Il, ~. g. WEDNESD4Y,eD DECEMBER Ii, 1914,
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Itablished BY the Treaty of Washington, were


unfortunately, much delayed in the commence


ment Of the season, by the failure of Congress, a


its last session, to make timely appropriation 0
funds tomeetthe expenses ofthe American party


and by other causes. The United States Com


missioder, however, expresses his expectation that


by increased diligence and energy, the party will
be able to make up for lost time.


We continue to receive assurances Of the mos
friendly feelings on the part of all the other Euro
pean powers; with each, and all of whom, it is 81
obviously our interest to cultivate the most amca
BILE relations Nor can | anticipate the occur


renee of any event which would be likely, n any
degree, to disturb those relajons Russia, tht


great northern power, under the ludicious sway


of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in tht


road of science and Improvement; while Franco


guided by the council Of her wise sovereign pur


sues course calculated 10 consolidate the genera


peace Spain has obtained breathing spell o


some duration from the internal convnlsiohs whicG


have, through so many years, marred her pros
fperry; while Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia


Belgium. and the other powers of Europe, reap a


rich harvest of blessings from the prevailing peace


/ informed the two Houses of Congress in my
message of December last that instructions had
been given to Mr.. Wheaton, our Minister at Ber-
lin, 10 negotiate treaty with the Germanic States
composing the Zoll Vercin, ift could be done
Istipnlatlng as far as it practicable to accom-
plish it. for reduction Of the heavy and onerous
duties levied on our tobacco, and other leading ar
tices of agricultural production; and yielding in
return, on our part, reduction Of duties such
articles the production of their production ftheir
industry, as should not come into competition, or
but limited one, with articles the product of our
manufacturing industry. The Executive, in Civ


ing such instructions, considered itself acting in
strict conformity with the wishes of Congress. as
made known through several measures which it
had adopted; all directed to the accomplishment
of this important result. The treaty was there
fore, negotiated by which essential reductions
were secured in the duties levied By the Zoll We
rein. on tobacco, rice and lard, accompanied by a
stipulation for the admission of raw cotton, free OF
duty. In exchange for which highly important
concessions, reduction Of duties, imposed bv the
laws Of the United States a variety of articles
most Of which were admitted free Of all duty un-
der the act of Congress commonly known the
Compromise law, and but few of which were pro-
duced in the United States was stipulated for on
our part This treaty wns communicated to the
Senate at an early day Of - last session, but not
acted upon until its cIus-; when for the want,
as I am bound to presume Of full time 10 consider
it, it was laid upon the table This procedure had
the ect Of virtually rejecting it. in consequence Of
stipulation contaiRed. in the treaty, that its ratii-
cations should be exchanged on or before day
which has already passed The Executive, act
ting upon the fair inference that the Senate did
not intend its absolute rejection gave instruction to
our Minister at Berlin 10 reopen the negotiations
so far to obtain an extension oftime for the cx-
change of raifcations. / regret. however, to saw
that his efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful
am nevertheless not without hope that the great
advantages which were intended to be secured by
the treaty, may yet be realized.


am happy to inform you thai Belgium has. bv
an "arrcc rovar" issued in Jnlv last, assimilatcd
the flag of the United Stntcs 10 her own, Ear as
the direct trade between the countries is concerned
This measure will prove of great service TO
shipping interest the trade having heretofore been
carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. faher N.Y.
self that she will speedily resort 10 modification
of her system relating to the tobacco trade. which
would decidedly benefit the agriculture Of the
United States, and operate TO the mutual advantage
Of both countries


No dcfinitive intelligence has YET been received
from our Minister of the conclu$ion of treaty
with the Chinese Empire; bnt enough isknown-
to induce the strongest hopes that tho mission will
be crowned with success.


With Brazil orr relations continue on the most
friendly footing. The commercial intercourse be-
is becoming daily of greater importance to both
and is the interest of bothk that the frmrst re-
Iations of amity and good will should continue to
be cultivated between them


The Republic of New Grenada still withholds,
the most persevering efforts have
brcn employed by our Charge d Afaires Mr..
Blackford, to produce different result. idemny
in the case Of the brig Morris And the Con
gross OF Venezuela, although an arrangement has
been effected between our Minister and the Minis
of Foreign Affairs OF that Government, for the
payment Of S8,O 900, in discharge of its liabilities
in the samccasc, has altogether neg ected to make
provision for its payment. 1t is TO be hoped that
a sense ofjustce. will soon induce settlement
of hescclaims


Our late Minister to Chill, Mr.. Pendleton, has
returned to the United States, without having cf.
fectcd an adjustment in the second claim of the
Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds alto
gethcr frivolous and untenable. Mr.. PcndIetons
successor has been directed to urge the claim in
the strongest terms; and in the event Of failure to
obtain permanent adjustment, 10 report the fact
to the Executive at as early day as possible, so
that the whole matter may be communicated to
Congress.


At your last session, submitted to the attention
of Congress, the Convention with the Republic of
Peru, of the 17th Of March, l84I, providing for the
adjustment ofthe claims of citizens of the United
States againstthat Republic; but no dfie nitive ac-
ton was taken upon the subject. | again invite
to it your attention and prompt action.


In my last Annual Message, felt it TO be my
dutyto make known to Congress, in terms both
plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the
war which has SO long existed between Mexico
and Texas; which sincethe battle of San Jacinto,