The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-12-08

and the subsequent deatal ~ ORS SUCCESSFUL
government of commercial privileges 70 those
vessels on that account
Liberia
A notable part Of the coutheasterly coast OF
Liberia, between the Cavally and San Pedro
rivers, which for nearly half century has
been generally recognized as belonging TO that
republic by cession and purchase, has hSen
clair0ed to be under tho protectorate of
France in virtue Of agreements entered into
by the native tribes over whom Liberals con-
troll has not been well maintained. More re-
Gently, negotiations between the Liberian rep
resentative and the French government re-
Oilted in the signature at Paris Of treaty
whereby as an adjustment certain Liberian
territory is ceded to France. This convention
at last advices, had not been ratified by the
Liberian Legislature and executive.
Feeling sympathetic interest in the for
tunes of the little commonwealth, the estab-
lishment and development Of which were
largely aided by the benevolence of our coun-
trymen, and which constitutes the only in
dependently sovereign state on the west coast
of Africa, this government has suggested to
the French government its earnest concern
lest territorial impairment in Liberia should
take place without her unrestrained consent
Our Relations with Mex CO
continue to be of that close and friendly ma
ture which should always characterize the in
tercourse of two neighboring republics. The
work of relocating the monuments marking
the boundary between the two countries from
Paso Del Norte to the Pacific is now nearly
completed. The commission recently Or
ganized under the conventions of 1854 and
1859 it is expected will speedily settle dis
putes grow ing out Of the shifting currents OF
the Rio Grande river east Of FL Paso.
The canal company has, unfortunately, be-
come seriously financially embarrassed, but a
generous treatment has been extended to it by
the government of Nicaragua. The United
States are especially interested in the succe s.
full achievement Of the vast undertaking this
company has in charge. That it should be &C
complished under distinctively American
auspices, and its enjoyment assured not only
to the vessels of this country as channel II
communication between our Atlantic and
Pacific seaboards, but to the ships of the
world in the interests of civilization, is
proposition which, in my judgment, does no
admit of question.
Guatemala Cas also been visited by the
political vicissitudes which have afflicted her
Central American neighbors; but the dissolu-
ton of its legislature and the proclamation of
dictatorship have been unattended with
civil war.
An extradition treaty with Norway has
recently been exchanged and proclaimed.
The extradition treaty with Russia, signed
In March, 1887, and amended and confirmed
by the senate in February last, was duly pro-
claimed last June.
The samoan Squabble.
Led by desire to compass differences and
contribute TO tine restoration of order in
Samoa, which for some years previous had
been the scene Of conflicting foreign preten-
sions and native strife, the United States, de-
parting from its policy consecrated by a GEN.
fury of observance, entered four years ago
into the treaty of Berlin, thereby becoming
Jointly bound with England and Germany to
establish and maintain Malistoa as king
of Samoa. The treaty provided for foreign
court of justice, municipal council for the
district of Apia, with foreign president
thereof, authorized to advise the king; II tri-
bunal for the settlement Of native and foreign
land titles and revenue system for the king
dom. 1t entailed upon the three powers that
part of the cost of the new government not
met by the revenue of the island.
Early in the life of this triple protectorate, the
native dissensions it was designed to quell re-
vived. Rivals Ge6ed the authority of the new
king refusing TO pay taxes and demanding
the election Of a ruler by native suffrage. Ma
taafa. an aspirant TO the throne, and a large
number of his native adherents, were in open
rebellion on one of the islands. Quite lately,
at the request If the other powers, and in full
fillment of its treaty obligation, this govern
ment agreed to unite in joint military move
ment of such dimensions as would probably
secure the surrender of the insurgents with
out bloodshed.
The warship Philadelphia was accordingly
put under orders for Samoa, but before she
arrived the threatened conflict was precipi-
tated by King Malietoa's attack upon the in
surgent camp. Matsafa was defeated and
number of his men killed. The British and
German naval vessels present subsequently
secured the surrender of Mataafa and his ad-
herents. The defeated chief and 10 of his
principal supporters were deportel to a Ger
man island of the Marshall group, where they
are held as prisoners under the joint RESPONSE
bility and cost of the three powers.
This incident and the events leading up to it
signally illustrates the impoL cy Of entan-
Cling alliances with foreign powers
Spain Is Friendly.
More than Is years ago this government
preferred claim against Spain in behalf Of
one of our citizens, for property seized and
oonfiscated in Cuba. In 1885 the claim was
adjusted, Spain agreeing to pay, uncondition-
ally, as q far indemnity, Sl,5OO00. A re-
spectful but earnest note was recently adj
dressed to the Spanish government, insisting
upon prompt fulfillment Of its long neglected
obligation.
Other claims preferred by the United States
against Spain, in behalf of American citi-
Gems for property contiscated in Cuba, have
been pending for many years. At the time
SPANS title TO the Caroline islands was con-
frmed by arbitration, that government agreed
that the rights which had been acquired
there by American missionaries should be
recognized and respected. 1t is sincerely
hoped that this pledge will be observed by
allowing our missionaries who were re-
moved from Penape to place of safety by a
United States warship during the late
troubles between the spanish garrison and
the natives to return to their field of useful
ness.
The reproduced caraval, Santa Maria, built
by Spain and sent TO the Columbian exposi-
tion, has been presented to the United States
in token of amity and in commemoration of
the event it was designed to celebrate.
recommend that, in accepting this gift, con-
gress make grateful recognition Of the sincere
friendship which promptedit.
Trouble With Turkey.
Important matters have demanded atten-
ton in our relations with the Ottoman Porte.
The firing and partial destruction by an unre-
strained mob of one Of the school buildings
Of Anatolia college. established by citizens Of
theiUnited States at Marsovan, and the appar-
emit Indifference of the Turkish government to
the outrage, Notwithstanding the completely
Of some of its officials, called for earnest re-
monstrance which was followed by promises
Of reparation and punishment Of the of
tenders
Indemnity for the injury to the buildings
has already been paid, permission TO rebuild
given, registration Of the school property in
the name of the American owners secured,
and efficient protection guaranteed.
Tn. Ha,vaffau nnaation