The Portland daily press., 1900-12-04

NlsOfy justice tOWdfu tne uatous Win
which VIC as a sovereign equal mako
treaties requiring reciprocal Observance.
While the Italian Government natural
ly regards such action as the primary
and, indeed, the most essential element
In the disposal of the Tallulah incident,
] advise that, in accordance with prece-
dent aud in view Of the improbability Of
that particular case being reached by the
bill now pending, Congress make gra-
cious provision for indemnity TO the Ital-
ian sufferers in the same form and pro-
portion as heretofore.
In my Inaugural Address | referred TO
the general subject Of lynching in these
words:
"Lynching must not be tolerated in a
great and civilized country like the Unit
ed States; courts, not mobs, must exc
cute the penalties of the law. The pres
ervation of public order. the right of dis
cussion, the integrity OF courts. and the
orderly administration of Justice must
continue forever the rock Of safety upon
which our Government securely rests"
This / most urgently reiterate and
again invite the attention Of my country
men to this reproach upon our ciyiliza-
ton.
The closing year has witnessed deeid-
ed strengthening of Japan's relations to
other States The development of her in
dependent judicial and administrative
functions under the treaties which took
effect July H. 1899, has proceeded with
out international friction, showing the
competence of the japanese to hold a
foremost place among modern peoples.
In the treatment of the difficult Chi
nese problems Japan has acted in harmo-
NOUS concert with the other Powers, and
her generous cooperation materially aided
in the joint relief of the beleaguered le-
cations in Picking and in bringing about
an understanding preliminary to settle
ment of the issues between the Powers
and China. Japan's declarations in IA
vor of the integrity of the Chinese En-
pire and the conservation of open world
trade Herewith have been frank and pos
tive. AS factor for promoting the
general interests of peace, order, and fair
commerce in the Far East the influence
OF Japan can hardly be overestimated.
The valuable aid and kindly courtesies
extended by the japanese Government
and naval officers to the battle ship Ore
gon are gratefully appreciated.
Complaint was made last summer OF
the discriminatory enforcement of bu-
bonc quarantine against japanese on the
their travel in California and Colorado
under the health laws of those States.
The latter restrictions have been adj
Judged by a Federal court to be unconsti-
tutional No recurrence of either cause
of complaint is apprehended.
No noteworthy incident has occurred in
our relations with our important south
ern neighbor. Commercial intercourse
with Mexico continues to thrive, and the
two Governments neglect no opportunity
to foster their mutual interests 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, $403,-
030.0S, has been returned to Mexico. and
the amount of the We'll award will be re-
turned in like manner.
A Convention indefinitely extending the
time for the labors of the United States
and Mexican International Water)
Boundary Commission has been signed.
1t is with satisfaction that | am able
to announce the formal notification at
The Hague. on September 4, of the de-
post of ratifeations of the Convention
for the Pacific Settlement of lnternation-
the United States, Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, England, France, Germany,
Italy, Persia. Portugal. Roumania, Rus
STA. Siam, Spain, Sweden and Norway,
and the Netherlands. Japan also has
since ratified the Convention.
The Administrative Council of the Per-
manent Court of Arbitration has been
organized and has adopted rules of order
and a constitution for the International
Arbitration Bureau. In accordance with
Article XIII of the Convention proyid-
ing for the appointment by each signatory
power of persons OF known competency
in questions of international law as arbi-
traitors, have appointed as members OF
this Court, Hon. Benjamin Harrison. of
Indiana, ex-President of the United
States; Hon. Melville w. Fuller, of Illi-
MOS, Chief Justice of the United States:
Hon. John W. Griggs, of New Jersey,
Attorney General of the United States;
and Hon George Gray, of Delaware,
Judge of the circuit court of the United
States.
As an incident of the brief revolution
in the Mosquito district of Nicaragua
early in 1899 the insurgents forcibly col
lected from American merchants duties
upon imports. On the restoration of or
der the Nicaraguan authorities demanded
n second payment of such duties on the
ground that they were due to the titulsR
Government and that their diversion had
aided the revolt.
This position was not accepted by us.
After prolonged discussion compromise
was effected under which the amount OK
the second payments was deposited with
the British consul at San Juan del Norts
in trust until the two Governments
should determine whether the first pay
ments had been made under compulsion
to de faeto authority. Agreement as to
this was not reached, and the point was
waived by the act of the Nicaraguan
Government in requesting the British
consul to return the deposits to the mer-
chants.
Menacing differences between several
of the Central American States have been
accommodated, our ministers rendering
good offices toward an understanding.
The alI-important matter of an inter-