vil and pecuniary import,
how much greater should be the public duty to take cognizance of matters
affecting the lives and the rights of aliens under the settled
principles of international law no less than under treaty stipulation,
in cases of such transcendent wrongdoing as mob murder, especially when
experience has shown that local justice is too often helpless to punish
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
naturalization 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 conclusion will be reached.

The treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and
Japan on November 22, 1894, took effect in accordance with the terms
of its XIXth Article on the 17th of July last, simultaneously with the
enforcement of like treaties with the other powers, except France, whose
convention did not go into operation until August 4, the United States
being, however, granted up to that date all the privileges and rights
accorded to French citizens under the old French treaty. By this notable
conventional reform Japan's position as a fully independent sovereign
power is assured, control being gained of taxation, customs revenues,
judicial administration, coasting trade, and all other domestic
functions of government, and foreign extra-territorial rights being
renounced.

Comprehensive codes of civil and criminal procedure according to
western methods, public instruction, patents and copyrights, municipal
administration, 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 has given rise to no material complaints on the part of the
American citizens or interests, a circumstance which attests the ripe
consideration 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 pasture army horses at Japanese
ports of call on the way to the Philippine Islands. These kindly
evidences of g