The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-07
She Acted in Concert with Other Powers
as to China.

1 SAo ACtcu Al NOhCoEI Will oLhOE NO"cES
as to China.
The closing year has witnessed de-
cided strengthening of Japan's rela-
tons to other states. The development
Of her independent judicial and admin
tstrative functions under the treaties
| which took effect July II, 1899, has pro-
| ceeded without International friction,
showing the competence of the Japa-
nese to hold foremost place among the
modern peoples.
| In the treatment of the difficult Chi
nese problems, Japan has acted in har-
| monious concert with the other pow
| ers, and her generous cooperation ma
terially aided in the joint relief of the
beleaguered legations in Pelkin and in
bringing about an understanding pre-
hminary to settlement of the issues
between the powers and China
Japan's declarations in favor Of the
integrity Of the Chinese emperor and
the conservation of open world trade
Herewith have been frank and posi-
tive. AS a factor for promoting the
general interests of peace, order and
fair commerce in the far east, the in
fiuence of japan can hardly be over
estimated.
The valuable aid and kindly courte-
sizes extended by the Japanese govern
ment and naval officers to the battle
ship Oregon are gratefully appre-
ciated.
Complaint was made last summer Of
the discriminatory enforcement of
bubonic quarantine against Japanese
on the Pacific coast, and of interior
ence with their travel in California and
Colorado under the health laws of those
states. The latter restrictions have
been adjudged by federal court to be
unconstitutional. No recurrence of
either cause Of complaint Is appre-
hended
No noteworthy incident has occurred
in our relations with our important
tercourse with Mexico continues to
thrive and the two governments ne
glect 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 Abzra
and Well 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 returned 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.
It is with satisfaction that am able
to announce the formal notification at
ne nag uc, OH Sept. &, OF the QGDOSlI
OF notifications of the convention for
the pacific settlement Of international
disputes by sixteen powers, namely,
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 or
der and constitution for the interna-
tional arbitration bureau. In accord
ance with article Is Of the convention
providing for the appointment by each
signatory power of persons of known
competency In question of international
law as arbitrators / have appointed as
members Of this court Hon. Benjamin
n Harrison OF Indiana. ex-president of
the United States; Hon. Melville 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 Delaware, a Judge of the circuit
court OF the United States.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
Overtnres for Convention to Effect It's
Bnilding by the United States.
AS an incident of the brief revolution
In the Mosquito district of Nicaragua
early IN 1899, the insurgents forcibly
collected from American merchants du-
ties upon imports. On the restoration
OF order the Nicaraguan authorities
demanded a second payment of such du-
ties on the ground that they were due
to the titular government. and that
their diversion had aided the revolt.
This position was not accepted by us.
After prolonged discussion compro-