Evening star., 1900-12-03
ttended the enforcement of the old stat

attended the enforcement of the old stat
utes.
The remaining link in the new lines of di-
rect telegraphic communication between
the United States and the German Empire
has recently been completed, affording a
gratifying occasion for exchange of friend
ly congratulations with the German En-
peror.
RELATION WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
Our friendly relations with Great britain
continue. The war in Southern Africa In
troduced important questions. A condition
unusual in international wars was present.
ed In that while one beIigerent had control
of the seas the other had no ports, ship
ping OF direct trade, but was only accessi-
bic through the territory of a neutral.
Nexatious questions arose through Great
Brltain's action in respect to neutral car
goes. not contraband in their own nature,
shipped to Portuguese South Africa. on the
score of probable suspected ultimate des-
tination to the Boer states.
Such consignments in British ships, by
which alone direct trade is kept up between
our ports and Southern Africa. were seized
in application of municipal law prohibit
ing British vessels from trading with the
enemy without regard to any contraband
character of the goods. while cargoes ship
ped to Delagoa Bay in neutral bottoms
were arrested on the ground Of alleged des-
tination to enemy's country. Appropriate
representations on our part resulted in the
British Government agreeing to purchase
outright all such goods shown to be the
actual property of American citizens, thus
closing the incident to the satisfaction Of
the Immediately interested parties, al
though unfortuna tely, without d broad set
tlement of the question of neutrals right
to send goods not contraband per Sc to
neutral port adjacent to a belllgerent area.
The work of marking certain provisional
boundary points. for convenience of admin
istration. around the head of lynn Canal.
in accordance with the temporary arrange
ment of October, 1899, was completed by
joint survey In July last. The modus viven-
di has so far worked without friction, and
the Domini ion Government has provided
rules and regulations for securing to our
citizens the benefit Of the reciprocal stipula-
tion that the citizens or subjects of either
power found by that arrangement within
the temporary Jurisdiction of the other
shall suffer no diminution of the rights and
privileges they have hitherto enjoyed. But
however necessary such an expedient may
have been to tide over the grave emergen-
CleS Ol tHe SlttdtIoil IL IS dt DSSl Uut du uI-
satisfactory n,akeshft which should not
be suffered to delay the speedy and COM
plete establishment of the frontier line to
which we are entitled under the Russo
American treaty for the cession of Alaska.
In this relation l may refer again to the
need Of definitely marking the Alaskan
boundary where it follows the one hundred
and forty-frst meridian A convention to
that end has been before the Senate for
some two years but no action has been
taken l contemplate negotiating new con-
vention for a joint determination Of the
meridian by telegraphic observations.
These, 1t is believed will give more accu-
rate and unquestionable results than the
sidereal methods heretofore independently
followed, which, is known. proved dis
crepant at several points on the line, al
though not varying at any place more than
100 feet.
The pending claim Of r. H. May against
the Guatemalan Government has been set
tied by arbitration, Mr.. George F. B. Jen-
ner. British minister at Guatemala, who
was chosen as sole arbitrator, having
awarded $li3. $50. 73 in gold to the claimant
Various American claims against Haiti
have been being advanced to the re-
sort of arbitra ton.
AS the result of negotiations with the
Government of Honduras in regard to the
indemnity demanded for the murder of
Frank II. Pears in Honduras, that Govern
ment has paid $40, 900 in settlement Of the
claim of the heirs.
ASSASSIN ALTON OF KING HUMBERT.
The assassina ton of King Humbert called
forth sincere expressions of sorrow from
this Government and people, and occa sion
fniya 70 t1a
tion the high regard here felt for the MEM
ory OF the lamented ruler.
In my last Message 1 referred at consid-
cradle length to the lynching of five Italians
at Tal.ulah. Notwithstanding the efforts of
the Federal Government, the production of
evidence tending to inculpate the authors
of this grievous offelse against our civiliza-
ton. and the repeated inquests set on foot
by the authorities OF the State Of Louisiana,
no punishments have followed. Successive
grand juries have failed to indict. The rep
resentations of the Italian government in
the face of this miscarriage have been most
temperate and just.
Setting the principle at issue high above
all consideration Of merely pecuniary in
Identification, such this Government
made In the three previous cases, Italy has
solemnly invoked the pledges of existing
treaty and asked that the justice to which
she is entitled shall be meted In regard to
her unfortunate countrymen in our territory
with the same full measure she herself
would give to any American were his re-
ciprocal treaty rights contemned.
I renew the urgent recommendations 1
made last year that the Congress appro-
priately confer upon the Federal courts
jurisdiction In this class Of international
cases where the ultimate responsibility of
the Federal Government may be involved,
and 1 invite action upon the bills to ac-
complish this which were introduced in the
Senate and House. 1t is incumbent upon US
to remedy the statutory omission which has
led, and may again lead, to such untoward
results. 1 have pointed out the necessity
and the precedent for legislation of this
character. Its enactment is a simple meas
ure OF previsory justice toward the nations
with which We as a sovereign equal make
treaties requiring reciprocal observance.
While the Italian Government naturally
regards such action the primary and.
indeed, the most essential element in the
disposal of the Tallulah incident, I advise
that in accordance with precedent and in