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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1885)
V THE OEEGON SCOUT. JONES ifc CIIANCKY, Viibllnliers. UNION, OREGON. THE PRESIDENT'S JIESSAGE. Tlic Clilcf Eiccutlvo's Annual Document to Congress and the People. A State l'apcr Hint Ilcnerven ami Should Ilecclve Public Attention. Grorer'a Suggestion and JtccommendaHon. In Momory of Hendricks. Washington, Dec. 8. To the Con gress of the United States: Your assem bling Is clouded by a sense of public be reavement caused by tbo recent and sud den death of Thomas A. Hendricks, vice-president of the United States. Ills distinguished public services, his com plete Integrity and devotion to every duty and his personal virtues will And fa vorable record In his country's history. Ample and repeated proofs of the esteem and confidence in which ho was held by his countrymen were manifested by his election to an olilec of the most Import nut and highest dignity, and at length, full of years and honors, he has been laid at rest amidst general sorrow and bene diction. no Mnkos Hla Bow. Tho constitution, which requires thoso chosen to legislate for tho people to an nually meet In the discharge of their solemn trust, also requires tho president to givo to congress information of tho state of tho union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall deem necessary and expedient. At the threshold of a compliance with these constitutional directions, it is well for us to bear In mind that our usefulness to the people's Interests will lie promoted by a constant appreciation of tho scope and character of our respective duties as they relate to federal legislation. While the executive may recommend such measures as ho shall deem expedient, the responsi bility for legislative action must and should rest upon those selected by the people to mako their laws. A contem plation of tho grave and responsible functions assigned to tho executive branches of tho government under the constitution will disclose the partitions of power between our respective departments and their necessary Independence, and also the need for tho exerclso of all tho power entrusted to each In that spirit of comity and co-operation which Is essen tial to tho proper fulllllment of the patriotic obligations which rest upon us ns faithful servants of the people. Tho jealous watchfulness of our constituencies, great and small, supplements their suf frage, nnd by tho tribunal thus established every public servant will bo judged. Our Poaconblo Forolun IlolntionB. It Is gratifying to announco that tho re lations of tho United States with all foreign powers eontiuuo to bo friendly our position after nearly a century of miecossful constitutional government. Maintenance of good faith In all our en gagements, the avoidance of complications with other nations, and a continent and nmlcahlo attitude toward tho strong and weak alike, furnish proof of a political disposition which renders professions of good will unnecessary. Them are no questions of dilliculty pending with any lorclgu government. Tho Argentine government has revived tho long dormant question of tho Falk land Island by claiming from tho United States Indemnity for their loss attributed to tho action of the commander of the slocp of war "Lexington" in breaking up a piratical colony on thoso Islands in 1831, and their subsequent occupation by Great Britain. In view of tho ample justilloation for tho net of tho ' ' Lexing ton" and tho derelict condition of tho Island beforo and after tho alleged oo rupation by Argentine colonists, this government considers tho claim as whol ly groundless. A question has arisen with thogovern ment of Austria-Hungary touching the representation of tho United States at Vienna. Having under my constitutional prerogative appointed an estimable eltl zeti ol unlmpeached probity and compe tence as minister at that court, the gov ernment of Austria-Hungary Invited this government to cognizance o'f certain ex ceptions based upon allegations against tho personal acceptability of Mr. Keiley, tho appointed envoy, asking that, 'in view thereof, tho appointment should ho withdrawn. The reatouH advanced were Mich as could not bo acquiesced In with out violation of my oath of oilleo and the precepts of tho constitution, since they necessarily Involved a limitation In favor of a foreign government upon tho right of selection by tho executive, and re quired such nn application of a religious let as a qualllleatlon for olllco under the United States as would have resulted in tho practical disfranchisement of a largo class of our citizens and the abandon ment of a vital Dilnelplo of our govern ment. Tho Ausiro-lliingarlau govern ment llnally decided not to recelvo Mr. Kelloy as tho envoy of tho United States, and that gentleman has since resigned Ms commission, leaving the post vacant. I have made no now nomination, and tho Interests of this government at Vienna aro now In tho oaro'of tho secre tary of legation asUhargo d' Affaires ad interim, Eurly In March