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

be entirely competent Tor congress ~ man
offenses against the treaty rights OF Tor
eigners domioiled in the United states eas-
nizable in the federal courts. rms i - ho'
however. been done and the fedora of'ez =
and courts have no power in such "a 'ea a.
intervene either for the protection Il or
eign citizen or for the punishment; = '@s
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 III
such cases must, in defense of information
al questions growing out of such incidents
he regarded in such cases as federal agents
as to make this government answeraoie
for their acts in cases where 1t would De
answerabie if the United States had used
its constitutional power to define and pun
ish crimes against treaty rights.
Bill Reported Favorably
A bill TO provide for the punishment OF
violations of treaty rights OF aliens was
introduced in the senate March, u, lsS-'
and reported farvorably March 30. Having
doubtless in view the language of that part
of article 8 of the treaty of February 70,
1871, between the United States and ltaly
which STIMULATES that 1.-THE citizens OF eacn
of the high contracting parties shail fe-
ceive, in the states and territories OF DINERS
most constant protection and security iof
their persons and property, ana shall ENJOY
in this respect the same rights ana pmVl-
leges as are or shall be granted to the ma
tives. on their submitting themselves TO
the conditions imposed upon the natives.
The bill SO introduced and reported pro-
vided that any act committed IN any state
or territory of the United States IN VIOLA
tion of the rights of a citizen or SUBJECT
of a foreign country secured to such cltl-
zen or subject by treaty between the oHlteo
States and such foreign country ana cum
shutting a crime, shall constitute d
like crime against the United States ana DC
cognizable in the federal courts. NO ac-
tion was taken by congress in the matter
[ earnestly recommend that the suDJeet
ne taken up anew and acted upon DURING
the present session. The necessity LOT SUM
such provision abundantly appears
cedent for constituting Federal Jull9uio
ton in criminal cases where aliehs a. :
sufferers is nationally deduefole from tne
existing statute which gives to the district
and circuit courts of the United states
jurisdiction of civil suits brought oy aliens
where the amount involved exceeds d Ger
tain sum- If such jealous sohcltuoe De
shown for alien rights in cases OIL merely
civil and pecuniary import, now hlu.n
greater should be the public duty to take
cognizance of matters AFFECTING the me
and rights of aliens under the settled prlh-
ciples of international law, no less than
under treaty stipulated in cases Oh sucl
transcendent wrong doing as mob MURDER
especially when experience has SHOWN tnat
local justice is too often helpless ~ pp'it't
the offenders.
After MANY years of endeavor on the
part of this government to that emu, the
Italian government has consented 10 enter
into negotiations for a naturalization con-
vention, having for one of its objects regu-
1ation of the status of Italians eXcept
those of an age for active military servicel
who. having been ma turalized in the United
States NAV revisit Italy. 1t is hoped that
with the mutually conciliatory spirit DIS
played a successful conclusion VIII De
reached.
United States and Japan
The treaty of commerce and Navigation
between the United States and Japan on
November 90 1891, took effect In accord
ance with the terms of its sixth article on
the 18th of July last, simultaneously with
the enforcement of like treaties with the
other powers except France, whose conVen-
ton did not go into operation until August
d. the United States being, however, grant
ed up to that date all the privileges and
rights accorded to France citizens under
the old French treaty. BY this notable con-
ventional reform Japans position as to a
fully independent sovereign power Is as
sured, control being gained of taxation
customs revenue. judicial administration
coating trade and all other domestic tune-
tons of government and foreign eXtra-tef-
ritorial rights being renowned.
Comprehensive codes of civil and crinl-
nal procedure, according to western meth
DDS public instruction, patents and copy
rights, municipal administration including
jurisdiction over the former, foreign settle
ments customs tariffs and procedure, pub
lie health and other administrative meas
ures have been proclaimed. The working
out of the new system has given rise to no
material complaints on the interests OF
Americans which attests ripe considera-
tion with which the change has been pre-
pared.
Valuable assistance was rendered by the
Japanese authorities to the United States
transport ship Morgan City. while strand
ed at Kobe Permission has been granted
to pasture horses on the way to the Phil
ippine islands. These kindly evidences OF
good will are highly appreciated.
The Japanese government has shown a
lively interest in the proposition of the Pa
cific Cable company to add to its projected
cable lines to Hawaii, Guam and the Phil
ippines a branch connection with the coast
of Japan. 1t would be gratifying con-
summation were the utility of the contem-
plated scheme enhanced by bringing ia
pan and the United States into direct tele-
graphic relations
Without repeating the observations OF my
special message of February TO- 1899 con-
corning the necessity of cable to Manila,
] respectfully invite attention to 1t.
I recommend that in case the congress
should not. take measures to bring about
this result by direct action of the govern
dnent, the postmaster general be authorized
to invite competitive bids for the establish
ment of cable; the company making the
best responsible bid to be awarded the con-
tract the successful company to give am
pie bonds to insure the completion of the
work within a reasonable time.
Relations with Mexico
The year has been marked by constant
increase in the intimacy of our relations
with Mexico, and in the magnitude Of mu-
tually advantageous interchanges. This
government has omitted no opportunity to
show its strong desire to develop and per-
Detuate the ties of cordiality now so long
happily unbroken.
Following the termination of January 90
1899 by Mexico of the convention of extra
dition of December II 1851, new treaty
more IN accordance with the one signed
with the needs of both countries, was sign
ed February % 1899, and exchanged in the
City of Mexico on the 22d of April last.
Its operation thus far has been effective
and satisfactory. A recent case has served
to test the application of its 4th article,
which provides that neither party shall be
bound to deliver its own citizens, but that
the executive authority of each shall have
the power to deliver them up if in its dis