The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06

direct associa ton has been marked during
the year by the granting permission in
April for the landing our shores of a
cable from Borkum Emden, on the north
sea, by way of the Azores and also by the
conclusion on September of a parcels post
convention with the German emperor. III
all that promises closer relations of inter-
course and commerce and a better under
standing 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
rivalry should be generous and open, ever
aiming toward the attainment of larger re-
suits and the mutually beneficial advance
ment of each in the lines of its special
adaptability.
The several governments of the empire
seem reluctant to admit the excellence Of
our food products and to accept the evil
dence we constantly tender of the care with
which their purity is guarded by rigid in
spection from the farm, through the
slaughter house and packing establish
ments to the port of shipment. Our system
of control over exported food staples invites
examination from any quarter and it cha-
| lenges respect by its efficient thorough
| ness.
| 1t is to be hoped that In time, the two
| governments will act In common accord to-
ward the realization of their common pur-
pose to safeguard the public health and to
the fnsuring of the purity and wholesome
| ness of all food products imported by either
! country from the other. Were congress to
authorize invitation to Germany in con-
| nection with the pending reciprocity nego-
| tiations for the constitution of joint COM
| mission of scientific experts and practical
men of affairs to conduct a searching in
| Vestigation of food production and eXpor-
| tation in both countries and report to their
| respective legislatures for the adoption of
| such remedial measures as they might
| recommend for either. the way might be
open for the desirable result indicated.
Efforts obtain American
| surance companies a full hearing to
| their business operations in Prussia have
| after several years of patient representa-
ton happily succeeded and one of the most
important American companies has been
granted concession to continue business
| in that kingdom. l am also glad that the
German insurance companies have been re-
admitted by the superintendent of insur-
| ance 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
| for 100000. Assurances have been re-
| ceived from the German government that
| the rights of American missionaries and
| traders there will be considerably OBJ
served.
Negotiations With Great Britain
In my last annual message 1 referred to
| the pending negotiations with Great Brit
| tain in response to the Dominion of Cana
| da. By means of an executive agency
| joint high commission has been created for
| the purpose of adjusting all unsettled ques-
| tons between the United States and Cana
| da, embracing twelve subjects, among
which were the questions of fur seals, the
| fisheries of the coast and contiguous in
| land 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. more
complete marking of parts Of the boundary,
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 where it became appar-
! ent that irreconclabe views were enter
tanned respecting the ILLUMINATION of the
Alaskan boundary. In the failure of an
agreement to the meaning of articles j
and of the treaty of 1925 between Russia
and Great Britain which defines the boun-
dairy between Alaska and Canada, the
American commissioners proposed that tne
subject of the boundary be laid aside and
the remaining questions of difference De
proceeded with, some of which We're so iar
| advanced as to assure the probability of
settlement This being declined by the
| British commissioners an adjournment was
| taken until the boundary should be adj
| justed by the government. Inc subJect mas
been receiving the careful attention Which
its Importance demands with the result
| that a modus vivendi for present denmark
| ations in the region about the head OF the
| Lynn canal has been agreed upon ana IL
| Is hoped the negotiations now in progress
between the two governments will end In
an agreement for establishment and de-
Elimination for a permanent boundary.
Apart from these questions growing out
! of our relationship with our northern
| nedg.hlbor. the most friendly disposition and
ready agreement have marked the discus
sion of numerous matters arising IN the
vast territories of the United states with
Great Britain. This government has main
|
| fortunate contest between Great Britain
and the Boer states of Africa. we nave
| remained faithful to the precept OF avoid
ing entangMng alliances as to analrs not
| If our direct concern Had circumstances
| suggested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kind OF express
| sion of hope from the American people that
war might be averted, good otnces would
have been gladly rendered.
The United States representative at Pre-
tora was early instructed to see That an
| neutral American interests be respected by
| the comba tants. This has oeen an easy
| task in view of the positive declarations
| of both British and Boer authorities that
| personal and property rights OF our citizens
! should be observed
| ITnon the withdra wal of the British agent
| from, Pretoria the United States consul
was authorized, upon the request OF the
| British government and with the assent OF
the South African and Orange Free state
Governments to exercise the customary
gond offices of a neutral government to care
for the British interests. In the discharge
NJ this function I am happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded to
show the impartiality, of this government
towards both the combatants.
Iynching of Italian Subjects
For the fourth time the dread question
has arisen with the government Of Italy
I'm regard to the lynchng of Italian SUD-
iects. The latest of these deplorable events
occurred at Tallulah, La, whereby five I'M
fortunate Italians were taken from jail and
hanged.
The authorities of the state and a repre-
sentative of the Italian government hav-
ing thoroughly investigated the occurrence
with discrepant results, particularly as to
the alleged citizenship of the victims and
it not appearing that the state had been
able to discover and punish the violatera
of .the law an independent Investigation