Martinique, possède une administration coloniale complète, fonctionnant régulièrement de toutes pièces dans le voisinage le plus proche de SaintBarthélemy, la situation est tout autre; la tâche serait relativement aisée de relever cette colonie de son état d'affaissement actuel et de tirer parti de ses ressources. Cette conviction nous a permis d'accueillir favorablement les ouvertures qui nous étaient faites par le gouvernement suédois, et nous pouvons, aujourd'hui, unir de nouveau à nos possessions des Antilles une population d'origine française qui, pendant une séparation bientôt séculaire, a conservé la langue et les moeurs de la France. Nous nous sommes mis facilement d'accord avec le cabinet de Stockholm sur le principe de la rétrocession. La seule condition essentielle à laquelle le roi de Suède entendait qu'elle fut subordonnée était l'assentiment des habitants de l'île exprimé par un vote populaire. Cette demande était trop conforme à notre propre sentiment et aux règles de notre droit public pour que nous y fissions des objections. En conséquence, le ministre des affaires étrangères a signé avec M. le ministre de Suède à Paris, sous la date du 10 août dernier, le traité que nous avons l'honneur de vous soumettre, et qui, stipulant la rétrocession de l'ile de Saint-Barthélemy à la France, sous la réserve du consentement de la population intéressée, renvoyait à un protocole spécial le règlement des condi Guadeloupe and Martinique, possesses a complete colonial administration, functioning regularly in all matters in the immediate vicinity of Saint Bartholomew, the situation is quite otherwise: the task would be comparatively easy to raise this colony from its state of present weakness and to turn its resources to account. This conviction allowed us to receive favorably the overtures which were made to us by the Swedish government, and we can now again join to our possessions in the Antilles a population of French origin which, during a separation of very nearly a century, has preserved the language and the customs of France. We have easily come to an agreement with the cabinet of Stockholm on the principle of the retrocession. The only essential condition to which the King of Sweden required it to be subordinated, was the consent of the inhabitants of the islands, expressed by a popular vote. This demand was too much in conformity with our own sentiment and with the rules of our public law for us to make any objections. In consequence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs signed with the Minister of Sweden at Paris, under date of August 10 last, the treaty which we have the honor to submit to you, and which, stipulating the retrocession of the islands of Saint Bartholomew to France, under reservation of the consent of the population interested, left to a special tions subsidiaires du transfert de souveraineté. Il a été convenu que, pendant que seraient débattus les termes de ce protocole, le gouvernement royal de Suède ferait procéder sur les lieux à une consultation des habitants de la colonie. Ils ont été appelés effectivement à déposer leurs votes, et 351 individus. ayant pris part au scrutin, 350 se sont prononcés en faveur de la réunion à la France; un seul suffrage a été donné en sens contraire.1 Ce résultat acquis, la rédaction du protocole formant annexe du traité de rétrocession et présenté en même temps que lui à votre approbation, a pu être définitivement arrêté. Cet acte a été signé le 31 octobre. Les clauses qui y figurent se justifient généralement par leur teneur même et demandent peu d'explications. En vous demandant d'accorder à cet ensemble de dispositions la haute consécration de vos suffrages, nous avons l'espoir de nous rencontrer avec vous dans un commun sentiment de satisfaction nationale, justifié, nous n'hésitons pas à le dire, à la fois par l'objet protocol the arrangement of subsidiary conditions for the transfer of sovereignty. It was agreed that, while the terms of this protocol were being discussed, the royal government of Sweden should proceed, on the spot, to a consultation of the inhabitants of the colony, They have been, in fact, called to cast their votes, and 351 persons having taken part in the balloting, 350 have pronounced themselves in favor of the reunion with France; one single vote was cast in a contrary sense. This result attained, the drafting of the protocol forming an annex to the treaty of retrocession and presented to your approbation at the same time with it, could be finally concluded. That act was signed on October 31. The clauses contained therein generally justify themselves by their own tenor, and require little explanation. In asking you to accord to this collection of provisions the great consecration of your votes, we have the hope that we may meet with you in a common sentiment of national satisfaction, justified, we do not hesitate to say, both by the object and 1 A note appended to the document states that according to a census taken at the end of December, 1875, the population of the island of Saint Bartholomew is as follows: et par les phases successives de la négociation qui vient de vous être exposé. La spontanéité de l'offre qui nous a été déférée, la vivacité persistante des souvenirs qu'elle a eu pour effet de réveiller, l'unanime et touchante démonstration qui nous a été adressée de l'autre côté de l'Océan, sont des témoignages auxquels notre patriotisme n'a pu demeurer insensible. Nous avons saisi, non sans quelque émotion, nous devons l'avouer, l'occasion de rattacher à la patrie, dont sur une rive lointaine elle avait gardé si fidèlement le culte, cette petite colonie essentiellement française. Vous aussi, nous en avons l'assurance, vous estimerez le prix de l'acquisition qui nous est proposée, non d'après l'étendue du