Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-12-07

twelve subjects, among which ws,.
the questions of the fur seals N.
| fisheries of the coast and contigpor,
! inland waters. the Alaskan boundarv
the transit of merchandise in bona
| the alien labor laws, mining right,
reciprocity in trade revision of ,b1
agreement respecting naval vessa,,
in the Great Lakes, more complA,a
marking of parts OF the boundary bro.
vision for the conveyance of criminals
and for wrecking and salvage. Npcs
| progress had been made by the cor,
mission toward the adjustment q,
many of these questions where il bs.
came apparent that an irreconcjljablA
difference of views was entertaines
respecting the delmtation of tho
Alaskan boundary. In the failure NJ a.
| agI cement as TO the meaning n,
articles and of the treaty of lS2s
between Russia and Great Britain
which defined the boundary between
! Alaska and Canada, the American
commissioners proposed that the sinh.
ject of the boundary be laid aside ana
that the remaining questions of ar.
ference be proceeded with, some NJ
which were so far advanced as to as.
sure the probability of settlemen,
| This being declined by the British
commissioners, an adjournment wa,
| taken until the boundary should be an.
! justed by the two governments. The
| subject has been receiving the careful
attention which its Importance de-
mands, with the result that a modns
vivendi for provisional demarcations
in the region about the head of Lynn
canal has been agreed upon: and il IL
hoped that the negotiations now in
progress between the two governments
will end in an agreement for the es.
| tablishment and deimitation OF per.
manent boundary.
Neutral in Boer War.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortu.
nate contest between Great Britain
| and the boer states of Africa. We
have remained faithful to the precept
| of avoiding entangling alliances as to
affairs not of our direct concern. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
| ties TO the quarrel would have wei
coined any kindly expression OF the
hope of the American people that war
might be averted, good offices would
/ hlua hnan crlaI1Hr
United States representative at Pre-
| toria was early instructed to see that
all neutral American interests be re-
spected by the combatants This has
| been an easy task in view of the posi-
| tive declarations of both British and
Boer authorities that the personal and
| property rights of our citizens should
| be observed. Upon the withdrawal OF
the British agent from Pretoria the
! United States &C nsul was authorized,
upon the request of the British govern
ment and with the assent of the South
African and Orange Free State gov
ernments, to exercise the customary
good offices of a neutral for the care
of British interests. In the discharge
of this function abundant opportunity
has been offered to show the impartial
ity Of this government toward both
| the combatants
Lynchings
| Allusion is made to the lynchng OF
! Italians in Louisiana and To the in
vestigation now in progress the pres-
dent adds: The recurrence of these
! distressing manifestations of blind
mob fury directed at dependents or ma
tiyes of foreign country suggests that
the contingency has arisen for action
by congress in the direction OF con-
| ferring upon the federal courts juris-
/ diction in this class of international
cases where the ultimate responsibility
of the federal government may be in
yolyed"
| CapIes.
The president dwells at some length
on our especially good relations with
| Japan, adding: The japanese gov
eminent has shown a lively interest in
| the proposition of the Pacific cable
company to add to its projected cable
lines to Hawaii, Guam. and the Philip
| pines a branch connection with the
coast Of Japan. 1t would be gratlly-
! ing contamination were the utility OF
the contemplated scheme enhanced b!
bringing Japan and the United states
into direct telegraphic relation WIN
out repeating the observations or my
special message Of February 10, lSss
concerning the necessity of a cable 10
Manila, | respectfully invite attention
to it. / recommend that in case lh4
congress should not take measures no
bring about this result by direct action
of the government. the postmastef gen
eral be authorized TO invite compel'
tive bids for the establishment OF
cable: the company making the oe7'
responsible bid to be awarded the con
tract: the successful company 70 give
ample bonds TO insure the compieuoa
Of the work within a reasonable ume'
n.,r f,,,rr.s.s,,,, o.sroTftfpv laws WIKI