davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The record-union., 1898-12-06
QUESTIONS WITH MEXICO
Negotiations on Foot for a New Ex-
tradition Treaty.

The Interpretation of certain provis
ions of the extradition convention of
December IL, 1861, has been at various
times the occasion of controversy with
the Government of Mexico. An acute
difference arose in the case of the Mex-
lean demand for the delivery of Jesus
Guerrero. who, having led a marauding
expedition near the border. with tha
proclaimed purpose of initiating insur-
rection against President Diaz. escaned
into the United States Extradition
was refused on the ground that the AL
legged offense was political in its char
acter, and therefore came within the
treaty proviso of non-surrender. The
Mexican contention was that the ex
ception only related to public political
offenses, and that as Guerrero adnixed
with the common crime of murder. ar
son, kidnapping and robbery. the on
tion of non delivery became void. a no.
sition which this Government was un-
able to admit, in view of the inter-
national doctrine and practice in the
matter.
The Mexican Government, 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 con-
clusion of convention, toward which
negotiations are on foot.
E,XTRADITION STATUTE SHOULD
BE AMENDED.
In this relation I may refer to the
The record-union., 1898-12-06
TREATY WITH PERU.
Notice That 1t is to be Abrogated
Given by Southern Republic.

The claim of Victor H. McCOrd
against Peru, which for a number Of
years has been pressed by this Govern
ment, and has on several occasions at
tracted the attention of the Congress,
has been satisfactorily adjusted. A pro-
tocol was signed May II, 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
$40,0 600.
The Government of Peru has given
the prescribed notification of its inten-
ton to abrogate the treaty of friend
ship, commerce and navigation, con-
Guided with this country August 81,
1887. As that treaty contains many i'm
pcrtant provisions necessary to the
maintenance of commerce and good re-
lstions which could with difficulty be
replaced by the nomination of renewed
provisions with the brief twelve months
intervening before the treaty termi-
mates, have invited suggestions by
Peru as to the particular provision it
desired to annul, in the hope of reach
ing an arrangement whereby the re-
naming articles may be Professionally
saved.
The record-union., 1898-12-06

lieved that the good offices Of our En-
voy and the commander of that vessel
contributed to that gratifying outcome
CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLIC.
In my last message the situation was
presented with respect to the diplo-
matte representation of this Govern
ment in Central America. created by
the association of Nicaragua, Hon
duras and Salvador under the title of
the Greater Republic of Central Amer
lea and the delegation of their inter
national functions to the Diet thereof
While the representative character of
the Diet was recognized by my prede-
cessor, and has been confirmed during
my administration by receiving its ac-
credited Envoy and granted exequa-
ters to Consuls coming under its au-
thority, that recognition was qualified
by the distinct understanding that the
responsibility of each of the component
sovereign republics toward the United
States remained wholly unaffected
This provision was needful, inasmuch
as the compact of the three republics
was at the outset an association where
by certain representative functions
were delegated to a tripartite commits
sion, rather than a federation possess
ing centralized powers of government
and the administration.
In this view of the relation of the
United States to the several republics. a
change in the representation of this
country in Central America was neither
recommended by the Executive nor
initiated by Congress, thus leaving one
of our Envoys accredited as heretofore
separately to two States of. the Greater
Republic, Nicaragua and Salvador, and
to third State, Costa Rica, which
was not a party to the compact, While
our other Envoy was similarly accred-
tied to the union stated as Honduras,
and a non-union stated as Guatemala.
The result has been that one has pre-
sented credentials only to the Presi-
dent of Costa Rica, the other having
been received only by the Government
of Guatemala
subsequently the three associated re-
publics entered into negotiations for
taking the steps forecast in the orig
inal compact. A convention of their
delegates framed for them a federal
constitution under the name of the
United States of Central America. and
provided for a central federal govern
ment and Legislature. Upon ratifica
ton by constituent States, the 1st of
November last was fixed for the new
system to go into operation. Within
few weeks thereafter the plan was
severely tested by revolutionary move
ments arising, with a consequent de-
mand for unity Of action on the part
of the military power of the Federal
States to suppress them. Under this
strain the new union seems to have
been weakened through. the withdrawal
of its more important members.
This Government was not officially
advised of the installation of the fed
Grafton, and has maintained an atti-
tude of friendly expectancy, while in
no wise relinquishing the position held
from the ouset, that the responsible
ties of the several States toward us
remained unaltered by their tentative
relations among themselves.
The record-union., 1898-12-06
TRADE ABROAD.
Negotiations in Progress With
France and GERMANY.

