Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-12-14

be adjusted, and they have been subjected
by both Governments 10 thorough eAa9liI-
alton upon the principles as we'll as the iacts
which tbev involve. 1 am convinced that
settlement upon the terms mentioned Woui9
be an equitable and advantageous one anu
recommend that provision be made lor tne
prompt payment of the stated sum.
HAWAII vND JAPAN.
Since communicating the volumlnous cor
respondence in regard to Hawaii and the
action taken by the Senate AMI House OF
Reprcs 3ntatlves on certain questions sub
mitted to the judgment an | wider clscre-
ton OF Congress, the organization OF gov
ernment in place of the provisional arrange
mont which followed the deposition OF the
Queen has been announced with evidence OF
It's effective operation. The recognition
usual in such cases has been accorded the
new Government.
Apart from the war in which. the Island
Empire is engaged, Japan attracts increas-
ing attention in this country by her evident
desire TO cultivate moro liberal intercourse
with us and to seek our kindly aid in further
Rnce of her laudable desire for complete
autonomy IN her domestic affairs and full
equality in the family OF Nations. The
Japanese Empire OF to-lay is no longer the
Japan of the past, and our relations with
this progressive Nation should not be less
broad and liberal than those with other
powers.
THE BLUEFIELDs INCIDENT.
Prominent among the questions OF the
year was the Buefelds incident, in what
is known as the Mosquito Indian Strip,
bordering on tho Atlantic Ocean and
within the jurisdiction OF Nicaragua. BY
the treaty OF 1860 between Great Britain
and Nicaragua the former Government
expressly recognized the sovereignty Of
the latter over the Strip, and limited
form of self-government was guaranteed
to the Mosquito Indians, to be exercised
according to their customs. for them
selves and ether dwellers within its
limits. Tho so-called native Government,
which grew to be largely made up OF aliens,
for many years disputed the sovereignty Of
Nicaragua over tho Strip and claimed
the right to maintain therein prac.
tically Independent municipal Govern
ment. Early in the past year efforts
Of Nicaragua to maintain sovereignty
over the Mosquito territory led to
serious disturbances, eliminating in the
suppression of the native Government
and the attempted substitution o.
an impractcable composite administration,
in which Nicaragua and alien residents were
TO participate. Failure was followed by an
insurrection which for a time subvere
Ncaraguan rule, expeling her officers and
restoring the old organization. This, in
turn. gave place to the existing local gov
ernment established and upheld by Mic
aragua.
Although the alien interests arrayed
against Nicaragua in these transactions have
10 Of
that region for some time has been and still
is chiefly controlled by our citizens, we can
not for that reason challenge the righttul
sovereignty of Nicaragua over this impor-
tant part of her domain.
For some months one, and during part OF
the time two, OF our naval ships have been
stationed atFBuef1elds for the protection of
all legitimate interests OF our citizens.
In September last the Government at
Managua expelled from its territory
twelve or more foreigners, in-
cluding two Americans, for alleged
participation in the soditiouS or
revolutionary movements against the repub-
lie at Bluaelds already mentioned; but
through the earnest remonstraDce OF this
Government the two Americans have been
permitted to return to the peaceful manage
ment of their business. Our naval COM
manders at the scene of these disturbances,
By their constant exhibition OF firmness and
good Judgment, contributed largely 10 the
prevention of more serious consequences and
10 the restoration ofquiet and order. I regret
that in the midst OF these OCCUR
rences there happened a most
grave and irritating failure OF
Nicaraguan justice. An American citizen
named Wilson. residing at Rama, in the
Mosquito territory, was murdered b. one
Arguelo, the acting Governor of the towa.
After some delay the murderer was arrested.
but so insecurey confined or guarded that
he escaped, and, Notwithstanding our re-
peated demands. it is claimed that his re-
capture has been impossible. by reason OF
his flight beyond Nicaraguan jurisdiction.
The Nicaraguan authorities having given
notice of forfeiture OF their concession TO
the canal company, on grounds purelytech-
nical and not embraced in the contract, have
receGed from that position.
PoACHING on RUSSIAN SEALS.
The sealing interests of Russia in Bering
Sea are second only 10 our own. A molus
vivendi has therefore been concluded with
the Imperial Government restrictive OF
poaching on the Russian rookeries, and OF
sealing in waters which were not compre-
hended in the protected area defined in the
Paris award.
Occasion has been found to urge upon the
Russian Government equality of treatment
for our great life insurance companies whose
operations have been extended throughout
Europe. Admitting, as we do foreign cor
poraiions to transact business in the United
States, we naturally expect no less tolerance
for our own in the ample fields OF competl-
ton abroad.
But few cases of interference with nat
uralizad citizens returning to Russia have
been reported during the current year One
Krzsminski was arreste last summer in
Polish province, on reported charge OF un-
permitted remuneration OF Russian allegi-
ance, but it transpired that the proceedings
originated in alleged malfeasance committed
by Krzeminski while an Imperial official a
number of years ago. Efforts for his re-
lease which promised to be successful, were
in progress when his death was reported.
TURKEYS TREATMENT OF MISSIONARIES.
In my last annual message l adverted to
the claim on the part OF turkey OF the right
to expel, as persons undesirable AMI dan
gerous. Armenians naturalized in the United
States and returning TO Turkish jurisdiction.
Numerous questions in this relation have
arisen. While this Government acquiesces
in the asserted right of expulsion, 1t will not
consent that Armenians may be imprisoned
or otherwise punished for no other reason
than having acquired without Imperial con-
sent American citizenship.
Three of the assailants of Miss Melton, an
American teacher in Mosul, have been con-
victed by the Ottoman courts, and L am ad-
vlsed that an appeal against the Rcoulttal OF
the remaining five has been taken by the
Turkish prosecuting officer.
TROUpIFs IN SAMOA
Reports received from our agents at Apia
do not Justify the belief that the peace thus
brought about will be of long duration. 1t
is their conviction that the natives are at
heart hostile to the present Government
that such OF them as profess loyalty to it do