The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-08

SoLCluSiOl OH september ZnO OF a par
GELS post convention with the German
empire. In all that promises closer
relations Of intercourse and
and a better understanding between
two races having so many traits i'll
common. Germany can be assured OF
the most cordial cooperation of his
government and people. We may be
rivals in many material paths, but our
rivalry should be generous and open,
ever aiming toward the attainment OF
larger results and the mutually bene.
fetal advancement Of each in the line
of its especial adaptabilities.
THE several governments of the enl.
pire seem reluctant to admit the nat.
ural excellence Of our food productions
and to accept the evidence we con.
stantly tender Of the care with which
their purity is guarded by rigid in
spection from the farm, through the
slaughterhouse and packing establish
ments, to the port of shipment. Our
system of control yer exported food
staples invites examination from any
quarter and challenges respect by Its
efficient thoroughness. 1t is to be
hoped that in time the two govern
win act in common accord to-
ward the realization of their common
purpose to safeguard the public health
and to insure the purity and who'll
someness of all food products import
ed by either country from the other.
Were the congress to authorize an in
vftatiOn to Germany, in connection
with the pending reciprocity negotia-
tions, for the constitution of a joint
commission of scientific experts and
practical men of affairs to conduct a
searching investigation of food produc-
ton and expectation in both countries
and report to their respective legisla-
lures for the adoption of such relne-
dial measures as they might recon-
mend for either, the way might be
opened for the desirable result indi-
Gated"
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY DIS
PUTE.
The work Of the joint high commits
sion and it's failure to determine the
Alaskan boundary receives attention
and the hope is expressed hat the ne-
gotiations now in progress between this
government n that of Great Britain
will end in an agreement for the es-
tablishment and delimitajtiOn Of a PEI
n boundary. Apart from these
questions growing out Of our relation
ship with our northern ~neighbOr the
most friendly disposition and ready
agreement AVE marked the discussion
of numerous matters arising in the vast
and intimate intercourse Of the United
States and Great Britain.
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unlOrtu-
nate contest between Great Britain
and the Boer states of Africa. We have
remained faithful to the precept Of
avoiding ~entangling alliances as t, af-
fairs not of our direct cOncerr. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
ties to the quarrel would have well
coined any kindly expression of the
hope of the American people that war
might be averted, good offices would
have been gladly rendered. The United
States representative at Pretoria was
early instructed ITO see that al neu-
trail American interests be respected
by the combatants. This has been an
easy task, in view of the positive dec
larations of both British and Boer au-
thorities that the personal n proper
ty rights of our citizens should be Oh
served.
Upon the withdrawal of the British
agent from Pretoria the United States
consul was authorized, upon the re-
quest of the British government and
with the assent of the South African
and Orange Free State governments,
to exercise the customary good offices
of a neutral for the care of British in
t~erests. In the discharge of this func-
ton I am happy ITO say that abundant
| opportunity has been afforded to show
the impartiaIity of this government to-
ward both the cOmbatantS
THE LYNCHING OF ITALIANS.
For the fourth time in the present
| decade question has arisen with the
government of Italy in regard to the
lynching of Italian subjects. The lat
est of these de%plorable events occurred
at Tallulah, La, whereby five unfor-
Inmates of Italian origin were taken
from Jail and hanged.
THE authorities of the state and q
representative of the Italian embassy
having separately investigated the oc.
currence, with d~iscrepant results, par
ticularly as to the alleged Citizenship
Of the victims, and it not appearing
that the state had been able to discOv
er and punish the violators of the law
an independent investigation has beer
set on foot, through the agency OF thu
| DEPARTMENT. of state, and is still II
progress. The results will enable tht
executive ITO treat the question VIII
the government of Italy in a spirit q
fairness and justice. A satisfaotor!
solution will doubtless be reached.
FEDERAL JURISDICTION IN Sue
CASES RECOMMENDED.
1.-THE recurrence ff these distressing
manifestations Of blind mob fury di
rected at dependents OF natives OF {
foreign country suggests that the con
tingency has arisen for action by con
gress in the direction Of conferrlnt
upon the federal courts jurisdiction il
this class of international cases wher'
the ultimate responsibility of the fed
eral government may be involved. IN
suggestion is not new.
T earnestly recommend that the sub
jeot be taken up anew and acted upol
during the present session. The neces
sity for some such provision abundant
ly appears. Precedent for constituting
a federal jurisdiction in criminal case
where aliens are sufferers is RATIONAL.
deducible from the existing statute
which gives to the district and circui
courts of the United States 1urlsdlctlol
of civil suits brought by aliens wher'
the amount involved exceeds a certain
sum. If such Jealous solicftude D
shown for alien rights in cases of mere
ly civil and p~ecuniary import, how
much greater should be the public dut.
to take c~ognizance Of matters affecting
the life and the rights of aliens unde
tho Settled ~principleS Of