The times., 1899-12-06

ever. granted up to that date an the priv
ileges and rights accorded 20 French cit-
izsHs under the old French treaty BY
this notable conventional reform japan
position as a fully independent sovereign
power is assured, control beiuE gained os
taxation. customs revenues, judicial al
miuistratiou. coastIug trade. ANA all other
domestic functions OF government. and for
eign exuaterritoriaI rights being re-
nOuuced.
Foreign CourtesieS.
Comprehensive codes Of civil and erimi-
nal procedure according TO Western meth
DDS, public instruction, patents and copy
rights municipal administration. includ-
ing jurisdiction over the former foreign
settlements. customs tariffs and procedure.
public health and other Administrative
measures have been proclaimed The work
ing of the new system has given rise 90
40 material complaints on the part Of the
American citizens or interests. a circUm-
stance which attests the ripe considera-
tion with which the change has been pre-
pared
Valuable assistance was rendered BY the
Japanese authorities 20 the United States
transport ship Morgan City while stranded
3t Kobe Permission has been granted to
land and pasture army horses az Japanese
ports OF call on the way 70 the Philippine
Islands. These kindly evidences OF good
! viii are highly appreciated.
The Japanese Government has shown a
lively interest in the proposition OF the
Pacific Gable Company 10 add 20 ls pro-
ieeted cable lines to Hawaii Guam, AID
the Philippines a branch connection with
I the coast Of Japan. IL would be a grati-
fying cOnsummation were the utility OF
the contemplated scheme enhanced by
bringing Japan and the United States into
direct telegraphic relation.
Without repeating the observations OF
my special Message OF February 10. 1889,
concerning the necessity OF a cable to
Manila, / respectfully invite attention TO il.
recommend that. in case the Congress
should not take measures to bring about
I this result by direct action OF the Gov
! ernment, the Postmaster General be au-
I thorized 20 invite competitive bids for the
I establishment OF a cable; the company
making the best responsible bid 10 be
awarded the contract. the successful com
paEy 10 give ample bonds to insure the
completion of the work within a reason
lble time.
! The year has been marked by constant
increase in the intimacy OF our relations
with Mexico and in the magnitude Of mu-
tualIy advantageous interchange This
Government has omitted no opportunity
to show its strong desire 70 develop aud
/ perpetuate the ties Of cordiality now so
long happily unbroken.
Following the termination on January
20. 1895, by Mexico OF the convention OF
eXtradition of December H. 1861. q new
/ treaty more in accordance with the as
| certained needs Of both countries was
/ signed February Do 1899, and exchanged
I In the City of Mexico on the 22d Of April
last Its operation thus far has been
I effective and satisfactory A recent case
[ has served to test the application Of its
IYth Article. which provides that
neither party shall be bound to deliver
up its own citizens, but that the executive
/ authority of each shall have the pOwet
to deliver them up il in its discretion iE
be deemed proper TO do so.
The Rich Case.
The extTadiJion Of Mrs. Matte Rich. a
citizen OF the United States. charged with
homicide committed in Mexico. was after
mature consideration directed by me in the
conviction that the ends Of justice would be
thereby subserved. Similar action. on ap-
I propriate occasion, by the Mexican Execu-
tive VIII not only tend to accomplish the
desire OF both Governments that grave
crimes go not UNPUBLISHED, but also 70 re-
press laWIessness along the the border OF
[ the two countries. The new treaty stipu-
/ Iates that neither Government shall as
/ sumo Jurisdiction IN the punishment OF
I crimes committed exclusively within the
/ territory of the other. This viii Obyiste in
| future the embarrassing controversies
which have heretofore arisen through Mex
| ico's assertion Of a claim to Try and punish
| an American citizen for an offence commit
ted within the jurisdiction OF the United
| States.
The International Water Boundary Com
mission, organized by the convention Of
March /. 1883 for the adjustment Of ques-
tions affecting the Rio GEaEde frontier has
not vet completed its labOrs. A further
extension Of its term for one year. until
I December a. 1899, was effected by a coz
vention signed December ., 1898, and eX-
changed and proclaimed in February last.
An invitation extended TO the President ot
| Mexico to visit Chicago in October, on the
occasion OF laying the cornerstone or
/ the United States Government building
/ in that city. was cordially accepted by him.
with the necessary consent Of the Mexican
/ Congress, but the illness of a member Of his
| family prevented his attendance The Min
/ ister Of Foreign Relations, however, came
| as the personal representative OF President
/ Dfaz. and in that high character was duly
/ houored-
/ Claims growing out Of the seizure OF
| American sealing vessels in Bering Sea
have been under discussion with the Gov
ernmeut Of Russia for several years. with
| the recent happy result CT an agreement 20
/ submit them to the decision OF q single ar
bitrator By this act Russia affords proof
[ Of her. adherence 20 the b6nehceut principle
of arbitration which her pieuipOtsuJiaries
corspicuOusly favored at The Hague Dis
/ armament Conference. when it was advo-
Gated by the representatives OF the United
I States.
A suggestion for a permanent exposition
of our products and manufactures in Russia,
Z although not yet fully shaped. has been
so cordially welcomed by the Imperial Gov
erameut that it may not iBapdy take a
fitting place in whatever legislation the
Congress may adopt looking to enlarge
ment Of our commercial opportunities
abroad.
THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
4 Satisfactory Arrangement With
England and Germany.