The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03

must continue forever the rock OF safety
upon which our government securely
rests"
This most urgently reiterate and
again invite the attention Of my cOun-
tFymen to this reproach upon our ciyili-
cation.
The closing year has witnessed a de-
clded strengthening OF JapanS relations
to other states. The development Of her
Independent judicial and administrative
functions under the treaties which took
effect July II. 1899, has proceeded with
out international friction, showing the
competence Of the japanese to hold a
foremost place among the modern peo-
piles.
In the treatment of the difficult Chi
nese problems Japan has acted in har-
and her generous cooperation material
ly aided in the joint relief of the be-
leaguered legations in Pekin and in
bringing about an understanding pre-
lininary to a settlement of the issues
between the powers and China
Japan's declarations in favor of the
integrity of the Chinese empire and the
conservation of open world trade there
with have been frank and positive. AS
a factor for promoting the general in
terestS Of peace, order and fair COM
merce in the far east, the influence of
Japan can hardly be overestimated.
The valuable aid and kindly courte
sizes extended by the Japanese govern
ment and naval officers to the battle
ship Oregon are gratefully appreciated.
Complaint was made last summer of
the discriminatory enforcement of a bu-
bonic quarantine against Japanese on
the Pacific coast, and of interference
with their travel in California and Colo
RADIO under the health laws Of those
states. The latter restrictions have been
adjudged by federal court TO be I'M
constitutional. No recurrence of either
cause of complaint is apprefended.
No noteworthy incident has occurred
-T-.A9 49,
southern neighbors. Commercial inter-
course with Mexico continues to thrive
and the two governments neglect no OPP
portunity to foster their mutual inter
ests in all practicable ways.
Pursuant to the declaration of the SUI
preme court that the awards of the late
joint commission in the La Abra and
We'll claims were obtained through
fraud, the sum awarded in the first case.
$4O3, ,O8, has been returned to Mexico,
and the amount of the Well award will
be returned in like manner.
A convention indefinitely extending
the time for the labors for the United
States and Mexican international
(water boundary commission has been
signed.
It is with satisfaction that am able
to announce the formal notification at
The Hague, on September 4, of the de-
post of notifications of the convention
for the pacific settlement of the inter-
national disputes by sixteen powers,
namely, the United States, Austria, Bel
GUM, Denmark, England, France, Ger
many, Italy, Persia Portugal, Rouma-
mia, Russia Siam, Spain, Sweden and
Norway, and the Netherlands. Japan
also has since ratified the convention.
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION.
The administrative council of the per-
manent court of arbitration has been
organized and has adopted rules of or
der and a constitution for the interna-
tional arbitration bureau. In accordance
orff 11a of he
viding for the appointment by each sig
natOry power of persons of known COM
potency in questions of international
law as arbitratOrS I have appointed as
members of this court Hon. Benjamin
Harrison, of Indiana, ex-president of the
United States, Hon. Colville w. Fuller,
of Illinois, chief justice of the United
States. Hon. John w. GriggS of New
Jersey, attorney general of the United
States, and Hon. George Gray, of Del
aware, a judge of the circuit court of
the United States.
AS an incident Of the brief revolu-
ton in the Mosquito district of Mica
ragua, early in 1899, the insurgents
forcibly collected from American mer-
chants duties upon imports. On the
restoration of order the Nicaraguan au-
thorities demanded a second payment of
such duties on the ground that they
were due to the tftular government, and
that their diversion had aided the re-
volt. This position was not accepted
compromise was effected under with the
amount of the second payments was de-
posted with the British consul at San
Juan Del Forte in trust until the two
governments should determine whether
the first payments had been made under
cOmpulsiOn to a de factO authority.
Agreement as to this was not reached,
and the point was waived by the act
of the Nicaraguan government in re-
questing the British consul to return
the deposits to the merchants.
Menacing differences between several
of the Central American states have
been accommodated, our ministers rem
dering good offices toward an under
standing.
INTER OCEANIC CANAL.
The all-important matter of an inter-
oceanic canal has assumed a new phase.
Adhering to it's refusal to reopen the
question of the forfeiture of the con-
tract of the Maritime Canal company,
which was terminated for alleged nom
execution in October, 1889. the govern
ment of Nicaragua has since supple
mented that action by declaring the So
styled Eyre-C ramin option void for nom
payment of the stipulated advance.
Protests in relation to these acts have
been filed in the state department and
are under consideration. Deeming itself
relieved from existing engagements, the
Nicaraguan government shows a dispo-
sition to deal freely with the canal ques-
ton either in the way of negotiations
with the United States or by taking
measures to promote the waterway.
Overtures for a convention to effect
the building of a canal under the au-
spices of the United States are under
consideration. In the meantime the
views of congress upon the subject, in
the light of the report of the commits
sion appointed to examine the compare
tive merits of the various trans-isth-
milan ship canal projects. may be
awaited.
I commend to the early attention Of
the senate the convention with Great
Britain to facilitate the construction of
such a canal and to remove any OBJ
lection which might arise out of the
convention commonly called the Clay
ton BuIwer treaty.
The long-standing contention with
Portugal. growing out of the seizure of
the Delagoa Bay railway, has been at
last determined by favorable award