last war broke out in Central America, caused by tho attempt if Guatemala to consolidate the several Hates into a single government. In this contest between our neighboring states tho United SUtes forbore to fiiteifere actively, but lent tho aid of their friendly olllccs in deprecation of war and to pro mote peace mid concord among tho bellig erents, nnd by sin h counsel contributed Importantly to the restoration of tranquil ity In that locality. Emergencies growing out of tho civil war In tho United States of Colombia, demanded of (his government at the be ginning ostitis administration tho employ ment of an armed force to fultlll its guar antee under tho thirty-tlftli article of tho treaty of 1SIU. In order to keep tho transit open across tho Isthmus ot Pana ma, dns'.rous of exercising only the pow ers expressly reserved to us by tho treaty, and Tliidful of tho rights ot Colombia, tho forces scut to the isthmus were In structed to conllno their action to "posi tively nnd elllcleutly preventing (ho transit nnd Its accessories from being Interrupted or embarrassed." Thu execution of this delicate and re sponsible task necessarily Involved police control where tho local authority Was temporarily powerless, but always In aid of the sovereignity of Colombia. The Dowerful and successful fulllllment of Its duty by this government was highly appreciated by the government of Col ombia, nnd has been followed by cx- pres'lons ot Its satisfaction, and ot high praise 01 tne oiiieors and men engagcu in this service. Tho restoration of peace on tho isthmus by tho re-establishment of tho constituted government there, being thus accomplished, the forces of tho United States were withdrawn. rending these, occurrences, a question of much Importance was presented by decrees of the Colombian government proclaiming tho closure of certain ports then In the hands of insurgents, nnd de claring vessels held by tho revolutionists to ho partial and liable to capture by any power. To neither of these propositions could the United States assent. An effective closure of ports not in the pos session of the government, but held by tho hostile partisans, could not be recog nized. Neither could the vessels of In surgents against the legitimate sovereign ty be deemed hoslus humant generis with in the precepts of International law, whatever might bo the delluatton and penalty of their acts under the munici pal laws of the state against whose au thority they were in revolt. The denial by tills government of the Colombian propositions did not. however, imply tho admission of a belligerent status on tho iart of the insurgents. The Colombian government lias expressed Its willingness to attend negotiation conventions for the adjustment by arbitration of claims by foreign citizens arising out of the de struction of the city of Asplnwall by the Insurrectionary forces. Intor-Ocoanlc Transportation. The interest of tho United States In a practicable transit for ships across the strip of lend separating tho Atlantic from the Pacific has been repeatedly mani fested dnring the last half century. My Immediate prediccssor caused to be ne gotiated with Nicaragua a treaty for the construction by, and at tho solo cost of tho United States, of a canal through Nicaragua!! territory and it was 1 ild before the senate. Pending the action of that body thereon, 1 withdrew tho treaty for re-examination. Attentive consideration of its provisions leads me to withhold it from re-subuilsslon to tho senate. Main taining, as 1 do. position in a line of presidents from Washington's day, who have prescribed enlarging and entangling alliances with foreign states, 1 do not favor a policy of acquisition of new and distant territory, or tho incorporation of remote Interests with our own. 'lne laws of progress are vital and organic, and we must be conscious of that irresis tible tide of commercial expansion which as tho concomitant of our civilization day by day Is being urged onward by rlioso increasing facilities of production, trans portation and communication to which steam and electricity hnvo given birth. Our duty in the present instructs us to address ourselves mainly to the develop ment of the vast resources of tho great area commuted to our charge, and to tho cultivation of tho arts of peace within our borders. We should be jealously alert In preventing tho American hemisphere from being involved in (he political problems and complications of distant governments, therefore I am unable to recommend propositions Involving paramount privileges or ownership or right outside of our own territory, when coupled witli absolute and unlimited en gagements to defend the territorial lntog- lrty or tne state wuero sucn interests no. While tho general project of connecting the two oceans by means of a canal is to bo encouraged, 1 am of thu opinion that any scheme to that end to be considered with favor should bo free from tho fea tures alluded to. Tho Tehuantcpec route Is declared by engineers of the highest repute and by competent scient ists to afford an