The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-09

opportunities to make known our national
progress in art, science and manufac-
lures, as we'll as the urgent need of inn
mediate and adequate provision to enable
due advantage thereof to be taken Mr.
Handy's death soon afterward rendered
it necessary for another to take up and
complete his unfinished work, and Janu-
airy II last, Mr.. Thomas w. Cridler, third
assistant secretary of state, was desig-
mated to fulfill that task, His report was
laid before you by my message of June
IA, 1898, with the gratifying result of
awakening renewed interest in the pro-
jected display.
Trade Relations With France and
Germany.
The commercial arrangements made
with France on May Is, 1898. under the
provisions of section 8, of the tariff act
of 1897 went into effect on June follow
ing. 1t has relieved a portion of our ex-
port trade from serious embarrassment.
Further negotiations are now pending
under section of the same act, with a
view to the increase of trade between
the two countries to their mutual adj
vantage. Negotiations with other govern
ments, in part interrupted by the war
with Spain, are in progress under both
sections of the tariff act. l hope to be
able to announce some of the results of
these negotiations during the present ses-
sion of congress.
FriendIiness of Great Britain.
Our relations with Great Britain nave
continued on the most friendly footing.
Asserting to our request, the protection of
Americans and their interests in Spanish
jurisdiction was assured by the diplomatic
and consular representatives Of Great
Britain, who fulfilled their delicate ard
arduous trust with tact and zeal, eliciting
high commentator /. may be allowed
to make fitting allusion to the instance of
Mr. Ramsden, her majesty's consul at
Santiago de Cuba, whose untinlely death,
after distinguished service and untiring
efforts during the siege Of that city, was
sincerely lamented.
In the early part of April last, pursuant
to a request made at the instance of the
secretary of state to the British ambassa-
dor at this capitol the Canadian govern
naent granted facilities for the passage of
United States revenue cutters from the
Lakes to the Atlantic coast by way. of the
Canadian canal and the st. Lawrence
river The vessels had reached Lake
Ontario and were there awaiting the open
ing of navigation when war was declared
between 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
|
withdrawn, provided the United States
government gave assurance that the YES
sci in question would proceed to a United
States port without engaging in any hos
tile operation. This government prompt
| ly agreed to the stipulated condition, it
being understood that the vessel would not
be prohibited from resenting any hostile
attack.
It will give me special satisfaction if
shall be authorized to communicate 20
you a favorable conclusion of the pend
ing negotiations with Great Britain in re-
spect to the Dominion of Canada. 1t is
y the earnest wish of this government to re-
move all sources of discord and irritation
in relations with the neighboring domin-
ion. The trade between the two countries
is constantly increasing, and it is impor-
tant to both countries that all reasonable
facilities should be granted for its develop
ment.
Samoan Matters.
Malieto Laupepa, king of Samoa, died
August % last. According to article of
the general act of Berlin, This successor
shall be duly elected according to the laws
and customs of Samoa" ARRANGEMENTS
had been agreed upon between the sigma
tories of the general act for the return
of Mataafa and the other exiled Samoan
chiefs. They were brought from Jaluit by
a German war vessel and landed at Apia
September 18 last. Whether the death of
Malietoa and the return of his old-time
rival Mataafa will add to the undesirable
complications which the execution of the
tripartite general act has heretofore de-
veloped remains to be seen. The efforts
of this government will, as heretofore, be
addressed toward a harmonious and ex-
act fulfllment of the terms of the inter-
national engagement to which the United
States became party in 1889.
The Cheek claim against Siam, after
some five years of controversy, has been
adjusted by arbitration under an agree
ment signed July 6. 1897. An award of
7O6,7 21 ticals (about $1S7, $50 with the re-
lease of the Cheek estate from mortgage
claims was rendered March Il, 1898, in
favor of the claimant by the arbitrator,
Sir Nicholas John Han. an, British chief
justice for China and Japan.
An envoy from Siam has been accred-
his credentials.
Geneva Compact.
Immediately upon the outbreak of the
war with Spain, the Swiss government
fulfilling the high mission it has deserv.
eddy assumed as the patron of the inter
tional Red Cross, proposed to the United
States and Spain that they should sew
orally recognize and carry into execution
as modus vivendi during the continu-
ance of hostilities the additional articles
proposed by the international conference
at Geneva, October 6, 1868, extending the
effects of the existing Red Cross conven-
ton of 1864 to the, conduct of naval war.
Following the example set by France and
Germany in 1870 in adopting such modus
vivendi and in view of the accession by
the United States to those additional artl-
cles in 1882, although the exchange or ratl-
fcation thereof still remained unaffected,
the Swiss proposal was promptly and cor
daily accepted by us and simultaneously
by Spain.