The commercial arrangement made
with France on May %, 1898, under the
provisions of Section g. of the Tariff Act
Of 1897, went into effect on June lst,
following. 1t has relieved a portion
of our export trade from serious embar-
rassment. 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 advantage. Negotiations
with other Governments, in part inter-
rupted by the war with Spain, are in
progress under both sections of the
Tariff Act. I hope to be able to an
nounce some of the results of these ne
gotiations during the present session of
Congress.
Negotiations to the same end with
Germany have been set on foot. Mean
while no effort has been relaxed to con-
vince the imperial Government of the
thoroughness of our inspection of pork
products for expectation, and 1t is
trusted that the efficient administration
Of this measure by the Department of
Agriculture will be recognized as a
guarantee of the healthfulness of the
food staples we send abroad to coun
tries where their use is large and nee
esSary.
GERMANY'S DECREE AGAINST
OUR FRUITS.
I transmitted to the Senate on Feb
ruary 10th last, information touching
the prohibition against the Importation
of fresh fruits from this country, which
had been recently decreed by Germany
on the ground of danger of disseminat-
ing the Sans Jose scale insect. This pre-
cautionary. measure was justified by
Germany on the score of the drastic
Union against the spread of the pest,
the elaborate reports of the department
to German fruit growing interests
should the scale obtain lodgment in
that country Temporary relief was
afforded in the care Of large consign-
ments of fruit then on the way, by in
spection and admission when found
non-infected. Later the prohibition
was extended to dried fruits of every
kind, but was relaxed SO as to apply
only to unpeeled fruit and fruit waste
AS was to be expected, the alarm
reached other countries, and Switzer-
land has adopted a similar inhibition.
Efforts are in progress to induce the
German and Swiss Governments to re-
lax the prohibition in favor of dried
fruits shown to have been cured under
circumstances rendering the existence
Of animal Efa irYonOcvibla
The record-union., 1898-12-06
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Marked With Cordia1ity, Except
the Rupture With Spain.

With the execution of the rupture
with Spain, the intercourse of the Unit
ed States with the great family of ma
tions has been marked with cordiality,
and the close of the eventful year finds
most of the issues that necessarily arise
in the complex relations of sovereign
states adjusted or presenting no seri-
Gus obstacles to just and honorable
solution by amicable agreement.
CHILE-ARGENTINE BOUNDARY. !,
A long unsettled dispute as to the ex-
tended boundary between the Argentine
Republic and Chile, stretching along
the Andean crests to the southern
border of the Atracam Desert, the Ma
gellan Straits, nearly third of the
length of the South American conti-
nent assumed an acute stage in the
early part of the pear, and afforded this
Government occasion to express the
hope that the resort to arbitration al
ready contemplated by existing con-
ventions between the parties might
prevail, despite the grave difficulties
arising in it's application. I am happy
TO say that arrangements to this end
have been perfected, the questions of
fact upon which the respective Com
missioners were unable to agree being
in course of reference to her Britarnic
majesty for determination. A residual
difference, touching the northern
boundary line across the Atacam Des-
ert, for which existing treaties provid-
ed no adequate adjustment, bids fair
to be settled in like manner by joint
commission, upon which the United
The record-union., 1898-12-06
THE CERRUTA CLAIM.
Colombia Has Not Yet Settled
ItaIy's Demand.

