The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-15

N''t' ~ ~
and the subsequent denial by the successful
government of commercial privileges to those
vessels on that account.
Liberia.
A notable part of the southeasterly coast of
Liberia, between the Cavally and San Pedro
rivers, which for nearly half a century has
been generally recognized as belonging to that
republic by cession and purchase, has been
claimed to be under the 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-
suited in the signature at Paris of a treaty
whereby as an adjustment certain Liberian
territory is coded to France. This convention,
at last advices, had not been ratified by the
Liberian legislature and executive.
Feeling IA sympathetic interest in the for
tunes of the little commonwealth, the estab-
hshment 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 10
the French government its earnest concern
lest territorial impairment in Liberia should
take place without her unrestrained consent.
Our Relations with Mexico
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
1853 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 success
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 a channel of
communicated between our Atlantic and
Pacific seaboards. but to the ships of the
world in the interests of civilization, Is a
proposition which, in my udgmen does no
admit of question.
Guatemala has 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
n 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.
Inc samoan SquaDDIe.
Led by a 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 a foreign
court of justice, a municipal council for the
district of Apia, with a foreign president
thereof, authorized to advise the king; a tri-
bunal for the settlement of native and foreign
land titles and a revenue system for the king
dom. 1t entailed upon the three powers that
part of the cost of the new government not
me- by the revenue of the island.
Fairly in the life of this triple protectorate, the
native discussions it was designed to quell re-
vived. Rivals letied the authority of the new
king, refusing to pay taxes and demanding
the election of a ruler by native suffrage. Ma
taf ia. 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 of the other powers, and in full
fllment of its treaty obligation, this govern
ment agreed to unite in a joint military move
ment of such dimensions as would probably
secure the surrender of the insurgents with
out bloodshed.
The warship Philadelphia was accordingly
u uhNlt Wv " 'tlllVd u 4 SIG
arrived the threatened conflict was precipi-
tated by King Malietoa's attack upon the in
surgent camp. Mataafa was Defeated and a
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 deported 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 impolicy of entan-
Cling alliances with foreign powers.
Spain Is Friendly.
More than Is years ago this government
preferred a claim against Spain in behalf of
one of our citizens, for property seized and
confiscated in Cuba. In 1886 the claim was
adjusted, Spain agreeing to pay, uncondition
ally, as n fair indemnity, Sl,5O,0O0. A re-
s~pectful but earnest note was ~recgALly adj
dressed to the Spanish &C 5ernnient, insisting
upon prompt fulfillment of its long neglected
obligation.
Other claims preferred by the United States
against Spain, in behalf of American citi-
zens for property contiscated in Cuba, have
been pending for many years. At the time
SPANS title to the Caroline islands was con-
firmed by arbitration, that government agreed
that the rights which had been acquired
there by American missionaries should be
recognized and respected. 1t is sincerely
nOpeu lllhl lnlS pleuBe Will De observed by
allowing our missionaries who were re-
moved from Penape TO a place of safety by n
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-
ton, has been presented to the United States
in token of amity and in commemoration of
the event il was designed to celebrate. |
that, in accepting this gift, con-
gress make grateful recognition of the sincere
friendship which prompted it.
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
the United States at Marsovan, and the appar-
ent 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 PREPARATION and punishment of the Of
Tenders.
Indemnity for the injury to the buildings
has already been paid, permission 10 rebuild
liven, registration Of the school property in
the name of the American owners secured,
and efficient protection guaranteed.
III" Hawaiian Question.
1t is hardly necessary for me to state that