The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-12-14
HENDERSON, N. c., THURSDAY, DECEMBER Il, 1893.

payments are being regularly made
hereunder
The boundary dispute between
Venezuela and British Guina is ye,
unadjusted. A restoration of diplo-
matte intercourse between that re-
public and Great Britain and reference
of the question to impartial arbitration
would be most gratifying consum-
nation.
The ratification by Venezuela of the
convention tor the arbitration of the
long deferred claim of the Venezuelan
Transportation Company is awaited.
THE HAWAIIAN 1MBROGL1O.
1t is hardly necessary for me to
state that the questions arising from
our relations with Hawaii have caused
serious embarrassment. Just prior to
the installation Of the present admins
tration the existing government of
Hawaii had been suddenly overthrown
and treaty Of annexation had been
negotiated between the provisional
government of the islands and the
United States and submitted to the
Senate for ratification. This treaty l
withdrew for examination, and dis
patched Hon. James H. Blount, of
, Georgia, to Honolulu as special
commissioner to make an impartial
investigation of the circumstances
attending the change of government,
and of all the conditions bearing upon
the subject of the treaty. After a
thorough and exhaustive examination
Mr.. Blount submitted to me his re-
port, showing beyond all question that
the constitutional government Of
Hawaii had been subverted with the
active aid of our representative to that
government, and through the intimi
dation by the presence of an armed
naval force of the United States which
was landed for that purpose at the
instance of our minister. Upon the
facts developed it seemed to me the
only honorable course for our govern
ment to pursue was to undo the
wrong that had been done by those
representing us and to restore as fast
as practicable the status existing at
the time of our forcible Intervention.
With a view of accomplishing this
result within the constitutional limits
of executive power, and recognizing
all our obligations and responsibilities
growing out of any changed condi
tions brought about by our unjustihable
interference, our present minister at
Honolulu has received appropriate
instructions to that end. Thus far no
I information of the accomplishment of
any definite results has been received
from him.
| Additional advices are soon ex-
pected. When received they will be
promptly sent to the Congress,
together with all other information at
hand, accompanied by special
executive message fully detailing all
the facts necessary to complete
understanding of the case, and present
ing a history OF all the material events
leading up to the present situation.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
By a concurrent resolution passed
by the Senate February ID, 1890, and
by the House of Representatives on
the 3rd of April following, the Presi-
dent was requested 'to invite, from
time to time, as fit occasions may
arise, negotiations with any govern
ment with which the United States
has or may have diplomatic relations,
to the end that any differences or
disputes arising between the two
governments which cannot be adjusted
by diplomatic agency may be referred
to arbitration and be peaceably ad-
justed by such means" April 1S,
1890, the International American
Conference of Washington by reso-
luton expressed the wish that all con-
troversies between the republics of
America and the nations of Europe
might be settled by arbitration, and
recommended that the government of
each nation represented in that con-
ference should communicate this wish
to all friendly powers. A favorable
response has been received from Great
Britain in the shape of resolution
adopted by Parliament July I6 last,
cordially sympathizing with the
puapose in view and expressing the
hope that her Majesty's government
will lend ready cooperation to the
government of the United States upon
the basis of the concurrent resolution
above quoted.
1t affords me signal pleasure to lay
this parliamentry resolution before the
Congress and to express my sincere
qualification that the sentiment of two
great and kindred nations is thus
authoritatively manifested in favor of
the rational and peaceable settlement
of international quarrels by honorable
resort to arbitration.
THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.
Since the passage of the act of March
3, 1898, authorizing the President to
raise the grade OF our ENJOYS to cor
respond with the rank in which foreign
countries accredit their agents here,
Great Britain, France, Italy and
Germany have conferred upon their
representatives at this capital the title
of ambassador, and l have responded
by accredi;ing the agents of the United
States in those countries with the same
title. A like elevation Of mission is
announced by Russia, and when made
will be similarly met. This step fittingly
comports with the position the United
States mold in the family of nations.
During my former administration |
took occasion to recommend a recast
of the laws relating to the consular
service in order that If might become