Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05
Our Government Building at Paris.

u
for bur countrymen resorting to Paris fer
study
am informed by our commissioner gene
sections at Paris over Z 600 exhibitors. from
every state in our country, a number ten
times as great as those which We're repre-
as those In Paris IN 1878. and four times as
many as those who exhibited in Paris in
1859 This statement does not include the
Hawaii, for which arrangements have
A number Of important international
lie interests are proposed to be held in
opposition Effort wi. be made to t,,l have
ministration efficiently represented at
those conferences. each in its special line.
and to procure the largest possible con-
ly at the congresses of public charity and
Of medicine.
Relations with Germany.
Our relations with Germany continue to
be most cordial. The increasing intimacy
of direct association has been marked dur
ing the year by the granting permission
in April for the landing on our shores of
cable from Borkum Emden, on the North
the conclusion on September of a parcels
post convention with the German empire.
IN all that promises closer relations Of in
derstanetag between two races having SO
many trails in common. Germany can be
assured of the most cordial cooperation
be rivals In many material paths, but
our rivalry should be generous and open.
ever aiming toward the attainment of
advancement of each in the line of its espe-
cial adaptability.
Our Products Questioned.
The several governments of the empire
seem reluctant to admit the natural ex-
n fg pn1 tn ~.
cept rae evidence we constantly tender of
the care with which their purity is guard
ed by rigid inspection from the farm,
ing establishments, to the port of ship
ment.. Our system of control over eN-
ported food staples invites examination
by its efficient thoroGghness.
1t is to be hoped that in time the two gov
ernme an will act in common ON accord to-
pose to safeguard the public health and to
the Asuring of the. purity and wholesome
ness Of az . food products imported r BY either
gress to authorize an invitation to Ger
many, in connection with the pending reci-
procity negotiations. for the constitution
and practical men of affairs to conduct a.
searching investigation of food production
and expectation in both countries and re-
port to their respective legislatures for the
adoption of such remedial measures as
they might recommend for either, the way
might be opened for the desirable result
Efforts to obtain for American life insur-
ance companies a full hearing as to their
business operations in Prussia have. after
several years of patient representation.
happily succeeded ard one CT the most i'm
portant American compa MES has been
granted a concession to continue business
1 I am also glad to announce that the Ger-
man insurance companies have been read
mitte6 by the superintendent cf,insurance
n In c q
4 Subsequent to the exchange OF cur peace
treaty with Spain Germany. acquired tile
theFefoe s5oo have a See
received from the German government
that the rights of American missionaries
and traders there will be CONSIDERABLY OBJ
served.
The Canadian Boundary.
In my last annual message referred to
the pending negotia lions with Great Brit
in in respect to the Dominion of Canada.
BY means of an executive agreement, a
joint high commission has Just been ere
ated for the purpose of adjusting all I'M
settled questions between the United
States and Canada embracing - slb-
iects. among which were the questions OF
the fur seals. the fisheries of the coast and
contiguous inland waters, the Alaskan
boundary, the transit of merchandise in
bond. the alien labor laws. mining rights.
reciprocity in trade, revision of the agree
ment respecting naval vessels in the great
lakes, more complete marking of parts
ance of criminals, and for wrecking and
salvage.
Much Progress Made.
Much progress has been made by the
commission toward the adjustment Of
many of these questions where it became
apparent that an irraconciiable difference
Of views was entertained respecting the de-
limitation of the Alaskan boundary. IN
the failure of an agreement as 10 the
meaning of articles and of the treaty of
1926 between Russia and Great Britain,
which defined the boundary between Alas
ka and Canada, the American dommis-
sioners proposed that the subject of the
boundary be laid aside and that the rec
naming questions Of difference be pro-
vanced as to assure the probability of u
settlement. This being declined by the
British commissioners, an adjournment
be adjusted by the two governments.
The subject has been receiving the care
full attention which It's Importance
yivenai for provisional demarcations
ii; the region about the head of Lynn
canal has been agreed upon: and it is hoped
that the negotiations now in progress be-
tween the two governments viii end in an
agreement for the establishment and de-
Limitation of a permanent boundary.
Apart from these questions, growing out
of our relationship with our northern
neighbors, the most friendly disposition
and ready agreement have marked the dis
cussion Of numerous matters arising in the
vast and intimate Intercourse of the United
States with Great Britain.
Neutrality In the Transvaal War.
This government has maintained an at
titude of neutrality in tie unfortunate con-
test between Great Britain and the Boer
states of Africa. We have remained faith
full to the precepts of avoiding entangiirg
alliances as to affairs not eli our direct cor
Germ. Had circumstances suggested that
the parties to the quarrel would iiayt well
coined any kindly expression of the hope
OF the American people that war might be
aVerted, good offices would have been LAD
iy rendered. The United States re present.
alive at Pretoria was early Instructed 20
see that all neutral American ;nteres SITS be
respected by the combata1ts. This has
bcen an easy task, in view of he nosi..
tive declarations OF both British ard lsoer
authorities that the personal ard property
ftehts of our citizens should be observed.
Upon the withdrawal OF the British
agent from Pretoria the United States con-
sui was authorized, upon the request of
the British government ard with the as
sent of the South African and Orange Free
State governments, to exercise the Gus
tomary good offices of neutral Tor the
care of British interests. In the discharge
= OF this function am happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded
to show the iInpartiality of this govern
ment toward both the combatants.
Another Question with Italy.
For the fourth time in the present dec
ade question has arisen with the gov
ernmeat of Italy in regard to the lynchfag
Of Italian subjects. The latest of these