Following close upon the rendition OF
the award of my predecessor as arbl-
traitor of the claim of the Italian sub
jeet, Cerruti, against the republic. OF
Colombia, differences arose between the
parties to the arbitration in regard to
the scope and extension of the award,
of which certain articles We're con-
tested by Colombia, while Italy claimed
their literal fulfillment. The award
having been made by the President or
the United States as an act of friendly
consideration, and with the sole view
to an impartial composition of the mat
ter in dispute, could not but feel con-
Germ at such q miscarriage, and, While
unable to accept the Colombian theory
that I, in my official capacity, possessed
continuing function as arbitrator, with
power to interpret or revise the terms
of the award my best efforts were lent
to bringing the parties to harmonious
agreement as to the execution of its
provisions.
A naval demonstration by Italy re-
suited in an engagement to pay the LA
bilities claimed upon their ascertain
ment, but this apparent disposition OF
the controversy was followed by rup-
ture of diplomatic intercourse between
Colombia and Italy, which still contin-
ues, although fortunately without acute
symptoms having supervened. Not
withstanding this, efforts are reported
to be continuing for the ascertainment
Of Colombia's contingent liability on ac-
count of Cerruti's debts, under the
fifth article of the award.
AN UNPAID CLAIM.
A claim of an American citizen
against the DOMINICAN Republic for
public bridge over the OZama River,
which has been in diplomatic contro-
versy for several years, has been set
tied by expert arbitration, and an
award in favor of the claimant amount
ing to about $4,000. 1t, however, re-
mains unpaid, despite urgent demands
for it's settlement according to the terms
of the compact.
The record-union., 1898-12-06
DISARMAMENT PROPOSAL.
Subject Has for the United States
No Practical Importance.

His majesty, the Car, having an
nounced his purpose to raise the i'm
perial Russian mission at this capital
to the rank of an Embassy, responded
under the authority conferred by the
Act of March Z, 1893 by commission
ing and accrediting the actual repre-
sentative at ST. Petersburg in the ca
pacity Of ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary. The Russian EN-
bassador to this country has since pre-
sented his credentials
CZAR'S DISARMAMENT PROPOSAL.
The proposal of the Czar for a general
reduction of the vast military establish
ments, that weigh so heavily upon
many peoples in time of peace, was
communicated to this Government, with
an earnest invitation to be represented
in the conference which it is contem-
plated to assemble with view to dis
cussing the means of accomplishing so
desirable a result.
His majesty was at once informed Of
the cordial sympathy of this Govern
ment with the principle involved in his
exalted proposal, and of the readiness
of the United States to take part in the
conference. The active military force
of the United States, as measured by
our population, territorial area and tax
able wealth, is, and under any conceiv-
able prospective conditions must con-
tinue to be, in time of peace so con-
spicuously less than that of the armed
Powers to whom the Cars APPEAL is
especially addressed, that the question
can have for us no practical Importance
save as marking an auspicious step to-
ward the betterment of the condition
of the modern peoples and the cultiva-
ton of peace and good will among
them, but in this view it. behooves US
as a nation to lend countenance and aid
to the benefcent project.
CLANS FOR SEIZURE OF AMERI-
CAN VESSELS.
The claims of owners of American
sailing vessels for seizure by Russian
cruisers in Behring Sea are being
pressed for settlement The equities
of the cases justify the expectation that
measure of reparation will eventually
be accorded in harmony with precedent
and in the light of the proven facts.
THE HANS INCIDENT.
The recommendation made in my spe-
cial message of April 9th last, is re-
newed, 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 record-union., 1898-12-06