enthely practical tiansit for vessels and cargo by means of a ship railway from tho Atlantic to the Pacillo. Tho obvious advantages of such a route, if feasible, over others further removed from the lines of trallic between England and tho Pacillo, and particularly be tween tho valley of tho Mississippi and South America, are deserving of con sideration. Whatever highway may bo constructed across thu har rier dividing tho two greatest ma rltlii'j areas of tho world, must bo lor the world's henellt, a trust for mankind, to bo removed from thu chaueo of domi nation by any slnglo power. It must not become a point ol Irritation of hostilities or a prize for warlike ambition. An en gagement combining tho construction, ownership and operation of such a work by tills government with an offensive and defensive alliance for Its protection with tho foreign states whoso responsi bilities and rights wo would share, is, in my judgment, inconsistent with such dedication to universal and neutral use, and would, moreover, entail measures for Its realization beyond tho scope of our national policy or present means. The lapse ot years Ins abundantly con tinued thu wisdom and foresight ot thoso earlier administrations which, long before the conditions of mari time intercourse wero changed and enlarged by tho progress of the age, proclaimed tho vital need of lnter-occanlo tntlllo across tho commercial Isthmus and consecrated it In advance to the common use of mankind by their positive declara tions, and through their formal obliga tion of treaties. Toward such realiza tion the efforts ot my administration will bo applied, ever hearing In mind thu principles on which It must rest, nnd which wero declared in no uncertain tones by Mr. Cass, who, while secretary of state In 1S5S, announced that "What thu United States want In Central America next to tho happiness of Its people is the security and ucutiallty of the Inter-oceaulo routes which lead through It." Tho construction ot throe traus-contliieutal lines of railway, all In succesoful operation, wholly wittilu our territory, and uniting tho Atlantic anil Pacillo oceans, lias been accompanied by results ot a most iuteres lug and im pressive nature, and lias created now conditions, not only in the routes of com merce, hut In political geography, winch powerfully affect our relations toward and necessarily Increase our Interests In, any trans-isthmian route which may bo opened and employed for thu ends ot peace and trallic, or, in other contingen cies, for uses inimical to both. Trans portation Is a factor in the cost ot com modities scarcely tceond to that of their production and weighs us heavily upon tho consumer. Our existence already has proven tho great Importance of having the competition between land-carriage and water-carrlago fully developed, each acting as a protection to the public against thu tendencies of monoply, which U Inherent In thu consolidation of wealth nnd power in tho hands of vast corpora tions. These suggestions may servo to emphasize what 1 have already (aid ou tho score ot thu necessity of n neutralization of any Inter-occanio transit and this can only lie accom pushed bv making the tisca of the route open to nil nation? and subject to the ambition and warlike necessities of none The drawings and report of a recent sur vey of tho Nicaragua canal route made by Chief Kngineer Mcnscal will be com municated for your information. Foreign Affalra Resumed. The claims of citizons of tho United States for losses by reason of the late military operations of Chill in Peru nnd In Bolivia nre the subject of negotiation for a claims convention with Chill, pro viding for their submission to arbitra tion. The harmony of our relations with China is fully sustained In tho applica tion of the nets lately passed to execute the. treaty of 18S0. restrictive of thu im migration of Chinese laborers into the United States. Individual cases of hard ship have occurred beyond the power of the executive to remedy, and calling for judicial determination. Tho Ghlneso In tho Unttod States. The condition of the Chinese question in the western states and territories Is, despite this restrictive legislation, far from being satisfactory. The recent out break In Wyoming territory, where num bers of unoffending Chinamen Indisputa bly within tho protection of the trcaMes and tho law wero murdered by a mob, nnd the still more recent threatened out break of the same character in Washing ton territory, are still fresh in the minds of all, and there is apprehension lest the bittei Hess of feeling against the Mongolian race on I lie Pacillo slope may find vent in similar lawless demonstration. Ail the power of this government should be exerted to maintain the amplest good faith toward China In tho treatment of these men, and the Inflexible sternness of the law In bringing the wrong-doers to justice should be insisted upon. Every effyrt lias been made by this government to prevent these violent outbreaks, and to aiu tue representatives or ciilua in their investigation of