The Van Buren press., 1899-12-09


ture, was disrupted in the last days Of
November, 1865 by the withdrawal Of sal
| yador. Thereupon, Nicaragua and Hon
duras abandoned the joint compact, eaeli
resuming its former independent soVer-
eighty.
The Nicaragua canal commission, which
| had been engaged upon the work of eA-
| animation and survey for snip canal
| route across Nicaragua, having completed
| its labors and made its report, was dis
solved on May 81, and on June 10, a new
commission, known as the Isthmian canal
commission, was organized under llie
| terms of the act approved March 3, 1893,
for the purpose of examining the Amefi-
| can isthmus with a view to determining
| the most practicable and feasible route
for a ship canal across that isthmus, with
its probable cost, and other essential de-
tails.
Pleasant Relations With Chill.
pleasing incident in the relations OF
this government with that of Chill oc-
Cured in the generous assistance given
| to the warship Newark when in distress
In Chilian waters, Not alone in this way
has the friendly disposition of Chill found
expression. That country has acceded TO
the convention for the establishment OF
| the bureau of the American republics
in which organization every independent
state of the continent now shares.
Our Relations With China.
In view of disturbances in the populous
provinces of northern China, where are
many of our citizens, and of the i'm
mlnence of disorder near the capital and
toward the seaboard, a guard of marines
was landed from the Boston and stationed
during last winter in the legation com
pound at Peking. With the restoration of
order this protection was withdrawn.
The interests of our citizens in that vast
empire have not been neglected during
til past year. Adequate protection has
been secured for our missionaries and
some injuries to their property have been
redressed.
Our sister Republic, France.
The death of President Faure in Fap
ruary last called forth those sincere ex-
preston of sympathy which befit the re-
lations of two republics as closely allied
by unbroken historic ties as are the
United States and France.
Preparations for the representation of
the industries, arts, and products of the
United States at the Worlds exposition
to be held in Paris next year, continue on
an elaborate and comprehensive SCALE
thanks to the generous appropriation pro-
vided by congress and to the friendly i'll
terest the French government has shown
in fl rthering typical exhibit of American
progress
Government Building Nearly Done.
The United States government building
is approaching completion, and no effort
will be spared to make 1t worthy in
beauty of architectural plan and in com
pleteness of display, to represent our La
ton.
International Congresses.
A number of important international
congresses on special topics affecting pub
lie interests are proposed to be held in
Paris next summer, in connection with
the exposition.
Cordial Relations with Germany.
Our relations with Germany continue to
be most cordial. The increasing intimacy
of direct association has been marked
haFf gttltt tracr ie
sion, in April, for the landing on oar
shores of cable from Borkum Emden OIL
the North sea, by way of the Azores, and
also by the conclusion, on September 2, of
a parcels post convention with the Ger
man empire. In all that promises closer
relations of intercourse and commerce and
a better understanding between two races
having so many traits in common, Ger
many can be assured of the most cordial
cooperation of this government and peo-
pie.
In my last annual message | referred to
the pending negotiations with Great Brit
aiE in respect to the Dominion of Can
ada. By means of an executive agree
meen a joint high commission had been
created for the purpose of adjusting all
unsettled questions between the United
States and Canada, embracing twelve sub
joets, among which were the questions OF
the fur seals, the fisheries of the coast
and contiguous inland waters, the Alas
in bond, the alien labor laws mining
rights. reciprocity in trade, the great
lakes a more complete marking of parts
of the boundary, provision for the con-
veypnce of criminals and for wreck,ne
and salvage.
Neutrality In the Boer War.
This government has maintained an at
titrde of neutrality in the unfortunate
Boer states of Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precept of avoiding en-
taEgling alliances as to affairs not of our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
would have welcomed any kindly express
sion of the hope of the American people
that war might be averted, good offices
would have been gladly rendered.
A Deplorable Affair.
For the fourth time in the present de-
cadc question has arisen with the govern
ment of Italy in regard to lynching of
Italian subjects. The latest of these de-
p.orable events occurred at Tallulah, Lou
isiana, whereby five unfortunates of Ital-
iaI origin were taken from Jail and
hanged.
Time for Congress to Act.
The recurrence of these distressing
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 international cases
where the ultimate responsibility of the
1eu6Tdl government may De lHNOlNeu
Commerce With Japan.
The treaty of commerce and navigation
between the United States and Japan on
November %, 1894, took effect in accord
anee with the terms of it's nineteenth
article on the 18th of July last, simu-
tal eously with the enforcement of like
treaties with the other powers, except
France, whose convention did not go into
operation until August A, the United
States being, however, granted up to that
date all the privileges and rights accorded
to French citizens under the old French
treaty. BY this notable conventional rs-
form Japan's position as fully independ-
ent sovereign power is assured, control
being gained of taxation. customs rev.
eEues, judicial administration, coasting
trade, and all other domestic functions of
government and foreign eXtra-territorial
rights being renounced.
Cable to Manila Necessary.
Without repeating the observations of
my special message of February 10, 1891
concerning the necessity of cable TO
Manila, l respectfully invite attention 10
intimate Relations with Mexico.
The year has been marked by constant
increase in the intimacy of our relations
with Mexico and in the magnitude of nil
tually advantageous interchanges. This
government has omitted no opportunity
to show its strong desire to develop ard
perpetuate the ties of cordiality now SO
long happf1V lnbrOken