Newspaper Page Text
8
THE PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE.
\ (Continued from First Page.}
V LATIMER RIOT INCIDENT.
In my last annual message I ad-
Verted to the claim of the Austro-Hun
garian Government for indemnity for
the killing of certain Austrians and
Hungarians by the authorities of the
State of Pennsylvania at Lattimer,
While suppressing an unlawful tumult
of miners on September 10, 1897. In
View of the verdict of acquittal ren
dered by the court before' which the
Sheriff and his deputies were tried for
murder, and following the established
doctrine that the Government may not
be held accountable for injuries suffered
by individuals at the hands of the pub
lic authorities while acting in the line
of duty in suppressing disturbance of
the public peace, this Government, after
due consideration of the claim ad
vanced by the Austro-Hungarian Gov
ernment, was constrained to decline lia
bility to indemnify the sufferers.
BELGIAN RESTRICTION ON CAT
TLE IMPORTS.
It is gratifying to be able to announce
that the Belgian Government has miti
gated the restrictions on the importa
tion of cattle from the United States,
to which I referred in my last annual
message.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
Having been invited by Belgium to
participate in a congress held at Brus
sels, to revise the provisions of the
General Act of July 2, 1890, for the re
pression of the African slave trade, to
which the United States was a signa
tory party, this Government preferred
not to be represented by a plenipoten
tiary, but reserved the right of acces
sion to the result. Notable changes
were made, those especially referring
to this country being in the line of in
creased- restriction of the deleterious
tnade in spiritous liquors with' the na
tive tribes, which this Government has
urgently recommended. The amended
General Act will be laid before the Sen
ate with a view to its advice and con
vent.
RELATIONS WITH BOLIVIA.
Early in the year the peace of Bolivia
was disturbed by a successful insur
rection. The United States Minister
remained at his post, attending the
American interests in that quarter and
using besides his good offices fer the
protection of the interests of the British
subjects, in the absence of their na
tional representative. On the establish
ment of the new Government our Min
ister was directed to enter into relations
therewith. General Pando was elected
President of Bolivia on October 23d.
Our representative has been in
structed to use all permissible friendly
endeavors to induce the Government
of Bolivia to amend its marriage laws
so as to give legal status to the non-
Catholic and civil marriages of aliens
within its jurisdiction, and strong hopes
are entertained that the Bolivian law in
this regard will be brought, as was that
of Peru some years ago, into harmony
with the general practice of modern
States.
EXTRADITION WITH BRAZIL.
A convention of extradition with Bra
zil, signed May 14, 1897, has been rati
fied by the Brazilian Legislature.
During the past summer two national
ships of the United States have visited
Brazilian ports on a friendly mission,
and have been cordially received. The
voyage of the Wilmington up the Ama
zon River gave rise to a passing mis
understanding, owing to the confusion
in obtaining permission to visit the in
terior and make surveys in the general
Interest of navigation, but the incident
found a ready adjustment in harmony
with the close relations of amity -which
this Government has always sedulously
sought to cultivate with the common
wealths of the Western Continent.
CONTROVERSY W r ITH COLOMBIA
SETTLED.
The claim growing out of the seizure
of the American-owned newspaper, the
''Panama Star and Herald," by the au
thorities of Colombia, has been settled,
after a controversy of several years, by
an agreement assessing at $30,000 the
Indemnity to be paid by the Colombian
Government in three installments of
$10,000 each.
The g-ood will of Colombia toward
our country has been testified anew by
the cordial extension of facilities to the
Nicaraguan Canal Commission in their
approaching: investigation of the Pan
ama Canal and other projected work
across the Isthmus of Darien.
Toward the end of October an insur
rectionary disturbance developed in the
Columbian Republic. This movement
has thus far not attained any decisive
result, and is still in progress.
IMPORTING OF MEAT INTO DEN
MARK.
Discussion of the questions raised by
the action of Denmark in imposing re
strictions on the importation of Ameri
can meat has continued, with substan
tial result in our favor.
SAN DOMINGO REVOLT.
The neighboring island repubjjc of
Santo Domingo has lately been the
scene of a revolution, following a long
period of tranquillity. It began with
the killing of President Heureaux in
July last, and culminated in the relin
quishment by the succeeding Vice
President of the reins of Government to
the insurgents. The first act of the
Provisional Government was the calling
of a Presidential and constitutional
election. Juan Isidro Jimines having
been elected President, was inaugura
ted on the 14th of November. Rela
tions have been entered into with the
mewly established Government.
DISRUPTED CENTRAL AMERICAN
REPUBLIC.
