The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09

SamOa cnfeTS. they were bEUukER AA1Ai
Jaluit by a German war vessel and
landed at Apia on September 18th last.
Whether the death Of Malietoa and the
return Of his old time rival. Mataafa,
will add TO the undesirable Complica-
tons. which the tripartite general act
has heretofore developed. remains 10
be seen. The efforts OF this government
will. as heretofore. be addressed toward
a harmonious and exact fulhllment OF
the terms OF the international en-
gagemen1 To which the United States
became a party in 1889.
An envoy from Siam has been &C /
credited TO this government and has
presented his credentials.
THE RED ROSS IN THE NAVY. |
Immediately upon the outbreak OF
the war with Spain the Swiss govern
fent, fulfilling the high mission Il has
d~eservedIy assumed as the patron %
the International Red Cross. proposed
To the United states and Spain that
they should severally recognize and
carry into execution during the con-
~nuanc OF hostilities. the additional
articles proposed by the international
conference OF Geneva. October 20. 1858.
extending the effects OF the existing
Red Cross convention OF 1864 TO the
conduct OF naval war. Following the
example set by France and Germany
in 1870 in adopting such a modus vi
vendi, and in view Of the accession Of
the United States 70 those additional
articles in 1852. although the exchange
of notifications thereof still remained
Unaffected. the Swiss proposal wa
promptly and cordially accepted by US.
and simultaneously by Spain. This
government feels a keen satisfaction in
having thus been enabled 10 testify its
adherence to the broadest principles
of humanity even amidst the clash Of
war. and il is 10 be hoped that the
extension of the Red Cross compact To
hostility by sea as we'll as on land
may soon become an accomplished fact
through the general PRONUNCIATION Of
r the additional naval Red Cross articles
by the maritime powers now parties
to the convention of 1864.
, OUR DEMANDS ON TURKY.
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 a number of years. He is
1 especially charged TO press for a Just
: settlement Of our claims for indemni-
i ty by reason of the destruction of the
) property of American missionaries
e resident in that country during the
/, Armenian troubles in 1895. as we'll as
, for the recognition of older claims OF
equal business. He is also instructed
to seek an adjustment Of tht dispute
q growing out OF the refusal of Turkey
[ to recognize the acquired citizenship
of O~ttoman-born persons naturalizad
n in the United States since 1869 without
t prior imperial consent.
[ The arbitral tribunal appointed un-
der the treaty of February ?. 1897. be
S tween Great Britain and Venezuela.
g to determine the boundary line be-
tween the latter and the colony of
= British Guiana, is to convene at Paris
: during the present month. It is a
q souce of much qualification to this
government to see the friendly resort
Of arbitration applied to the settle
mcnt of this controversy.
X Il have the satisfaction Of being
: able to state that the bureau Of the
; American republics created in 1890 as
n the orga1 for the promoting of com.
s. mercial intercourse and fraternal rela-
: lions among the countries of the
western hemisphere, has become a
more efficient instrument of the wise
i purpose of it's founders and is receiv-
} ing the cordial support of the contrib
n uting members of the nternationa
1t union which are actually represented
in it's board of management.
~ NEW PRINCIPLE OF INTERNA
D. TIONAL LAW.
I'll "The experiences of the last yeal
Of bring forcibly home to us a sense 81
D. the burdens and the waste of war. w
III desire, in common with most civilized
10 nations, to reduce to the lowest posi-
~ pIO punt iiC liz sustained III lllIIt
n of war by peaceable trade and com
L. merce. 1t is true we may suffer il
l. such cases less than other cOmmuni
lie ties, but all natiOnas are damage
10 more or less by the state of uneasi
rs ness and apprehension into which al
m outbreak of hostilities throws the en-
ut tire commercial world. 1t should b
V our object, therefore,, to minimize. s.
is far as practicable, this inevitable los
and disturbance. This purpose ca
RI prObaly best be accomplished by al
international agreement to regard a
" private property at sea as exempt fron
capture or destruction by the force
of belligerent powers. The Unite,
States government has for many year
- advocated this humane and beneficen
u principle, and is now in position t
~ recommend it to other powers withou
o. the imputatiOn Of selfish motives.
II therefore, suggest for your considera
ilS ton that the executive be authorize
e to correspond with the government
De Of the principal maritime powers wit
a view to Incorporating into the pei
We manent law of civilized nations tn
~ principle of the exemption Of all pri
MS Vate property at sea, not contraban
MS of war, from capture or destruction b
o. belligerent powers.
~ GOVERNMENT FINANCES.
THE secretary Of the treasury Re
ports that the receipts OF the govern
ment from all sources during the fisc:
year ended June 80. 1898. includin
m S64, ISL, 223 received from the sale {
as Pacific railroads amounted to S405, 321
IN 335, and it's expenditures to SAB, 368
as vac c'iieI'tu IIoii Custoi
ith S149, 515.0 62 and from internal revenJ
-a1 $40, 900, 654. Our dutiabie import
~ amounted to 1924. 635. 479. a decrease
is- S5S, Us, $50 over the preceding year ar
G, importations free of duty amounted
at 1921 .414.175 a decrease from the pr
~ ceding year Of $50. 524. 0s8. Internal re-
nIo enue receipts exceeded those of II
"a preceding year by s24. 212. 067. The tot
tax collected on distilled spirits ";
&C soc 900 100 -. go a tDoa
600 JSa91 w n-,ns iaIuo
IA during the year amounting to 81, 231