The Washington weekly post., 1899-12-12

sItdt+r ditl 1dHGuds embracing Twelve eftn-
jects. among which were the questions Of
the fur seals. the fisheries Of the coast
and contiguous inland waters, the Alas
kan boundary. the transit Of merchandise
in bond. the alien labor laws. mining
rights. reciprocity In trade. revision of
the agreement respecting naval vessels in
the Great Lakes, q more complete mark
ing of parts OF the boundary. provision
for the conveyance OF criminals, and for
wrecking and salvage.
Much progress had been made BY the
toward the adjustment OF
many Of these questions. when Il became
apparent that an irrcconcilable difference
of views was entertained respecting the
of the Alaskan boundary. In
the failure OF an agreement as to the
meaning OF articles and OF the treaty
Of Is25 between Russia and Great Britain,
which defined the boundary between
Alaska and Canada. the American Com
missionsrs proposed that the subject Of
the boundary be laid aside and that the
remaining questions OF difference be pro-
ceeded with. some of which were 80 far
advanced as 10 assure the probability 0f
a settlement. This being declined by the
British commissioners, an adjournment
was taken until the boundary should be
inS tNo lHc
subject has been receiving the careful at
tention which its importance demands.
with the result that a modus vivendi for
provisional demarcatiOns in the region
about the head of Lynn Canal has heen
agreed upon; and IL is hoped that the ne
gotiations now in progress between the
two governments viii end IN an agree
ment for the establishment and delimita-
tfn Of parpaaOppf bpuDiaTV
Apart from these questions growing out
of our relationship with our northern
neighbor. the most friendly disposition
and ready agreement have marked the
discussion of numerous matters arising
in the vast and intimate intercourse OF
the United States with Great Britain.
This government has maintained an at
titude OF neutrality in the unfortunate
contest between Great Britain and the
Roer states OF Africa. We have remained
faithful to the precspt of avoiding en-
tangling alliances as 10 affairs not or our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
gested that the parties 10 the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly express
sion of the hope of the American people
that war might be averted. good Offices
would have been gladly rendered. The
United States representative al Pretoria
was early instructed to see that all neu-
tral American interests be respected oy
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
Free State governments. to exercise the
customary good Offices of 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 govern
ment toward both the combatants.
Lynching of Italians.
For the fourth time in the present dec
ade question has arisen with the govern
ment ot Italy in regard TO the lynching or
Italian subjects. The latest OF these de-
plorable events occurred at Tallulah, La,
whereby five unfortunates of italian ori-
gin were taken from Jail and hanged.
The authorities of the State and rep
resentative 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 will enable the
Executive to treat the question with the
government of Italy in a spirit Of fairness
..,fn
doubtless be reached.
The recurrence of these distressing man
ifestations of blind mob fury directed at
dependents or natives of foreign coun-
try suggests that the contingency has
arisen for action by Congress in the direc-
tion of comforting upon the Federal courts
Jurisdiction In this class Of International
cases where the ultimate responsibility OF
the Federal government may be involved.
The suggestion is not new. In his an
nual message of December 8, 1881. my
predecessor. President Harrison. said:
1T would. believe be entirely competent for
Congress to make oenses against the treaty rights
OF foreigners domieiled In the United States eognisa-
bic in the Federal courts. This has not howevsy
been done and the Federal oscers and courts have
no power in such cases 10 intervene either for the
protection OF foreign citizen or for the punish
ment Of his slayers. II seems TO me 10 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 out Of suc incidents be regarded
In such sense Federal agents 10 make this
government snswerable for their In cases wher.
It would be answerabls II the United State. had
used IT,. constitutional power to define and punisA
crimes against treaty righta"
Protection sfAIiens.
A bill TO provide for the punishment ot
violations OF treaty rights Of aliens was
introduced in the Senate March !, 1892.
and reported favorably March 80 Having
doubtless in view The language Of that
part OF Article III of the treaty of Feb
ruary 26, 1871, between the United States
and Italy, which stipulates that the
citizens OF each OF the high contracting
parties shall receive in the States and
Territories OF the other. most constant
protection and security for their persons
and property. and shall enjoy In rhis re-
spect the same rights and privileges as
are or shall be granted 10 the natives, on
their submitting themselves 70 the condi-
tlons imposed upon the natives" the bill
so introduced and reported provided that
any act committed in any State or Terri
tory Of the United States In violation OF
the rights Of a citizen or subject OF for
eign country secured 10 such citizen or
subject By treaty between the United
States and such foreign country and con-
stituting a crime under the laws Of the
State or Territory shall constitute a like
crime against the United States and be
cognizable in the Federal courts. No ac-
ton was taken by Congress In the mat
ter.
earnestly recommend that the subject
be taken UP anew and acted upon during
the present session. The necessity for
sonse suen provision abundantly appears
Precedent for constituting a Federal juris-
dfction In criminal cases where aliens are
sufferers is nationally deducible from the
existing statute, which gives TO the dis
trict and circuit courts OF the United
States Jurisdiction OF civil suits brought
BY aliens where the amount Involved ex-
ceeds a certain sum. II such jealous So
llcitude be shown for allen rights In cases
OF merely civil and pecuniary Import, now
much greater should be the public duty 20