The experimental association of Nic
aragua, Honduras and Salvador, under
the title of the Greater Republic of
Central America, when apparently on
the threshold of a complete Federal or
ganization by the adoption of a Consti
tution and the formation of a National
Legislature, was disrupted in the last
days of November, 1898, by the with
drawal of Salvador. Thereupon Nic
aragua and Honduras abandoned the
joint compact, each resuming its for
mer Independent sovereignty. This
was followed by the reception of Min
ister Merry by the republics of Nicara
gua and Salvador, while Minister Hun
ter in turn presented his credentials to
the Government of Honduras, thus re
verting to the old distribution of the
diplomatic agencies of the United
States in Central America for which
our existing statutes provide.
THE BLUEFIELDS INCIDENT.
An insdrrectionary movement under
General Reyes broke out at Bluefields
In February last, and for some time
exercised actual control in the Mos
quito Territory. The Detroit was
promptly sent thither for the protec
tion of American interests. After a few
weeks the Reyes Government renounced
the conflict, giving place to restored su
premacy of Nicaragua. During the in
terregenum certain public dues ac
cruing under Nicaraguan law were col
lected from American merchants by .he
agent* of the Government for the time
being in administrative control. Upon j
titular Government regaining power, a j
second payment of these dues was de
manded. Controversy arose touching
the validity of the original payment of
the debt to the de facto Regent of the
Territory. An arrangement was ef
fected in April last by the United
States Minister and the Foreign Mm- j
ister of Nicaragua, whereby the i
arrounts of the duplicate payments
were deposited with the British Con
sul, pending an adjustment of the mat
ter by direct agreement between the
Governments of the United States and
Nicaragua. The controversy is tr.t.ill un
determined.
ISTHMIAN CANAL.
The contract of the Maritime Canal
Company of Nicaragua was declared
forfeited by the Nicaraguan Govern
ment on the 10th of October, on the
ground of non-fulfillment within the
ten years' term stipulated in the con
tract. The Maritime Canal Company
has lodged a protest against this action,
alleging rights in the premises which
appear worthy of consideration. This ■
Government expects that Nicaragua j
will afford the protestants a full and
fair hearing upon the merits of the
case.
The Nicaragua Canal Commission,
which had been engaged upon the work
of examination and survey for a ship
canal route (across Nicaragua, having
completed its labors and made its re
port, was dissolved on May 31st, and
on June 10th a new commission, known
as the Isthmian Canal Commission,
was organized under the terms of the
Act approved March 3, 1899, for the
purpose of examining the American
isthmus, with a view to determining the
most practicable and feasible route for
a ship canal across that isthmus, with
its probable cost and other essential
details.
This commission, under the Presi
dency of Rear Admiral John G. Walker,
U. S. N. (retired), entered promptly
upon the work intrusted to it, and is
now carrying on examinations in Nic-
aragua along the route of the Panama
Canal, and in Darien, from the At
lantic, in the neighborhood of Atrati
River, to the bay of Panama, on the
Pacific side. Good progress has been
made, but under the law a comprehen
sive and complete investigation is
called for which will require much
labor and considerable time for its ac
complishment. The work will be prose
cuted as expeditiously as possible and
a report made at the earliest practicaole
date.
The great importance of this work
cannot be too often or too strongly
pressed upon the attention of the Con
gress. In my message of a year ago
I expressed my views of the necessity
of a canal which would link the two
great oceans, to which I again invite
your consideration. The reasons pre
sented for early action are even
stronger now.
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH
CHILE.
A pleasing incident in 'the relations
of this Government with that of Chile
occurred in the generous assistance
given to the warship Newark when in
distress in Chilean waters. Not alone in
this way has the friendly disposition
of Chile found expression. That coun
try has acceded to the convention for
the establishment of the Bureau of
American Republics, in which organ
ization every independent State of the
Continent now shares.
The exchange of ratifications of a
convention for the revival of the United
States and Chilean Claims Commission,
and for the adjudication of the claims
heretofore presented, but not deter
mined, during the lift of the previous
commission, has been delayed by rea
son of the necessity for fresh action by
the Chilean Senate upon the amend
ments attached to the ratification of
the treaty by the United States Senate.
This formality is soon to be accom
plished.
OUR INTERESTS IN CHINA.
In view of disturbances in the pop
ulous provinces of Northern China,
where are many of our citizens, and
of the imminence of disorder near the
capital and toward the seaboard, a
guard of marines was landed from the
Boston and stationed during last winter
in the legation compound at Pekin.
With the restoration of order this pro
tection was withdrawn.
The interests of our citizens in that
vast empire have not been neglected
during the past year. Adequate protec
tion has been secured for our mission
aries, and some injuries to their prop
erty have been redressed.
American capital has sought and
found various opportunities of com
peting to carry out the internal im
provements which the American Gov
ernment is wisely encouraging and to
develop the natural resources of the em
pire.
Our trade with China has continued to
grow, and our commercial rights under
existing treaties have been everywhere
maintained during the past year, is
they will be in the future. The exten
sion of the area opened to international
foreign settlement at Shanghai and the
opening of the ports of Nan King,
Tsing Tao (Kiao Chao) and Ta Lien
Wan to foreign trade and settlement
will doubtless afford American enter
prise additional facilities and new
fields, of which it will not be slow to
take advantage.
