I also inclose translation of that part of the message relating to the
foreign relations of this country as may prove of possible interest to
the Department.
[Inclosure.]
Message of the President of the Republic at the
opening of the session of the National Congress.
Messrs. Senators and Deputies: I fulfill a
constitutional duty by opening the period of your ordinary sessions
and by giving you an account of the general condition of the
nation.
The friendly relations which the Republic has always entertained with
the other nations have been maintained without alteration whatever,
and the old questions
[Page 9]
that
could have given cause to differences have definitely disappeared or
are in process of an easy and peaceful settlement.
The demarcation of the international limits, which have been the
object of constant attention, have caused no further difficulties.
In fulfillment of agreements and treaties, the frontier line with
Chile continues to be determined by the erection of the marks in the
part agreed upon, and in the part in which disagreement occurred the
solution of the Government of Her Britannic Majesty is awaited,
without any trouble whatever arising, it only having entailed a
journey of the minister of foreign relations through incidents of an
internal character which were easily and definitely settled.
It is pleasing for me to indicate in this connection that, as we have
been approaching the settlement of this laborious and complicated
matter, we have been able to better appreciate the good will with
which the Government of Chile has assisted in smoothing the
difficulties in the fulfillment of the international treaties.
With Bolivia the boundary line has been the object of agreements and
studies, supported by surveys of the ground, that may be said to be
definitely concluded, and will serve to complete the work of
demarcation without difficulty, all the more when the Governments
have always met each other animated by elevated sentiments with
regard thereto.
Since the arbitral award that concluded the boundary questions with
Brazil there remains only the tracing of the line fixed and the
demarcation of that part which was never object of discussion. To
this end the agreement was concluded which received the approval of
your honors, and, when once ratified, should be fulfilled in all its
parts without objection.
Once that all the above-mentioned work shall have been concluded, the
boundary of the Republic will remain determined in an immovable
manner, it being even now proper to say that all possible conflict
has disappeared.
But though all these solutions facilitate the exercise of territorial
sovereignty in its relations with the neighboring States, the
attitude of the Republic in the international community demands
close and diversified ties that alone can be assured by respecting
every right and by manifestations that correspond to friendly
sentiments.
In accordance herewith and with the strong belief that the
maintenance of peace should be the object of the foreign policy of
the Republic, I have celebrated with various nations treaties of
arbitration that have been submitted to your consideration, and
availing myself of legal authority, I have concluded a commercial
agreement with the United States of America, studying at the same
time agreements of the same character with other States.
In response to joint indication I have visited their Excellencies the
Presidents of Brazil and of the Oriental State of Uruguay, receiving
in consequence thereof from those people and Governments special
manifestations that impose our recognition, for they demonstrate in
how great affection they hold the Argentine people and Government,
and how they consider themselves allied with their destiny in the
present and in the future.
The voyage of the training ship Presidente
Sarmiento has been, in all parts of the world where it
touched, the object of cordial and spontaneous demonstrations of an
official and popular character that especially oblige our
gratitude.
The manifestations by which Spain distinguished herself has given
occasion to a measure, long required, claimed and imposed by the
close ties that unite us to the mother country. I refer to the
discreet form in which, at public festivals incident to our
anniversaries and other solemn celebrations, the national hymn is to
be sung, in order not to wound the patriotic susceptibilities of the
Spaniards. This measure has been well received, and has retroacted
sympathetically, having the best of effect and originating a fresh
current of generous sentiments between the two nations.
Notwithstanding that from special reasons incident to the financial
situation of the nation we were prevented from taking part in the
Paris International Exposition, we have sought to respond to the
various invitations that have been addressed to us to participate in
the congresses that are to take place there; and we have named
delegates to the congresses of medicine, of hygiene, of demography,
of railroads, of public aid and benevolence, whose presence at them
and whose reports will redound to the advantage of the nation.
An American congress is to shortly meet by the initiative of the
Government of the United States, having the same objects in view as
the one held in 1889. Having been especially invited to take part,
without the time and place of the meeting having been determined
upon, I have accepted the invitation not only as an act of courtesy,
but also as I entertain the belief that the holding of such a
congress can be fruitful to the relations of the American States
living far apart, notwithstanding that common interests and
aspirations demand closer ties.
