The times., 1898-12-06

States. the provisions for the relief and
transportation of destitute American sea-
men in these countries under our consul
lar regulations will in consequence termi-
nate. 1t is proper, therefore. that new
legislation should be enacted upon this
subject. In order to meet the changed con-
ditions.
DISPUTE WITH MEXICO.
The Interpretation of certain provisions
of the extradition convention of Decem-
Der II, 1861, has been at various times the
occasion of controversy with the Govern
ment of Mexico. An acute difference
arose in the case of the Mexican demand
for the delivery of Jesus Guerra. who,
having led a marauding expedition near
the border with the proclaimed purpose
of initiating an insurrection against Pres
ident Diaz. escaped into Texas. Extradi-
tion was refused on the ground that the
alleged offense was political in Its char
acter and therefore came within the
treaty proyiso of nonsurrender. The
Mexican contention was that the excep-
tion only related to purely political Of
fenses. and that as Guerra's acts were
admixed with the common crime of mur-
der, arson. kidnapping. and robbery the
option Of nondeliyery became void. po-
stion which this Government was unable
to admit in view of the received interna-
tional doctrine and practice in the matter.
The Mexican Government, in view of this,
gave notice January "a, 1898. of the ter
mination OF the convention. to take ef-
feet twelve months from that date. at
the same time inviting the conclusion of
new convention, toward which negotia-
tions are on foot.
In this relation / may refer to the ne
cessity of some amendment of our ex-
isting extradition statute. 1t is COM
mon stipulation of such treaties that
neither party shall be bound to give up its
own citizens. with the added proviso In
one of our treaties. that with Japan. that
1t may surrender If 1t see fit. 1t is held
in this country by an almost uniform
course of decisions that where a treaty
negatives the obligation to surrender the
President is not invested with legal au-
thority to act. The conferment of such
authority would be in the line of that
sound morality which shrinks from af-
fording secure asylum to the author of a
heinous crime. Again. statutory provi-
sion might well be made for what IS
styled extradition by way of transit.
whereby fugitive surrendered by one
foreign government to another may be
conveyed across the territory of the Unit
ed States to the jurisdiction of the de-
manding state. A recommendation in
this behalf, made in the Presidents Mes
sage of 1856. was not acted upon. The
matter is presented for your considera-
tion.
gORDER SMUGGLING.
The problem of the Mexican Free Zone
has been often discussed with regard to
its Inconvenience as a provocative of SNUG
Cling into the United States along an ex-
tensive and thinly guarded land border.
The effort made by the joint resolution
of March l. 1895, TO remedy 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, is stated in Re
port No. l02 of the House of Pspresenta-
tives, submitted in the last session, March
II, 1898. As the question is one to be con-
yeniently met by wise concurrent legisla-
tion of the two countries looking 10 the
protection of the revenues by harmonious
measures operating equally on either side
OF the boundary. rather than by conven-
tional arrangements. / suggest that Con-
gress consider the advisability OF authoriz-
I ing and inviting conference of represent
! tatiyes OF the Treasury Departments of
I the United States and Mexico to consider
/ the subject in all its complex bearings.
and make report with pertinent recon-
mendations TO the. respective Governments
| for the information and consideration of
/ their Congresses.
/ The Mexican Water Boundary Commis-
sion has adjusted all matters submitted to
| 1t to the satisfaction of both Governments
save in three important cases; that of the
/ .'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 third member; the proposed
elimination of what are known as BAN
COS" small isolated islands formed by the
| cutting off of bends in the Rio Grande,
| from the operati of the Treaties of 1881
| and 1889, recommended by the Commits
sioners and approved by this Government,
! but still under consideration by Mexico;
4 and the subject of the Equitable Distri-
| button of the Waters of the Rio Grande, -
| for which the Commissioners recommend
| ed an International dam and reservoir.
approved by Mexico. but still under con-
| sideration by this Government. Pending
| these questions II is necessary to extend
! the life of the Commission, which expires
December 23d next.
The coronation of the young Queen OF
| the Netherlands was made the occasion
of fitting congratulations.
The claim of Victor II. McCord against
| Peru, which for a number of years has
been pressed by this Government ani has
on several occasions attracted the atten-
ton of the Congress. has been satisfac-
torily adjusted. A protocol was signed
| May Il, 1S9S, 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 abb
traitor. His award sets the indemnity
due the claimant at $4,000.
PERUVIAN TREATY.
The government of Peru has given the
prescribed notification of its intention 10
abrogate the Treaty of Friendship, Com
merce and Navigation concluded with
this country August 81, 1887. As that
treaty contains many important provis-
ions necessary to the maintenance OF
commerce and good relations, which
could with difficulty be replaced by the
negotiation of renewed provisions within
the brief twelve months intervening be-
fore the treaty terminates, 1 have invited
suggestions by Peru as to the particular
provisions it is desired to annul. in the
hope of reaching an arrangement where
by the remaining articles may be provis
ionally saved.
His Majesty the Tsar having announc
ed his purpose to raise the Imperial Rus
sian mission at this Capital to the ranl
of an embassy. l responded, under tn,
authority conferred by the act of Ma ci
g. 1Ss3 by commissioning and accred tin.
the actual representative at St. Peters
| burg in the capacity Of ambassador ex
traordinary and plenipotentiary. TIL,
Russian ambassador to this country ha.
| since presented his credentials.