In my message to Congress of De
cember 5, 1898, I urged that the recom
mendation which had been made to the
Speaker of the House of Representa
tives by the Secretary of the Treasury
on the 14th of June, 181*8, for an ap
propriation for a commission to study
the commercial and industrial condi
tions in the Chinese empire, and report
as to the opportunities for and obsta
cles to the enlargement of markets 'n
China for the raw products and manu
factures of the United States should
receive at your hands the consideration
which its importance and timeliness
merited, but the Congress failed to act
on. I now renew this recommendation,
as the importance of the subject has
steadily grown, and no time should
be lost m studying for ourselves the
resources of this great field for Ameri
can trade and enterprise.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT FAURE.
The death of President Faure in Feb
ruary last called forth those sincere
expressions of sympathy which befit
the relations of two republics as closely
allied by unbroken historic ties as are
the United States and France.
PARIS EXPOSITION.
Will be a Representative Display
of American Productions.
Preparations for the representation
of the industries, arts and products of
the United States at the World's Ex
position to be held in Paris next year
continue on an elaborate and compre
hensive scale, thanks to the generous
appropriation provided by Congress and
to the friendly interest the French
Government has shown in furthering a
typical exhibition of progress. There
has been allotted to the United States
a considerable addition of space, which,
while placing our country in the first
THE RECORD-UNION, SACRAMENTO, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 0, 1899.
rank amongst exhibitors, does not suf
fice to meet the increasingly urgent de
mands of our manufacturers.
The efforts of the Commissioner Gen
eral are ably directed toward a strict
ly representative display of all that
most characteristically marks Ameri
can achievement in the inventive arts,
and most adequately shows the excel
lence of our natural productions.
In this age of keen rivalry among na
tions for mastery in commerce the doc
trine of evolution and the rule of the
survival of the fittest must be as in
exorable in their opinion as they are
positive in the results to bring about.
The place won in the struggle by an in
dustrial people can only be held by
unrelaxed endeavor and constant ad
vance in achievement.
The present extraordinary Impetus
in every line of American exportation,
and the astounding increase in the vol
ume and value of our share in the
world's markets, may not be attrib
uted to accidental conditions. The rea
sons 'are not far to seek. They lie
deep in our national character, and find
expression year by year in every
branch of handicraft, in every new de
vice whereby the materials we so abun
dantly produce are subdued to the arti
san's will, and made to yield the larg
est, most practical and most beneficial
return.
The American exhibit at Paris should
and I am confident, will be an open
volume, whole lessons of skillfully di
rected endeavor, unfaltering energy
and consummate performance may b2
read by all on every page, thus spread
ing abroad a clearer knowledge of the
worth of our producers and the justice
of our claim to an important place in
the markets of the world. To accom
plish this by judicious selection, by
recognition of paramount merit in
whatever walk of trade and -manufac
ture it may appear, and by orderly
classification and attractive installa
tion, is the task of our commission.
The United States Government build
ing is approaching completion, and no
effort will be spared to make it worthy,
in beauty of architectural plan and in
completeness of display, to represent
our nation. It has been suggested
that a permanent building of similar
or appropriate design be erected on a
convenient site, already given by the
municipality, near the Exposition
grounds, to serve in commemoration of
the part taken by this country in this
great enterprise, as an American Na
tional Institute for our countrymen re
sorting to Paris for study. ■
I am informed by our Commissioner
General that we shall have in the
American section over 7,000 exhibitors
from every State in our country, about
ten times as great as those represent
ed at Vienna in 1873, six times as many
as those in Paris in 1878, and four
times as many as those who exhibited
in Paris in 1880. This statement does
not include the exhibits from either
Cuba, Porto Rico or Hawaii, for which
arrangements have been made.
A number of important international
congresses on special topics affecting
public interests are proposed to be held
in Paris next summer in connection
with the Exposition. Effort will be
made to have the several technical
branches of our administration effi
ciently represented at the=e confer
ences, each in its special line and to
procure the largest possible concourse
of State representatives, particularly at
the congresses of public charity and of
medicine.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
They Continue to be of a Most Cor
dial Character.
Our relations with Germany continue
to be most cordial. The increasing in
timacy of direct association has been
marked during the year by the grant
ing of permission in April for the land
ing on our shores of a cable from Bos
kum Emden. on the North Sea, by way
of the Azores, and also by the conclu
sion on September 2d of a parcels post
convention with the German Empire,
which promises closer relations of in
tercourse and commerce and a better
understanding between the two races
having so many traits in common. Ger
many can be assured of the most cor
dial co-operation of this Government
and people. We may be rivals in many
material paths, but our rivalry should
be generous and open, ever aiming to
ward the attainment of larger results
and the most beneficial advancement of
each in the line of its especial adapta
bility.
