Huntsville gazette., 1893-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Synopsis of the Message Trans
mitted to Congress,
On us Assembling in Regular Session, by
PRESIDENT Cleyeland-A Review OF
Affairs at Home and Abroad
-Reeomme ntts tions

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-President Cleveland
ssupihilteu ms message to congress at noon. Is
oe9lnS with the assurance that while our for
elgn relations have not ct all times during the
past year been entirely free from perplexity
no en- barraSSing situation remains that will
not yield to the spirit of fairness and love of
Justice, which. joined with consistent firmness,
enaracterize truly American foreign policy
The outbreak of domestic hostilities in the
republic of Brazil found the United States
alert to watch The interests of our citizens in
mat country 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. This country has not seen
nt to take any other position tban that of an
impartial observer.
The convention between our government and
onlil, having for its object the settlement and
adjustment of the demands of the two coun-
tries against each other has been made effect
i've by the organization Of the claims commits
sion provided for, and through it a satisfactory
settlement was effected.
THE CHINESE.
The Geary law, requiring the registration OF
all Chinese laborers, having been regarded as
unconstitutional by eminent lawyers, test
case upon proceeding by habeas corpus was
brought before the supreme court and on May
10, 1898, decision was made by that tribunal
sustaining the law. This il is believed, will
Induce the Chinese laborers, desiring TO reside
here, to at once avail themselves of the priv
llege and comply with the law.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
BY article II OF the general act of Brussels
signed Jaly ., 1890, for the suppression of the
slave trade and the restriction of certain in
furious commerce in the independent state Of
Congo and in the adjacent zone OF Central AT
r1ca, the United States and the other signatory
powers agreed TO adopt appropriate means for
the punishment of persons selling arms and
ammunition to the natives, and for the confs-
cation OF the inhibited articles. 1t being the
plain duty of this government to aid in sup
pressing the nefarious traffic, impairing, as it
does. the praiseworthy and civillzing EFFORTS
now In progress in that region, the president
recommended that an act be passed prohibit
Ing the sale of arms and intoxicantS to ma
tlves IN the regulated zone Dv our citizens.
EXTRADITIoN TREATIES
Costa Rica having lately testified its friend
liness by surrendering to the United States in
the absence of a convention Of extradition up
on duly submitted evidence of eriminality, d
noted fugitive from justice, the president adj
vises that treaties for reciprocal extradition
should be conducted with all those countries
with which the United States has not already
conventional arrangements OF that character
CORDIAL RELATIONS.
Our relations with the French government
continue TO be intimate and cordial, and the
president sincerely hopes that the extradition
treaty with that country as amended by the
senate, will soon be operative.
While occasional questions affecting our
naturalized citizens returning to the land OF
their birth have arisen in our intercourse with
Germany, our relations with that country con-
tinue satisfactory.
BRITISH FRIENDSHIP.
The questions affecting our relations with
Great Britain have been taken in a spirit OF
friendliness. Negotiations are in progress be-
tween the two governments with view to
such concurrent action as will make the
award and regulations agreed upon by the
Behring sea tribunal OF arbitration practically
effective, and it is not doubted that Great
Britain will cooperate freely with this country
for the accomplishment of that purpose
The dispute growing out of the discrim-
in fit1n tol l1C in1p 10 Wnlland
upon cargoeS of cereals bound to and from the
lake ports of the United States was adjusted
by the substitution of a more equita bic sched-
ule of rates
NICARAGUA.
Nicaragua has recently passed through two
revolutions, but American interests eStab-
lished in that country in connection with the
canal were not moleSted
The United States is especially interested in
the successful achievement of the vast under
taking this company has in charge. That 1t
should be accomplished under distlnctlvely
American auspices and its enjoyment not
only assured to the vessels OF TINS country as
channel of communication between our At
lantic and Pacific seaboards, but 10 the shlps
of the world in the interests of CIVILIZATION, IS
proposition which in his Judgment, does not
admit of question
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
Led by a desire to compose di6eren ces and
contribute to the restoration OF order In Sa-
moa the United States. departing from It's
policy consecrated by century OF observ-
ance entered four years ago into the treaty or
Berlin. thereby becoming Jointly bound with
England and Germany to establlsh ana main
tain Melietoa Laupepepe as king of Samoa
II entalled upon the three powers that part OF
the cost of the new government not met by the
revenue of the islands Early in the life OF
this triple protectoTate the native dissensfons
il was designed to quell revived. Rivals deted
the authority OF the new king, refusing to pay
taxes and demanding the election Of
ruler by the native suffrage Ma
GNfr
and large number of his native adherents
were in open rebellion on one of the islands
Quite lately at the request of the other powers
and IN fulfllment OF lts treaty oonga.lonS; .lis
movement of such dimensions as would prob
abIy secure the surrender of the insurgents
without bloodshed
mt under orders for Samoa, but before she ar
rived the threatened conflict was preclpitated
nv King Maietoa's attack upon the lnsurgent
camp Mataafa was defeated ana a numper OF
sels present subsequently secured the surrender
Of Mataafa and his adherents. The defeated
chief and ten Of his principal supporters were
denorted to a German island OF the Marshall
groun where they are held as prisoners under
The inint responsibility and cost OF the three
nowers This incident and the events leading
M to it signally illustrate the lmpollcy OF en-
tangling alliances with foreign powers.
HAWAII
The nresident says it is hardly necessary for
him to state that the question arising from our
raiations with Hawaii have caused serious en-
horrassment. He reviews his action in with
boIdirg the treaty Of annexation negotiated by
the Harrison administration and his dispatch
ine, of lanes A. Blount, OF Georgia, TO Homo
i,iiu as specia1 commissioner to make an
imnartial investigation and then says
that BIount's report showed beyond
oil Question that the constitutional gov
errment of Hawaii had been subverted with
the active aid of our representative TO tnat
,rnyernment .nS and through the Intimidation
ccapsed nv the presence of an armed naval force
~ the limited States, which. was landed Tor
that burmese at the instance OF our minister.
Irnon the facts developed 1t seemed 10 the
nrea,dent that the only honorable course Tor
p,,r Government TO pursue was 10 undo tne
un. urong that had been done by those represent
INC ,,s and to restore as far as practlcaoie the
AIMS existing at the time OF our forcipie IN
tervention. .,,,,isbinq this result
within the constitutional limits OF eXecutlVe
rorer and recognizing all our obllgations ana
rpesnonsibilites growing out OF any change W Wol
CONDITIONS brought about by our unjqStlnaapiio ai'.
tnterference, our present minister az Honoluiu .
has received appropriate instructions @ 70 ma
and Tbus far no Information OF the accom-
rlishment of any definite result mas peeh re-
celved from him. ,, exnactea and
uhen received they will be promptly SEM ~ "
he CONGRESS- together with all the lnforIiatiol u.