The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-04

etits with only the semblance of a re- turn. In our dealings with other na- tions we ought to be open-handed and scrupulously fair, This should be our policy as a producing nation and it mainly becomes us, a people who love generosity and the moral aspects of national good faith and reciprocal fore bearance
 These considerations should not, how ever constrain us to submit to un- fair discrimination nor to silently ac- quiesece in veXatious hindrances to the enjoyment of our share of the legiti- mate advantages of proper trade rela- tions. If an examination of the situa- tion suggests such measures on our part as would involve restrictions sim liar to those from which we suffer, the way to such a course is easy. It should, however, by no means be light ly entered upon, since the necessity for the inauguration of such a policy would be regretted by the best sentiment of our people, and because it naturally and logically might lead to consequence es of the gravest character
 I take pleasure in calling your atten- tion to the encomiums bestowed on those vessels of our new navy which took part in the notable ceremony of the opening of the Kiel canal It was fitting that this extraordinary achieve ment of the newer German nationality should be celebrated in the presence of America's exposition of the latest Sa fe of ergy.
 Our relations with Great Britain, al- ways intimate and important have de- manded during the past year even a greater share of consideration than is usual. Several vexatious questions were left undetermined by the decision of the Behring sea arbitration tribunal. The application of the principles laid down on that august body has not been followed by the results they were in tended to accomplish either because the principles themselves lacked in breadth and deffniteness or because their execution has been more or less imperfect
 Mitch correspondence has been ex- changed between the two governments on the subject of preventing the exter- animation of seals. The insufficiency of the British patrol of Behring sea, un- der the regulations agreed on by the two governments, has been pointed out, and yet only two British ships have been on police duty during this season in those waters. The need of a more effective enforcement of existing regulations, as well as the adoption of such additional regula tions as eXperi- ence has shown to be absolutely neces- sary to carry out the intent of the award, have been earnestly urged upon the British government, but thus far without effective results. In the mean time the depletion of the seal herds by means of pelagic hunting has so alarm ingly progressed that unless their slaughter is at once effectively checked their extinction within a few years seems to be matter of absolute cer- tainty
 The understanding by which the Uni ted States was to pay, and Great Brit ain to receive, a lump sum of $425,o00 in full settlement of all British claims for damages arising from our seizure of British sealing vessels unauthorized under the award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration, was not confirmed by the last congress, which declined to make the necessary appropriation. I am still of the opinion that this ar rangement was a. judicious and advan- tageous one for the government, and I earnestly recommend that it be again considered and sanctioned If, hower- CT, this does not meet with the favor of congress it certainly will hardly dissent from the proposition that the govern ment is bound by every consideration of honor and good faith to provide for the speedy adjustment of these claims by arbitration as the only other alter native. A treaty of arbitration has immediately laid before the senate so that in one Of the modes suggested 8 final settlement may be reached
 Notwithstanding that Great Britain originated the proposal to enforce in- ternational rules for the prevention of collisions at sea, based on the recom- mendations of the maritime conference of Washington, and concurred in sug- gesting March 1, 1895, as the date to be set by proclamation for carrying these rules into general effect, her maj esty's government, having encountered opposition on the part of British ship ping interests, announced it's inability to accept that date which was conse- quently cancelled. The entire matter is still in abeyance without prospect of a better condition in the near future.
 The commissioners appointed to mark the international boundary in Passa- maquoddy Bay according to the de- scription of the treaty of Chent have not yet fully agreed.
 The completion of the preliminary survey of that Alaskan boundary which follows the contour of the coast from the southernmost point of Prince of Wales island until it strikes the one hundred and forty-first meridian at or near the summit of Mount St. Elias awaits further necessary appropria- tion, which is urgently recommended. This survey was undertaken under the provisions of the contention entered in- to by this country and Great Britain July p. 1892, and the supplementary convention of February 3, 1894. As to the remaining section of the Alaskan boundary which follows the one hun dred and forty-firsu meridian north wardly from Mount St. Elias to the Frozen ocean, the settlement of which involves the physical location of the frY, Il