The true northerner., 1898-12-07

,ion be on so perfect a scale as. TO rark
among the first In that unparalleled c. m
petition OF artistic ard inventive produc-
ticn and thus courterbalarce the di5acvar-
tage with which We start. as compared with
other countries whose apprcprla Ions ere
on more generous scale and whose pr, ~
aratlons are III a state OF much greater fer
werdness than our own.
Where our artisans have the admitted
capacity to excel, where our inventive
genius has Initiated many OF the grandest
discoveries OF these later days of the cen-
tury and where the native resources OF
our land are as limftless as they are val
uable TO supply the worlds needs. II Is our
province, as Il should be our earnest care.
10 lead in the march OF human progress
and not rest content with any secondary
place. Moreover, II this be due TO our
selves, IL is no less due 10 the great French
nation whose guests we become and which
has in many ways testified its wishes and
hope that our participation shall bsfit the
place tho two peoples have won in the field
OF universal development.
France and Germany.
The commercial arrangement made with
France on May 2S, 1885, under the proVi-
scns OF section three Of the tariff act of
1897 went into effect on June |, following
1t has relieved a portion Of our export
trade from serious embarrassment. Fur
ther negotiations are now pending under
section four of the same act, with a view
to the increase of trade between the two
countries TO their mutual advantage. Ne
gotiations with other governments. in part
Interrupted by the war with Spain, are in
progress under both sections of the tariff
act. / hope TO be able to announce some of
the results Of these negotiations during
the present session of congress.
Negotiations to the same end with Ger
many have been set on foot Meanwhile no
effort has been relaxed 10 convince the i'm
perial government of the thoroughness of
our inspection of pork products for expor-
tation, and IL is trusted that the efficient ad-
ministration of this measure by the depart
ment of agriculture Will be recognized a s a
guarantee of the healthfulness of the food
staples we send abroad to countries where
their use is large and necessary. trans
mitted to the senate on February 10 last
information touching the prohibition OF
fresh fruits from this country, which had
then recently been decreed by Germany on
the ground OF danger OF disseminating the
San Jose scale insect. This precautionary
measure was justified by Germany on the
score OF the drastic steps taken in several
states or the union against the spread of
the pest, the elaborate reports of the de-
partment of agriculture being put in evil
dence TO show the danger to German fruit
growing interests should the scale obtain
a Judgement in that country. Temporary
relief was afforded In the case of large as
signments OF fruit then on the way by in
spection and admission when found non
infected. Later the prohibition was ex-
tended to dried fruits of every kind. but
was relaxed so as TO apply only to un-
expected, the alarm reached to other coun-
tries, and Switzerland has adopted a sim
liar inhibition Efforts are in progress to
induce the German and Swiss governments
TO relax the prohibition in favor of dried
fruits shown to have been cured under cir
cumstances rendering the existence Of anil
NAL life impossible.
On "a Friendly Footing.
Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly footing. AS
senting to our request, the protection of
Americans and their interests In Spanish
jurisdiction was assumed by the diplomatic
and consular representatives of Great
Britain, who fulfilled their delicate and
arduous trust with tact and zeal, eliciting
make fitting allusion TO the instance of Mr..
Ramsden, her majesty's consul at Santiago
de Cuba, whose untimely death after dis
tinguished service and untiring effort dur
ing the siege of that city was sincerely
lamented
In the early part of April last. pursuant
secretary of state by the British ambassa-
dor at this capital, the Canadian govern
ment granted facilities for the passage of
the great lakes to the Atlantic coast by way
OF the Canadian canal and the ST Lawrence
river. The vessels had reached Lake on
tario and were there awaiting the opening
Of navigation when war was declared be-
tween the United States and Spain. Her
maJesty's government thereupon, by a
communication of the latter part Of April,
stated that the permission granted before
the outbreak Of hostilities would not be
withdrawn, provided the United States
sells In question would proceed direct to a
United States port without engaging in
any hostile operation: This government
promptly agreed TO the stipulated condi-
ton, II being understood that the vessels
would not be prohibited from resisting any
hostile attack.
The Canadian Negotiations.
1t will give me especial satisfaction IL l
shall be authorized to communicate to you
a favorable conclusion Of the pending ne
gotiauons with Great Britain in respect
Of the dominion Of Canada. 1t is the ear
nest wish OF this government TO remove all
sources OF discord and irritation In our
relations with the neighboring dominion
constantly increasing, and II is important
10 both countries that all reasonable IA
cilities should be granted for it's develop
ment.
Reciprocity with Greece.
The government Of Greece strongly
urges the onerousness of the duty here inn
posed upon the currants Of that country,
amounting to 100 per cent. or more Of their
market value. This fruit is stated to be
exclusively a Greek product, not coming
into competition with any domestic prod
uct; The question Of reciprocal CONNER
cial relations with Greece, including the
restoration of currants to the free list, is
under consideration.
The long-standing claim Of Berand Camp
bell for damages for injuries susta in ed from
violent assault committed against him
by military authorities in the island OF
Hayti has been settled by the agreement
OF that republic to pay him 900 in Amer
ican gold. OF this sum 81 600 has already
been paid 1t is hoped that other pending
claims Of American citizens against that
republic may be amicably adjusted