The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1899-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS
Condensed Report Of His Third Annual
Address to Congress.

States minister at Buenos Ayres served
as umpire. A convention of extradi-
ton between Argentina and the United
States awaits some slight changes in
the text before exchange.
Reference is made to the claim OF
the Austro-Hungarian government for
the killing OF certain Austrian and
Hungarian subjects at Lattimer, Pa,
Sept. 10, 1897. AS the sheriff and his
deputies tried for their murder were
acquitted by the courts this govern
ment, after due consideration, declined
to indemnify the sufferers.
Note is made OF various minor diff
culties and instructions in certain
South American and Central American
republics and the changes resulting.
The Bluetields controversy is still un-
settled.
The events of the past year looking
to an isthmian canal are recapitulaled
and reasons for early action in the
matter are urged.
Events ii China as far as concerns
American interests are recounted and
the extension of the area opened to
foreign settlement is referred to. The
significant statement is made on this
subject that our commercial rights in
China under existing treaties have
been everywhere maintained during
the past year, as they will be in the
future. commission to study the
commercial and industrial conditions
in the Chinese empire is recommended.
No time should be lost in studying for
ourselves the resources Of this great
field for American trade and enter
prise.
The Paris exposition and the prepar-
atoms of this country to take part in
1T are related at length, and the i'm
portance of representative display is
urged. The United States government
building, now approaching completion,
will be worthy in beauty of architec-
tural plan and in completeness of dis
play to represent this nation. There
will be over 1000 exhibitors for every
state of our country, not including ex-
h1bits from Cuba, Porto Rico and Ha-
wall. for which arrangements have
been made.
Our relations with Germany con-
tinue to be most cordial and the state
ment is made that in all the promises
closer relations of intercourse and
commerce and a better understanding
between two races having so many
traits in common, Germany can be as
sured OF the most cordial cooperation
OF this government and people. Vari-
GUS matters pertaining to certain re-
strictions of trade between the two
countries and also the satisfactory set
Element of most of them and recon-
mendation for joint commission of
experts and practical men of affairs
for the investigation of production and
expectation in both countries is urged.
AS to affairs with Great Britain the
work Of the joint high commission is
recapitulated and the arrival at har-
monious modus viyendi in the Alaskan
boundary dispute gives hope of a per-
manent satisfactory settlement. In
other matters the relations between
the United States and Canada and
Great Britain remain most friendly.
In tho unfortunate contest between
the Boer states Of Africa and Great
Britain this government has maintain
ed an attitude of neutrality. In the
exercise of customary good strices of
a neutral for the care of British inter-
ests opportunity has been afforded to
shov the impartiality of this govern
ment toward both combatants.
AS to the deplorable events at Tallu-
lah. La, when five Italians were taken
from Jail and hanged, the president
states that a satisfactory solution of
the dispute between the two govern
ments in regard to the matter will
doubtless be reached. The recurrence
of such events leads the president to
recommend the comforting upon the
federal courts jurisdiction in this class
of cases.
Mention is made in speaking OF our
relations with Japan Of the treaty of
commerce and navigation between the
United States and Japan on Nov. %,
1894, which became operative in July
last. 1t is also stated that Japan is
taking lively interest in the propo-
sition Of the Pacific cable company to
add to its projected cable lines to Ha-
wall, Guam and the Philippines a
branch connection with the coast Of
Japan. whereby the latter would be
brought into direct communication
with this country. Without repeating
his previous recommendations on this
subject the president respectfully calls
the attention of congress to them and
recommends that the postmaster gem
eral be authorized to invite competi-
tive bids for the establishment of such
cable.
A review Of our relations with Mex
leo shows gratifying record of mu-
tual good will, one of the latest in
stances being the acceptance of Presi-
dent Diaz of an Invitation to visit Chi
cago last October. but the illness of a
member of his family prevented his
attendance.
Claims growing out of the seizure Of
American sealing vessels in Bering sea
by Russia have been under discussion
for several years with the recent happy
result of an agreement to submit them
to the decision of single arbitrator.
The important events leading to the
dissolution of the tripartite agreement
as regards the Samoan islands are
recounted and also the satisfactory
partition of the islands between Ger