Evening star., 1898-12-05

OF those who for three-quarters of a cen
tury have looked to the assimilation Of
Hawaii as a natural and inevitable con-
summation. In harmony with our need.
and In fulfllment of our cherished tradi-
tions
The questions heretofore pending between
Hawaii and Japan. growing out OF the al
legged mistrestment OF Japanese treaty I'M
migrants, were, l am pleased 20 say. ad-
justed before the act of transfer by the
payment Of a reasonable indemnity 10 the
Government of Japan
Under the provisions OF the ioint resolu-
ton, the existing customs relations OF the
Hawaiian Islands with the United States
and with other countries remain unchanged
until legislation shall otherwise provide
The consuls OF Hawaii. here and in foreign
countries, continue to fulnll their COM
mercial agencies. while the United States
consulate at Honolulu is maintained for all
appropriate services pertaining 60 trade
and the revenue. IL would be desirable
that all foreign consuls In the Hawaiian
Islands should receive new exeQuaturs
from this Government.
The attention Of Congress is called To the
fact that our consular Offices having cessed
to exist in Hawaii. and being about to cease
in other countries coming under the SOW
titieHNN OF lnt tinted states, the provisions
for the relief and transportation OF destf-
tute American seamen In these countries
under our consular regulations will in con-
sequence terminate. 1t is proper therefore
that new legislation should be enacted upon
this subject, in order to meet the changed
conditions
The Interpretation Of certain provisions
Of the extradition convention Of December
H. 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 Guerra. who. having led
marauding expedition near the border
with the proclaimed purpose OF Initiating
an insurrection against President Diaz
escaped into Texas. Extradition was re-
fused on the ground that the alleged Of
fense was political in it's character and
therefore came within the treaty proviso
of nonsurrender. The Mexican contention
was that the exception only related 10 pure
ly political offenses and that as Guerra's
acts were admixed with the common crime
Of murder. arson, kidnapping and robbery
the option OF nondeliyery became void a
position which this Government was un-
able to admit in view OF the received inter
national doctrine and practice in the mat
ter. The Mexican Government, in view OF
this gave notice January -, 1855. of the
termination Of the convention, TO take
effect twelve months from that date at
the same time inviting the conclusion of
a new convention, toward which nesotia-
tions are on foot.
In this relation / may refer to the neces-
sity OF some amendment Of our existing
extradition statute. 1t is a common stipa-
IN of has
shall be bound TO give up its own citizens.
| with the added provtso in ona Of our trea-
ties. that with Japan, that IL may surrender
if il see fit. II is held in this country hy an
almost uniform course OF decisions that
where i treaty negatives the obligation 70
surrender the President is not invested
with legal authority to act The confer
ment of such authority would be in the line
OF that sound morality which shrinks from
afording secure asylum TO the author OF a
| heinous crime. Again, statutory provision
might well be made for what is styled er-
tradition by way of transit. whereby a
fugitive surrend cred by one foreign gov
ernment to another may be conveyed across
| the territory Of the United States to the
jurisdiction of the demanding state.
recommendation in this behalf made in the
Presidents Message of 1856. was not acted
upon. The matter is presented for your
consideration.
The problem Of the Mexican Free Zona
has been often discussed with regard TO
Its inconvenience as a provocative of SNUG
Cling into the United States along an ex-
tenslVe and thlnly guarded land border.
The effort made by the joint resolution Of
March I. 1895, TO remedy the abuse charged
by suspending the privilege Of free trans
in hop
the United States to Mexico failed OF good
result, as is stated in Report No. 7d2 Of the
House Of Representatives, submitted In the
last session. March IL, 1925 As the oues-
ton is one TO be conveniently met by wise
concurrent legislation Of the two countries
looking TO the protection of the revenues
by harmonious measures operating equally
on either side of the boundary rather than
py conventional arrangements, 1 suggest
that Congress consider the advfsability of
authorizing and inviting a conference of
representatives of the Treasury Depart
ments of the United States and Mexico TO
consider the subject In all its complex bear
inss' and make report with pertinent
recommendations to the respective Govern
ments for ths information and consdera-
ton of their Congresses
The Mexican Water Boundary Commits
sion has adjusted all matters submitted 10
1t to the satisfaction of both Governments
save IN three important cases; that of the
"Chamizal' at FL Paso, Texas, where the
two Commissioners failed to agree and
wherein, for this case only, this Govern
ment has proposed to Mexico the addition
or third member; the proposed eIimina-
tion OF what are known as "Bancos" small
isolated Islands formed by the cutting of of
bends in the Rio Grande from the opera
ton of the Treaties Of 1884 and 1889, recon-
mended by the Commissioners and ap-
proved by this Government, but still undsr
consideration by Mexico; and the subject Of
the Equitable Distribution OF the Waters
of the Rio Grande,'' for which the Commits
sioners recommended an international dam
and reservoir, approved by Mexico, but still
under consideration by this Government.
Pending these questions II is necessary to
extend the life of the Commission which
expires December 23d next
The coronation OF the young Queen of the
Netherlands was made the occasion of fit-
ting congratulations.
The claim of Victor II. McCord against
Peru, which for a number of years has been