The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-12-09
The Presidents Message.

to Congress upon its assembling
to-day. A synopsis of its princi-
pal topics is herewith submitted:
He refers briefly to the reports
of the various heads of departments
submitted and calls particular at
tention to those reports as furnish
ing worthy matter for Legislation.
While our foreign relations, he
says have not at all times during
the past year been entirely free
from perplexity, no embarrassing
situation remains that will not
yield to the spirit of fairness and
love of justice which, joined with
consistent firmness, characterize
truly American foreign policy.
He characterizes the act of Adj
miral Stanton, in saluting Mellos
at Rio, as ''gratuitous sanction
to the local Instruction" For
eign ministers are instructed not to
harbor offenders.
The necessity of the deportation
of Chinese may be avoided through
a compliance with all the require
ments of the law.
He recommends the adoption of
an act prohibiting the sale of fire
arms and liquor to Africans by our
citizens.
Our relations with the French
Republic continue to be intimate
and cordial. / sincerely hope that
the extradition treaty with that
country as amended by the Senate,
will soon be operative. While oc-
casional questions affecting our
naturalized citizens returning to
the land of their birth have arisen
in our intercourse with Germany,
our relations with that country
continue satisfactory.
The questions affecting our rela-
tions with Great Britain have been
treated in spirit of friendliness.
Negotiations are in progress be-
tween the two governments with a
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 accom-
plishment of that purpose.
Our relations with Mexico con-
tinue to be of that close and friend
ly nature which should always
characterize the intercourse Of two
neighboring republics.
Nicaragua has recently passed
through two revolutions, the party
at first successful having in turn
been displaced by another. Our
newly-appoin.ed minister, by his
timely good Offices, aided in a
peaceful adjustment of the contro-
versy involved in the first conflict.
The large American interests es-
tablished in that country in con-
nection with the Nicaragua canal
were not molested.
The canal company has become
financially and seriously embaras-
sed, but treatment has been ex-
tended to it by the government of
Nicaragua. The United States are
especially interested in the success
full achievement of the vast UNDER
taking this company has in charge.
That it should be accomplished un-
der distinctively American auspices
and its enjoyment assured not on
ly the vessels of. this country as a
channel of communication between
our Atlantic and Pacific seaboards,
but the ships of the world in the
interest of civilization, is pro-
position which, in my judgment,
does not admit of question.
More than fifteen years ago this
government preferred a claim
against Spain in behalf of one of
our citizens for property seized
and confscated in Cuba. In 1886
the claim was adjusted. Spain
agreeing to pay Internationally as
a fair indemnity. 81, 100000. A
respectful but earnest note was re-
Gently addressed to the Spanish
government insisting upon prompt
fulfillment of its long-neglected
obligation.
1t is hardly necessary Cor me to
state that the questions arising
from our relations with Hawaii
have caused serious embarrassment
Just prior to the installation of the
present administration, the exist
ing government of Hawaii had
been suddenly overthrown and a