Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05

procure the largest possible concourse Of
State representatives, particularly at the
Congresses Of Public Charity and Of Medi-
cine.
Cordial Relations with Germany.
Our relations with Germany continue to
be most cordial. The increasing intimacy
of direct association has been marked dur
ing the year by the granting permission in
April for the landing on our shores of
cable from Borkum Emden, on the North
Sea. by way of the Azores, and also by the
conclusion on September I'd Of a Parcels
Post Convention with the German Empire
In all that promises closer relations of in
tercourse and commerce and a better I'M
Outstanding between two races having so
many traits in common, Germany can be
assured of the most cordial cooperation of
this government and people. We may be
rivals in many material paths, but our ri
Valry should be generous and open, ever
aiming toward the attainment of larger re-
suits and the mutually beneficial advance
ment of each in the lire of it's especial
adaotabilities
The several governments of the Empire
seem reluctant to admit the natural excel
lence of our foCd productions and to accept
the evidence We constantly tei.der of the
rigid inspection from the farm. through the
slaughterhou>a and the packing establish
ments, to the port of shipment. Our sys-
TEN of control over exported food staples
invites examinations from any quarter and
challenges respect by its efficient thorough
ness.
1t Is to be hoped that in time the two
Governments will act in common accord
toward the realization of their common
purpose to safeguard the public health and
to insure the purity and wholesomeness of
all food products imported by either coun-
try from the other. Were the Congress to
authorize an invitation to Germany in con-
nection with the pending reciprocity nego-
tiations, for the constitution of a joint COM
mission of scientific experts and practical
men of affairs to conduct a searching in
vestigation of food production and expor-
tati9n in both countries and report to their
respective legislatures for the adoption of
such remeGia, measures as they might rec
ommend for either, the way might be
opened for the desirable result Indicated
Efforts to obtain for American life in
surance companies full hearing as to their
business operations in Prussia have, after
several years of patient representa- ton
happily succeeded, and one, of the most i'm
portant American companies has been
granted a concession to continue business
in that Kingdom.
| am also glad to announce that the Ger
man insurance companies have been read
nlitted by the superintendent Of insurance
To do business in the state of New York
Subsequent to the exchange of our peace
treaty with Spain Germany acquired the
Caroline Islands by purchase paying there
ceivcd from the German Government that
the rights of American missionaries and
traders there will be CONSIDERABLY observed
The Alaskan boundary.
In my last Annual Message l referred to
the pending negotiations with Great Brit
ain i'll respect to the Dominion of Canada
BY means of an executive agreement a
Joint High Commission had been created
for the purpose Of adjusting all unsettled
questions between the United States and
Canada, embracing twelve subjects, among
which We're the questions of the fur seals
the fisheries of the coast and contiguous
inland waters, the Alaskan boundary, the
transit of merchandise in bond the alien
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity in
trade, revision of the agreement respecting
naval vessels in the Great Lakes, a more
y,
provision for the conveyance of criminals,
and for Wrecking and salvage
Much progress had been made by the
Commission toward the adjustment of
many Of these questions when II became
apparent that an irreconcilable difference
OF views was entertained respecting the
dellmitation of the Alaskan boundary In
the failure Of an agreement as to the mean
ing of articles and of the treaty Of 1925
between Russia and Great Britain, which
defined the boundary between Alaska and
Canada, the American commissioners pro-
posed that the subject of the boundary be
laid aside and that the remaining questions
of difference be proceeded with some of
which were so far advanced as to assure
the probability of a settlement This
being declined by the British Commission
ers, an adjournment was taken until the
boundary should be adjusted by the two
Governments. The subject has been re-
ceiving the careful attention which its i'm
portance demands, with the result that a
modus Vivendi for provisional demarcations
ir the region about the head of Lynn Canal
has been agreed upon; and It Is hoped that
the negotiations now in progress between
the two governments will end in an agree
ment for the establishment and delimita
ton of a permanent boundary
Apart from these questions growing ont
Of our relationship with our northern
neighbor, the most friendly disposition and
ready agreement have marked the discus
sion Of numerous matters arising in the
vast and intimate Intercourse of the United
States with Craat Britain.
This Government has maintained an at
titude of neutrality in the unfortunate con-
test between Great Britain and the Roer
States of Africa. We have remained faith
full to the precept of avoiding entangling AL
liances as to affairs not of our direct con-
Germ. Had circumstances suggested that
the parties to the quarrel would have vel
coined any kindly expression of the hope
Of the American people that war might he
averted, good offices would have been
gladly rendered. The United States repre-
sentative at Pretoria was early instructed
to see that all neutral American interests
be respected by the combatants. This has
been an easy task in view of the positive
declarations of both British and Boer au-
thorities that the personal and property
rights of our citizens should be observed