the outrages, and it Is but just to say mat they are trace able to the lawlessness of men not citl zens of the United States, engaged in competition with Chinese laborers. Kacc prejudice is tho chief factor in originatin, these disturbances, and it exists in largo part of our domain, jeopardizing our peace ami mo goon relationship we try to maintain with China. The ad mitted right of a government to prevent tlielnuux ol elements hostile to Its Inter nal peace and security may not be ques tioned, even where there" is no treaty stipulation on tho subject. That the ex clusion of Chinese labor is demanded in other countries where like conditions prevail, is strong evidence of the righto oiisupss of the policy. In the dominion of Canada Immigration is now regulated by laws more exclusive than our own. If existing laws nro inadequate to com pass tho end in view, I shall be prepared to give earnest consideration to any fur ther remedial incisures within tho treaty limits which tho wisdom of congress may devise. Coiibo nnd Othor Lands. The Independent ?ato of tho Congo lias been organized 113 a government un der the sovereignty of his majesty, tho king of the Belgians, who assumes its chief magistracy in his personal charac tor onlv. without making tho new state a dependency on Belgium. It is fortunate that a benighted region, owing all It has of quickening civilization to the benell ceuco of the philanthropic spirit of this monarchy, should have thu advantage and security of Itsbenevolentsupervision. Tho action taken by this government last year In being the llrst to recognize the flag of tho International association of the Congo, has been followed by for mal recognition of tho now nationality which succeeds to its sovereign powers. A conference of delegates of thu princi pal commercial nations was held at Ber lin last winter to discuss methods where by tho Congo basin might bo kept open to the world's trade. Delegates attended on behalf of the United States on tho un derstanding that their part should bo merely deliberative, without imparting to the results any binding character, so far as the United States wero concerned. This reserve was duo to the indisposition of tho governtnert to share In any dis posal by an international congress of jur isdictional questions in remote foreign territories. Tho results of the confer ence wero embodied In a formal act of tho nature of an International covenant which laid down certain obligations purporting to be binding on tho signatories, subject to ratllicatlon within ono year. Not withstanding the reservation under which tho delegates of tho United states at tended, their signatures were attached to the general act in tho same manner ns thoso of thu plenipo tentiaries of other governments, thus making the United States appear without reserve orqualitieatlon as signa tory to a joint international engagement, Imposing upon tho signers the conserva tion of the territorial integrity of distant regions, where wo have no established Interests or coutrol. This government does not, however, regard Its reserva tion of liberty of action In tho premises as at all impaired, and holds that an en gagement to share in the obligation of entorclug neutrality In the remote valley 1 thu Congo is an tuuaiico whose respon sibilities wo are not In a position to as sume. I abstain from asking the sanc tion of tho senate to that act. The cor respondence will bo laid beforo you and thu instructive ami interesting report of tiiu agent sent by tlds government to thu ;o country and his recommendations for thu establishment of commercial agencies on the African coast aro also submitted for your consideration . Tho commission appointed by inv pre decessor last winter to visit tho Central ami South American countries ami report on the methods of enlarging the com mercial relations of thu United Stales (Herewith lias submitted reports which will ho laid before you, No opportunity has been omtnltted to testify tho friendli ness ol this government toward Corca, whoso entrance Into thu family of treaty powers the tinted stales were tho tlrst to recognize. 1 regard with favor tho application made by thu Coreau govern ment to be allowed to employ American olllcors ns military instructors, to which tho assent of congress becomes necessary and I am happy to say this request ha. tho concurrent sanction of Cntu.i and Japan. Thu arrest and Imprisonment of Julio It. Santos, n citizen ot thu United States, by the authorities ot Ecuador, gave rise to a contention with that government In which his light to bo released or to have a speedy uud Impartial trial with an corniced charges and with all guar antee', of defense stipulated by treaty, was Insisted upon by us. Alter nn elaborate correspondence nnd repented nnd earnest representations on our part, sir. bantos was, alter an ai leged trial and conviction, eventually In eluded in n general degree of amnesty and pardoned by the J.nuadorian execu tive and released, leaving the question of his American citizenship denied by the Equadorian government, but