Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-12-10

eQuNtAE
4 1 transmitted TO the senate on the
| 10th Of February last Information touch
I Ing the prohibition against the importa
ton Of fresh fruits from this country
which had then recently been decreed
1 by Germany, on the ground of danger
! OF disseminating the san Jose scale IN
sect. This precautionary measure was
Justified by Germany on the score OF
I the drastic steps taken IT. several states
or the Union against the spread Of the
pest, the elaborate reports Of the de-
partfnent OF agriculture being put in
! evidence 70 show the danger to Ger
man fruit growing interests should the
scale obtain a loagment in that coun-
try.
Temporary relief was afforded in the
case Of large consignments Of fruit
then on the way by inspection and adj
mission when found noninfected. Later
the prohibition was extended to dried
fruits Of every Kind. but was relaxed so
as 20 apply only 10 unpceled fruit and
fruit waste. AS was TO be expected, the
alarm reached TO other countries, and
Switzerland has adopted a similar inh +
bition Efforts are ia progress to Induce
the German and Swiss governments "
relax the prohibition in favor Of dried
fruits shown to have been cured under
circumstances rendering the existence
of animal life impossible.
The government of Greece strongly
urges the nervousness OF the duty here
imposed upon the currants OF that
4 country. amounting to 100 per cent or
more of their market value. This fruit
ia stated To be exclusively a Greek
product. not coming into competition
with any domestic product. The ques-
ton of reciprocal commercial relations
with Greece, including the restoration
Of currants To the free list, is under
consideration.
The long standing claim of Bernard
Campbell for damages for Injuries sus-
tanned from a violent assault committed
against him bS military authorities IN
the island of Haiti has been settled by
the agreement Of that republic to pay
him $40. 900 in American geld. OF this
sum ST. 600 has already been paid II ~
hoped that other pending claims OF
American citizens against that republic
may be amicably adjusted.
The arbitral tribunal appointed under
the treaty of Feb. 2. 1897, between Great
Britain and Venezuela to determine the
boundary line between the latter and
the colony OF British Guiana is TO con-
vene at Paris during the present month
II is a source of much qualification to
this government to see the friendly re-
sort OF arbitration applied to the settle
ment of this controversy not alone be-
cause of the earnest part we have had
in bringing about the result, but also
because the two members named on
behalf of Venezuela, Mr.. Chief Justice
/ N1.s I1tg ton
from our highest court. appropriately
testify the continuing interest we fee
in the defntve adjustment of the ques.
ton according to the strctest rules OF
Justice The British members, LORD
Herschell and Sir Richard Collins arr
jurlsts Of no less exalted repute, while
the fifth member and president of the
tribunal, M r. de Martens, has earned
worldwide reputation as an authority
upon international law.
Private Property In War.
The experiences of the last year brini
Z forcibly home to Ha 4 sense of the bur
cens and the waste Of war We desire
in common with most civilized nations
to reduce to the lowest possible pofn
the damage sustained In time of war by
peaceful trade and commerce. IL lis tru,
we may suffer in such cases less thar
other communities. but all nations are
damaged more or less by the state OF
, uneasiness and apprehension into which
, an outbreak of hostilities throws the
entire commercial world. 1t should be
our object, therefore, to minimize so far
as practicable this inevitable loss and
disturbance This purpose can proba-
bly, best be accomplished by an inter
national agreement to regard all pri-
vate property at sea as exempt from
/, capture or destruction by the forces OF
belligerent powers. The United States
government has for many years advo-
Gated this humane and benencent prin-
ciple and is now In position 10 recon-
mend 1t TO other powers without the
imputaton Of selfish motives | there
fore suggest for your consideration
that the executive be authorized to cor
respond with the governments Of the
principal maritime powers with q view
of Incorporating into the permanent law
OF civilized nations the principle Of the
exemption of all private property at sea
not contraband OF war from capture OF
destruction by belIigerent powers.
on finances the president says the
provisions made for the treasury in the
war have established more firmly the
. /
well as increasing confidence In the
maintenance Of the present standard
and says:
The provisions made for strengthen
ing the resources Of the treasury in
connection with the war have given in
creased confidence in the purpose and
power of the government to maintain
the present standard and have estab-
lished more firmly than ever the ma
tional credit at homo and abroad. A
marked evidence OF this is found In the
inflow OF gold to the treasury, It's net
gold holdings on Nov. !, 1893. were $239.-
1856, 1862 as compared with S153 5T3,147 on
Nov. 1. 1897. 10 5000 22s, 275 Nov. l. 1898
The present ratio Of net treasury gold
to outstanding government liabilities
including United states notes treasury
notes Of 1890 silver certificates. curren-
cy certificates. standard silver dollars
and fractional silver coin Nov. /, 1898,
was 25.35 per cent as compared with
1886 per cent Nov. /, 1897
renew SO much Of my recommended
HIM, Of f0ac,s41t 1877 r1Tt1s.+a. fsl,t