Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-12-07

ter nearly five years Of demonstrated
capacity to fulfill the obligations OF
self-governing statehood, come of their
free will to merge their destinies In
our body polite.
"The questions which have arisen be-
tween Japan and Hawaii by reason OF
the treatment of Japanese laborers EN-
ierating to the Islands under the Ha-
waiian-Japanses convention of 1888 are
in a satisfactory stage of settlement
by negotiation. This government has
not been invited 10 mediate and on the
other hand has sought no intervention
in that matter further than to eVince
its kindliest disposition toward such a
speedy and direct adjustment between
the two sovereign states in interest, as
shall comport with equity and honor,
1t is ratlfying to learn that the appre-
hersions at first displayed on the part
or Japan lest the cession of Hawaiia's
national life through annexation might
impair her privileges to which Japan
properly laid claim, have given place
to uprighteousnass in the government
and sincerity of it's purpose to deal
with all possible Interior questions in
the broadest spirit of friendliness.
LAS to the representation of this gov
crnment to Nicaragua, Salvador and
Costa Rica, I have concluded that Mr..
William L. Merry confirmed as minis
ter of the United States to the states
of Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa Rica,
shall proceed to San Jose, Costa Rica,
and there temporarily establish the
headquarters OF the United States to
those three states. 1 took this action
for what 1 regarded as the paramount
interests of this country. 1t was de-
yeloped upon al investigation by the
secretary of state that the governor OF
Nicaragua, while not unwilling to re-
ceivo Mr.. Merry In his diplomatic
equality was unable to do so on ac-
count of the compact concluded June
20, 1885, whereby that republic and
those Of Salvador and Honduras form
ing what Is known as the Greater Re-
public Of Central An erica, had sur
rendered TO the representative diet ther,
of their right to receive and send diplo-
matte agents. The diet was not will
ing to accept him because he was not
accredited to that body. 1 could not
accredit him to that body because the
appropriation law of congress did not
permit. Mr.. Baker, the present minis
ter at Managua, has been directed to
present his letters of recall.
"Mr. Godfrey Hunter has likewise
been accredited to the governments Of
Guatemala and Honduras, the same as
his predecessor. Guatemala. is not a
member of the Greater Republic of
Central America, but Honduras is
Should this latter government decline
to receive him, he has been instructed
tT Arb faa 10 I. mont
and await dts further instructions.
"A subject of large Importance to our
country and increasing apprecia ton on
the part of the people is the completion
of the great highway of trade between
the Atlantic and Pacific known as the
Nicaragua canal Its value to Ameri-
can commerce is universally admitted
The commission appointed under date
of July oath last, to continue the sur
vcys and examinations authorized by
the act approved March 2, 1885, in re-
gard to the proper route, feasibility
and cost of construction of the Mica
Iagua canal with a view Of making
complete plans for the entire work of
construction of such canal is now en-
ployed in the undertaking. In the fu-
ture 1 shall take occasion to transmit
" NOii6ICSS TIC lElBOll VI lIllS
sion, making at the same time such
further suggestions as may then seem
advisable.
Under the provisions of the act of
congress approved March 3, 1897, for the
promotion of an International agree
ment respecting bimetalism, l appoint
ed on the 14th day Of April. 1897, Hon.
Edward o. Wolcott, of Colorado, Hon.
oil % 4
Hon. Charles j. Payne, of Massa chu-
sets, as spscial ENJOYS to reprelsnt
the United States. They have been dlli-
gent in their efforts to secure the con-
currencs and cooperation of European
countries in the international settle
ment of the question, but up to this
time have not been able to secure an
agreement contemplated by their mis-
sion.
THE gratifying action of our great sis
ter republic of France in joining this
country in the attempt to bring about
the agreement between the principal
commercial nations of Europe, whereby
a fixed ard relative value between gold
and silver shall be secured. furnishes
assurance that we are not alone among
the larger nations of the world in real
izing the international character of the
problem and in ne desire OF reaching
some wise and practical solution of It.
The British government has published a
rsume OF the steps taken jointly by
the French ambassador in London and
the special envoys of the United States
with whom our ambassa dor in Lon
don actively co-operated in the presen-
tation of this subject TO her majesty's
,fo h. lat
congress. Our special ENJOYS have not
made their final report. as further ne
gctiations between the representatives
of this government and the govern
ments Of other countries are pending
and in contemplation. They believe
that the doubts which have been raised
in certain quarters respecting the pos
sibllity Of maintaining the stability Of
the parity between the metals and
kindred questions may yet be solved by
further negotiations.
Meanwhile, 1t gives me satisfaction
TO state that the special envoys have
already demonstrated their ability and
fitness to deal with the subject, and It
Is to be earnestly hoped that their la
bors may result In an International
agreement which will bring about rec
ognition Of both gold and silver as
money upon such terms and with such
safeguards as will secure the use OF
both metals upon a basis which shall
work no injuries to any class Of our
citizens.
In order to execute as early as pos
sible the provisions OF the third and
fourth sections OF the revenue act APP
proved July "a 1887. / appointed the
Hon. John A. Kasson. OF Iowa, a special
commissioner plenipotentiary 10 under
take the REQUESTS regulations with
foreign countries desiring 70 avail them
selves Of these provisions. The negoti-
atiOns are now prOcesiing with several
governments. both European and Amer
lean. Il Is believed that By careful
exercise OF the powers conferred By
that act, some grievances 9f our own
ana Of other eoupEleS In our mutual