Insisted upon by our own. The amount adjudged by the late Freuch and American Claims commis siqn to bo due from the United States to French claimants ou account of injuries suffered by them during tho war of seces sion having been appropriated by the last congress, has been duly paid the French government. The act of February 23, 1SS5, provided for a preliminary searcli of the records of the French prize court for evidence bear ing on the claims of American citizens against France for spoliations committed prior to 1S01. The duty has been per formed, and the report of tho agent will be laid before you. I regret to say that the restrictions upon the importation of our pork into France, notwithstanding the abundant demonstration of tho absence of sanitary danger in its use, arc continued, but I entertain strong hopes that, with abetter understanding of the matter, this vexa tious prohibition will be removed. It would be pleasing to be able to say as much with respect to Germany, Austria and other countries where such food products are absolutely excluded without present prospect of reasonable change. The interpretation ot our existing treaties of naturalization by Germany during tho past year has attracted atten tion by reason of nn apparent tendency on the part of the imperial government to extend the scope of tho residential re strictions to which returning naturalized citizens of German origin are asserted to bo liable under the laws of the empire. The tcmporate and just attitude taken by this government with regaru to this class of questions will doubtless lead to a satis factory understanding. The dispute or uermany nnO Spain, relating to the domination of tho Caroline Islands, has attracted the attention of this government by reason of extensive interests of American citizens hav ing grown up in those parts during thu last thirty-nine years, and because the question of ownership involves juris diction of matters affecting the status of our own citizens under civil and criminal law. Whilst standing wholly aloof from the proprietary issues raised between powers to both of which tho United States arc friendly, this government expects that nothing in the present con tention will unfavorably affect our citi zens carrying on a peaceful commerce or there domiciled, and lias so informed tho governments of Spain aud Germany. Tho marked good will between the United States and Great Britain has been maintained during the past year. The termination of tho llshlng clauses of the treaty of Washington in pursuance of the joint resolution of March It, 1SS3, must have resulted in the abrupt cessation ou tho 1st of July of this year, In tho midst of their ventures, of the operations of citizens of tho United States engaged in llshlng In ISri t-ish-Amcriean waters, but for a di plomatic understanding reached with Her Majesty's govcrmcnt in June last, whereby assurance was obtained that no interruption of those operations should take, place during tho current season. In tho interest of the good neighborhood of tho commercial intercourso of adjacent communities, tho question of the North American llsherles is ono of much Im portance. Following out the intimation given by mo when the extensiary arrange ment above described was negotiated, I recommended that the congress provide for the appointment of a commission in which tho governments of tho United States and Great Britain shall be respec tively represented, charged with the con sideration aud settlement upon a just, equitable anil honorable basis, of the en tire question of the llshlng rights of tho two governments and their respective citizens on the coast of the United States and British North America. Fishing in terests being intimately related to the gsnernl questions dependent upon con tiguity and Intercourse, consideration thereof in all their equities might also properly come within the purview of such commission, aud the fullest latitude of expression on botli sides should be per mitted. The correspondence in relation to tho llshlng rights will bo submitted. Thu Arctic cxploiing steamer ' 'Alert," which was generously given by Her Majesty's government to aid in tho relief of the Greely expedition, was, after tho successful attainment of that humane purpose, returned to Great Britain in pursuance of tho authority conferred by tho act of Marcli II, lSS."). Tho Inadequacy of the existing engage ments far extradition between the United States and Great Britain has been long apparent. Tho tenth article of the treaty of IS 12, ono of tho earliest com pacts In thU regard entered into by us, stipulated for surrender in respect oi' a limited number of offences. Other crimes no less inimical to tho social welfare should be embraced, and the procedure of extradition brought in harmony with pre.