The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-12-04

In agreeable coatrast to ,hc Inference above
noted, respecting u matter Of common con
Germ where nothing is sought, except such
mutually satisfactory outcome as the true
merits of the case require il the recent reso-
luton of the French chamber favoring the
conclusion OF permanent treaty of arbitra-
ton between the two countries.
An invitation has been extended by France
to the government and people of the United
States to participate in great international
exposition at Paris in 1900, ~ a suitable com
memoration of the close of this the worlds
marvellous century of progress. l heartily
recommend its acceptance, together with such
legislation as will adequately provide for
due representation Of this government and its
people on the occasion.
Relations with Germany.
Our relations with the states of the German
empire are, in some aspects, typical of n
dition of things elsewhere found in countries
whose productions and trade are similar to our
own. The close rivalry of competing indus
tries the influence of the delusive doctrine
that the internal development of nation ia
promoted and its wealth increased by policy
which, in undertaking to reserve its homo
markets for the exclusive use of its pro
ducers, necessarily obstructs their sales In
foreign markets and prevents free access to
the products of the world: the desire to retain
trade in time-worn ruts, regardless of the
memorable laws of new needs and changed
conditions of demand and supply, and our own
hating hardness in inviting a freer exchange
of commodities, and by this means importing
our footing in the external markets naturally
open to us, have created situation somewhat
injurious to American export interests, not
only in Germany where they perhaps
most noticeable, but in adjacent countries
1t is not to be forgotten that international
trade cannot be one-sided. Its currents
alternating and its movements should be hon
estly reciprocal. without this it almost nee
essarily degenerates into device to gain adj
vantage or n contrivance to secure benefits
with only the semblance of a return. In our
dealings with other nations ought to be
open-handed and scrupulously fair. This
should be our policy as producing nation,
and it plainly becomes us as q people who
love generosity and the moral aspects of ma
tional good faith and reciprocal forbearance.
These considerations should not however,
constrain us TO submit to unfair discrimina-
ton nor to silently acquiesce in vexatous him
ORANGES to the enjoyment of our share of the
legitimates advantages of proper trade rela-
TONS II an examination of the situation sug
gests such measures on our part would in
vove restrictions similar to those from which
we suffer, the way to such course is easy. 1t
Should however, by no means be lightly
entered upon, since the necessity for the in
augurat.on of such n policy would be
GREETED by the best sentiment of our people,
and because it naturally and logically might
lead to consequences of the gravest character.
The Seal Question.
Our relations with Great Britain, always in
innate and important, have demanded during
the past year even greater share of consider
alton than is usual Several vexatious ques-
tions were left undetermined by the decision
of the Behring sea arbitration tribunal The
application Of the principles laid down by that
august body has not been followed by the re
suits they We're intended to accomplish, either
because the principles themselves lacked in
breadth and defniteness or because their exc
cution had been more or less imperfect. Much
correspondence has been exchanged between
the two governments on the subject of pre-
venting the exterminating slaughter of seals.
The need of II more effective enforcement of
existing regulations as well as the adoption of
such additional regulations as experience has
shown to be absolutely necessary to carry ont
the intent of the award, have been earnestly
urged upon the British government, but thrs
far without effective results. In the mean
time the depletion Of the seal herds by means
of pelagic hunting has aarmingy pro-
crossed that unless their slaughter is at once
effectively checked their extinction within a
few years seems to be matter of absolute
certainty.
The understanding by which the United
States was to pay, and Great Britain to re-
ceive, lump sum of 1925 900 in fun settlement
Of all British claims for damages arising from
seizure of British sealing vessels unauthor-
lied under the award of the Paris tribunal f
arbitration not confirmed by the last co y
gress, which declined to make the neceSsa
appropriation. am still of the opinion that
this arrangement was u judicious and advan-
tageous one tor the government, and | earn
esty recommend that it be again considered
and sanctioned. If, however, this does rot
meet with the favor of congress, it certainly
will hardly dissent from the proposition thnt
the government is b lund by every considera-
ton of honor and good faith to provide for the
speedy adjustment of these claims by arbtra-
ton as the only other alternative.
Notwithstanding that Great Britain origin
ated the proposal to enforce international
rules for the prevention of collisions at se.
her majesty's government, having encoun-
tered opposition on the part of British shipping
interests, the entire matter is still in abeyanc =.
without prospect of better condition i'll the
near future
The commissioners appointed to mark the
international boundary in Passamaquoldy bay,
according to the description of the treaty of
Client, have not yet fully agreed.
ALASKA Boundary Dispute.
The completion Of the preliminary survey of
that Alaskan boundary which follows the con
tour of tine coast from the southernmost POINT
of Prince of Wales Island until it strikes the
meridian at or near the summit of Mount ST.
Elias awaits f"rther necessary appropriations
which is urgently recommended.
As to the remaining section of the Alaskan
boundary VIII ch follows the l4lst meridian
nOrlnNdthlN rum MOUNT Dt LlldSlO Int IfOL II
ocean, the settlement of which involves
the physical location of the meridian men.
toned, no conventional agreement has yet
been made.
In the meantime the valley of the Yukon is
becoming a highway through the hitherto un.
explored wilds of Alaska and abundant min
erai wealth has been discovered in that r.,-
gion. In these circumstances it is imperative
that the jurisdiction limits of the respective
governments m this new region be specially
determined Her Britannia majesty's govera-
ment has prol osed joint delmitation of the
Hist meridian 10y an international commission
of experts which, if congress will authorize
it and make d, > provision therefor, can be ac-
complished wlth no unreasonable delay. Ii is
impossible TO overlook the vital Importance of
continuing the work already entered upna
and suppleme nting it by further effective
measures looking to the exact location of this
entire boundary line.
Great Lake Boundaries.
call sttent; IN to the unsatisfactory delim
tation of the .espective jurisdictions of the
United States and the Dominion of Canada N
the great lake, at the approaches to the narrow