The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-02
DIAZ OPENS CONGRESS
AND REVIEWS THE RELATIONS OF
ExICO WITH THE NATIONS.
Reference Made by the President i'm
His Message tn Several Matters of
Interest to the United states.

MEXICO CITY. April l.-President Diaz
opened Congress this evening and began his
message with a review of the republics for
eign relations. He remarked that this coun-
try has no difficulty with any foreign gov
eminent. In reference to Cuba. he says
that whenever Mexican citizens have been
arrested and imprisoned in Cuba charged
with being implicated I'm the insurrect. on the
Mexican consul at Havana has been sue
cessful in obtaining their release. With re-
spect to the United States, he refers to the
extension of the term for completion of the
work of the international water boundary
commission by an agreement between the
two governments concluded at Washington
November last. The extension is for one
year, and the subject for this commission
TO settle is the controversy arising from
changes in the bed of the Rio Grande river,
and in that part of its course where il
forms the international boundary. He also
states that the same commission has re-
ported on the plan for construction Of the
dam of the same river above Ell Paso. and
says that the Mexican minister at, Wash
ington is negotiating a treaty with the
United States government on lines recon-
mended by the commission. He also re-
marks that the two governments have
agreed to submit to the arbitration of the
Argentine minister at Madrid the claims
against Mexico of Charles Oberlander and
barbara NJ. Messenger, growing out of the
arrest of the former by Mexican officials on
the border of Lower California The ar
rangements for arbitration OF this claim
have been reached under the old treaty OF
Guadalupe, which provided for the submit
tai to arbitration of all controversies be-
tween the two nations which cannot be set
tied through diplomatic channels. provided
that arbitration is not appicaDle 10 speciai
circumstances, Wnlcn 90 not eAist III the
In dealing wit domestic affairs the Pres
ident alludes TO the progress OF public
works throughout the country and devotes
much space TO the subject of education.
Gold and silver mining continues TO pros
per. He remarks that since ms previous
have been issued. During the last nscal
year the total exports OF Mexico amounted
TO sf05. 900. 600. of which mineral products
constituted 81, 900. 600. In some OF the min
ing camps OF Mexico great progress Is be-
ing made In the application of electricity
generated from water power for the opera
ton of mining and milling machinery.
The Mexican government has accepted
the invitation to be represented by dele
ga tes at the fifth universal postal congress-.
to meet in Washington in May.
The railway system of the country has
been extended since September by 45 kilo-
meters. Twenty-Five new or modified char
ters for railroads nave been granted i'm the
same time and only four have been Tor
feited.
continues entirely satisfactory and normal
sources of revenue continue to increase. In
the first half of the present fiscal year the
normal revenue amounted TO >0.JJ0.vo.
which is more than half OF the sum adopt
ed as the basis for estimating the revenue
during the next fiscal year. Import duties
fiscal year by a half million and the yield
of stamp duties by nearly one million.