The evening times., 1898-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL MESSAGE
CONTINUED from Fifth Page)

ference. The active military force Of the
United States, as measured b. our popu-
lation, territorial area, and taxable
wealth. is and under any conceivable
prospective conditions must continue to
be in time of peace so conspicuously less
than that of the armed powers to whom
the Tsar's appeal is especially addressed
that the question can have for us no
practical Importance save marking an
auspicious step toward the betterment of
the condition OF the modern peoples and
The cultivation Of peace and good VIII
among them; but I'm this-view it behooves
us as a nation 10 leno countenance and
aid TO the benefcent project.
The claims of owners of American seal
ing vessels for seizure by Russian cruis-
ers in Bering Sea are being pressed to
settlement. The equities of the cases jus
tify the expectation that a measure of
reparation will eventually be accorded in
harmony with precedent and in the light
OF the proven facts
The recommendation made in my spe-
cial message of April q last is 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 y last. According to Article /
Of the general act of Berlin his success
s0r 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 eKiled Samoan chiefs. they were
brought. from Jaluit by a German war
vessel and landed at Apia on September
is last.
Whether the death Of Mal.etoa and the
return of his old-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 fulfllment
Of the terms Of the international engage
meut TO which the United States became
a party in 1889.
The Cheek claim against Siam. after
some five years of controversy. has been
adjusted by arbitration under an agree
ment signed July 6, 1897, an award of 7G6-
12l ticals about slS7 9Sz7S) with release of
the Cheek estate from mortgage claims.
having been rendered March 2l 1898, 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 il has deserved
ly assumed as the patron Of the lnterna-
uOnal Red Cross, proposed to the United
states and Spain that they should sever
ally recognize and carry into execution
as modus vivendi. during the continu-
ance Of hostlities. the additional articles
proposed by the international conference
of Geneva, October 20 lS6S. extending the
effects of the existing Red cross conven-
u0n OF 1864 to the conduct of naval war
FOLLOWING he example set by France and
Germany i'm 1870 i'm adopting such a mo-
dus ViNendi and ia view Of the accession
of the United States TO those additional
articles in 1892. although the exchange of
rautcauons thereof still remained unef-
fected, the Swiss proposal was promptly
and cordially accepted by us, and stimuli
taneously, by Spain.
This Government feels a keen satisfac-
tion in having thus been enabled to testi-
~ lis adherence TO The brOadest princi-
pies Of humanity even amidst the clash of
war. and it is to be hoped that the ex-
tension of the Red Cross compact TO hos
uliues by sea as Well as on land may
soon become an accomplished fact
through the general PRONUNCIATION of the
additional naval Red Cross articles by the
maritime powers ROW parties TO the con-
Vention Of 1864
The important question Of the claim Of
lam la.aT
lcgiance Of American citizens Of Swiss
origin has not made hopeful progress to-
ward a solution, and controversies in this
regard still continue
DISPUTE WITH TURKEY.
The newly accredited envoy of the Unit
ed States to the Ottoman Porte carries in
structions looking 20 the disposal OF mat
ters in controversy with Turkey for a
number of years. He is especially charged
to press for gust settlement of our claims
for indemnity by reason IF the destruction
Of the property of American missionaries
resident in that country during the Ar
menian troubles of 1885, as We'll as for the
recognition Of older claims OF equal Just
ness.
He is also instructed TO seek IN adjust
ment OF the dispute growing out OF the
refusal of Turkey to recognize the ac-
quired citizenship of Ottoman born per-
sons naturalized in the Caited States since
1863 without prior imperial consent; and in
the same general relation he * directed
10 endeavor to bring about a solution of
the question which has IN l-e or less acute
ly existed since 1869 cone arning The juris-
dictional rights of Inc United States in
matters of criminal PROCEDURE and punish
ment under Article II of the treaty of
1880 This latter difficulty grows out 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-
noinmCnt of a consul Of mis- country 10
Erzerum, he has received his exequalGr.
VENEZUELAN BOUNDARY.
The arbitral tribunal appointed unGer
the treaty of February ?, 1857. between
Great Britain ana Venezuela, to deter
mine the boundary line between the latter
and the colony OF British Guiana, is TO
convene at Paris luring the present
month. 1t is a source Of muen gratifica-
tion to this Government TO see the friend
ly resort of arbitration applied to the set
tlement of this controversy, not alone be
cause of the earneS. part NC have hal in
bringing about the result but also De-
cause the two members named on behalf
OF Venezuela. Mr.. Chief Justice Fuller
and MF. Justice Brewer, chosen from our
highest court appropriately testify The
continuing interest we feel in the lefini-
tive adjustment of ;he question according
a the Stf.irtPSr rules 0f Justice. the Brit