La Junta tribune., 1898-12-17

missioners recommended an internn-
tional dam and reservoir, are approved
by Mexico. but still under considern-
tion by this government. Pending
these questions 1t is necessary to ex-
tend the life OF the commission, which
expires December 2Srd next.
The r.r's Peace Proposal.
The proposal OF the Car for a gen
eral reduction of the vast military es-
Establishments that weigh so heavily up
on many peoples In time of peace was
communicated 10 the government with
an carnes. invitation to he represent
ed in the conference which II IL con-
templated to assemble with n view to
discussing the means of accomplishing
sso desirable n result. His majesty was
nj once informed OF the cordial sympa-
thy OF this government with the princi-
pie involved In his exalted proposal
and OF the readiness of the United
States to take part in the conference.
The active military force OF the United
States. as measured by our population,
territorial area and taxable wealth, Is.
and under any conceivable proSpec-
tive conditions must continue to he, in
time Of peace. so conspicuously less
than that of the armed powers TO
whom the Cars appeal is especially
addressed that the question can have
for us no practical Importance save as
marking an auspicious step toward the
bettermcnt of the condition of the mod
ern peoples and the cultivation of peace
and good will among them. but in this
view II behooves us as n nation tn lend
countenance and aid 10 the beneficiert
project.
Relations With Turkey.
The newly accredited envoy OF the
United States To the Ottoman porte
carries instructions looking To the dis
posal OF matters In controversy with
Turkey for Il number of years. He is
especially charged TO press for just
settlement OF our claims for indemnity
by reason of the destruction OF prop
erty of American missionaries resi-
dent in that country during the Ar
menian troubles of 1895 as well as for
equal justness. He il also instructed
to seek an adjustment of the dispute
growing out of the refusal of Turkey
to recognize the acquired citizenship Of
Ottoman-born citizens naturalized In
the United States since 1869, without
Imperial consent. And in the came
general relation he Is directed to en-
deavor to bring about u solution of the
question which has more or less
acutely existed since 1869 concerning
the jurisdiction and rights of the
United States in matters of criminal
procedure and punishment under ar
ticle of the treaty of 1870 This lat
ter difficulty grows out OF verbal
difference. claimed by Turkey to be
essential. between the original Turkish
text and the promulgated translation.
After more than two years from the
try TO Erzeroum, lie has received his
exequator.
Protection of Property In Time of War.
The experiences of the last year
bring forcibly home to us sense OF
the burdens and the waste of war.
We desire. in common with most civil
lied nations. to reduce to the lowest
possible point the damage sustained
in time of war by peaccable trade and
commerce. II Is true we may suffer
In such cases less than otheS commune
ties. but all nations are damaged more
or less by the state of uneasiDess and
apprehension into which an outbreak
OF hostilities throws the entire com
mercinl world II should he our OH
ject. therefore. to minimize 40 far as
practicable. this inevitable loss and
disturbance. This purpose cnn prob
ably he best accomplished by an in
tcrna,ional agreement to regard all
private property at sea as exempt from
capture or destruction by the forces
of belligerent powers. The United
States government has for many
years advocated this humane and
beneficent principle and IL now In po-
sition to recommend it to other pow
ers without the imputation of selfish
\
consideration that the executive be
authorized to correspond with the gov
ernments OF principal maritime powers
with n view OF incorporating into the
principle of the exemption of all pri-
yate property at sea. not contraband
of war. from capture or destruction
by belligerent powers.
Finance. "f III. Nation.
The secretary of the treasury re-
ports that the receipts of the govern
ment from all sources during the fiscal
year ended June 30. 1898, including
SS4. 4.151. .2223 received from sale of Pa
cific railroads. amounted TO $40j. .321 =
33:5. and It's expenditures to S443.36S.-
5S2 There was obtained from GUS
toms S149.575.O62. and from internal
revenue S17O.9OO,6i1. Our dutiable
Imports amounted to 1924 ,735.479. a
decrease of x0S.lo6,6!N over the pre-
ceding year. and impOrtations free of
duty amounted to $291.414.1T5. a de-
crease from the preceding year of
$9O.524. .OiS. Internal revenue receipts
exceeded those of the preceding year
by $24,212.O6S.
The total tax collected on distilled
spirits was $92. .54G.999. on manufac-
tured tobacco $3G, ,23O 522. and on fer
mented liquors $39.515.421. We ex-
ported merchandise during the year
amounting to $1,231 .4s2. $50. an In
crease of $3.50, ,4Ss,7 ia from the preced-
Ing year.
It ia estimated upon the basis of
present revenue laws that the receipts
OF the government for the year end
Ing June 30. 1890. will be $577 ,S74 ,GOS,
and it's expenditures $6S9, 9,S74,847, re-
sulting in n deficiency Of $4,000, 600.