-ent International practices. Negotiations with Her Majesty's government for an enlarged treaty of extradition have been pending since 1S70. and I entertain strong hopes that a satisfactory result may bo soon at tained. Tlio frontier Hue between Alaska nnd British Columbia, ns detlned by the treaty of cession with Itussla, follows tho de- mnrkation assigned in a prior treaty be tween Great Britain and Itussia. Modem exploration discloses that this ancient boundary is impracticable as a geograph ical fact. In thu unsettled condition ot that region, the question has lacked im portance, but tho discovery of mineral wealiu in tue territory which mo line is supposed to traverse admonishes us that tho tlmu has come when an accurate knowledge of thu boundary is needful to avert jurisdictional complications, l recommend, therefore, that provision ! bo made for n preliminary reconnolsanco bv olllcers of tho United States, to the end of acquiring more precise informa tion on the subject, i nao iiivitcu tier Majesty's government to consider with us ttiu adoption ui a more convenient boundary to bo established by meridian or other observation, or by known geo graphical features, without tho necessity of an expensive survey of tho whole. The late Insurrectionary movements In llavtl having beeu quelled, the govern ment of thai republic has made prompt provision for adjudicating the losses suf fered by foreigners because of hostilities there, aud the claims of certain citizens ot thu Uufted States will be in tills man ner determined. Tho long pending claims of tho two citizens of thu United States, Pclleller aud Lazare, have beeu disposed of by 'arbitration and an award. In favor o1. ; each claimant, has been made, which by tho terms of tbo engagement is liual. It I remains for congress to provide for tho I payment of the stipulated moiety of the expenses. A question arose with Ilayll during the past year by reason of the exceptional treatment of an American citizen, Mr. Vau bokkcleu, a resident of Port An Prince, who, on suit by creditors residing in the United States, was sentenced to impris onment, and under the operation of Hay tian statute was denied relief secured to a native liny thin. This government as serted his treaty right to equal treatment with natives of'l'ayti in all suits at law. Our contention was denied by the Hay tlan government which, however, whi'o still professing to maintain the ground taken against Mr. Vanbokkclen's right, terminated the ontrovcrsy by setting him fit liberty without explanation. An international conference to consider the njn.ns of arresting the spread of choluiii and other epidemic diseases was held at Itome In May last, and adjourned to meet again on farther notice. An ex pert delegate on behalf of the United States has attended and will submit re port. Our relations with Mexico continue to be most cordial as befits those of neigh bors between whom tho strongest ties of friendship and commercial intimacy exist. as the natural and growing consequence ot our similarity or institutions and geographical propinquity. Tho reloca tion of the boundary line between tho United States and Mexico eastward of the ltio Grande under ttic convention of July '20, 1SS2, has been unavoidably de layed, hut I apprehend no dilliculty in securing a prolongation of the period of Its accomplishment. The lately con cluded commercial treaty with Mexico still awaits tho stipulated legislation to carry its provisions iuta effect, for which one year's additional time has been se cured by a supplementary article signed in February last and since ratified on botli sldo3. As this convention, so im portant to tho commercial welfare of the two adjoining countries, has neon con stitutionally continued by tho treaty making branch, I express the hopo that legislation to mako it effective may not bo long delayed. Thu large influx of capital and enterpriso to Mexico from the united StnicS continues to aid in the de velopment of the resources and in aug menting the material well-being of our sister republic; lines of railway, pene trating to the heart and capital of the country bringing the two peoples into mutually beneficial Intercourse and en larged facilities of transit, add ed to protitjble commerce, create new markets, and furnish re venues to other isolated communities. I have already adverted to tho suggested construction of a ship railway across the narrow formation of the territory of Mexico at Teheuantepec. With the gradual recovery of Peru from the effects of her late disastrous conflict with Chili, and with tho restoration of civil author ity in that distracted country, it is hoped that pending war claims or our citizens will be adjusted. In conformity with notification given by thu government of Peru, the existing treaties of commerce and extradition be tween us and that couutry will terminate Marcli 31, 1SS0. Our good relationship with Russia con tinues. An ollieer of thu navy detailed for the purpose is now on his way to Siberia, bearing the testimonials voted by congress to those who generously succored the survivors of the unfortunate ' Jeannctte' ' expedition. It is gratifying to advert to the cor diality of our iuteicoiirso with Spain. The long pending claim of tho owners of the ship "Masonic" ' for loss suffered through tho admitted dereliction of the Spanish authorities in the Phlllippinc Islands, has been adjusted by arbitration and an Indemnity awarded. Tne princi ples of arbitration in such cases to which the United States lias long and consist ently adhered, thus receive a fresh and gratifying continuation. Other questions with Spain have been disposed of or arc under diplomatic consideration with a view to just and honorable settlement. The operation of the commercial agree ment with Spain of January 'Jd and Feb ruary 13. 