any exclusive treatment by the new oc-
cupants. has obyiated the need of our
country becoming an actor in the scene.
Our position among nations, having a
large Pacific Coast and a constantly ex-
panding direct trade with the farther
Orient, gives us the equitable claim to
consideration and friendly treatment in
this regard. and it will be my aim to
subserve our large interests in that
quarter by all means appropriate to the
constant policy of our Government.
The Territories of Kiao-Chou, of Wei
Hal Wei. and of Port Arthur and Tia
Lien Wan, leased TO Germany, Great
Britain and Russia, respectively, for
terms of years, will, it is announced.
add to international commerce during
such occupation; and if no discriminat-
ing treatment Of American citizens ana
their trade be found to exist or be here
after developed, the desire of this Gov.
errment would appear to be realized.
III this relation, as showing the vol
ume and value of our exchanges with
China and the peculiarly favorable con-
ditions which exist for their expansion
in the normal course of trade, l refer TO
the communication addressed to the
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tiyes by the Secretary of the Treasury
on the 14th of last June, with its ac-
companying letter of the secretary OF
State, recommending an appropriation
for a commission to study the CONNER
cial and industrial conditions in the
Chinese Empire, and report as to the
opportunities for and obstacles to the
enlargement of markets in China for
the raw products and manufactures of
the United States. Action was not
taken thereon during the late session.
cordially urge that the recommends
tion receive at your hands the consld-
Grafton which it's Importance and time
liness merit.
CUR CITIZENS WILL BE PRO-
TECTED.
Meanwhile, there may be just ground
for disquietude in view of the unrest
and revival of the old sentiment of op-
position and prejudice to alien people
which pervades certain Of the Chinese
provinces. As in the case Of the at
tacks upon our citizens in Scechuan and
at Kutien in 1885, the United States
Minister has been instructed to secure
the fullest measure of protection, both
local and imperial, for any menaced
American interests, and to demand IN
case of lawless injury to persons or
property instant reparation appropriate
to the case. Warships have been sta
tened at Tien Tsin for more ready OBJ
servation of the disorders which nave
invaded even the Chinese Capital. SO
as to be in position to act, should need
arise, while guard of marines has
been sent to Pekin to afford the Min
lister the same measure of authoritative
protection as the representatives OF
other nations have been constructed to
employ.
The record-union., 1898-12-06
RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.
Have Continued Throughout on the
Nest Friendly Feeling.

Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly feeling.
Asserting to our request the protec-
tion of Americans and their interests
in Spanish jurisdiction was assumed
by diplomatic and Consular represent
atives of Great Britain, who fulfilled
their delicate and arduous trust with
tact and zeal, elieiting high commenda-
ton. l may be allowed to make fitting
allusion to the instance of Mr.. Rams
den, her majesty's Consul at Santiago
de Cuba. whose untimely death after
distinguished service and untiring eff
forts during the siege of that city was
sincerely lamented.
In the early part Of April last, pur-
suant to request made at the instance
of the Secretary of State to the Brit
ish ambassador to this Capitol, the Ca
madam Government granted facilities
for the passage for United States reve-
nue. cutters from the Great Lakes to
the Atlantic coast by way of the Ca
madam Canal and the ST. Lawrence
River. The vessels had reached Lake
Ontario, and were there awaiting the
opening Of navigation when war was
declared between the United States
and Spain. Her majesty's Government
thereupon, by the latter part of April,
stated that the permission granted be-
fore the outbreak Of hostilities would
not be withdrawn, provided the United
States Government gave assurance that
the vessel in question would proceed
direct to United States port without
engaging in any hostile operation. This
Government promptly agreed to the
stipulated condition, it being under
stood that the vessel would not be pro-
hibited from resenting any hostile at
tack.
NEGOTIATIONS IN RESPECT TO
CANADA.
1t will give me special satisfaction If
shall be authorized to communicate
The record-union., 1898-12-06
PARIS EXPOSITION.
United States Should Lead in the
March Of Progress.

