The herald., 1896-12-08


sent to the formal adjustment thus at
tained, thus forever ending a dispute
involving far-reaching consequences to
the peace and welfare of the western
| continent"
BRITISH RELATIONS.
Touching the negotiations for a gen.
eral arbitration treaty for the settle
! ment of all future disputes between fhe
United States and Great Britain. Sec
retary Olney says that both countries
having given repeated proof of their ac
quiescence in the great principle in-
volved, not only by treaties between
| themselves. but severally by concluding
/ like adjustments with other powers for
! the adjudication of disputes resting on
law and fact. the subject was naturally
| approached in a benevolent spirit of
! agreement and the negotiations have so
! satisfactorily progressed as to fore
/ shadow a practical agreement at an
! early date upon the text of convention
| to the desired end. The secretary ex-
| pressed regret that the British govern.
ment has refused its concurrence in a
| proposed International commission to
devise means to protect the seal herds;
rectes the findings of the experts in eff
| feet showing that the herd is threaten
! ed with total destruction unless changes
are made speedily in the award regula-
tions, and hopes that the experts re-
port will induce the British government
to agree upon these conditions.
The report shows that negotiations are
in progress for a convention to locate
Immediately that part of the Alaskan
boundary line along the 141st meridian
by monuments and joint surveys. while
the prospects for the precise demarka-
tion of the coast line boundary are said
to be good. A preliminary survey hav-
ing been completed and negotiations
based ON it about to be undertaken, it
is announced that the assent of Great
lt.it tni, 4 n+1, ,.i4 ,t,tn b,,
ing been secured. the new rules for the
prevention of collisions at sea will go
into effect July 1st next.
GERMAN AFFAIRS
Under the head of Germany, the report
treats briefly of the exclusion from that
country of American meat products. The
situation apparently remains un-
changed, as there has been no ameliora-
ton of the stringent measures adopted
by Germany "on assumed grounds of
public health against our cattle.
On the contrary" says the secretary,
the disposition of Germany, visible for
number of years past, 10 still further
impede and virtually inhibit this legit-
innate traffic, is evidenced by fresh re-
strictive measures. The unjustifiability
and the erroneousness of the supposed
premises on which they rest have been
again pointed out. and the healthful-
ness of our exports supported by con-
elusive proof"
The secretary says there are fair pros
poets of the ultimate removal of the in
terdiction on American life insurance
companies seeking to do business in
Germany.
The subject of the reimposition of ton
mage dues on German vessels is dis
cussed compactly, to show that the law
was mandatory upon the president to is
sue his proclamation as soon as the facts
were established.
SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.
Hawaii comes in for single short par
agraph in the report, stating that no
questions of Importance have arisen,
that few claims for indemnity have
been filed in behalf of United States cit
izens arrested during the last rebellion,
and that the final chapter in the his
tory OF that attempted revolt was
reached in the pardon of the eX-queen
Samoa is also briefly treated, the sit
uation being unchanged, and the United
States necessarily continuing to exer-
else all stipulated rights and duties un-
der the tripartite general act of Berlin,
during the continuance of the compact,
however irksome and unnatural these
rights and duties may prove to be.
AMERICANS ABROAD.
An explanation of the difficulties that
arise in connection with the effort to
protect United States naturalized citi-
Russia, is afforded by the following par
agraph:
Holding to the old doctrine of perpet-
ual allegiance refusing to lessen its au-
thority by concluding any treaty recog-
nlzing the naturalization of a Russian
subject without prior imperial consent,
asserting the extreme right to punish
a naturalized Russian on return to his
native jurisdiction, not merely for un-
authorized emigration, but also specific
ally for the unpermitted acquisition of
foreign citizenship, and sedulously ap-
plying at home and through the official
acts of its agents abroad to all persons
of the Jewish belief, the stern restric.
tions enjoined by Russian law, the gov
ernment of Russia takes a ground not
admitting of acquiescence by the United
states, because al variance with the
character of our institutions, the SEN
timents of our people, the provisions of
our statutes, and the tendencies of mod
ern international comfy"
Nevertheless. the secretary says, the
differences that arise are compromised
in worthy cases by the friendly DISPOSE
ton of Russia toward our country and
people.
GENERAL COMMENT
Other points in the report may be
briefly summarized as follows: The Ar
gentine Republic has settled the Hale
claim by offering to pay an indemnity;
arrests of naturalized Americans re-
turning to Austria are becoming less
frequent; efforts continue for the remo-
val of restrictions on the importation of
American cattle into Belgium there are
prospects of a speedy conclusion of ar
rangements for the completion of the
work left unfinished by the Gillian
claims committee in 1894; the Chinese
government has settled all Claims of
Americans for loss through the anti
foreign riots and it is expected that that
government will soon consent to the for
nal recognition of the rights of Ameri-
can missionaries and teachers to full
protection in their work and property;
the claim of Julio Santos against Ecua-
dor. standing for a quarter of, a century,
has been settled directly between the
parties on the eve of arbitration the
French government has promised the
fullest extension to American citizens
and interests in Madagascar of all rights
under present Treaties between France
and the United States, so our consuls in
Madagascar are relinQuishing extra
territorial jurisdictions; it is suggested
that our minister resident at Hayti and
San Domingo be raised to the grade of
plenipotentiary; the Italian government
is eStopped from claiming indemnity for
the Italians killed a. Hahnville. La, last
June by reason of the fact that they had
voted in state elections and so abandoned
the Italian citizenship; the extension for