The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05

ter. The Mexican government in view
of this, gave notice on January "a. 1898,
of the trrnina ton of the convention to
take effect u months from that date.
at the same time inviting the conclu-
sion of a new convention toward which
negotiations are on foot
In this relation may refer to the
necessity of some amendment of our
existing extradition statute It is a
common stipulation of such treaties
that neither party shall be bound to
give up its own citizens, with the ad
ded prOvisO, in one of our treaties. that
with Japan. that it may surrender If il
see fit 1t is held in this country, By an
almost uniform course of decisions that
where a treaty negatives the Oblfga
ton to surrender, the president is not
invested with legal authority to act
The cOnferment of such authority would
De IN the line of that sound moral law
which shrinkS from ahOrding secure
asylum to the author of a heinOus
crime. Again, statutory provision might
OtiOn by way OF transmit whereby a
fugitive surrendered by one foreign
government to another may be Convey
ed across the territory Of the United
States to the jurisdiction of the de-
manding state A recommendation IN
this behalf made in the presidents mes
sage Of 1886. was not acted upon The
matter is presented for your considera-
ton.
The problem of the Mexican free zone
has been often discussed with regard to
its inconvenience as a provocative OF
smuggling into the United states along
an extensive line and thinly-guaTded
land border. The effort made by the
joint resolution of March 1, 1895, to
remedy the abuse charged by suspend
ing the privilege Of free transportation
in bond across the territory OF the Uni
ted States to Mexico failed of good re
suit as is stated in report No. 702, Of
the house OF representatives, submit
ted in the last session, March II, 1895
AS the question is one to be cOnven-
iently met by wise concurrent leglSla-
tion Of the two countries looking to the
protection of she revenue by harmoni-
Gus measures operating equally on eth
er side OF the boundary, rather than by
conventional arrangements suggest
that congress consider the adVisablity
OF authorizing and inviting q confer
ence of representatives of the treasury
department of the United States and
Mexico to consider the subject IN all its
complex bearings and make report,
with pertinent recommendations TO the
respective governments for the infOrma-
ton and the consideration of their con-
crosses.
The Mexican water boundary COM
mission has adjusted all matters sub
mitted to Il to the satisfaction Of both
governments, save IN three important
cases-that of Chamizal at FL PasO,
Texas. where the two commissioners
failed to agree and wherein for this
case only, this government has proposed
to Mexico the addition of the third
what are known as "bancOS, small
isolated islands formed by the cutting
off of bends in the Rio Grande, from the
operation OF the treaties Of 1884 and
1889, recommended by the commission
ers and approved by this government.
but still under consideration by Mexico;
and the subject OF the equitable dis
tributiOn of the waters of the Rio
Grande." for which the commissioners
recommended an international dam and
reservoir are approved by Mexico. but
still under consideration by this govern
ment- Pending these questions, ii is
necessary TO extend the life Of the COM
mission, which expires December %
next.
The coronation of the young queen
of the Netherlands was made the coca
sion of fitting congratulations.
The claim Of Victor H McCord against
Peru, which for a number of years has
been pressed by this government and
has on several occasions attracted the
attention of the congress, has been ad-
justed- a protocol was signed May Il.
1898, whereby, the fact of liability being
admitted. the question of the amount to
be awarded was submitted to the chief
justice Of Canada as sole arbitrator His
award sets the indemnity due the
claimant at $4,000 The government Of
Peru has given the prescribed nOtifica-
ton of its intention TO abrOgate the
treaty of friendship. commerce and nav
igatiOn with this country August 81,
1887. As that treaty contains many
important provisions necessary to the
of commerce and good re-
latiOns which could with difficulty be re-
placed by the nomination Of renewed
provisions within the brief twelve
months intervening before the treaty
terminates. I have invited suggestions
by Peru as to the particular provisions
it is desired to annul, in the hope of
reaching an arrangement whereby the
remaining articles may be Professionally !