There is now every prospect that the
participation Of the United States in
the Universal Exposition to be held in
Paris in 1900 will be on a scale COM
mensurate with the advance position
held by our products and industries in
the worlds chief markets.
The preliminary report of Moses P.
Handy. who, under the Act approved
July 10, 1897, was appointed Special
Commissioner, with a view of securing
all attainable information necessary to
a full and complete understanding by
Congress in regard to the participation
of this Government in the Paris Ex-
position. was laid before you by my
message of December g. 1897. and
showed the large opportunities to make
known our national progress in art,
science and manufactures, as we'll as
the urgent need of immediate and ade-
quate provisions to enable due advan-
tage thereof to be taken.
Mr.. Handy's death soon afterward
rendered it necessary for another to
take up and complete his unfinished
work, and on January 18th last, Thorn
as W. Cridler, Third Assistant Secre-
tary of State. was designated to fulfill
that task His report was laid before
you by my message of June IA, 1893,
with the gratifying result of awaken
ing renewed interest in the projected
display.
BY provision in the sundry civil ap-
preparation Act Of July /, 1898, a sum
not to exceed $650,O00, was allotted for
the organization of a commission to
care for the proper preparation and in
stallation of American exhibits, and for
the display Of suitable exhibits by the
several Executive departments, partic-
ularly by the Department of Agricul-
ture, the Fish Commission and the
Smithsonian Institution, in the repre-
sentation of the Government of the
United States.
Pursuant to that enactment, I ap-
pointed Ferdinand w. Peck of Chicago
Commissioner General. with an Assist
ant Commissioner General and Secre-
tary. Mr.. Peck at once proceeded to
Paris, where his success in enlarging
the scope and variety of the United
States exhibit has been most crafty
ing. Notwithstanding the comparative
The record-union., 1898-12-06

ly limited area of the Exposition site
less than one-haf that of the Worlds
Fair at Chicago-the space assigned TO
the United States has been increased
from the absolute allotment of 1oI,4US
square feet, reported by Mr.. Handy, to
some 2O2,0OO square feet, with cores
ponding augmentation of the field for
truly characteristic representation of
country's development
INCREASE OF APPROPRIATION
RECOMMENDED.
Mr.. Peck's report will be laid before
you. In my Judgment it's recommends
tions will call for your early consider
alton, especially as regards an increase
OF the appropriation to at least one mil
lion dollars in ALL SO that not only may
the assigned space be fully taken up
by the best possible exhibit in every
class, but the preparation and instaEa-
tion be on so perfect scale as to rank
among the first in that unparalleled
competition of artistic and inventive
production, and thus counterbalance the
disadvantage with which we start, as
compared with ether countries whose
appropriations are on a more generous
scale, and whose preparations are In
state of much greater forwardness
than our own.
Where our artisans have the admit
ted capacity to excel, where our inven-
tive genius has initiated many OF the
grandest discoveries Of the later days
of the century, and where the native
resources of our land are as limitless
as they are valuable to supply the
worlds needs, it is our province, as
it should be our earnest care, to lead
in the march Of human progress and
not rest content with any secondary
place. Moreover, if this be due to- our
selves, it is no less due to the great
French nation, whose guests we be-
come, and which has in so many ways
testified it's wishes and hope that our
participation shall befit the place the
two peoples have won in the field Of
universal development
The record-union., 1898-12-06
CURRANTS OF GREECE.
Question of Restoring Them to the
Free List Under Consideration.

The Government of Greece strongly
urges the onerousness of the duty upon
the currants of that country, amount
ing to 1C0 per cent. or more Of their
market value. This fruit is stated to be
exclusively Greek product, not coming
into competition with any domestic
product. The question of reciprocal
commercial relations with Greece, in
Guiding the restoration of currants to
the free list, is under consideration.
The record-union., 1898-12-06
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES.
A Rupture Between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua AmicabIy Adjusted.

A menacing rupture between Costa
Rica and Nicaragua was aDtly COM
posed by the signature of a convention
between the parties, with the concur
renee of the Guatemala representa-
tives as a mediator, the act being ne
gotiated and signed on board the
United States steamer Alert, then lying
in Central American waters. It is be-
The record-union., 1898-12-06

to you a favorable conclusion of the
pending negotiations with Great Brit
ain in respect to the Dominion of Can
ada. 1t is the earnest wish of this
Government to remove all sources of
discord and irritation in relations with
the neighboring dominion The trade
between the two countries is constant
ly increasing. and it is important to
both countries that all reasonable IA
cilities should be granted for its de-
The record-union., 1898-12-06
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
Interests Of the United States VIII
be Subserved.

The United States has not been an
Indifferent spectator of the extraordi-
nary events transpiring in the Chinese
Empire. whereby portions of it's mari
time provinces are passing under the
control of various European Powers;
but the prospect that the vast commerce
which the energy of our citizens and
the necessity of our staple productions
for Chinese uses has built up in those
regions may not be prejudiced through