The several governments of the Em
pire seem reluctant to admit the nat
ural excellence of our food products, and
to accept the evidence we constantly
tender of the care with which purity is
guarded by rigid inspection from the
farm, through the slaughter-house and
the packing establishments to the port
of shipment. Our system of control
over exported food staples Invites ex
amination from any quarter, and chal
lenges the respect by its efficient thor
oughness.
It is hoped that in time the two
Governments will act in common ac
cord toward the realization of their
common purpose to safeguard the pub
lic health, and to the insuring purity
and wholesomeness of all food products
imported by either country from the
other. Were Congress to authorize an
invitation to Germany in accordance
with the pending reciprocity negotia
tions for the organization of a joint
commission of scientific experts and
practical men of affairs to conduct a
searching investigation of food produc
tions and exportation in both countries,
and report to their respective Legis
latures for the adoption of such reme
dial measures as they might recom
mend for either, the way might ba
opened for the desirable results indi
cated.
The efforts to obtain for American
life insurance companies a full hear
ing as to their business operations in
Prussia have, after several years of
patient representation, happily succeed
ed, and one of the most important
American companies has been granted
a concession to continue business in
that kingdom.
I am also led to announce that Ger
man insurance companies have been re
admitted by the Superintendent of In
surance to do business in the State of
New York.
CAROLINE ISLANDS.
Subsequent to the exchange of our
peace treaty with Spain, Germany ac
quired the Caroline Islands by pur
chase, paying therefor $5,000,000. As
surances have been received from the
German Government that the rights of
American missionaries and traders
there will be considerately observed.
UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
Much Progress Made in the Adjust
ment of Questions in Dispute.
In my last annual message I referred
to the pending negotiations with Great
Britain in respect to the Dominion of
Canada. By means of an executive
agreement, a joint high commission had
been created for the purpose of adjust
ing all unsettled questions between the
United States and Canada, embracing
twelve subjects, among which were the
questions of the fur seals, the fisheries
of the coast and contiguous inland
waters, the Alaska boundary, the
transmission of merchandise in bond,
the alien labor laws, mining rights, re
ciprocity in trade, revision of the agree
ment respecting naval vessels in the
great lakes, a more complete marking
of parts of the boundary, provision for
the convenience of criminals and for
wrecking and salvage.
Much progress has been made by the
commission toward the adjustment of
many of these questions where it be
came apparent that an irreconciliable
difference of views was entertained re
specting the delimitation of the Alas
kan boundary. In the failure of an
agreement as to the meaning of articles
3 and 4 of the treaty of 1845 between
Russia and Great Britain;, which de
fined the boundary between Alaska and
Canada, the American commissioners
proposed that the subject of boundary
be laid aside, and that the remaining
questions of difference be proceeded
with, some of which were so far ad
vanced as to assure the probability of
a settlement. This being declined by
the British Commissioners, an adjourn
ment was taken until the boundary
should be adjusted by the two Govern
ments. The subject has been receiving
the careful attention which its impor
tance demands, with the result that a
modus Vivendi for provisional demarka
tions in the region above the head of
Lynn Canal has been agreed upon, and
it is hoped that the negotiations now in
progress between the two Governments
will end in an agreement for the estab
lishment and delimitation of a perma
nent boundary.
THE ANGLO-BOER WAR.
This Government Maintains an At
titude of Neutrality.
Apart from these questions, growing
out of our relationship with our north
ern neighbor, the most friendly dispo
sition have marked the discussion of
the numerous matters arising in the j
vast and intimate intercourse of the
United States with Great Britain. The
Government has maintained an a.tti
tude of neutrality in the unfortunate
contest between Great Britain and the ,
Boers. We have remained faithful to
the precept of avoiding entangling al
liances as to affairs not of our own di- i
rect concern. Had circumstances sug- j
gested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly ex- I
pression of the hope of the American
people that the war might be averted,
good offices would have been gladly
tendered. The United States represen
tative at Pretoria was early instructed
to see that all neutral American inter
ests be respected by the combatants.
This has not been an easy task, in view
of the positive declarations of both
British and Boer authorities that the
personal and property rights of our !
citizens should be observed.
Upon the withdrawal of the British !
agent from Pretoria, the United States
Consul was authorized upon the re
quest of the British Government, and
with the assent of the South African
and Orange Free State Governments, to
exercise the customary good offices of
a neutral for the care of British inter
ests. In the discharge of this function,
I am happy to say that abundant op
portunity has been afforded to show
the impartiality of this Government to j
both the combatants.
i
CRIMES OF MOB FURY.
Federal Courts Should Have Juris
diction in Cases of Aliens.
For the fourth time in the present
decade a question has arisen with the
Government of Italy in regard to lynch
ing of Italian subjects. The latest of
these deplorable events occurred at
Tallulah, La., whereby five unfor
tunates of Italian origin were taken
from jail and hanged.
