The times., 1898-12-06

ciai message of April q last IL renewed.
that appropriation be made to reimburse
the master and owners of the Russian
bark Hans for wrongful arrest OF the
master and detention of the vessel in
February. 1896 by officers of the United
States district court for the southern dis
trict of Mississippi. The papers accom-
panying my said message make out a
most meritorious claim and justify the
urgency with which it has been presented
by the government of Russia.
AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.
Malietoa Laupepa. King of, Samoa. died
on August q last. According to Article I
of the general act of Berlin 'his success
sor shall be duly elected according to the
laws and customs of Samoa
| Arrangements having been agreed upon
between the signatories of the general
act for the return of Mataafa and the
other exiled Samoan chiefs. they we're
brought from Jaluit by a German war
vessel and landed at Apia on September
IS last.
Whether the death of MalIetoa and the
return of his Iold-time rival Mataafa will
add to the undesirable complications
which the execution of the tripartite Cen
eral Act as heretofore developed remains
to be seen. The efforts of this Govern
ment will. as heretofore. be addressed to-
ward harmonious and exact fuIfillment
of the terms of the international engage
ment to which the United States became
party in 1889.
The Cheek claim against Slam. after
some five years of controversy, has been
adjusted by arbitration. under an agree
ment signed July 6. 1857. an award of 7o6.
l21 ticais (about SIS. .ss7.5sD with release OF
the Cheek estate from mortgage claims
having been rendered March q. 1888. In
favor of the claimant. by the arbitrator
Sir Nicholas John Hannen, British Chief
Justice for China and Japan.
An Envoy from Siam has been accredit-
ed to this Government and has presented
his credentials.
THE GERMAN CONVENTION.
Immediately upon the outbreak of the
war with Spain the Swiss government.
fulfilling the high mission it has deserved
ly assumed as the patron of the Interna-
tional Red Cross, proposed 10 the United
States and Spain that they should sever
ally recognize and carry into execution
as modus yivendi. during the continu-
ance of hostilities. the additional articles
proposed by the international conference
of Geneva, October 20, 1868, extending the
effects of the existing Red Cross conyen-
ton of 1854. to the conduct of naval war
Following the example set by France and
Germany In isio In adopting such a mo-
dus yivendi. and in view of the accession
of the United States to those additional
| articles in 1ss2, although the exchange of
ratifications thereof still remained unef-
fected, the Swiss proposal was promptly
and cordially accepted by US, and, stimuli
taneously, by Spain.
This Government feels keen satisfac-
tion in having thus been enabled to testi-
fy Its adherence to the broadest princi-
pies Of humanity even amidst the clash Of
war. and 1t is to be hoped that the ex-
tension of the Red Cross compact 10 hos
tfhties by sea as we'll as on land may
soon become an accomplished fact
through the general PRONUNCIATION of the
additional naval Red Cross articles by the
maritime powers now parties to the con-
yention of 1864
The important question of the claim of
Switzerland to the perpetual cantonal al
legiance Of American citizens of Swiss
origin has not made hopeful progress to-
ward solution, and controversies in this
regard still continue.
DISPUTE WITH TURKEf.
The newly accredited envoy of the Unit
ed States to the Ottoman Porte carries in
structions looking to the disposal Of mat
tiers in controversy with Turkey for a
| number of years. He is especially charged
to press for a just settlement of our GLAZING
for indemnity by reason IF the eslucticn
| of the property of American missionaries
| resident in that country during the Ar
menian troubles of 1885 as well as for the
recognition of older claims of equal ;ust-
ness.
He is also instructed 10 seek an adjust
ment of the dispute growing out OF the
refusal of Turkey to recognize the ac-
quired citizenship of Ottoman-borl per-
sons naturalized in the United States since
1869 without prior imperial consent; and in
the same general relation he Is directed
| 20 endeavor to bring about a solution OF
| the question which has rno-e or less acute
| ly existed since 1863 concerning the juris-
| dictional rights of :he United States in
matters OF criminal procedure and punish
ment under Article II Of the treaty OF
/ 1880. This latter difficulty grows cut of a
verbal difference, claimed ly Turkey to be
essential. between tine original Turkish
| text and the promulgated translation.
After more than two years from the ap-
| pointment of a consul of tnis country Ia
Erzerum, he has received his exequatur.
VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY.
The arbitral tribunal appointed under
/ the treaty of February ?. 1881. between
| Great Britain ana Venezuela, to deter
mine the boundary line between, the latter
| and the colony of British Guiana, is &c
| convene at Paris Turing the presen;
month. 1t is a source of nllIcn sratiiica-
ton to this Government TO see the friend
| " resort OF arbitration applied to the set
| tlement of this controversy, not alone be-
| cause of the earnes. par- we have hal IT
| bringing about the result. but also De
| cause the two members named On hehaii
| of Venezuela, Mr.. Chief Justice Fu!lel
! and Mr. Justice Brewer, chosen from oul
| highest court, appropriately testify III:
| continuing interest we feel in the Jeiini
| tive adjustment of the question according
| to the strictest rules of justice. the Brit
| ish members, Lord Herschcll aud S.r R!.h
ard Collins, are juris-s of no less exalted
repute while the fifth member and PreSi
| dent of the Tribunal Nj. + lie Martens
has earned a worli wide reputation as n
authority upon inter1a'tcnsl law.
The claim of Felipe Scandella agains
Venezuela for arbitrary expulsion an'
injury to his business has been adjrste'
by the revocation of the order of expul
| sion and oy the payment oi the sum
$4,000.
BUREAU OF AMERICAN REPUBLIC
1 have the satisfaction of being abe t
state that the Bureau of the American
Republics, created in 1890 as the orgal
for promoting commercial intercours
and fraternal relations among the cum
tries of the Western Hemisphere, ha
become a more efficient inst. umeLt of tn
wise purposes of its founders. and is re
ceiving the cordial support of the con