The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07

Chalmers of any purpose of aggrand-
izement through the dismemberment Of
the empire. / am disposed to think
that due compensation may be made in
part by increased guarantees of securi-
ty for foreign rights and immunities,
and. most important of all. by the
opening of China to the equal COM
merce OF all the world. These views
have been and will be earnestly advo-
Gated by our representatives.
The government of Russia has put
forward a suggestion, that in the event
OF protracted divergence Of views in
regard to indemnities the matter may
be relegated to the court of arbitration
at The Hague. I favorably incline to
this. believing hat high tribunal could
not fail to reach a solution no less
conducive to the stability and enlarged
prosperity Of China Itself than i.ame-
diately beneficial to the powers.
Other Foreign Relations.
Publications OF a treaty of extradi-
ton with Argentine Republic were X
changed on June End last.
While the Austro-Hungarian govern
ment has, in many cases that have
been reported of the arrest OF our nat
uralized citizens for alleged evasion of
military service, faithfully observed
the provisions of the treaty and releas-
ed such persons from military obfiga
lions, it has in some instances expelled
those whose presence In the communi-
ty Of their origin was asserted to have
a pernicious influence. Representations
lave been mad against this course
whenever its adoption has appeared
unduly onerous.
We have been urgently solicited by
Belgium to ratify the international
convention Of June, 1899. ~amendatory
of the previous convention Of 1890 in
respect to the regulation of the liquor
trade in Africa. Compliance was neces-
| S4rilV withhold in the ahSanoa Of tho
advice and consent Of the senate there
to. The principle involved has the cor
dial sympathy of this government,
which in the revisionary negotiations
advocated more drastic measures. and
/ would gladly see its extension, by in
ternational agreement. to the ~restric-
ton of the liquor traffic with all unciv-
ilized peoples, especially in the West
ern Pacific.
A conference will be held at Brussels
December 18th, 1900, under the conven-
ton for the protection of industrial
property, concluded at Paris, March
Goth, 1883, to which delegates from this
country lave been appointed. ANY les
sening the difficulties that our in
ventors encounter IN obtaining patents
abroad for their inventions and that
our farmers, manufacturers. and mer-
chants may have in the protection of
their trade marks is worthy of careful
consideration, and your attention will
be called to the results of the confer
ence at he proper time.
In the interest of expanding trade
between this country and South Ameri-
ca, efforts have been made during the
past year to conclude conventions with
the southern republics for the enlarge
ment Of postal facilities. Two such
agreements We're signed with Bolivia
on April oath. of which that establish
ing the money order system is under
going certain changes suggested by the
postoffice department. A treaty of ex-
tradition with that country, signed or
the same day, is before the senate.
A boundary dispute between Brazil
and Bolivia over the territory of Acre
is in a fair way of friendly adjustment,
a protocol signed in December, 1893,
having agreed on a definite frontier
and provided for it's demarcation by a
joint commission.
Conditions in Brazil have weighed
heavily on our export trade to that
country in marked contrast to the ia
vorable conditions upon which Brazil
ian products are admitted into our
Urgent representations have
been made to that government on the
subject and some amelioration has
been effected. We rely upon the recipro-
cal Justice and good will of hat COVE
rnmen to assure to us a further i'm
provement in our commercial relations.
The convention signed May "a, 1897.
for the final settlement of claims left
in allegiance upon the dissolution of the
commission of 1893, was at length rati-
fled by the Chilean congress and the
supplemental commission has been or
ganized.
1t remains for the congress to appro-
pirate for the necessary expenses of
the commission.
The inSurrectionary movement which
disturbed Colombia in the latter part
of 1899 has been practically suppressed,
although guerrillaS still operate in
some departments. The executive pow
er of that republic changed hands in
August last by the act of Vice Presi-
dent Marroquin in assuming the reins
of government during the absence of
President San Clemente from the CAPT.
tai. The change met with no serious
opposition, and, following the prece-
dents in such cases. the United States
minister entered into relations with
the new de facto government on Sep
TENDER 18th.
1t is gratifying to %nou that the
residual questions between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua growing out of the
award of President Cleveland ir 1888
have been adjusted through the choice
of an American engineer, General E.
p. Alexander, as umpire to run the dis
puted line. His task has been accom-
plished to the satisfaction of both con-
testants.
= - IENofulftlI III lii DOIIlltllCldu Z
public toward the close of last year re-
suited in the installation of President
2 J1menez whose government was for
\ mally recognized in Since
D then final payment has been made ot
I the American claim IL regard to the
Ozama bridge.
Atthe Paris Exposition.
The year Of the exposition a been
: fruitful in occasions for displaying the
, good viii that exists between this coun-
try and France. This great Con.peti-
ton brought together from every ma
= ton the best in natural productions
industry. science, and the arts. sub
mitted in generous rivalry to a judg-
ment made all the more searching De-
. cause of that rivalry. The extraoIdi-
nary increase of expectations from this
country during the past three years
and the activity with which our inven-
. tons and wares had invaded new mar
kets caused much interest to center
uDOn the American ayhihff and every