1SSI, has been found inade quate to the commercial need of the United States aud the Spanish Antilles, and tho terms of tho agree ment aro subjected to conflict ing interpretations in those islands. Negotiations have been instituted at Madrid for a full treaty not open to tho objections, aud in tlio lino of the general policy touching the neighborly inter courso of proximate communities, to which 1 elsewhere advert, aud aiming, moreover, nt the removal of existing burdens and annoy lug restrictions; anil although a satisfactory termination is promised I am compelled to delay its an nouncement. An international conference was hcid at Berne in September, on the invitation of the Swiss government. The envoy of the United States attended nsa delegate, but refrained from committing tho "gov ernment to the results, even by signing tho recommendatory protocol adopted. The Interesting and Important subject of International copyright has been before you for several years. Action is certainly desirable to effect tho object in view", and whilo there may be a question as to the relative advantage of treating it by legislation or by specific treaty, tue ma tured iows of tho Ucrno conference can not fail to aid your consideration of tho subject. Tiiu termination ot the commercial treaty of between the United States and Turkey has been sought by that gov ernment. Whilo there is a question as to the sullicieucy of tho notice of tho ter mination given, yet as the commercial rights of our citizens in Turkey come un der tho favored national guarantees of tho prior treaty of 1S30, and as equal treatment Is admitted by tho porto, no IncoiiveulencV can result from tho assent of this government to the revisions of tho Ottoman, tariffs, on whtuh tho treaty powers nave been luvited to join vuesuous concerning our eiiuens in i ur- Key may bo alfected by tho porte's nou- i acquiescence in tuo right or expatriation, : and by tho imposition of religious tests j as a condition of residence, in which ' this government cannot concur. The ; United States must hold in their inter l course with every power that thu status ! of their citizens U to be respected, aud equal civil privileges accorded to them without regard to creed, and affected by no considerations save thoso growlug out of donilcllian return to tho laud of origi nal allegiance, or of unfulfilled personal obligations which may survive under mu nicipal laws after such voluutary return. Thu negotiation with Venezuela rela tlvo to tho rehearing of the awards of tho mixed commission constituted under the treaty of 1S0U, was resinned, in view of thu recent acquiescence ot the Vene zuelan envoy In tue principal point ad vanced by this govern ueut, that the ef- fects of the old treaty could only be set aside by the operation of n new conven tion. A result substantially in accord with the advisory suggestions contained In tho joint resolution of March 3, 1SS3, has been agreed upon, and will shortly be submitted to the senate for ratifica tion. Under section 3C39 of tho revised stat utes, all funds held In trust by tho United States, and the annual interest accruing thereon, when not otherwise required by treaty, nre to bo invested in stocks of tho United Stntes bearing a rntc of interest not less than 5 per cent per annum. There being now no pro curable stocks paying so high a rate of interest, the letter of the statute, is at present Inapplicable, but its spirit Is sub served by continuing to make, invest ments of this nature In current stocks bearing the highest interest now paid. The statute, however, makes no provi sion for the disposal of such nccretlons. It being contrary to the general rule of this government to allow interest on claims, I recommend the repeal of the provision m question, and tho disposi tion, under a uniform rule, of the present accumulations from investment of trust funds. The Inadequacy of existing legislation touchinir citizenship and naturalization demnnri your consideration. While recog.i i.ing tho right of expatriation, no statu iff provision exists providing menu fcr renouncing citizenship by an AnurljMi, native-born or naturalized, nor for terminating and vacating im proved acquisition of citizenship. Even a fraudulent decree of naturalization can not now be cancelled . The privilege and franchise of American citizenship should be granted with care, and extended to those only who intend in good faith to assume its duties and responsibilities when attaining its privileges. It should be withheld from those who merely go through