The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-06

insurance to do business in the state
Of New York. Subsequent to the ex-
change Of our peace treaty with Spain,
Germany acquired the Caroline islands
by purchase, paying therefor S5,000o00.
ASSURANCES have been received from
the German government that the rights
OF American missionaries and traders
there Will be considerably observed.
ALASKA BOUNDARY CASE.
In my last annual message I referred
to the pending negotiations with Great
Britain in respect TO the dominion Of
Canada BY means of an executive
agreement, joint high commission had
been created for the purpose Of adjust
ing ali unsettled questions between 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 wa
tiers, the Alaskan boundary, the tran
sit Of merchandise in bond, the alien
labor laws, mining rights, reciprocity
IN trade, revision Of the agreement re-
specting naval vessels on the great
lakes, q more complete marking OF
parts Of the boundary, provision for
the conveyance Of criminals. and for
wrecking and salvage Much progress
mad been made by the commission to-
ward the adjustment of many Of these
questions, when it became apparent
that sn irreconcilable difference Of
views was entertained respecting the
delimita1ion Of the Alaskan boundary.
In the failure of an agreement as to
meaning OF articles and of the trea-
ty OF 1e25 between Russia and Great
Britain, which defined the boundary be-
tween Alaska and Canada, the Amsri-
can commissioners proposed that the
subject Of the boundary be laid aside
and that the remaining questions OF
adherence be proceeded with. some OF
which we're so far advanced as to as
sure the probab ility Of a settlement.
This being declined by the British com
missioners, an adjournment was taken
until the boundary should be adjusted
by the two governments. The subject
has been receiving the careful atten-
ton which its Importance demands,
with the result that a modus vivendi
for provisional demarcations in the re-
gion about the head of Lynn canal has
been agreed upon, and 1t is hoped that
the negotiations now in progress be-
tween the two governments will end
in an agreement for the establishment
and dslimitation Of a permanent boun-
dairy.
NEUTRALITY AS TO AFRICAN
WAR.
Apart from these questions growing
out Of Q relations with our northern
neighbor, the most friendly disposition
and ready agreement have marked the
discussion Of numerous matters arising
in the vast and intimate intercourse
Of the United States with Great Brit
ain. Inis government has maintained
an attitude Of neutrality in the un-
fortunate contest between Great Brit
al 1g1z h. - A
have remained faithful to the precept
Of avoiding entangling alliances as to
affairs not Of a direct concern. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
ties TO the quarrel would have well
comt1 any kindly expression of the
hope of the American people that war
might be ayerted, good offices would
have been gladly rendered. The Uni
ted Staees representative at Pretoria
was Carly instructed to see that all
neutral American interests be respect
ed by the combattants. This has been
an easy task in view of the positive
declarations Of both British and Boer
authorities that the personal and prop
erty rights of our citizens should be
observed. Upon the withdrawal of the
British agent from Pretoria, the Uni
ted States consul was authorized, upon
the request of the British government
and with the assent Of the South Afri-
can an Orange Free State govern
ments, 20 exercise the customary good
offices IF a neutral for the care of Brit
ish interests. In the discharge Of this
function am happy TO say that album
dant opportunity has been afforded to
show The impartiality Of this govern
ment toward both the combatants.
LYNCHING OF ITALIANS.
For the fourth time in the present de-
/ cade, question has arisen with the gov
/ eminent Of Italy in regard to the lynch
| ing Of Italian subjects. The latest of
| these deplorable events occurred at Tai
/ lulah, Louisiana, whereby five unfortu-
mates of Italian origin were taken from
/ Jail and hanged. The authorities Of
the state and representative of the
| Italian embassy have separa tely in
| YES n ated the occurrence, with discrep-
| ant results, particularly as to the al
| legged citizenship of the victims, and it
not appearing that the state has been
able to discover and punish the viola
| tors of the law, an independent invest
igation has been set on foot through
| the agency Of the department of state
and is still in progress The result
will enable the executive to treat the
| question with the government of Italy
in a spirit of fairness and justice. A
| satisfactory solution will doubtless be
| reached. The recurrence of these dis
| tressing manifestations of blind mob
| fury directed at dependents or natives
of foreign country, suggests that the
contingency has arisen for action by
congress in the direction of comforting
upon the federal courts jurisdiction in
| this class of International cases where
! the ultimate responsibility Of the fed
eral government may be involved The
suggestion is not new. In his annual
message of Dec. 9, 1891, my predecessor,
President Harrison. said:
HARRISON ADVOCATED FEDERAL
LAWS.
1T would. believe be entirely COM
petent for congress to make ofrenses
against the treaty rights Of foreigners
| domiciled in the United States eogniz-
able in the federal courts This has
not. however been done, and the fed
| eral officers and courts have no power
4 in such cases to intervene either for
the protection of foreign citizen or
for the punishment of his slayers 1t
seems to me to follow. in this state of
the law that the officers of the state
charged with police and judicial powers
in such cases must, in the consideration
of international questions growing out
of such incidents. be regarded in such
sense as federal agents as to make this
government answerable for their acts
in cases where it would be answerable
if the United States had used its con-
stitutional power to define and punish
crimes against treaty rights
NECESSARY LEGISLATION OUT
LINED.
A bill to provide for the punishment
of violations of treaty rights Of aliens
was introduced in the Senate March /.
| 1892. and reported favorably March 30,
Having doubtless in view the Language