmend TO their considera-
tion such measures as he shall judge neces-
sary and expc1icnt is ilttingly entered upon
by commenting to tho Congress n careful
examination OF tho detailed statements and
wel-supported recommendations contained
In the reports OF the heads OF departments,
who are chiefly charged with the executive
work OF tho Government In m effort to
abridge this communication rs much as is
consistent with its purpose, / shall supple
ment brief reference to the contents OF
these departmental reports by the mention
OF such executive business and incidents as
as are not embraced therein, and by such
recommendations as appear to be at this
particular tima appropriate.
While our foreign relations have not at all
times during the past year been entirely free
nom perplexity, no embarrassing situation
remains that will not yield to the spirit OF
fairness and love OF justice, which, Joined
with consistent hrmness, characterize truly
American foreign policy.
BRAZILIAN AFFAIRS.
The outbreak oidomestic hostilities in tho
| Republic OF Brazil found the United States
| alert to watch the interests OF our citizens in
that country, with which we carry on i'm
portant commerce. Several vessels of our
new navy are now, and for some time have
boen, stationed at Rio de Janeiro. The strug-
| gle being between the established Govern
ment, which controls the machinery OF ad-
ministration, and with which we maintain
friendly relations, and certain officers of the
navy employing the vessels of their COM
mand in an attack upon the National capital
and chief seaport, and lacking as II does.
| the elements OF divided administration, 1
have failed to sec that the insurgents can
reasonably claim recognition as belligerents.
Thus far the position OF our Government
has been that OF an attentive but impartial
observer OF the unfortunate conflict. En-
phasizing our fixed policy OF impartial neu-
trality In such a condition of affairs as now
exists, deemed 1t necessary to disavow, in
manner not to be misunderstood, the un-
authorized action OF our late naval COM
mander In those waters in saluting the re-
volted Brazilian Admiral, being indisposed to
countenance an act calculated to give gratui-
tous sanction to the local insurrection.
CHILEAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The convention between our Government
and Chile, having for its object the settle
ment and adjustment OF the demands OF the
two countries against each other, has been
made 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, as 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
Chile.
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION LAW.
The legislation OF last year, known as the
Geary law, requiring the registration 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 prescribed, met with much
opposition from Cinnamon in this country.
Acting upon the advice Of eminent counsel
that the lay was unconstitutional, the great
mass OF Chinese laborers, pending judicial
inquiry as to Its validity, In good faith de-
elined to apply for the certificates required
by It's provisions. test case upon proceed
ing by habeas corpus was brought before the
, Supreme Court, and on May 18th, 1898, a de
cision was made by that tribunal sustaining
the law.
1t is believed that under the recent amend
ment OF the act extending the time for regis
tration, the Chinese laborers thereto entitled
Who desire to reside In this country will nov
avail themselves OF the renewed privileg,
thus afforded OF establishing by lawful pro
, cedure their right to remain, and that thereb.
the necessity OF enforced deportation may L
q great degree be avoided.
SURRENDER OF WEEKS REcooStzED.
q Costa Rics has lately testified its friendli
ness by surrendering to the United States, IL
. the absence OF q convention OF extradition
but upon duly submitted evidences OF crimi
nality, noted fugitive iro.n justice. 1t 4
. trusted that the negotiation OF treaty will
that country to meet recurring cases OF thii
kind will soon be accomplished. In m,
opinion treaties for reciprocal extradtioi
should be concluded with all these countries
= with which the Unit sd States has not alread
conventional arrangements ofthat character
have deemed 1t fitting to express to tn
/ Governments OF Costa Rioa and Colombia tn
kindly desire Of the United States to see thei
pending boundary dispute finally closed b.
the treaty concluded between them som
years ago.
| Our relations with the French Republi
, continue to be intimate and cordial. / sin
cerely hope that the extradition treaty witt
, that country, az amended by the Senate, vii
soon be operative.
While occasional questions affecting ou
e naturalized citizens returning to the land O
th0ir birth have arisen In our intercourse wit
8 Germany, our relations with that countr
" continue satisfactory.
The questions affecting our relations wit
frlendliness.
Negotiations are In progress between tn
8 two Governments with view to such cor
current action as will make the award an
o regulations agreed upon by the Bering Sc
@ Tribunal Of Arbitration practically effectivs
i. and II Is not doubted that Great Britain wi
cooperate freely with this country for tt
: accomplishment THAT purpose.
Il The dispute growing out OF the discrim
- mating tolls imposed In the Welland Cana
Q upon cargoes OF cereals bound to and frol
the lake ports Of the United States, was I'D
: justed by the substitution OF q more equiti
e bic schedule of charges, and my predecssso
+, thereupon suspended his proclamation In
posing discriminating tolls upon Britis
! transit through our canals.
A request for additions to the list OF extri
z ditable offences covered by the existiu
|, treaty between the two countries 70 und'
consideration.
0 TEE NICARAGUA CANAL.
Nicaragua hes recently passed throui