The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-05

ODeTaTlOn gUNETIIIIGIIL
pie. We may be rivals in many ma
terial paths, but our rivalry should be
generous and open, ever aiming to-
ward the attainment of larger results
and the mutually beneficial advance
ment of each in the line of its especial
adaptability.
RELUCTANT GERMANY.
The several governments of the en-
pfre seem reluctant to admit the nat
ura1 excellence of our food products
and to accept the evidence we con-
stantly tender of the care with which
their purity is guarded by rigid in
spection from the farm, through the
slaughter house and the packing estab-
lishmentS, to the port of shipment. Our
system of control over exported food
staples invites examination from any
quarter and challenges respect by its
efficient thOrOughneSS.
It is to be hoped that in time the two
governments will act in common ac
cord toward the realization of their
common purpose to safeguard the pub
lie health and to the insuring of the
purity and wholesomeness of all food
products imported by either country
from the other. Were the congress to
authorize an invitation to Germany. in
accordance with the pending reciprocity
negotiations, for the examination of a
joint commission of scientific experts
and practical men of affairs to conduct
a searching investigation of food pro-
ductiOn and expectation in both coun-
tries and report to their respective leg
islatures for the adoption of such rem
edial measures as they might recon-
mend for either the way might be
opened for the desirable result indi-
Gated.
Efforts to obtain for American life
insurance companies a full hearing as
to their business operations in Prus-
sia have, after several years of patient
presentation, happily succeeded and
one of the most important American
companies has been granted a conces-
sion to continue business in that king
dom.
[ am also glad to announce that the
German Insurance companies have been
re-admitted by the superintendent of
insurance to do business in the state of
New York Subsequent to the exchange
of our peace treaty with Spain, Ger
many acquired the Caroline islands by
purchase, paying therefore $5,O000 900.
Assurances have been received from the
German government that rights of
American missionaries and traders
there will be considerably observed.
ALASKAN BOUNDARY.
In my last annual message 1 referred
to the pending negotiations with Great
Britain in 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 be
tween the United States and Canada,
embracing twelve subjects, among
which were 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 YES
sells in the great lakes, a more com
plete marking of parts of the boundary,
provision for the conveyance of crimi-
nails, and for Wrecking and salvage.
Much progress had been made by the
commission towards the adjustment of
many of these question when it be-
came apparent that an irrecOncilable
al
specting the delimitatiOn of the Alas
kan boundary. In the failure Of
agreement as to the meaning of articles
and of the treaty of 1925 between
Russia and Great Britain, which defin-
end the boundary between Alaska and
Canada, the American commissioners
proposed that the subject of the bOun-
dairy be laid aside and that the re-
naming questions of difference be pro-
ceeded with, some of which were 50 far
advanced as to assure the probability
of a settlement. This being declined
by the British commissioners an ad-
jOurnment was taken until the bOun-
dairy should be adjusted by the two
governments. The subject has been re
ceiving the careful attention which it's
Importance demands with the result
that a mOdus vivendi for provisional
demarcatiOns in the region about the
head of Lynn canal has been agreed
upon; and it is hoped that the negotia-
tions now in progress between the two
governments will end in an agreement
70 rthe establishment and delimfta-
tion of a permanent boundary.
Apart from these questions growing
out of our relationship with our north
ern neighbor the most friendly disposi-
ton and ready agreement have marked
the discussion of numerous matters
arising in the vast and intimate inter
course of the United States with Great
Britain.
NEUTRALITY IN AFRICA.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortu-
nate contest between Great Britain and
the Boer states of Africa. We have re-
mained faithful to the precept of
avoiding entangling alliances as to af-
fairs not of our direct concern. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
ties to the quarrel would have
welcomed any kindly expression of the
hope of the American people that war
might be averted, good offices would
have been gladly rendered. The United
States representative 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 declara-
t1OnS OF both British and BOer authOri-
ties that the personal and property
rights of our citizens should be OBJ
served.
Upon the withdrawal of the British
agent from Pretoria the United States
consul was authorized upon the re-
quest of the British government and
with the assent of the South African
anu orange Z iee oldIe governments, 10
exercise the customary good offices of
neutral for the care of British inter
ests- In the discharge of this function,
am happy to say that abundant op-
portunity has been afforded to show
the impartiality of this government /
toward both the cOmbatants
For the fourth time in the present /
decade, question has arisen with the
government of Italy in regard to lynch
ing of Italian subjects. The latest of
these deplorable events occurred at Tai /
lulah, Louisiana, whereby five unfort-