The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-07

waiians No less ia due people Wnlcn
after nearly five years OF demonsGraue1
capacity TO fulfil the obligations OF SSH
governing Statehood, come of their free
will TO merge cestin .es in our BODY poll
tic.
The questions which have arisen pe-
tween Japan and Hawaii by reason OF
the treatment of Japanese laborers emil
grating to the islands, under the Ha-
Waiian- japanese convention or 1886, sere
in a satisfactory stage of settlement oy
negotiation. This government has noG
been invited to mediate, and on the otner
hand has sought no Intervention in that
matter, further than to evinoe its kind
lest disposition toward such a speedy ana
direct adjustment by the two sovereign
States IN interest as shall comport with
equity ana honor IS is gratifying to
learn that the approximations at first dis
PLAYED on the part of japan lest the
cessation of Hawaiian national life
through annexation might impair privl-
leaes 20 which Japan honorably laid
claim, have given place to confidence
IN the uDrlghtness of this government
and in the sincerity of its purpose to deal
with all possible Interior questions In the
broadcast spirit of friendliness.
U. S. REPRESENTATION AT MIC
ARAGCA, &c.
AS to representations of this govern
ment to Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa
Rloa I have concluded that MIR William
L, Murray, confirmed as Minister Of
che United States to the States of MIC
aragua, Salvador and Costa Rica shall
proceed so San Jose. Costa RIGA, and
there temporarily establish the head
quarters OF the Omitted States Minister to
those three States. took this action for
what regarded as the paramount inter-
ests OF this country. 1t was developed
upon an investigation by the Secretary
of State. that the governments of Nioar-
auga. while not unwilling to receive Mr..
Murray. in his diplomatic quality, was
unable to do so because of the Diplomatic
compact concluded, July 20. 1895, whereby
that republic and those of Salvador and
Honduras. formed what is known as the
Greater Republic of Central America. had
surrendered to the representative diet
there of their right to receive and
send diplomatic agents. The diet was
not willing to accept him because he
was not accredited to that body. /
could not acoredit him TO that body be-
cause the appropriation law of Congress
did not permit it Mr.. Baker, the present
Minister at ManaRua, has peen directed
to present his letters of recall
ME-. W. Godfrey Hunter has likewise
been accredited TO the governments Of
Guatemala and Honduras. the same as his
predecessor. Guatemala is not a mem
Der OF the Greater Republic Of Central
Amer ca. but Honduras is. Should this
latter government decline to receive him.
he has been instructed 60 report this faot
to his government and await it's further
Instructions ~
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
A subject of large Importance to our
country and increasing appreciation on
the part of the people is tine completion
of the great highway Of trade between
the Atlantic and Pacific. known as the
Nicaragua canal. Its utility and value
| to American commerce ls universally
admitted The commission appointed
under date OF July "a last, ''to continue
the surveys and examinations authorized
by the act approved March g 1885," in
regard to 1.-THE proper route. feasibility
and COST of construction Of the Nicaragua
canal with a view of making complete
plans for the entire work of construction
of such a canal" is now employed In the
undertaking. In the future. | shall take
occasion 60 transmit to Congress the re-
port or this commission. making at the
same time such further suggestions as
may then SEEM advisable.
TIE BTMETALLIC COMMISSION.
Under the provisions of the act of Con-
ersss approved March 8. 1897, for the
respecting bi meta l!sm, I appointed on
the IA cay OF April. 1897, hon. Edward
q. WoIeott, of Colorado; Hon Adlai E
Stevenson, OF Illinois, and hon. Charles
Eaine, of Massachusetts, as special
ENJOYS 10 represent the United States.
/ hey have been diligenJ in their efforts
to secure the concurtencs and co-opera-
tiOn of European countries in the inter
nsaiopal set lement of the question, but
Up TO tbs time nave not been able to
secure an agreement contemplated by
Ahsir mission The gratifying action of
cur great sister republic of France in
Joining this country in an attempt to
bring about an agreement among the
principal commercial nations OF Europe
whereby fixed and relative value be-
tween gold and silver should ba secured,
furnishes assurance that We are not alone
among Jne larger nations of the world In
realizing the International character of
the problem and in the desire of reaching
some wise and practical solution of it
The British government has published
a resume OF the steps taken jointly by the
french am bassador in Lundon and the
special envoyS OF ne United States, with
W hom our AMBASSADOR at London actively
co-operated in the presentation of this
So bject to her majesty e government.
This will be laid before Congress.
Our special ENJOYS have not made their
final report as further negotiations be-
tween the representatives of this govern
n2ent and the governments of other ooun-
tries are pending and in contemplation
They believe that doubts which have been
raised in certain quarters respecting the
position OF maintaining the stability of
the parity between the metals and kin
dred questions may yet be solved by fur
ther negotiations Meanwhile it gives
me satisfaction to state that the special
ENJOYS have already demonstrated their
ability and fitness TO deal With the
subject and 1t ia to be earnestly
hoped that their labors may result
in an International agreement which
will bring about recognition OF both
gold and silver as money upon such
terms and with such safeguards as viii
SECURE the use of both metals upon basis
which shall work no injustice to any
class of our citizens.
RECIPROCITY.
In order to execute as early as pos
sibls the provisions of the third and
fourth sections OF the revenue act