The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-04
THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.
Our Friendly Relations With Great
Britain Undisturbed.

Our friendly relations with Great
Britain continue. The war liz Southern
Africa introduced important questions.
condition unusual in international vars
was presented in that while one tel,igef-
ent lad control Of the seas, the other had
no ports, shipping, or direct trade. but
was only accessible through the territory
OF neutral. vexatious questions arose
through Great Britain's action in respect
to neutral cargoes, not contraband In
their own nature. shipped to Portuguese
South Africa, on the score Of probable CT
suspected ultimate destination 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 trading
with the enemy without regard to any
contraband character Of the goods, while
cargoes shipped to Delagoa Bay in neu-
trail bottoms were arrested on the ground
Of alleged destination to enemy's country.
Appropriate representations on our part
resulted in the British Government agree
ing to purchase outright all such goods
shown to be the actual property OF Amert-
can citizens thus closing the incident to
the satisfaction Of the Immediately In
terested parties. although. unfortunately,
without broad settlement Of the ques-
tion of a neutral's right to send goods Tot
contraband per Sc to neutral port ad-
jacent to a belligerent area.
The work Of marking certain provis-
ional boundary points. for convenience OF
administration, around the head OF Lynn
Canal, in accordance with the temporary
arrangement of October. 1899, was COM
pleted by a joint survey in July last.
The modus vivendi has so far worked
without friction, and the Dominion Gov
eminent has provided rules and regula-
tions for 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 jurisdiction of the other shall
suffer no diminution Of the rights and
privileges they have hitherto enjoyed.
But, however necessary such an expedi-
emit may have been to tide over the grave
emergencies OF the situation. it is ut best
but an unsatisfactory makeshift, which
should not be suffered to delay the speedy
and complete establishment Of the from
tier line to which we are entitled under
the Russo-American treaty for the ces-
sion Of Alaska.
The Alaskan Boundary.
In this relation may refer again to the
need of definitely marking the Alaskan
boundary where 1t follows the 141st me-
ridian. A convention to that end has
been before the Senate for some two
years. but as no action has been taken
/ contemplate negotiating a new conven-
ton for Joint determination OF the meri-
dian by Geographic observations. These,
it is believed, will give more accurate
and unquestionable results than the side
real methods heretofore independently
followed, which, as is known, proved dis
crepant at several points on the line. al
though not varying at any place more
than 200 feet.
The pending claim of r. H. May against
the GuatemaIan Government has been set
tied by arbitration, MIR. George r. d.
Jenner, British Minister at Guatemala,
who was chosen as sole arbitrator. hav-
ing awarded $143.75o.73 in gold to the
claimant. =..l.-.,
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 Oh
the claim of the heirs.
forth sincere expressions Of sorrow from
this Government and people. and occasion
was fifty taken to testify to the Italian
nation the high regard here felt for the
memory of the lamented ruler.
In my last message l referred at con-
siderable length to the lynching OF nve
italians at TaIlulah. Notwithstanding the
efforts of the Federal Government, tne
production OF evidence tending to fncuI-
nate the authors of this grievous offence
against our civilization and the repeated
fnquests set on foot by the authorities OF
the State of Louisiana, no punishments
have followed. Successive grand 1uries
have failed to indict. The representations
of the italian Government in the face OF
this miscarriage have been most temper
ate and just.
Setting the principle at issue high above
all consideration OF merely pecuniary in
demuifica. lion. such as this Government
made in the three previous cases. Italy
has solemnly invoked the pledges OF exist
ing treaty and asked that the justice 10
which she is entitled shall be meted In
regard to her unfortunate countrymen IN
our territory and the same full measure
she herself would give to any american
we're his reciprocal treaty rights con-
temned.
The Italian Lynchfng Claims.
/ renew the urgent RECOMMENDATIONS
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 I invite action upon the bills to ac-
comp,ish this which were introduced in
the Senate and House. 1t is incumbent
upou us to remedy the statutory omission
which has led, and may again lead. to such
uutoward results. I nave pointed out the
necessity and the precedent for leslsia-
tion of this character. Its enactment Is
simple measure 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 as the primary. and,
indeed the most essential element in the
disposal of the Talluiah incident, I advise
that, 8. f'--' +-i
in vie Of .n. lni.- 5Hr ,' -har Hl-
ticulal - -o being -.l 3 .- as uil 1-T
nandi, corgr,=s 4.4.e -- -ls -----z1-
for in leu.. .y .. ifa'iar sufferers
the ssle ---. -.. ion a. h1
fore.
the genera s-ul-e, af lygchiue ia .h7=s
words
"Lynchins u..ss not .~.....s.s. -, u |
great and civilized country like the |
United States; courts, not mobs. must ex-
ecute the penalties of the law. The |
preservation OF public order, .the right OF
discussion. the integrity OF courts. and
the orderly administration Of justice must |
continue forever the rock of safety upon |