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

of July 2, $780, for the repression Of the
African slave trade to which the United
States was a signatory party, this govern
ment preferred not to be represented by
plenipotentiary, but reserved the right OF
accession to the result. Notable changes
were made, those especially concerning this
country being in the line of increased re-
striction of deleterous trade in spurious
liquors with the native tribes which TINS
government has from the outset urgently
advocated. The ameded general act VIII
be laid before the senate with a view to its
advice and consent.
Early in the year the peace of Bolivia
was disturbed by a successful instruction.
The United States minister remained at
his post attending to the American inter-
ests in that quarter and using besides MS
good offices for the protection of the inter-
ests of British subjects in the absence OF
their national representatives,. On the es-
Establishment of the new government our
minister was directed to enter into rela-
lions Herewith. General Pando was elected
president of Bolivia on october 2S
Our representative has been instructed 10
use all permissible friendly endeavorers TO
induce the government of Bolivia to amend
its marriage laws so a to give legal status
to the non-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 mar
mony with the general practice of modern
statesmen. convention of extradition
with Brazil, signed May IA, 1897, has been
ratified by the Brazilian legislature.
ships .orIally Ree iyed
During the past summer two national
ships of the United States have visited
Brazilian ports on a friendly mission
and have been cordially received. Inc
voyage of the Wilmington up the Amazon
river gave rise to a passing misunderstano-
ing lowing to confusion in obtaining per-
mission to visit the interior and make sur
veys In the general interest of navigation,
but the incident found ready adjustment
in harmony with the close relations OF ami
ty which this government has always sedu-
lousy sought to cultivate with the COM
monwealths of the western continent.
The claim growing out of the seizure or
tine American owned newspaper, the Fan
anna Star and Herald, by the authorities or
Colombia has been settled after contro-
versy Of several years by an agreement as
sessing at $4,000 the indemnity to be paid
by the Colombian government in three in
stallments of $4,000 each,
The good will of Colombia toward our
country has been testified anew by the
cordial extension of facilities TO the Mica
ragua canal commission in their approach
ms investigation of the Panama canal and
other projected routes across the isthmus
of Darien.
Toward the end of October an insurrec-
tionary disturbance developed in the CO.
lombian republic. This movement has thus
far not attained any decisive result and is
still in progress.
Discussion of the questions raised by the
action OF Denmark in imposing restrictions
on the importation of American meats mas
continued without substantial result IN our
favor.
The neighboring island of Santo Domingo
1, +a1xy tho n
following a period of tranquility. 1t began
with the killing of President Heureaux in
July last and eliminated in the relinquish-
ment by the succeeding vice-president Oh
the reins of government to the insurgents
The first act of the provisional government
was to calling of a provisional and consul
tutional election. Juan Isidor Jiminez hav-
ing been elected president was inaugurated
on the 18th of November. Relations nave
been entered into with the newly establish
ed government.
The experimental association of Nicara-
qua, Honduras and Salvador under the title
of the Greater Republic of Central Ameri-
ca, when APPARENTLY on the threshold OF
complete federal organization by the adop-
ton of a constitution and the formation OF
a national legislature was disrupted IN the
last days of November, 1898, by the with
drawal of Salvador. Thereupon Nicaragua
and Honduras abandoned the joint COM
pact, each resuming its former independ-
ent sovereignty. This was followed by the
reception of Minister Merry by the repuo-
lies of Nicaragua and Salvador, while Min
lister Hunter in turn presented his creden-
tials to the government of Honduras, thus
reyerting to the old distribution of the dip
lomatic agencies of the United States in
Central America, for which our existing
statutes provide A Nicaraguan envoy mas
been accredited to the United States.
To Protect American Interests
An insurrectionary movement under Cen
eral Reys broke out at Bluefields in Feo-
ruary last and for a time exercised actual
control in the Mosquito territory. Inc
Detroit was promptly sent thither for the
protection of American interests. After a
few weeks the Reys government renowned
the conflict, giving place to the restored
supremacy of Nicaragua. During the inter-
regnum certain political duties accruing
under Nicaraguan law were collected from
American merchants by the authorities Tor
the time being ineffective administrative
control.
-JTpon the titular government regalhlnS
mower a second payment of these duties
was demanded. Controversy arose touch-
ing the validity of the original payment Oh
the debt to the de facto regent OF the terri
tory. An arrangement was effected In
Anril last by the United States minister
and the foreign secretary of Nicaragua
whereby the amounts of the duplicate pay
ments were deposited with the British con-
sui pending an adjustment of the matter by
direct. agreement between the governments
of the United States and Nicaragua The
controversy is still unsettled
The contract of the Maritime Canal COM
pany of Nicaragua was declared forfeited
bv the Nicaraguan government on the l0th
of October on the ground of non-fulflllment
within the ten years term stipulated by
contract. The Maritime Canal company
has lodged protest against this action, al
leging rights In the premises which ap-
near worthy of consideration. This gov
eminent expects that Nicaragua will at
ford the protestants a full and fair hearing
upon the merits of the case.
phe. Nicaragua Canal commission which
had been engaged upon the work OF ex-
animation and survey for route across
Nicaragua having completed its labors and
made it's report, was dissolved on May 81,
and On June 10 new commission known
as the Isthmian Canal commission was or
ga nized under the terms of the act APP
proved March 8, 1899, for the purpose of ex-
amfning the American sthmus with view
of determining the most practical and FEAST
BILE route for ship canal across that 18TH
mus with it's probable cost, and other es-
sentia; details.