The evening times., 1899-12-05

where the amount involved exceeds q GER
tain cum. IL such Jealous solici.ude be
shown for allen rights in case Of merely
civil and pecuniary import, how much
greater should be the public duty to take
cognizance Of matters affecting the life
and the rights of aliens under the settled
/ principles of international law no less than
! under treaty stipulation, in cases Of such
transcendent wrong-doing as mob murder.
especially when experience has shown that
local Justice is too often helpless to pun
ish the offenders.
| After many years of endeavor on the part
of this Government to that end the Italian
| Government has consented to enter into
| negotiations for a naturalization conven-
tion, having for one Of its objects the reg
| ulatfon of the status of Italians (except
/ those OF an age for active military service)
who having been naturalized in the United
| States, may revisit Italy. 1t is hoped that
with the mutually cOnciliatory spirit dis
played a successful conclusion viii be
reached.
! The treaty Of commerce and navigation
between the United States and Japan on
November %. 1894. took effect in accord
ance with the terms of its XIXth Ar,i-le
on the 18th OF July last, simultans sOusiy
with the enforcement Of like treaties with
the other powers. except France. whose
convention did not go into operation until
August 4. the United States being. how
ever. granted up to that date all the priv
ileges and rights accorded to French cit
liens under the old French treaty. BY
this notable conventional reform Japans
position as fully Independent sovereign
power Is assured. control being gained OF
taxation. customs revenues, judicial ad-
ministration, coasting trade. and all other
domestic functions Of government, and for
eign extraterritorfal rights being re-
nounced.
-s D. Foreis, Courtc.ies.
Comprehensive codes OF civil and crimi-
nal procedure according to Western meth
ods, public instruction. patents and copy
rights, municipal administration, inc!ud-
ing Jurisdiction over the former foreign
settlements. customs tariffs and procedure.
public health, and other Administrative
measures have been proclaimed. The work
ing of the new system has given rise TO
40 material complaints on the part of the
American citizens or interests, circum-
stance which attests the 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 stranded
at Kobe. Permission has been granted to
land and pasture army horses at Japanese
ports OF call on the way to the Philippine
Islands. These kindly evidences of good
will are highly appreciated.
The japanese Government has shown
lively interest in the proposition of the
Pacific Gable Company to add to its pro-
jected cable lines to Hawaii, Guam. and
the Philippines branch connection with
the coast of Japan. 1t would be a graft
flying consummation were the utility of
the contemplated scheme enhanced by
bringing Japan and the United States into
direct telegraphic relation.
Without repeating the observations of
my special Message of February 10, 1893.
concerning the necessity Of a cable to
Manila. I respectfully invite attention TO it.
| recommend that. in case the Congress
should not take measures to bring about
this result by direct action of the Gov
ernment. the Postmaster General be au-
thorized to invite competitive bids for the
establishment OF cable: the company
making the best responsible bid to be
awarded the contract: the successful COM
pany TO give ample bonds 10 insure the
completion OF the work within a reason
.bie time. ,. 90 aoTs
The year has been marked by constant
increase in the intimacy Of our relations
with Mexico and in the magnitude of mu-
tually advantageous interchange This |
Government has omitted no opportunity |
to show its strong desire TO develop and !
perpetuate the ties Of cordiality now so |
long happily unbroken.
Following the termination on January |
20. 1899 by Mexico of the convention of |
eNtradition Of December II, 1861, new |
treaty more in accordance with the as |
certained needs OF both countries was !
signed February %, 1899, and exchanged |
in the City of Mexico on the 22d OF April |
last. Its operation thus far has been |
effective and satisfactory. recent case |
has served TO test the application OF its
WITH Article which provides that |
neither party shall be bound to deliver
up its own citizens. but that the executive |
authority OF each shall have the power |
to deliver them up If in its discretion it |
be deemed proper to do SO.
The Rich Case.
The extradition of Mrs Matte Rich, a |
citizen of the United States. charged with |
homicide committed in Mexico. was after |
consideration directed by me in the /
conviction that the ends of justice would be
thereby subserved. Similar action, on ap-
propriate occasion, by the Mexican Execu- |
tive will not only tend to accomplish the
desire Of both Governments that grave
crimes go not unpunished. but also to re-
PRESS lawlessness along the the border of |
the two countries. The new treaty stipu-
lates that neither Government shall as
sumo Jurisdiction in the punishment of |
crimes committed exclusively within the
territory OF the other. This will obviate in
future the embarrassing controversies
which have heretofore arisen through Mex
ico's assertion of a claim to try and punish
an American citizen for an offence commit
ted within the jurisdiction of the United
States.
The International Water Boundary Com
mission, organized by the convention of
March 1. 1889, for the adjustment OF ques-
lions affecting the Rio Grande frontier, has
not yet completed its labors. A further
extension of its term for one year, until
December "a. 1899, was effected by a con-
gention signed December 9. 1898, and ex-
hanged and proclaimed in February last.
An invitation extended to the President OF
Mexico to visit Chicago in October on the
occasion OF laying the cornerstone of
he United States Government building
n that city. was cordially accepted by him,
With the necessary consent of the Mexican
Congress, but the Illness OF a member of his
amiIy prevented his attendance. The Min
sler of Foreign Relations, however, came
Is the personal representative of President
Oiaz, and in that high character was duly
loEored
Claims growing out Of the seizure of
American sealing vessels in Bering Sea
ave been under discussion with the Gov
of Russia for several years, with