Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-13

location of the meridian mentioned, no
conventional agreement has yet been
made
The ascertainment of given meridian
at particular point Is "A work requiring
much time and careful observations ana
surveys. such observations and surveys
were undertaken by the United States
coast and goedetic survey in 1880 and 1891,
while similar work in the same quarters
under British auspices are believed TO give
nearly coincident results but these sur
veys have been independently conducted,
ana no International agreement 10 mark
these or any other parts of the l4lst merl-
dian by permanent monuments has yet
been made. In the meantime, the valley
Of the Yukon Is becoming "A highway
through the hitherto uneXplored wilds of
Alaska, and abundant mineral wealth has
been discovered in that region, especially
at or near the junction Of the boundary
meridian with the Yukon and it's trbu-
taries In these circumstances, ii is eX-
pcdient, and, indeed, imperative, that the
jurisdictional limits OF the respective gov-
Crnments in this new region be speedily de-
termined. Her britannia majesty's gov
eminent has proposed joint dclimitation
OF the l4lst meridian by an International
commission of experts which, If congress
Will authorize IL and make the provisions
therefor, can be accomplished with no un-
reasonable delay. II Is impossible to over
look the vital Importance Of continuing the
work already entered upon, and supple
menting il by further effective measures
looking TO the exact location of this en-
tire boundary line.
Needs Immediate Attention.
c;lll attention 10 inc unsatisfactory de-
Limitation OF the respective Jurisdictions
OF the United States and the Dominion Of
Canada in the great lakes at the APP
proachos to the narrow waters that con
meet them. The waters in question are
frequented by fishermen of both nation
alitieS and their nets are there used Owing
to the uncertainty and ignorance as to the
true boundary, NeNatious disputes and in
furious seizures OF boats and nets by Ca
madam cruisers often occur, while any
positive settlement thereof by an accepted
standard is not easily To be reached A
joint commission 10 determine the line I'm
those quarters, on "a practical basis. by
measured courses following range marks
on shore, Is "A necessity for which imme-
date provision should be made.
Venezuelan Dispute.
1t being apparent that the boundary dis
pute between Great Britain and the repub-
lie of Venezuela concerning the limits OF
British Guiana was approaching an acute
stage, a definite statement Of the interest
and policy Of the United States as regards
the controversy seemed to be required
both on its own account and in view OF its
relations with the friendly powers directly
concerned In July last, therefore, "a dis
patch was addressed TO our ambassador at
London for communication 10 the British
government, in which the attitude Of the
United States was fully and distinctly set
forth.
Monroe Doctrine Upheld.
The general conclusions therein reached
and formulated are in substance that the
traditional and established policy OF this
government is firmly opposed to a forcible
Increase by any European power Of its ter
ritOrial possessions on this continent. that
this policy Is as well founded in principle
as IL is strongly supported by numerous
presidents; that as consequence the Unit
ed States is bound to protest against the
enlargement Of the area Of British Guiana
in derOgation Of the rights and against the
VIII OF Venezuela; that considering the
disparity IN strength OF Great Britain and
Venezuela. the territorial dispute between
them can be reasonably settled by friends
and impartial arbitration, and that the re-
% a should .
the whole controversy, and Is not satisfied
If one OF the powers concerned Is permitted
to draw an arbitrary line through the ter
ritory IN debate and TO declare that IL viii
submit TO arbitration only the portion lying
= on one side OF il.
In view of these conclusions. the dispatch
In question called upon the British govern
mcnt for definite answer to the question
whether or not il would submit the terri
torial controversy between itself and Ven
cZuela in its entirety 70 impartial arbitra-
ton The answer OF the British govern
ment has not yet been received, but is ex-
pected shortly, when further communica-
tion on the subject viii probably be made
10 the congress.
Relations with Hawaii.
Early IN January last an uprising against
the government of Hawaii was promptly
suppressed. Martial-law was forthwith
proclaimed and numerous arrests were
made Of persons suspected of being In sym
pathy with the royalist party. Among
these were several citizens Of the United
States, who were either convicted by a
a II,
ont trial. The United States, while deny
ing protection to such as had taken the
Hawaiian oath of allegiance, insisted that
martiRl-law though altering the forms Of
justice could not supersede justice itself
and demanded stay OF execution until the
proceedings had been submitted 10 this
government and knowledge obtained
therefrom that our citizens had received
fair trial.
The death sentences were subsequently
committed or were RENTED on condition
OF leaving the islands. The cases Of GER
tain Americans arrested and expelled by
arbitrary order without formal charge or
trial have had attention, and in some in
stances have been found 10 Justify remon-
STRANGE and claim for indemnity which
Hawaii has not thus far conceded. Mr.
Thurston, the Hawaiian minister having
furnished this government abundant rea-
son for asking that he he recalled. that
course was pursued and his successor has
lately been received.
Padrone system should lie Uprooted.
The deplorable lynching OF several ltal-
ian laborers in Colorado was naturally fol-
lowed 10y international representations,
and | am happy 70 say that tho best efforts
OF the state In which the outraEcs occurred
have been put forth to discover and pun
ish the authors of this atroCious crime.
The dependent families of some OF the uu-
fortunate victims invite by their deplOr-
able condition gracious provision for their
needs These manifestations against help
less aliens may be traced through success
sve stages 70 the vicious padrone system,
which. unchecked by our immigration and
contract labor statutes, controls these
workers from the moment OF landing on
our shores, and farms them out I'm distant
ana often rude regions, whore their cheap
ening competition i'm the fields Of bread
winning toll brings them into collision with
other labor interests
While welcoming. as We should those
who seek our shores TO merge themselves
into our body polite and win personal com
petence by honest effort, We cannot regard
such assemhlagcs OF distlnCttVely alien
laborers, hired out IN the mass TO the prof
II of alien spectators, and shipped hither
and thtther as the prospect of gain may In
dictate. as otherwise than rcpugnant 10 the
spirit Of our civilization, deterrent TO indi-
vidual advancemcut and hindrances to
the building Of stable communities resting
upon the wholesome ambitions OF the citi
zen, and constituting the prime factor I'm
the prosperity and progress OF our nation.
If legislation can reach this growing evil,
II certainly should he attempted.
Japan EulogiEed.
Japan has furnished abundant evidence
OF her vast gain in every trait and charac-
tcristic that constitutes nations great
ness We have reason for congratulations
I'm the fact that the government OF the
United States. by the exchange OF liberal
treaty stipulations with the new Japan. was
first TO recognize her wonderful advance
and TO extend To her the consideration and
confidence due to her national onlghten-
ment and progressive character
The boundary DISPUTE which lately threat