The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-06
ExERADiTIoN TREATIES.
E,xIstinR statateS ShOuId be Amended.
: a. aoi,tlnn, with Mexico,


ExIstinF stAtates should be Amended.
oar Relations with Mexico.
The Interpretation OF certain provi-
slons Of the extradition convention Of
december II, 1861. has been at various
times the occasion OF controversy with
the government OF Mexico. An acute dif-
ference arose In the case OF the Mexican
demand for the delivery Jesus Guer-
ra, who, having led a marauding expe-
dltion near the border. with the pro-
claimed purpose OF initiating an lnsur-
rection against President. Diaz, escaped
into Texas. Extradition was refused,
ON the ground that the offense was polit-
zeal In Its character, and therefore came
within the treaty provisions Of -noh7
surrender. The Mexican contention was
that the exception only related 10 purely
political offenses, and that as Guerlp's
act was mixed with the common crime
OF murder, arson kidnapping and rob-
berry, the option of the delivery became
void. 4 position which this government
was unable to admit Ia view OF the re-
cAIved international doctrine and prac-
flee In the matter. The Mexican govern
Inent. in view of this. gave notice ON
january "a, 1898, OF the termination OF
the convention. TO take effect twelve
months from that date. at the same
= time inviting the conclusion OF new
convention, towards which new negotia-
lions are on foot.
In tlls relation / may refer to the ne
cessity OF some amendment OF our extra
ditlon statute II Is common supula-
ton OF such treaties that neither party
shall be bound to give up its own cttt-
zens, with the added provlso, In one OF
our treaties with Japan, that 1t may
surrender II It sees ht. II Is held In
this country by an almost uniform
course OF decisions that where treaty
negatives the obligation 60 surrender
the President Is not invested with legal
authority to act. The conferment OF
such authority would be in the line Of
that sound morality which shriuks from
affordlng secure asylum to the author OF
a heinous crime. Again, statutory pro-
vision might be well made for what Is
STYLED extradltion by way OF transit,
whereby a fugitive surrendered by one
foreign government to another may be
conveyed across the territory OF the
United States TO the jurisdiction OF the
demanding state. A Recommendation
In this behalf. made In the Presidents
message OF 1886. was not acted upon.
The matter Is presented FOR your consld-
Grafton.
The problem OF the Mexican Free
Zone has often been discussed with re-
gard to its inconvenience as a proYocG-
tive Of smuggling into the GATED States
along an extensive and thinly guarded
land border. The effort made BY the
Joint resolution Of March /, 1895. 10 REM
edy the abuse charged by suspending
the privilege OF free transportation In
bond across the. territory OF the United
states TO Mexico failed OF good result.
"a is stated In Report No. IO2, Of the
house OF representatives, submitted In
the last session, March II, 1893. As the
question 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 az
boundary, rather than by convention ar
FangementE, suggest that Congress
consider the advisability OF authorizing
and inviting a conference OF representa-
lives OF the treasury departments OF
the United States and Mexico TO con-
slider the subject In all its complex bear
ings, and make report. with pertinent
recommendations, tO.the respective gov
ernmcnts for the information and con-
Hideration u their congresses
The Mexican water boundary question
has adjusted'nll matters submitted 20 II
20 the satisfaction OF both governments.
save in three important cases. that OF
the ''chamizal," at III Paso. Texas,
where the two commissioners failed TO
agree. and wherein. for this case only,
this government has proposed 10 Mexico
the addition " a third member; the pro-
poaed elimination OF DANCES" small is-
dated Islands. formed 10y the cutting on
of bends in the Rio Grande. from the
operation Of the treaties OF 1884 and 1889
recommended by the commissioners. and
approved By this government. but still
under confederation by Mexico; and the
subject OF the equitable distribution 81
the waters Of the Rio Grande" for
which commissioners recommended an
international dam and reservoir. APP
proved by Mexico. but et!i! under con.
Rideration by this government. Pending
these questions, II Is necessary 70 extend
the life OF the commission. which expires
December %. next
The coronation OF the young queen oil
the Netherlands. was made the occasion
OF fitting COMMUNICATIONS.
The claim OF Victor II, McCord against
Peru. which for number OF years has
been pressed BY this government. aud
has on several occasions attracted che
attention of Congress. has been sItisfac-
why 1AlANAAFH - lAANNNH'.t wa" NNh AH7N
May Il. 1898. whereby the fact OF llabli-
~ being admitted, tho question OF the
amount 20 be awarded was submitted
20 the chief Justice OF Canada a sol,
arbitrator His award sets the indem-
nifty due the claimant at so 000
The government OF Peru has given thl
prescribed notification OF its Intention
10 abrogutc the treaty OF friendship
commerce. concluded With this country
August "a, 1857 ~ that treaty contains
many important provisions necessary
10 the maintenance " commerce one
good relations, which could with Difficult
~ be replaced b. the negotiations OF TO-
neWcd provisions within ,h' BRIEF twelve
months intervening before tho treaty
terminates ] have luvited suggestion
10y Peru a. 70 the particular provision
Il iH desired to nnHul in the hope ri
rcachin an arrangement whereby th'
remaining articles may be provision
ally saved.
Hts Majesty. the Car, having an
nounced his purpose 10 ralfe the inpor
lat Russian mission AZ this capital e