The times., 1899-12-06

States and Canada, embracing twelve sub
jeets, 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
OF the boundary, provision for the convey
ance Of criminals, and FOR wreckiug aud
salvage.
Much progress had been made by the
Commission toward the adjustment OF
many OF these questions, when it became
apparent that an irrecOnCilable difference
OF views was entertained respecting the
deIimitatlon OF the Alaskan boundary. In
the failure Of an agreement as 10 the
meaning of Articles and ( Of the treaty
or 1928 between Russia and Great Britain.
which defined the boundary between Alaska
and Canada. the American Commissioners
proposed that the subject OF the boundary
be laid aside and that the remain
ing questions Of difference be pro-
ceeded with. some of which were 50
Tar advanced as to assure the probability
of a settlement. This being declined by
the British Commissioners. an adjournment
was taken until the boundary should be
adjusted by the two Governments. The
subject has been receiving the careful at
tention which its Importance demands
with the result that a modus vivendi for
provisional demarcatious i'm the region
about the head Of Lynn Canal has been
agreed upon; and il is hoped that the ne
gotiatiOns now in progress between the two
Governments Will end in an agreement for
the establishment and delimitati0n OF "a
permanent boundary.
Apart from these questions growing out
of our relationship with our northern
neighbor, the most friendly disposition and
ready agreement have marked the discus
sion OF numerous matters arising in the
vast and intimate intercourse of the United
States with Great Britain.
The Boer War.
This Government has maintained an at
titude of neutrality in the unfortunate con-
test between Great Britain and the Bocr
States Of Africa. We have remained faith
full to the precept of avoiding entangling
alliances as to affairs not of our direct
concern. Had circumstances suggested that
the parties to the quarrel would have well
coined any kindly expression OF the hope
of the American people that war might be
averted, good offices would have been
gladly rendered. The United States rep
resentatiye at Pretoria was early in
structed 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
Bcer 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 Free
State Governments, TO exercise the Gus
tOmary good Offices of a neutral for the
care Of British interests. In the discharge
of this function l am happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded TO
show the impartiality of this Government
toward both the combatants.
For the fourth time in the present decade
question has arisen with the Government
OF Italy in regard to the lyuchiug of
Italian subjects. The latest of these de-
plorable events occurred at Tallulah. La,
whereby five unfOrtunates of Italian origin
were taken from jail and hanged.
The authorities Of the State and a repre-
sentative Of the Italian Embassy having
separately investigated the occurrence,
with discrepant results, particularly as to
the alleged citizenship Of the victims. and
it not appearing that the State had been
able to discover and punish the violatOrs
of the law, an independent investigation
has been set on foot. through the agency
Of the Department of State, and Is still
in progress. The result viii enable the
Executive to treat the question with the
Government OF Italy in a spirit OF fairness
aud justice. A satisfactory solution viii
doubtless be reached
The recurrence of these distressing mani
festatiOns of blind mob fury directed at
dependents or natives Of a foreign country
suggests that the contingency has arisen
for action by Congress in the direction Of
comforting upon the Federal courts juris-
diction in this class of international cases
where the ultimate responsibility Of the
Federal Government may be involved. The
suggestion is not new. In his Annual Mes
sage OF December 9, 1891, my predecessor,
President Harrison said:
It would, I believe be entirely competent for
Congress to make offences against the treaty
rights Of foreigners domiciled in the United
States cognizable in the Federal courts. This has
not, however, been done, and the Federal officers
veue either Tor the protection Of foreign citizen
or Tor the punishment Of his slayers It seems
TO me to follow, in this state of the law, that
the officers OF the State charged with police
and judicial powers in such cases must, in the
consideration Of international questions growing
ont of such incidents. be regarded iT. such sense
az Federal agents as 10 make this Government an
swerahlc for their acts in cases where it would
be answerdbe il the uyed States had used its
constitutional power 10 define and punish crimes
{ against treaty rights.