The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-04


tation OF the first piece struck to the
President OF the Republic, were marked
by appropriate ceremonies, and the
Fourth Of July was especially observed in
the French capital.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
Good will prevails in our relations with
the German Empire. An amicable adjust
ment of the long pending question OF the
admission of our Reinsurance companies
To do business in Prussia has been
reached. One of the principal companies
has ALREADY been re-admitted and the
way is opened for the others to share
the privilege.
The settlement of the Samoan problem,
TO which | adverted in my last message,
has ACCOMPLISHED good results Peace and
contentment prevail in the islands, es-
pecially in Tutuila. where a convenient
administration that has won the conf
dence and esteem of the kindly disposed
natives has been organized under the
direction of the commander of the United
States naval station at Pago- Page
An Imperial meat-inspection law has
been enacted for Germany While it may
simplify the inspections, it prohibits GER
is still great uncertainty as to whether
our well-nigh extinguished German trade
in meat products can revive under its
new burdens. Much will depend upon
regulations not vet promulgated, which
we confidently hope will be free from
the determinations which attended the
enforcement OF the old statutes.
The remaining link in the new lines of
In W1Gn
the United States and the German EN-
pire has recently been completed, afford
ing a gratifying occasion for exchange
of friendly congratulations with the Ger
man Emceror.
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH GREAT
BPITAIN.
Our friendly relations with Great Brit
ain continue. The war in Southern Afri-
ca introduced important questions A
condition unusual in international wars
was presented in that while one bellig-
erent had control of the seas. the other
had no ports shipping, or direct trade,
but was only accessible through the ter
rtory of a neutral. Vexatious questions
arose through Great Britain's action in
respect to neutral cargoes, not contra
band in their own nature, shipped to Por-
tuguese South Africa. on the score OF
probable or suspected ultimate destina-
ton to the Boer States.
Such consignments in British ships, by
which alone direct trade is kept up be-
tween our ports and Southern Africa,
were seized in application of a municipal
law prohibiting British vessels from trad
ing with the enemy without regard to any
contraband character of the goods, while
careoes shipped to Delagoa Bay in neutral
bottoms we're arrested en- the ground OF
alleged destination to enemys country.
Apuropriate representations on our part
resulted in the British Government agree
ing to purchase outright all such goods
shown to be the actual property of Ameri-
can citizens, thus closing the incident to
the satisfaction of the immediately in
tercsted parties, although. unfortunately,
without a broad settlement of the ques-
ton of a neutrals right to send goods
not contraband per Sc to neutral
nort adjacent to belligefent area.
The work of marking certain provisional
boundary points for convenience of ad-
ministration. around the head OF Lynn
Canal. in accordance with the temporary
Advancement of October 1899. was COM
Melted by Joint survey in July last. The
modus viveEd has so far worked without
friction, and the Dominion Government
has provided rules and regulations Tor
securing to our citizens the benefit of the
reciprocal stipulation that the citizens or
subjects of either power found by that
arrangement within the temporary juris-
diction of the other shall suffer no dimin-
ution OF the rights and privileges they
have hitherto enjoyed. But however ne
cessary such an expedient may have been
to tide over the grave emergencies OF the
situation. it is at best but an unsatisfac-
tory makeshift which should not be SUI
fered to delay the speedy and complete
establishment of the frontier line to
which we ere entitled under the Russo
American treaty for the cession or
Alaska
In this relation | maJ refer again to
the need of definitely marking the Alas
kan boundary where it follows the one
hundred and forty-first meridian con-
yention to that end has been before the
senate for some two years, but as no
action has been taken ! contemplate ne
gotiating a new convention for joint de-
termination of the meridian by tele-
graphic observations. These. it is be-
lieved. will give more accurate and I'M
questionable results than the sideral
methods heretofore independently fol-
lowed. which. as is known. proved dis
crepant at several points on the line.
although not varying at any place more
than 700 feet.
ABOUT CERTAIN CLAIMS.
The pending claim of R. II. May against
the Guatemalan Government has been
settled by arbitration, Mr.. George F. B.
Jenner British minister at Guatemala,
who was chosen as sole arbitrator, having
awarded $143 1908 in gold to the claim
ant.
Various American claims against Haiti
have been or are being advanced to the
resort of arbitration.
AS the result of negotiations with the
Government of Honduras in regard to the
indemnity demanded for the murder of
Frank H. Pears in Honduras that Gov
eminent has paid $4,000 in settlement of
the claim of the heirs.
KING HUMBERT'S ASSASSINATION.
The assassination of King Humbert
called forth sincere expressions of sorrow