the forms of naturalization with the Intent of escaping tho duties of their original allegiance without taking upon themselves those of their new status, or who may require the rights of American citizenship for no other than a hostile purpose toward their original government. These evils have had many flagrant illustrations. I regard with favor the suggestion put forth by one of my predecessors, that provision may be made for a central bureau of record of the decrees of natural ization granted by the various courts throughout the United States now in vested with that power. The rights which spring from domicile in tho United States, especially when coupled with n declaration of intention to become a cit izen, are worthy of definition by statute. The stranger coming hither with intent to remain, establishing his residence In our midst, contributing to the gen eral welfare, and by his voluntary act declaring his purpose to assume the re sponsibility of citizenship thereby gains an inchoate status which legislation may properly dellue. The laws of certain states and territories admit a domiciled alien to the local franchise, conferring on him the rights of citizenship to a de gree which places him in the anomalous position of being a citizen of a state and yet not of the United States within the purvisions of federal and international laws. It is important, within thu scope of national legislation, to define this right of alien domicile as distinguished from federal naturalization. The commercial relations of tho United States with their immediate neighbors and with important areas of traflio near our shores suggest especially liberal in tcrcoursu between them and us. Fol lowing the treaty of 1SS3 with Mexico, which rested 'on the bais of reciprocal exemption from customs duties, other similar treaties were initiated by my pre decessors, liccogni.lng the need of le.-s obstructed traffic with Cuba anil Porto Kico, and met by the desire of Spain to succor languishing interest in the au tilles. steps were taken to attain those ends by a treaty of commerce. A simi lar treaty was afterwards signed by the dominion republic. Subsequently over tures were made by Her Brltaiuic majes ty's government for a like mutual exten sion of commercial intercourse with the British West Indian and South American independencies, out without result. On taking ofllce 1 wl lidruw for re execution the treaties signed with Spain and Santo Domingo then .pending before the Senate. The result has been to sat isfy me of the inexpediency of entering into engagements of this character not covering the entire trallic. Thoso treaties contemplated the surrender by tho United States of large revenues for inadequate considerations. Upon sugar alone du ties were surrendered to an amount far exceeding all tho advantages offered in exchange. Even were it intended to re lievo our consumers, it was evident that so long as the exemption but partially covered our importation, such relief would be illusory. To relinquish a reve nue so essential seemed highly improvi dent at a time when new and large drains upon the treasury wero contemplated. Moreover, embarrassing questions would have arisen under tho favored nation clauses of treaties with other nations. As a further objection it is evident that tariff regulation by treaty diminishes that Independent control over its own revenues which is essential for tho safety and welfare . of any government. An emergency calling for an increase, of tnx aliou may at any time arise, and no en gagement with a foreign power should ' exist to hamper the action of tho govern ment. By the fourteenth section of the ship ping act approved June "JO, lSSl, certain reductions and contingent exemptions from tonnage-dues wero made as to ves sels entering ports of the United States from any foreign port in Nortli aud Cen tral America, tho West India Islands, the Bahamas and Bermudas, Mexico and the isthmus, as far as Asplnwall and Panama. The governments of Belgium, Denmark, Gerinauy, Portugal Sweden and Norway uavo asserted', under tho favored-nation clause in their treaties with the United States, a claim to like treat ment in respect to vessels coming to the United States from their home ports. This government, however, bolus that tho privileges granted by tho net are purely geographical, applying to any vessel of any foreign power that may chooso to engage iu tratllc between this country and any port within the defined zone, and that no warrant exists uuder tho favored-nation clause, for tho extension of the privileges iu question to vessels sailing to this couu try fioui ports outside the limitation of tho act. Undoubtedly tho relations of commerce with our near neighbors, whose territories form so long a irontier line ditllcult to bo guarded, uud who Ilud iu our couutry, and equally offer to us natural markets, demand special nnd considerate treatment. It rests with con gress to consider what legislative action mav Increase the facilities of intercourse which contiguity makes uatural uud desirable.