territoire ou le nombre des sujets, mais d'après la valeur morale de ce pieux attachement pour la France. the successive phases of the negotiation which we have just revealed to you. The spontaneity of the offer which has been tendered to us, the persistent vivacity of the memories that it had the effect of awakening, the unanimous and touching demonstration addressed to us from the other side of the ocean, are testimonies to which our patriotism could not remain insensible. We have seized, not without some emotion, we must confess, the occasion to reattach this little colony, essentially French, to the country whose worship it has so faithfully guarded on a distant shore. You too, we feel assured, will estimate the price of the acquisition which is proposed to us, not according to the extent of territory or the number of subjects, but according to the moral value of this pious attachment for France. THE TACNA-ARICA QUESTION, 1883—. Extracts from the Correspondence Between the Secretary of State of the United States and the United States Minister Plenipotentiary to Chile. June 26, 1882-July 2, 1883 1 SIR: MR. FRELINGHUYSEN TO MR. LOGAN Department of State, Washington, June 26, 1882. The war between Peru and Bolivia on the one side and Chili on the other began more than three years ago. In 1880 the substantial success of Chili and its conquest and occupation of all the littoral territory of Bolivia, furnished an opportunity for a pause in operations and for negotiations for peace, which were conducted in the presence of the representatives of the United States. At that time a peace could probably have been secured upon much more favorable terms for the defeated party than are possible now. The allies refused then to concede territory to Chili, and the negotiations failing, the war was continued until Chili became master of the coast and of the capital of Peru. President Pierola fled, and Mr. Calderon was made President and Mr. Montero Vice-President of Peru. This Government was recognized by the United States. The Chilian authorities arrested Mr. Calderon and carried him to Chili, and the United States continued to recognize the same Government in the person of Mr. Montero. After the arrest of Mr. Calderon the President sent a special mission to both countries in the hope that a way might be found for terminating the war through the exercise of the good offices of the United States. It was hoped that Peru and Bolivia might, through our generous and unselfish counsels, be brought to see that Chili, as a conqueror, had a right to substantial indemnity as the result of victory. On the other hand, it was also hoped that Chili might be found willing to accept a money indemnity sufficient to compensate her for the losses and expenses of war without demanding a sacrifice of territory from the other belligerents. All these hopes proved to be groundless. The mission returned, having effected nothing beyond giving new proof to all parties of the good will of the United States, and of their desire to bring about an equitable and lasting peace. 1 United States, Foreign Relations, 1883, p. 74. Notwithstanding the failure of past efforts, we have reason to think that both parties still wish for peace, and that both still desire to have it effected through the good offices of the United States. It will therefore be the first and most pressing duty of the new missions to Chili and Peru to cooperate for that purpose. As a conquering nation Chili is entitled to the reasonable and natural fruits of victory, chief among which are an indemnity to cover her just losses and a guaranty of future peace and safety. What may be the nature of the indemnity and what that of the guaranty, this Government can not undertake to dictate or to prescribe. A proper indemnity may involve a payment of money or even the cession of territory, and the guaranty, to be effectual, may exact stipulations relating to the control of strategic points or may even assume other forms as they may be found necessary to attain the end desired. We, in common with the other American Republics, are only interested to prevent by our counsels the perpetration of substantial injustice. The President has been disappointed by the failure of the parties to conclude a peace. Without completely subjugating her adversary, Chili has caused the disorganization of the Government of Peru, paralyzed its financial interests, and disastrously affected the pecuniary and other interests of those citizens of neutral states who have gone there to assist in the development and progress of the country. This state of affairs should be terminated, and will be if friendly counsels are allowed to prevail. If, upon your arrival in Chili, it seems advisable so to do, you will in a prudent and courteous manner communicate the substance of these views to the Chilian Government at such time and to such extent as you may deem proper, and you will signify your disposition, under instructions of your Government, to render every assistance within your power towards bringing about the much-desired settlement. Owing to the great distance of Chili from the United States and the rapidity of events in such crises, it will be impossible for you to communicate with this Government for instructions upon subjects which may be settled before an answer can reach you; much, therefore, must be left to your own judgment and discretion. It is understood that Chili is in possession of the littoral province of Bolivia and of the Peruvian littoral provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica. It is not supposed that any contingency can happen which will bring about the permanent occupation and annexation by Chili of any larger part of Peru than this. Your efforts, therefore, must be directed towards securing for |