The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-12-13

lis Injurious ana what ID uSeIuI anu ue"eS-
gary in business operations may be OBJ
tained and that means may be found for
the congress within the limitations of its
constitutional power so to supplement an
effective code of state legislation us to
make a complete system of laws through
out the United States adequate to compel
e general observance of the salrtary rules
to which have referred.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
A review of our relations with foreign
states is presented with such recommen-
dations as are deemed appropriate, u.
The long-pendiug boundary dispute be-
tween the Argentine republic and Chile
was settled in March last by the award
of an arbltral commission, on which the
United States minister at Buenos Ayres
served as umpire.
NICARAGUA CANAL
The contraet of the Maritime Canal eetls
pany; of Nicaragua was declared foFteitea
by the Nicaraguan government on the ;S,, iyIH
of october, ON the ground OF non -fulfillf
ment within the ten years term stipulateu
In the contract. The Maritime Canal COM
pany his lodged q sprote test against this ace
dom an ding e len
ernment expects that Nicaragua VIII anord
the protestants full and fair hearing upon
the merits of the case.
The Nicaragua canal commission, which
had been engaged upon the work of exam
InattOn ana survey IOI u Sulp-Cdu1l IOulS
across Nicaragua, having completed Its
Iabors and made its report, was dissolved
on May 81, and on June 10 new COM
mission, known as the Isthmian canal
commission, was organized under the
terms of the act approved March 3, 1893,
for the purpose of examining the Ameri-
can Isthmus with a view to determining
the most practicable and feasible, route
for ship canal across that Isthmus, with
its probable cost, and other essential de-
tails.
The great Importance of this work can
not be too often or too strongly pressed
upon the attention of the cngress. In my
message of year ago l expressed my
views OF the necessity of canal which
would link the two great oceans, to which
again invite your consideration. The
reasons then presented for early action
are even stronger now.
Tho portion of the message dealing with
our foreign relations shows no especial incl
dent. The Nicarnguan canal Is urged. Our
trade relations with China being
watched, and good word Is then spoken
for the Paris exposition. In spenking of
Great Britain progress of the Alaskan
boundary Is mentioned.
NEUTRALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
This government has maintained an at
titude of neutrality in the unfortunate
contest between Great Britain and the
Boer states OF Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precept of avoiding en-
tanglIng alliances to affairs not OF our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
gested that the parties to the quarrel would
have welcomed any kindly expression of
the hope of the American people that war
been gladly rendered. The United States
representative at Pretoria was early in
structcd to see that all neutral American
interests be respected by the combatants
This has been an easy task in view of the
positive declarations of both British and
Boer authorities that the personal and
property rights of our citizens should be
observed.
Upon the withdrawal OF the British agent
from Pretoria the United States consul
was authorized, upon the request of the
British government and with the assent
of the South African and Orange FREQ
State governments, to exercise the Gus
tomary good offices OF a neutral for the
care of British interests. In the discharge
OF this function | am happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded TO
show the impartiality OF this government
toward both the combatants
The lynchlng OF Italian subjects In Lou
Isinnn is referred to nmd satisfactory
solution Is expected The message then
quotes from President IIarrlsons message
of 1901 concerning law 30 punish crimes
to take up the subject anew. The ex-
changes of amenities between Mexico and
this country aud japan are detailed.
SAMOA.
Important events have occurred in tho
Samoan Islands. The election, accord
Ing to the laws and customs of Samoa,
of successor to the late king. Malietoa
Laupepa, developed contest to the
validity of the result, which issue, by
the terms of the general act, was to be
decided by the chief justice. Upon his
rendering a judgment in favor OF Malie-
toa Tanu, the rival chief, Mataafa, took
up arms. The active Intervention of
American and British warships became
mi fiSsn fn OF nrHn aN hn
of sanguinary encounters. In this emer-
gency a joint commission OF representa-
tiYes OF the United States, Germany and
Great Britain was sent to Samoa to In
vestigate the situation and to provide a
temporary remedy. BY its active efforts
peaceful solution was reached for the
time being, the kingship being abolished
and n provisionaN government establish
I'd. Recommendations unanimously made
by the commission for permanent ad-
justment of the Samoan question were
taken under consideration by the three
powers parties to the general act. But
the more they were examined the more
evident 1t became that a radical change
was necessary In the relations of the pow
ers to Samoa.
The arrangement under which Samoa
was administered had proved impractlc-
able and unacceptable to all the powers
concerned. To withdraw from the agree
ment and abandon the islands to Germany
and Great Britain would not be compati-
Bile with our interests in the archipelago.
To relinquish our rights in the harbor
of PaEo Pago, the best anchorage In the
Pacific, the occupancy of which had been
leased to the United States in 1878 by the
first foreign treaty aver concluded by Sa-
moa. was not to bO thought of either as
regards the needs of our navy or the in"
terests of our growing commerce with the
east. We could not have considered any
proposition for the abroEation of the tri-
partitS control which did not CONFIRM us in
all our rights and safeguard all our ma
tionai rights in the islands.
Our views commended themselves to the
other powers. a satisfactory arrange
ment was concluded between the gov
ernmsnts of Germany and of England, by
virtue of which England retired from
Samoa in view of compensations in other
directions. and both powers rcnounced in
favor of the United States all their rights
and claims over and in respect to that por-
lion OF the group lying to the east of the
one hundred and seventyfirst degree of west
longitude. embracing the islands of Tutuila,
] FOO, Olosenga, and Manua. transmit to
The senate, for its constitutional action
thereon, a convention. which besides the