The Owosso times., 1898-12-09
OUR EXTRADITION LAWS.
Notice from Mexico of Termination
OF the Terms Of the Cow entiOn.

Notice from Mexico Of a Terminati ton
OF the Terms Of the COnx en- ton.
The Interpretation OF certain provisions
OF the extradition convention of Decem-
Der IL, 1861, has been at various times the
occasion Of controversy with the govern
ment of Mexico. An acute difference arose
In the case of the Mexican demand for the
delivery Of Jesus Guerrero, who, having
led a marauding expedition near the border
with the proclaimed purpose OF initiating
an insurrection against President Diaz,
escaped into Texas. Extradition was refused
on the ground hat the alleged offense was
political in its character. and therefore
came within the treaty proviso or non
surrender. The Mexican contention was
that the exception only related to purely
political offensea and that, as Guerrera's
acts were admixed with the common crime
Of murder, arson, kidnapping and robbery,
the option OF nondelivery became void,
position which this government was unable
to admit, in view of the received tnterna-
tonal doctrine and practice In the mat
ter. The Mexican government, In view OF
this. gave notice January "a. 1888, OF the
termination OF the convent ton, to take ef-
feet IL months from that date, at the same
time inviting the conclusion of new con-
vention. toward which negotiations are on
foot.
In this relation. may refer to the neces
sity Of some amendment or our existing
eytradition statue. It Is a common stip-
ulation Of such treaties that neither party
shall be bound to give up its own citizens.
with the added proviso in one of our
treaties that with Japan, that 1t may sur
by an almost uniform course Of decisions
that where treaty negatives the obllga-
tion to surrender the president Is not in
vested with legal authority to act; The
conferment to such authority would be In
the line OF that sound morality which
shrinhs from .affording secure asylum to
the author of a heinous crime. Again,
statutory provision might be well made for
what Is styled extradition by way Of tran
sit, whereby fugitive surrendered by one
yeyed across the territory Of the United
States to the jurisdiction Of the demanding
state. A recommendation in this behalf,
was not acted upon. The matter Is pre-
sented for your consideration.
The problem OF the Mexican free zone
fas been often discussed with regard to its
Cling into the United States along an ex-
tensive and thtnly guarded land border.
March l. 1895, to remedy the abuse charged
by suspendng the privilege of free trans
portaton In bond across the territory of the
United States to Mexico failed Of good re-
suit, as is stated In report No. 702 Of the
house Of representatives, submitted In the
last session, March II, 1898. As the Ques-
concurrent legislation Of the two countries
looking to the protection Of the revenues
by harmonious measures operating equal
~ on either side OF the boundary, rather
than by conventional arrangements, sug-
Eest that congress consider the advisability
CT authorizing and inviting conference of
ments OF the United States and Mexico to
consider the subject In all its complex bear
irgs, and make report with pertinent rec
ments for the information and the consid-
Grafton Of thei rcongress.
Mexican Water boundary.
The Mexican water boundary commission
has adjusted all matters submitted to 1t
20 he tcfo nf mi aryyt orf
save In three important cases; that Of the
Chamizal at Ell Paso, Tex, where the two
eommissioners failed to agree. and where
proposed to Mexico the addition of third
member; the proposed elimination OF what
are known as "Bancos." small Isolated is
lands formed by the cutting off Of bends
In the Rio Grande. from the operation Of
the treaties Of 1884 and 1SS9,.recommended
by the commissioners and approved by this
by Mexico; and the subject OF the "equita-
BILE distribution of the waters OF the Rio
Grande," for which the commissioners rec
commended an international dam and reser-
voir. approved by Mexico, but still under
consideration by this government. Pend
ing these 9uesSuohns th 1t Is neS,essary TO ex-
pires December 23 next.
The coronation of the young queen of
the. Netherlands was made the occasion Of
The claim Of Victor II. McCord against
Peru. which for number of years has been
Sy ths the as ON
Of the congress-, has been satisfactorily ad-
Justed. A protocol was signed May II, 1898,
whereby the fact OF liability being admit
led, the question of the amount to be
award was submitted to the chief Justice
of Canada as sole arbitrator. His award
sets the indemnity due the claimant at s4o.-
Treaty with Peru.
The government Of Peru has given the
prescribed notification of its intention to
abrogate the treaty Of friendship, COM
merce and navigation concluded with this
country August 81 1887. As that treaty
contains many important provisions neces-
sary to the maintenance Of commerce and
good relations which could with difficulty
be replaced by the nomination of renewed
provisions within the brief IL months inter-
vening before the treaty terminates, have
invited suggestions by Peru as to the par
ticuiar provisions II 10 desired to annul
whereby the remaining articles may be :,
provisioually saved. \