n
the punishment of crimes committed exclusively within the territory of
the other. This will obviate in future the embarrassing controversies
which have heretofore arisen through Mexico's assertion of a claim to
try and punish an American citizen for an offense committed within the
jurisdiction of the United States.

The International Water Boundary Commission, organized by the convention
of March 1, 1889, for the adjustment of questions affecting the Rio
Grande frontier, has not yet completed its labors. A further extension
of its term for one year, until December 24, 1899, was effected by a
convention signed December 2, 1898, and exchanged and proclaimed in
February last.

An invitation extended to the President of Mexico to visit Chicago in
October, on the occasion of laying the corner stone of the United States
Government building in that city, was cordially accepted by him, with
the necessary consent of the Mexican Congress, but the illness of a
member of his family prevented his attendance. The Minister of Foreign
Relations, however, came as the personal representative of President
Diaz, and in that high character was duly honored.

Claims growing out of the seizure of American sealing vessels in Bering
Sea have been under discussion with the Government of Russia for several
years, with the recent happy result of an agreement to submit them to
the decision of a single arbitrator. By this act Russia affords proof
of her adherence to the beneficent principle of arbitration which her
plenipotentiaries conspicuously favored at The Hague Disarmament
Conference when it was advocated by the representatives of the United
States.

A suggestion for a permanent exposition of our products and manufactures
in Russia, although not yet fully shaped, has been so cordially welcomed
by the Imperial Government that it may not inaptly take a fitting place
in whatever legislation the Congress may adopt looking to enlargement of
our commercial opportunities abroad.

Important events have occurred in the Samoan Islands. The election,
according to the laws and customs of Samoa, of a successor to the late
King, Malietoa Laupepa, developed a contest as to the validity of the
result, which issue, by the terms of the General Act, was to be decided
by the Chief Justice. Upon his rendering a judgment in favor of Malietoa
Tanu, the rival chief, Mataafa, took up arms. The active intervention of
American and British war ships became impera