The authorities of the State and a j
representative of the Italian Embassy j
having separately investigated the oc • |
currence with discrepant results, par
ticularly as to the alleged citizenship j
of the victims, and it not appearing;
that the State had been able to dis- j
cover and punish the violators of the i
law, an independent investigation has
been set on foot through the agency of j
the Department of State, and is still >
in progress. The result will enable the
Executive to treat the question with
the Government of Italy in a spirit of
fairness and justice. A satisfactory so
lution will doubtless be reached.
The recurrence of these distressing
manifestations of blind mob fury, di
rected at dependents or natives of a
foreign country, suggests that the con
tingency has arisen for action by Con
gress in the direction of conferring
upon the Federal courts jurisdiction in
this class of international cases, where
the responsibility of the Federal Gov
ernment may be involved. The sugges
tion is not new. In his annual message
of December 9, 1891, my predecessor.
President Harrison, said:
"It would be, I believe, entirely com
petent for Congress to make offenses
against the treaty rights of foreigners
domiciled in the United States cogniza
ble in the Federal courts. This has not,
however, been done, and the Federal
officers and courts have no power in
such cases to intervene either for the
protection of a foreign citizen or for
the punishment of his slayers. It seems
to me to follow, in this state of the
law, that the officers of the State
charged with police and judicial pow
ers in such cases must, in the consid
eration of internal questions growing
out of such incidents, be regarded in
such sense as Federal agents, as to
make this Government answerable for
their acts in cases where it would be
answerable if the United States had
used its constitutional power to define
and punish crimes against treaty
rights."
A bill to provide for the punishment
of violation of treaty rights of aliens
was introduced in the Senate March I,
1882, and reported favorable March
20th. Having doubtless in view the
language of that part of Article 111. of
the treaty of February 2<», 1871, be
tween the United States and Italy, the
bill stipulated that the "citizens of each
contracting party shall receive, in the
States and Territories of the other, most
constant protection and security for
their persons and property, and shall
enjoy in this respect the same rights
and privileges as are or shall be grant
ed to the natives, on their submitting
themselves to the conditions imposed
upon the natives." The bill so intro
duced and reported provided that any
act committed in any State or Terri
tory of the United States in violation
of the rights of a citizen or subject of
a foreign country' secured by treaty be
tween the United States and such for
eign country, and constituting a crime
under the laws of the State or Terri
tory, shall constitute a. like crime
against the United States, and cogniza
ble in the Federal courts. No action
was taken by Congress*in the matter.
I earnestly recommend that the sub
ject be taken up anew and be acted
upon during the present session. The
necessity for some such provision
abundantly appeal s. Precedent for
constituting a Federal jurisdiction in
criminal cases where aliens are suffer
ers is rationally deducible from the ex
isting statute, which gives to the Dis
trict and Circuit Courts of the United
States jurisdiction of civil suits brought
by aliens where the amount involved
exceeds a certain sum. If such jealous
solicitude be shown for alien rights in
cases of merely civil and pecuniary im
port, how much greater should be the
public duty to take cognizance of mat
ters affecting the life and rights of
aliens under the settled principles of
international law no less than under
treaty stipulation, in cases *of such
transcendent wrong-doing as mob mur
der, especially when experience has
shown that local justice is too often
helpless to pui.ish the offenders?
After many years of endeavor on the
part of this Government to that end,
the Italian Government has consented
to enter into negotiations for a natu
ralization convention, having for one
of its objects the regulation of the
status of Italians—except those of an
age for active military service—who.
having been naturalized in the United
States, may revisit Italy. It is hoped
that, with the mutually conciliatory
spirit displayed, a successful conclu
sion will be reached.
RECIPROCITY WITH JAPAN.
New Treaty of Commerce and Nav
igation Working Harmoniously.
The treaty of commerce and navi
gation between the United States and
Japan on November 22, 1894, took ef
fect in accordance with the terms of
its XlXth article on the 17th of July
last, simultaneously with the enforce
ment of like treaties with the other
Powers, except France, whose conven
tion did not go into ope rat on umil
August 4th, the United States however,
being granted up to that date all the
privileges and rights accorded to
French citizens under the new French
treaty. By this notable convention
reform Japan's position as a full inde
pendent sovereign Power is assured,
control being gained of taxation, cus
toms, revenues, judicial administra
tion, coasting trade and all othe.r do
mestic functions of Government and
foreign extra-territorial rights be!ng
renounced.
Comprehensive codes of civil and
criminal procedure according to West
ern methods, public instruction, pat
ents, copyrights, mun c pa' ac m n st a
tion, including jurisdiction over the
former foreign settlements, customs
tariffs, and procedure, public health
and other administrative measures
have been proclaimed. The working
of the new system hap given rise to no
material complaints on the part of
American citizens or interests, a cir
cumstance which attests the ripe con
sideration with which the change has
been prepared.
