Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-12-07
States, to which referred in my last


annual message.
Having been invited by Belgium to
participate In o congress, neld at Brrs-
sels, to revise the provisions of the
general act of July 3D. 1890, for there
preston of the African slave trade, to
which the United States was q sigma
tory party, this government preferred
not to be represented by plenipo.
tentiary, but reserved tho right Of
accession to tho result. Notable
changes were made, those especially
concerning this country beitg in the
line Of the increased restriction of the
deleterious trade in spirituous liquors
with tho native tribes, which this
government has from tho outset
urgently advocated. The amended
general act will te laid before the
Senate, with view to its advice and
consent.
Early In the year tho peace of
Bolivia was disturbed by successful
insurrection. The United States minis
ter remained ut his rost, attending to
the American interests in that quarter,
and using besides his good offices for
the protection OF . the interests of
British subjects in the absence OF their
national representative. On the estab-
lishmert OF the new government our
minister was directed to enter into re-
lations Herewith.
Gen. Pando was elected president Of
Bolivia on October I'D
Our representative has been in
structed 10 use all permissible friendly
endeayors 10 induce the government of
Bolivia to amend its marriage laws so
rs to give legal status to the non
Catholic and civil marriages of aliens
within its jurisdiction, and strong
hopes are entertained that the Bolivia
law in this regard will be brought, as
was that of Peru some years ago, into
harmony with the general practice of
modern states.
A convention of exiradition with
Brazil. signed May 14th, 1897, has
been ratified by the brazilian legisla-
ture.
During the past summer two national
ships of the United States have visited
Brazilian ports on friendly mission
and been cordially received. The
voyage of the Wilmington up the
Amazon River gave rise to passing
Misunderstanding, owing to confusion
on obtaining permission to visit the
interior and make surveys in the gen
elal interest OF navigation, but the in
cident found a ready adjustment in
harmony with the close relations of
amity which this government has
always sedulously sought to cultivate
with the commonwealth of the Western
Continent.
The claim growing out of the seizure
OF tho American owned newspaper,
The Panama STIR and Herald, by the
authorities of Colombia has been sell
tied, after controversy of several
years, ny an agreem assessing at
$780, 600 the indemnity to be paid by
| the Colombian government, in three
| instalments of $40, 900 each.
The good will of Colombia toward
our country has been testified anew by
the cordial extension OF facilities to
the Nicaraguan canal commission in
their approaching investigation Of the
Panama canal and ether projected
routes across the lsthmus of Darien.
| Toward the end of October an insur-
rectionary disturbance developed in the
Colombian Republic. This movement
has thus far not attained any decisive
result and is still in progress.
| Discussion OF the questions raised
by the action Of Denmark in imposing
restrictions on the importation of
American meats has continued with
out substantial result in our favor.
The neighboring island Republic OF
Santc Domingo has lately been the
scene of revolution, following a long
period of tranquility. 1t began with
the killing OF President Neureaux in
July last, and eliminated in the re
linquishment by the succeeding vice
president of the reigr of government to
the insurgents. The first act of the
provisional government, was the call
ing of Presidential and constituent
election, Juan aIsidro ]imenez, having
been elected President, was inaugurated
on the 14th of November. Relations
have been entered into with the newly
established government. The expert
mental association of Nicaragua, Hon
duras and Salvador, under the title oi
the Greater Republic of Contra
America, when apparently on ths
threshold of complete federal organi
zation by the adoption OF consti
tuition and the formation of a nationa
Legislature, was disrupted in the las
days OF November, 1898, by the with
ragua and Honduras abandoned tht
|
former independent sovereignty. Thi:
was followed by the reception Of Minis
ter Merry by the Republics of Mica
ragua and Salvador, while Minister
Hunter in turn presented his Gre
dentials to the government o
Honduras, thus reverting to the ole
distribution of the diplomatic agencie
OF the United States in Contra
America, for which our existing
statutes provide. A Nicaraguan envo,
has been accredited &c the United
States.
An insurrectiopary movement, unde
Gen. Reyes, broke out at Bluetields il
J February last, and for time exercise,
actual control in the Mosquito ter
ritory. The Detroit was promptly SEE
thither for the protection of Amer icai
interests. After a few weeks the Reye
government. renounced the conflict
, giving Elace to the restored supremac,
. of Nicaragua. During the inter
i regnum certain public dues accruin.
under Nicaraguan law were collected
from American merchants by tn
authorities for the time being il
effective administrative control. Upol
: the titular government Iegaining powe
second payment Of these dues wa
, demanded. Controversy arose touchin,
the validity of the original payment d
, the debts to the De Facto regent q
, the territory. An arrangement wa
c effected in April last by the Unite,
States minister and the foreign secre
. tary of Nicaragua whereby the amount
: OF the duplicate payments were dc
posted with the British consul pend
, ing an adjustment of the matter b
direct agreement hetween the govern