172 



CONGRESS. (THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.) 



happy effect, and I recommend the completion of the 

 reform thus begun, with the inclusion also of Hawaii 

 and Hayti, in view of their relations to the American 

 system of states. 



I also recommend that timely provision be made 

 for extending 1 to Hawaii an invitation to be repre- 

 sented in the International Conference new sitting at 

 this capital. 



Our relations with China have the attentive consid- 

 eration which their magnitude and interest demand. 

 Tlhe failure of the treaty negotiated under the admin- 

 istration of my predecessor for the further and more 

 complete restriction of Chinese labor immigration, 

 and, with it, the legislation of the last session of Con- 

 gress dependent thereon, leave some questions open 

 which Congress should now approach in that wise 

 and just spirit which should characterize the relations 

 of two great and friendly powers. While our su- 

 preme interests demand the exclusion of a laboring 

 element which experience has shown to be incompati- 

 ble with our social life, all steps to compass this im- 

 perative need should be accompanied with a recogni- 

 tion of the claim of those strangers now lawfully 

 among us to humane and just treatment. 



The accession of the young Emperor of China 

 marks, we may hope, an era of progress and prosper- 

 ity for the great country over which he is called to 

 rule. 



The present state of affairs in respect to the Samoan 

 Islands is encouraging. The conference which was 

 held in this city in the summer of 1887 between the 

 representatives of the United States, Germany, and 

 Great Britain having been adjourned because of the 

 iicrsistent divergence of views 'which was developed in 

 its deliberations, the subsequent course of events in 

 the islands gave rise to questions of a serious character. 

 On the 4tb of February last the German minister at 

 this capital, in "behalf of his Government,proposed a 

 resumption of the conference at Berlin. This propo- 

 sition was accepted, as Congress, in February last, was 

 informed. 



Pursuant to the understanding thus reached, com- 

 missioners were appointed by me, by and with the ad- 

 vice and consent of the Senate, who proceeded to Ber- 

 lin, where the conference was renewed. The deliber- 

 ations extended through several weeks, and resulted 

 in the conclusion of a treaty which will be submitted 

 to the Senate for its approval. I trust that the efforts 

 which have been made to effect an adjustment of this 

 question will be productive of the permanent estab- 

 lishment of law and order in Samoa upon the basis of 

 the maintenance of the rights and interests of the na- 

 tives as well as of the treaty powers. 



The questions which have arisen duriner the past few 

 years between Great Britain and the United States 

 are in abeyance or in course of amicable adjustment. 



On the part of the Government of the Dominion of 

 Canada an effort has been apparent during the season 

 just ended to administer the laws and regulations ap- 

 plicable to the fisheries with as little occasion for fric- 

 tion as was possible, and the temperate representations 

 of this Government in respect of cases of undue hard- 

 ship or of harsh interpretations have been in most 

 cases met with measures of transitory relief. It is 

 trusted that the attainment of our just rights under 

 existing treaties and in virtue of the concurrent legis- 

 lation of the two contiguous countries will not" be 

 long deferred and that all existing cause of difference 

 may be equitably adjusted. 



I recommend that provision be made by an inter- 

 national agreement for visibly marking the water 

 boundary between the United States and Canada in 

 the narrow channels that join the Great Lakes. The 

 conventional line therein traced by the Northwestern 

 Boundary Survey years ago is not' in all cases readily 

 ascertainable for the settlement of iurisdictional ques- 

 tions. 



A just and acceptable enlargement of the list of of- 

 fenses for which extradition may be claimed and 

 granted is most desirable between this country and 

 Great Britain. The territory of neither should be- 



come a secure harbor for the evil-doers of the otl 

 through any avoidable short-coming in this rea' 

 A new treaty on this subject between the two po 

 ers has been recently negotiated, and will soon be h 

 before the Senate. 



The importance of the commerce of Cuba and Po 

 Eico with the United States, their nearest and prin 

 pal market, justifies the expectation that the existi 

 relations maybe beneficially expanded. The impe 

 ments resulting from varying dues on navigati 

 and from the vexatious treatment of our vessels, 

 merely technical grounds of complaint in "West In< 

 ports, should be removed. 



The progress toward an adjustment of pendi 

 claims oetween the United States and Spain is not 

 rapid as could be desired. 



Questions affecting American interests in conn 

 tion with railways constructed and operated by < 

 citizens in Peru have claimed the attention of t 

 Government. It is urged that other governments, 

 pressing Peru to the payment of their claims, hi 

 disregarded the property rights of American citize 

 The matter will be carefully investigated, with a vi 

 to securing a proper and equitable adjustment. 



A similar issue is now pending with Portugal. 1 

 Delagoa Bay Railway in Africa was constructed un< 

 a concession by Portugal to an American citiz 

 When nearly completed the road was seized by 

 agents of the Portuguese Government. Formal p 

 test has been made through our minister at List 

 against this act, and no proper effort will be spared 

 secure proper relief. 



In pursuance of the charter granted by Congr< 

 and under the terms of its contract with the Gove 

 ment of Nicaragua, the Interoceanic Canal Comps 

 has begun the construction of the important wat 

 way between the two oceans which its organ izat 

 contemplates. Grave complications for a time seen 

 imminent, in view of a supposed conflict of jurisc 

 tion between Nicaragua and Costa Eica in regi 

 to the accessory privileges to be conceded by the 1 

 ter republic toward the construction of works on 

 San Juan river, of which the right bank is Costa 

 can territory. I am happy to learn that a friendly 

 rangement lias been effected between the two natio 

 This Government has held itself ready to prora 

 in every proper way the adjustment of all questi> 

 that might present obstacles to the completion c 

 work of such transcendent importance to the cc 

 merce of this country, and indeed to the comm 

 cial interests of the world. 



The traditional good-feeling between this coun 

 and the French Ecpublic has received additional t 

 timony in the participation of our Government i 

 people in the International Exposition held at Pi 

 during the past summer. The success of our exhil 

 ors has been gratifying. The report of the comn 

 sion will be laid before Congress m due season. 



This Government has accepted, under proper 

 serve as to its policy in foreign territories, the inv 

 tation of the Government of Belgium to take part 

 an International Congress which opened at Bruse 

 on the 16th of November for the purpose of dei 

 ing measures to promote the abolition of the si 

 trade in Africa and to prevent the shipment of sla 

 by sea. Our interest in the extinction of this cri 

 against humanity in the regions where it yet s 

 vives has been increased l>y the results of emanci 

 tion within our own borders. 



With Germany the most cordial relations contin 

 The questions arising from the return to the emf 

 of Germans naturalized in this country are conside: 

 and disposed of in a temperate spirit, to the eni 

 satisfaction of both governments. 



It is a source of great satisfaction that the inter 

 disturbances of the Eepublic of Hayti are at last h 

 pily ended, and that an apparently stable govemm 

 lias been constituted. It has been duly recognized 

 the United States. 



A mixed commission is now in session in thSf o 

 ital for the settlement of long-standing claims agai 