Valuable assistance was rendered by
the Japanese authorities to the United
States transport ship Morgan City,
while stranded at Kobe. Permission
has been granted to land and pastuie
army horses at Japanese ports of call
on the way to the Philippine Islands.
These kindly evidences of good will
are highly appreciated.
The Japanese Government has shown
a lively interest in the proposition of
the Pacific cable to add to its project
ed cable lines to Hawaii, Guam and the
Philippines, a branch connecting with
the coast of Japan. It would be a
gratifying consummation were the
utility of the contemplated sch:-me en
hanced by bringing Japan and the
United States into direct telegraphic
relation.
CABLE TO MANILA.
Congress Requested to Take tke
Subject in Hand.
Without repeating the observations of
my sipecial message of February 1,
1809, concerning* the necessity of a
cable to Manila, I respectfully invite
attention to it.
I recommend that in case Congress
should not take measures to bring
about this result by direct action of the
Government, the Postmaster General
be authorized to invite competitive
bids for the establishment of a cable,
the company making the best respon
sible bid to be awarded the contract,
the successful company to give ample
bonds to insure the eompl?tion of the
work within a reasonable time.
RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Year Marked by Constant Increase
of Advantageous Interchanges.
The year has been marked by con
stant increase in the intimacy of our re
lations with Mexico, and in the mag
nitude of mutually advantageous inter
changes. This Government has omit
ted no opportunity to show its strong
desire to develop and perpetuate the
ties of cordiality now so long happily
unbroken.
Following the termination on January
20, 1899, by Mexico of the extradition
treaty of December 11, 1891, a new
treaty more in accordance with the as
certained needs of both countries was
signed February 22, 1895), and ex
changed in the City of Mexico on the
22d of April last. Its operation thus far
has been effective and satisfactory. A
recent case has served to test the appli
cation of its fourth article, which pro
vides that neither party shall be bound
to deliver up its own citizens, but that
the executive authority of each shall
have the power to deliver them up if
in its discretion it be deemed proper to
do so.
THE CASE OF MRS. RICH.
The extradition of Mrs. Hattie Rich,
a citizen of the United States, charged
with homicide committed in Mexico,
was, after mature consideration, direct
ed by me in the conviction that the
ends of justice would be thereby sub
served. Similar action, on appropriate
occasion by the Mexican executive will
not only tend to accomplish the desire
of both Governments that grave crimes
go not unpunished, but also to repress
lawlessness along the border of the two
countries. The new treaty stipulates
that neither Government shall assume
jurisdiction in the punishment of crimes
committed exclusively within the ter
ritory of the other. This may obviate
in future the embarrassing controver
sies which have heretofore arisen
through Mexico's assertion of a claim
to try and punish an American citizen
for an offense committed within the
jurisdiction of the United States.
BOUNDARY QUESTION.
The International Water Boundary
Commission, organized by the conven
tion of March 1, 1899, for the adjust
ment of questions affecting the Rio
Grande frontier, has not yet completed
its labors. An extension of its term for
one year until December 24, 18i>9, was
effected by a convention signed Decem
ber 2, 1898, and exchanged and pro
claimed in February last.
An invitation extended to the Presi
ident of Mexico to visit Chicago in Oc
tober, on the occasion of laying the cor
nerstone of the United States Govern
ment building in that city, was cordially
accepted by him, with the necessary
consent of the Mexican Congress, but
the Illness of a member of his family
prevented his attendance. The Minis
ter of Foreign Relations, however, came
as the personal representative of Pres
ident Diaz, and in that high character
was duly honored.
SEIZURE OF SEALING SHIPS.
Dispute Between Russia and Amer
ica to be Arbitrated.
Claims growing out of the seizure of
American sealing vessels in behring
Sea, have been under discussion with
the Government of Russia for several
years, with the recent happy result of
an agreement to submit them to the de
cision of a single arbitrator. By this
act Russia affords proof of her adher
ence to the beneficent principle of ar
bitration which her plenipotentiaries
conspicuously favored at The Hague
disarmament conference, when it was
advocated by the representatives of the
United States.
EXHIBITS OF OUR PRODUCTS INI
RUSSIA.
A suggestion for a permanent exposi
tion of our products and manufactures
in Russia, although not yet fully
shaped, has been so cordially .velcomed
by the Imperial Government that it may
not inaptly take a fitting place in what
ever legislation the Congress may adopt
looking to enlargement of our com
mercial opportunities abroad.
SAMOAN ISLANDS.
Events Which Have Transpired the
Past Year.
Important events have occurred in
the Samoan Islands. The selection, ac
cording to laws and customs of Samoa,
of a. successor to the late King Malie
toa Laupepa developed a contest as to
the validity of the result, which issue,
by the terms of the general act, was
to be decided by the Chief Justice.
Upon his rendering a judgment in
favor of Malietoa Tanu, the rival chief
Mataafa, took up arms. The active in
tervention of American and British
warships became imperative to restore
order, at the cost of sanguinary en
counters.
