The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
THE MESSAGE.
(concIuded from Second Page.l


that 1t may surrender if it sees 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 au-
thority would be in the line of that sound
morality which shrinks from affording Sc
cure asylum to the author of heinous
crime. Again, statutory provision might be
Well made for what is styled extradition by
way OF transit, whereby a fugitive Surrend-
cred by one foreign government to another
may be conveyed across the territory of the
United States to the jurisdiction of the de-
handing State. A recommendation in THIS
behalf, made in the Presidents message OF
1856. was not acted upon. The matter is pre-
sented for your consideration.
The problem of the Mexican free zone mas
been often discussed with regard to it's in
convenience as provocative of smuggling
into the United States along an extensive
and thinly guarded land border. The effort
made by the joint resolution Of March l,
1895, to remedy the abuse charged by sus-
pending the privilege of free transportation
in bond across the territory of the United
States to Mexico, failed of good result. as
IS stated in Report 7o2 of the House OF Rep
rescntatives, submitted in the last session,
March II. 1898 AS the question is one to be
conveniently met by wise concurrent legis-
lation of the two countries looking to the
protection of the revenues by harmonious
measures. operating equally on either side
of the boundary rather than by convention
al arrangements, j suggest that Congress
consider the advisability of authorizing and
inviting conference of representatives OF
the Tea nd t of the sbiec
In all its complex bearings, and make re-
port, with pertinent recommendations, to the
respective governments for the information
and consideration of their Congresses.
MEXICAN BOUNDARY.
The Mexican water boundary commission
has adjusted all matters submitted to it to
the satisfaction of both governments, save
in three important cases: that of the Chami-
Zal, at Ell Paso, Tex, where the two COM
missioners failed to agree, and wherein, for
this case only, this government has proposed
to Mexico the addition of a third member;
the proposed elimination Of what are known
as ''bancos' small, isolated islands. formed
by the cutting off of bends in the Rio
Grande-from the operations of the treaties
in 1884 and 1889, recommended by the COM
nissioners and approved by the govern
ment, but still under consideration by Mex
leo, and the subject of the equitable distri-
button of the waters of the Rio Grande,
for which the commissioners recommended
an international dam and reservoir, APP
proved by Mexico, but still under considera-
ton by this government Pending these
questions, it is necessary to extend the life
Of the commission, which expires Dec. %
next.
The arbitral tribunal appointed under the
treaty of February. 1887, between Great
Britain and Venezuela. to determine, the
colony of British Guiana is to convene at
Paris during the present month. 1t is
source of much gratincat ton to this govern
ment to see the friendly resort of arbitra
ton applied to the settlement of this con-
trOversy, not alone because of the earnest
part we have had in bringing about the re-
suit but also because the two members
named on behalf of Venezuela. Mr.. Chief
Justice Fuller and Mr.. Justice Brewer, cho-
sen from our highest court appropriately
testify the continuing interest we feel in the
defintive adjustment of the question accord
ing TO the strictest rules of Justice. The
III se.l, 11oaV@c I nd Sir
Richard Collins, are juristS of no less eX-
alted repute, while the fifth member and
tens, has earned a worldwide reputation as
an authority upon internal ional law.
The claim of Felipe Scandal against
Venezuela for arbitrary expulsion and in
jury to his business has been adjusted by
the revocation of the order of expulsion and
by the payment of the sum of $4,000.
A convention providing for the revival or
the late United States-C Chilean claims COM
mission and the claims which were duly
presented by the late commission. but not
considered because of the expiration of time
limited for the duration of the commission;
was signed May "a, 1897, and has remained
Enacted upon by the Senate. The term there
in fixed for effecting the exchange of ratit-
cations having elapsed, the convention feels
the time should be extended by amendment,
which am endeavoring to bring about. with
the friendly concurrence OF the Chilean gov
CENTRAL AMERICA.
The years events in Central America de-
serve more than passing mention. A menace
ing rupture between Costa Rica and Nicara-
qua was happily composed by the signature
of a convention between the parties, with
the concurrence of the Guatemalan repre-
sentative as a mediator the act being nego-
tiated and signed on board the United States
steamer Alert, then lying in Central Ameri-
can waters. 1t is believed that the good
offices of our envoy and the commander of
that vessel contributed toward this crafty
ing outcome
In my last annual address the situation
was presented with respect to the diplo-
matte representation of this government in
Central America, created by the association
of Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador under
the title of the Greater Republic of Central
America and the delegation OF their interna-
tional functions to the Diet thereof. While
the representative character OF the Diet was
recognized by my predecessor, and has been
confirmed during my administration by re-
ceiving its accredited envoy and granting
eXequators to consuls commissioned under
its authority, that recognition was qualified
by the distinct understanding that the re-
spOnsibility of each of the component SOW
ereign republics toward the United States
remained wholly unaffected.
This proViSo was needful, inasmuch as the
compact of the three republics was at the
outset an association whereby certain rep
resentative functions were delegated to trl-
partite commission, rather than a federation
possessing centralized powers of government
and administration. In this view of their
relation ana the relation OF the OnlteQ states
to several republics, a change of the repre-
sentatives of this country in Central Ameri-
ca was neither recommended by the eXecu-
tive nor initiated by the Congress- thus
leaving one of our ENJOYS accredited as here
tofoTe to two separate states of the greater
republic. Nicaragua and Salvador, and to
third state, Costa Rica, which was not
party to the compact, while our other envoy
was similarly accredited to the union stated
as Honduras-and a nOnunion stated as Qua
temala. The result is that the one has pre-.
scented credentials only to the President of
Costa RIGA, the other having been received
only by the government of Guatemala.
Subsequently the three associated repub-
lies entered into negotiations for taking the
steps forecast in the original compact. A
them a federal constitution under the name
of the United States of Central America,
and provided for a central government and
legislation. Upon ratification by the con-
stituent States the LIST of November last
was fixed for the new system to go into
operation. Within a few weeks thereafter
the plan was severely tested by reVolu-
tionary movements arising, with a conse-
quent demand 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 inn
portant members. This government was
not officially advised of the installation of
the federation, and has maintained an atti-
tude of friendly expectancy, while in no.
wise relinqushing the position held from
the outset that the responsibilities of the
several States toward us remained unaltered
by their tentative relations among them
selves.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Congress Urged to Take Definite Ac-
ton without Delay.