The record-union., 1899-12-06

LATIMER RIOT INCIDENT.
In my last annual message ( ad-
verified to the claim of the Austro- Hun
EaT1an Government for indemnity for
the killing of certain Austrians and
Hungarians by the authorities of the
State Of Pennsylvania at Lattimer
while suppressing an unlawful tunlult
OF miners on September 10, 1897. In
view of the verdict of acQuittal rem
dered by the court before which the
Sheriff and his deputies were tried fol-
murder, and following the established
doctrine that the Government may not
be held accountable for injuries suffered
by individuals at the hands of the pub
lie authorities while acting in the line
of duty in suppressing disturbance OF
the public peace, this Government, after
due consideration of the claim ad-
vanced by the Austro-Hungarian Gov
eminent, was constrained to decline liza
bility to indemnify the sufferers.
BELGIAN RESTRICTION ON CAT
TIE IMPORTS.
1t is gratifying to be able to announce
that the Belgian Government has miti-
gated the restrictions on the importa-
to which / referred in my last annual
message.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
Having been invited by Belgium to
participate in congress held at Brus-
sells, to revise the provisions of the
General Act of July 2, 1890, for the re-
preston of the African slave trade, to
which the United States was sigma
tory party, this Government preferred
not to be represented by a plen1poten-
tiary, but reserved the right of acces-
sion to the result Notable changes
were made, those especially referring
to this country being in the line OF in
creased. restriction of the deleteriOus
trade in spurious liquors with the ma
tive tribes, which this Government has
urgently recommended. The amended
General Act will be laid before the Sen
ate with a view to it's advice and con-
sent.
RELATIONS WITH BOLIVIA.
Early in the year the peace of Bolivia
was disturbed by a successful insur-
rection. The United States Minister
remained at his post, attending the
American interests in that quarter and
using besides his good offices fer the
protection of the interests of the British
subjects, in the absence of their ma
tional representative. On the establish
ment of the new Government our hin
lister was directed to enter into relations
Herewith. General Pando was elected
President of Bolivia on October I'D.
Our representative has been in
structed to use all permissible friendly
10 ind he inc
of Bolivia to amend its marriage laws
Catholic and civil marriages of aliens
within it's jurisdiction, and strong hopes
are entertained that the Bolivian law in
this regard will be brought, as was that
of Peru some years ago, into harmony
with the general practice of modern
States.
EXTRACTION WITH BRAZIL.
A convention of extradition with Bra
I'll, signed May IA, 1897, has been rati-
fed by the Brazilian Legislature.
During the past summer two national
ships Of the United States have visited
Brazilian ports on a friendly mission
and have been cordially received. The
voyage of the Wilmington up the Anna
ION River gave rise to a. passing mis-
understanding, owing to the confusion
in obtaining permission to visit the IN
terror and make surveys in the general
interest of navigation, but the incident
found a ready adjustment in harmony
with the close relations of anity which
this Government has always sedulously
sought to cultivate with the common
wealths of the Western Continent.
CONTROVERSY WITH COLOMBIA
SETTLED.
The claim growing out of the seizure
of the American-owned newspaper, the
Panama Star and Herald" by the au-
thorities of Colombia, has been settled
after a controversy of several years, by
an agreement assessing at $4,000 the
Indemnity to be paid by the Colombian
Government in three installments OF
$4,000 each.
The good will of Colombia toward
our country has been testified anew by
the cordial extension of facilities to the
Nicaraguan Canal Commission in their
approaching investigation of the Pan
anna Canal and other projected work
across the Isthmus of Darien.
Toward the end of October an inSur-
rectionary disturbance developed in the
Columbian Republic. This movement
has thus far not attained any decisive
result, and is still in progress.
IMPORTING OF MEAT INTO DEN
MARK.
Discussion of the questions raised by
the action of Denmark in imposing re-
strictions on the importation of Ameri-
can meat has continued, with substan-
tial result in our favor.
SAN DOMINGO REVOLT.
The neighboring island republic OF
Santo Domingo has lately been the
scene of a revolution, following a long
period of tranquility. 1t began with
the killing of President Heureaux in
July last, and eliminated in the relin-
uuishment by the succeeding Vice
President of the reins of Government to
the insurgents. The first act of the
Provisional Government was the calling
of a Presidential and constitutional
election. Juan Isidro Jimines having
been elected President, was Inaugural
ted on the 18th of November. Rela-
tons have been entered into with the
newly established Government
DISRUPTED CENTRAL AMERICAN
REPUBLIC.
The experimental association of Mic
aragua, Honduras and Salvador, under
the title of the Greater Republic OF
Central America, when apparently on
the threshold of a complete Federal or
ganization by the adoption of a Consti-
tuition and the formation of National
LEGISLATURE, was disrupted in the last
DAYS of November, 1885, by the with
drawal of Salvador. Thereupon Mic
aragua and Honduras abandoned the