In this emergency a joint commission
of representatives of the United States,
Germany and Great Britain was sent
to Samoa to investigate the situation
and provide a temporary remedy. Qy
its active efforts a peaceful solution
was reached for the time being, the
Kingship being abolished and a pro
visional Government established. Rec-
ommendations unanimously made by
the commission for a permanent ad
justment of the Samoan question were
taken under consideration by the three}
Powers, parties to the general act. But
the more they were examined, the more
evident it became that a radical change
was necessary in the relations of the
Powers to Samoa.
The inconveniences and possible perils
of the tripartite scheme of supervision
and control in the Samoan group by
Powers having little interest in com
mon in that quarter beyond commer
cial rivalry has been once more empha
sized by the recent events. The sug
gested remedy of the joint commis
sion, like the scheme it aimed to re
place, amounted to what has been
styled a tri-dominium, being the exer
cise of the functions of sovereignty by
a unanimous agreement of three
Powers. The situation had become
more intricate and embarrassing from
every point of view than it was when
my predecessor in 1804 summed up its
perplexities and condemned the parti
cipation in it of the United States.
The arrangement under which Sa
moa was administered had proved im
practicable and unacceptable to all the
Powers concerned. To withdraw from
the agreement and abandon the islands
to Germany and Great Britain would
not be compatible with our interests
in the archipelago. To relinquish our
rights in the harbor of Pago-Pago, the
best anchorage in the Pacific, the oc
cupancy of *vhich had been leased to
the United States in 1878 by the first
foreign treaty ever concluded by Samoa,
was not to be thought of, either as re
gards the needs of our navy, or the
interests of our growing commerce with
the Far East. We could not have con
sidered any proposition for the abroga
tion of the tripartite control which did
not confirm us in all our rights and
safeguard all our national interests in
the islands.
Our views commended themselves to
the'other Powers. A satisfactory ar
rangement was concluded between the
Governments of Germany and of Eng
land, by virtue of which England re
tired from Samoa, in view of compen
sations in other directions, and both
Powers renounced in favor of the
United States ail their rights and
claims over and in respect to that por
tion of the group lying to the east cf
the 171 st degree of west longitude, em
bracing the Islands of Tuituila, Ofoo,
Olosenga and Manua.
I transmit to the Senate for its con
stitutional action thereon a convention
which, besides the provisions above
mentioned, also grants us the same
privileges and conditions in respect to
commerce and commercial vessels in all
of the islands of Samoa as those pos
sessed by Germany.
Claims have been preferred by white
residents of Samoa on account of in
juries alleged to have been suffered
through the acts of the treaty Govern
ments in putting down the late disturb
ances. A convention has been made
between the three Powers for the in
vestigation and settlement of these
claims by a neutral arbitrator, to which
the attention of the Senate will be in
vited.
RESULTS OF THE WAR.
Changed Conditions in West Indies
Under American Control.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to a
consideration of the Spanish war, and
of the results it wrought and the con 7
ditions it imposed for the future. I
am gratified to announce that the
treaty of peace has restored friendly
relations between the two Powers. Ef
fect has been given to its mcst impor
tant provisions. The evacuation of
Porto Rico having already been ac
complished on the 11th of October, 1898,
nothing remained necessary there but
to continue the provisional military
control of the island until Congress
should enact a suitable government for
trTe ceded territory. Of the character
and scope of the measures to that end
* shall treat in another part of this
message.
GOVERNMENT IN CUBA.
The withdrawal of the authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef
fected by the Ist of January, so that
the full re-establishment of peace found
the relinquished territory held by the
United States in trust for the inhabi
tants, maintaining under the direction
of the Executive, such government and
control therein as should conserve pub
lic order, restore the productive con
ditions of peace, so long disturbed by
the instability and disorder which pre
vailed for the greater part of the pre
ceding three decades, and bu.ld up thit
tranquil development of the domestic
state whereby alone can be realized
♦He high purpose, as proclaimed in the
Joint resolution adopted by Congress on
the 19th of April, 1898, by which the
United States disclaimed any disposi
tion or intention to exercise sovereignty,
Jurisdiction or control over Cuba, ex
cept for the pacification thereof, and
asserted its determination when that
was accomplished to leave the gov
ernment and control of the Island to- its
people. The pledge contained in this
resolution is of the highest honorable
obligation, and must be sacredly kept,
j I believe that substantial progress
has been made in this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted'
>n Cuba have aimed to fit it for a re
generated existence by enforcing the
supremacy of law and justice; by plac
ing where it is practicable the machin
ery of the administrations in the hands
of tbe inhabitants; by instituting mod
ed sanitary reforms; by spreading tdu
cation; by festering industry and trade;
by inculcating public morality, and 111
short by taking every rational step to
aid the Cuban people to attain to that
plane of self-conscious respect and s.»lf
reltant unity which fits an enlightened
community for self-government within
its own sphere, while enabling it to ful
fill all outward obligations.
