The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-07

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leges to which Japan honorably laid
claim have given place to a feeling OF
confidence In the upfightness OF ahis
government and the purpose of ITS peo-
pie TO deal with all questions in the broad
spirit of ffsnd1iness.
Tho Central American States
Owing to the relations of this govern
lnent with Costa Rioa, Nicaragua ana
Salvador have concluded that Mr.. Will
liam l.. Merry, confirmed as minister to
states mini-tsr to the States of Salvador,
Costa Rgca ana Nicaragua, should pro-
caed to Sam Jose, Costa Reca, and there
temporarily establish the headquarters
of the Representative of the United States
to these three governments. I took this
step for what I deemed the paramount
interests of this country. 1t developed
| from reports to the secretary of state
THAT Nicaragua while not unwilling to
receiva Mr.. Merry I'm his diplomatic
character was unable to do so because OF
a compact concluded June 20, 1895, where
by Costa Ricl, Salvador and Honduras,
| forming the Greater Republic of South
America, had surrendered their diplo-
matte affairs to the representatives of the
! khree countries. Nicaragua was un%.ll-
ing to receive him because he was OBJ
| jected to by Honduras. Our minister at
Managua has beisn directed to present
his letters of recall.
MIR. w. Godfrey Hunter has likewise
been accredited to the governments of
| Gratamela and Honduras, the same as
his predecessor Gutatamela is not a
member of the Greater Republic of South
America, hut Honru5as is. Should this
latter government decline to receive him
he has been instructed to report This
! fact to his government and await ats
| further instructions.
| The Nicaraguan Canal
I A subject of great interest to our
country Is the completion of the great
highway of trade between the Atlantic
and Facfffc known as the Nicaraguan
CANAL Its value and utility to American
/ commerce is universally admitted. The
commission appointed under date of June
a. last, to complete the supervision and
examination, made by authority of con-
| greiss, of a suitable route and as to the
| feasibility of the construction of the ca
nal, with the object OF forming a ship
canal, is now pursuing its duties.
The Bimetaliic Commission
I hop= shortly to transmit the report
OF this comnni ssion making then sugges-
| lions as may seem practicable.
Under authority of the aes approved
March 8, 1897, for the promotion of an
international agreement respecting BIZ
| meta lrIsm. appointed on the 18th day
| Of April, 1897, Hon. Edward o. Wolcott,
! of Colorado, Hon. Adlai e. Stevenson,
| of Illinois, and Hon. Charles ]. Paine, of
Massachusetts, as special ENJOYS to rep
resent the United Sta tes. They have
been diligent in their efforts to secure the
| concurrence and co-operaticm of Euro
| pean powers in the interest of an inter-
national settlement of the questions, but
up to this time have not been able to Sc
cure an agreement contemplated by their
mission ann much gratified at the ac-
aIfon of our sister republic of France in
Joining this country in the attempt to
bring about an agreement with the chief
commercial nations of Europe whereby
al fixed ratio between gold and silver
should he 'esta blished. which furnishes
proof that the two republics are the
| leading nations of the world in recog-
nizing the wisdom and Importance of
ehe problem and desiring an adjustment
of it. THE British government has re-
ofjthe French ambassador in the interest
of the undertaking and the activity of
our ambassador and commission I'M pre-
senting the matter to her majesty's gov
eminent This will be laid before con-
| gress Our ENJOYS have not yet made
their report aus further negotiations with
| other countries are still pending and
progressing. They believe the consent
of other nations cam be gained towards
establishing the ratio and standing of
| silver to the O. her metal. While 1t gives
me. pleasure to be able to state that the
enyoys have demonstrated their ability
and fitness ITO deal with the subject it
IS to be hoped that their efforts win T suit
in an International agreement to bring
| about the coinage of both gold and silver
| ON such Germs as money, as will secure
TO both metals the largest share of use
as win not result TO the INJURY of any
class of our citizens.
On Trade Relations
In referring to sections and 4 of the
revenue act approved July, 1897, I APP
pointed the Hon. J. o. Kasson, of iowa,
a special commissioner to undertake the
carrying out of negotiations with other
powers Wishing ito avail themselves of
their PROVISIONS. Iney are StfW pelluiL5.
In these negotiations some grievances
of our own and other countries in mutual
trade relations may b. entirely removed
or alleviated, and that treaties may be
concluded with advantage to both con-
! tracing parties
Mr.. Kasson is animated with every mo-
tive Of patriotism and intelligence to ex-
tend our foreign trade. We should do
our full share of THE carrying trade of
The world. We do not do 1T now. We
should be the laggard no longer. Thu
inferiorlty of our merchant marine is
justly humiMating ito the national pride.
The government, by every proper consti-
tutional mans, should aid in making our
ships familiar visitors ait every CONNIE
rciaa port of the world, thus opening new
and valuable markets to the surplus pro-