FREE CUBA MUST BE A REALITY.
This nation has assumed before the
world a grave responsibility for the
future good government of Cuba. We
have accepted a trust, the fulfillment
of which calls for the sternest integ
rity cf purpose and the exercise of the
highest wisdom. The new Cuba yet
to arise from the ashes of the past
must needs be bound to us by ties of
singular intimacy and strength, if its
enduring welfare is to be assured.
Whether those ties shall be organic or
conventional, the districts of Cuba are
In some rightful form and manner ir
revocably linked with our own. but
how and how far is for the future to
determine in the ripeness of events.
Whatever be the outcome, w.e must
see to it that free Cuba be a reality,
not a name, a perfect entity, not a
hasty experiment bearing within Itself
the elements of failure. Our mission,
to accomplish which we look up the
wages of battle, is not to be fulfilled
by turning adrift any loosely fHanv 1
commonwealth to face the vicissitudes
which too often attend States whose
natural wealth and ahundant resources
I are offset by the incongruities of their
I political organization and the secur
j ing occasions for internal rivalries to
sap their strength and dissipate their
energies. The greatest blessing which
can come to Cuba is the restoration of
her agricultural and industrial pros
perity, which will give employment to
idle men and re-establish the pursuits
of peace. This is her chief and im
mediate need.
TAKING OF THE CENSUS.
On the 19th of August last an order
was made for the taking of the census
in the island, to be completed on the
3Uth of November. Under the terms
of the treaty of peace the Spanish peo
ple on the island have until April 11,
1900, to elect whether they will remain
citizens of Spain or become citizens of
Cuba. Until then it cannot be defi
nitely ascertained who shall be
to participate in the formation of the
Government of Cuba. By that time
the results of the census shall have
been tabulated, and we shall proceed
with the elections which will complete
the municipal governments of the isUnd
jto the officers elected by the people,
i The experience thus derived ••. ill prove
of great value in the formation of a
representative convention of the people
to draft a Constitution and establish
; a general system of independent gov
ernment for the island. In the mean
j time, and so long as we exercise con-
I trol over the island, the products of
Cuba should have a market in the
United States on as good terms and
with as favorable rates of duty as are
given to the West India Islands under
treaties of reciprocity which shall be
made.
RELIEF FOR THE DISTRESS!:O.
For the relief of the distressed Island
of Cuba the War Department has is
sued supplies to destitute persons
through the officers of the array
which have amounted to "',493,000 ra
tions at a cost of !t;i.417,r>54.97.
To promote the disarmament of the
Cuban volunteer army, and in the in
terest of public peace and the welfare
of the people, the sum of $75 was paid
to each Cuban soldier borne on the au
thenticated rolls, on condition that he
should deposit his arms with the au
thorities designated by the United'
States. The sum thus disbursed aggre
gated $2,574,750, which was paid from
the emergency fund provided by the Act
of January 5, 18!19, for that purpose.
Of the Cuban Island revenues during
the six months ending June 30. 1899,
$1,712,014.20 was exsended for sanita
tion, $293,881.70 for charities and hos
pitals and $88,944.03 for aid to the des
titute.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH
SPAIN.
Following the exchange of ratifica
tions of the treaty of peace, the two
Governments accredited Ministers to
each other, Spain sending to Washing
ton the Duke of Arcos, an eminent dip
lomatist, previously stationed in Mexi
co, while the United States trans;Vrr- d
to Madrid Hon. Bellamy Storrer. its
Minister at Brussels. This was fol
lowed by the respective appointment of
Consuls, thereby fully resuming the re
lations interrupted by the war.
In addition to its Consular represent
ation in the United States, the Spanish
Government has appointed Consuls for
Cuba, who have been provisionally rec
ognized during the military administra
tion of the affairs of that island. Judi
cial intercourse between the com ts of
Cuba and Porto Rico and of Spain has
been established, as provided by the
treaty of peace. The Cuban political
prisoners in Spanish penal stations have
been and are being released and re
turned to their homes, in acordance
with Article VI. of the treaty.
Negotiations are about to be had fop
defining the conventional relations be
tween the two countries, which fell into
abeyance by reason of the war. I trust
that those will include a favorable ar
rangement for commercial reciprocity
under the terms of Sections 3 and 4 of
the current Tariff Act. In these, as in
all matters of international concern, no
effort will be spared to respond to the
good disposition of Spain, and to cul
tivate in all practicable ways the inti
macy which should prevail between two
nations whose past history has so often
and in so many ways been marked by
sincere friendship by community of in
terests.
I would recommend appropriate legis
lation in order to carry into execution
Article VIII. of the treaty of peace
with Spain, by which the United States
assured the payment of certain claims
for indemnity of its citizens agalnsC
Spain.
AMERICANS IN TURKEY.
The Situation of Our Citizens Re*
mains Unsatisfactory.
The United States Minister to Turkey
