AMERICAN LEGATION, Bucharest, October 6, 1908.

SIR: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of yesterday announcing that Prince Ferdinand, at Tirnovo, proclaimed the independence of Bulgaria, and to transmit herewith a copy of the official note from the foreign minister.

I have, etc.,

[Inclosure.-Translation.]

HORACE G. KNOWLES.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister Knowles.

TIRNOVO, October 5, 1908. I have the honor of informing you that to-day, Monday, September 22 (October 5) His Highness the Prince, my August Sovereign, guided by the irrevocable desire of the people of all Bulgaria to remove the obstacles which have until the present retarded its regular development, and to put an end to the causes which have produced, with the neighboring Empire, relations of a nature to constantly disturb the peace and tranquillity of the Balkans, has proclaimed Bulgaria of the north and of the south an independent monarchy.

By this act His Royal Highness and his Government, in realizing the unanimous desire of the people, are animated by the sole desire of seeing Bulgaria come into the family of independent States, so as to devote itself wholly to peaceful prosperity.

The Government of His Majesty the King of Bulgaria is pleased to hope that your high Government will appreciate these legitimate desires of the people of Bulgaria and give to the Royal Bulgarian Government support and approval of this act of the people. Ministre PAPRIKOIT.

CHILE.

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF CHILE TO THE CHILEAN CONGRESS.

File No. 180/20.

No. 223.]

Minister Hicks to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN LEGATION, Santiago, June 3, 1908. SIR: According to law, the Congress of Chile began its regular session on Monday, June 1, and the opening was marked with the usual ceremonies. In the hall of honor of Congress, the members of the two houses, the supreme court, the cabinet officials, and the diplomatic corps attended in full dress, and the President, Don Pedro Montt, read to the assembly his third annual message. Outside the hall the streets were filled with a military guard, and on the conclusion of the official ceremonies those present attended in a body at the Moneda, the official residence of the President. At the Moneda the guests were given a glass of champagne in which to drink the health of the President. Afterwards, from the balconies of the palace, those present were permitted to witness a parade of the military guard, and then the function was ended.

The message was an able document filling 50 pages of a pamphlet. As the most of it was devoted to domestic affairs, I give herewith a translation of some of the most important features, and I am sending herewith inclosed two copies of the message.

Following are the extracts, beginning with one from the first page:

I.

The renewal of the diplomatic relations between Chile and Peru begins to give already beneficial results for both Republics. Conventions on several international services have been signed at Lima, and there have been begun in Santiago negotiations destined to the solution of the territorial problem still pending between the two nations.

I am confident in that a high idea of equity will indicate to the two peoples the most satisfactory solution.

I

At the end of the present year there will take place in Santiago, under the auspices of the Government of Chile, the reunion of the first Pan American Scientific Congress. Not only because it was recommended by the Chilean delegates to the third Latin-American Congress, but also because it will be celebrated in Santiago, we must respond worthily to the frank acceptation that idea has had in all the countries of America and in the great Republic of the north.

III.

The frequent visits with which we have been honored by distinguished North American professors, the demonstration of international courtesy made to us lately by a great fleet of the United States, the efforts of the Government of that

Republic to establish rapid lines of communication with our regions, are manifestations of sincere friendship which ought to inspire confidence in the Government and people of the great Republic.

IV.

Immigration has notably increased during the year, 8,810 immigrants having been received. In 1906 only 1,221 arrived. These people were formerly sent by private agencies of European nationality, but experience has taught us to change this system, and now, according to a new provision, the individuals sent by Chilean agents of immigration are the only ones that come to the country with passages paid by the Government.

V.

Universal sorrow was caused by the death of the most illustrious and most reverend Archbishop of Santiago, Dr. Mariano Casanova. He was a prelate who was distinguished by his talents, science, and virtues; who governed the archdiocese of Santiago for 20 years, maintaining in a perfect way the harmony of church and state and helping to form priests of which the Republic can be proud.

VI.

After having heard the opinion of the counsel of state, I will ask from the honorable Senate its constitutional consent in order to present to his holiness for the election of archbishop of Santiago the illustrious Bishop of Flaviades, Dr. Juan Ignacio Gonzalez Eyzaguirre, who is now the vicar general of the archdioceses, and who has distinguished himself through his merits in the priesthood and by his interest in the welfare of the suffering.

VII.

In 1907 the revenues collected by the Government were $40,001,691.14 pesos gold and $154,976,385.16 pesos paper, which, added to the $6,406,725.60 gold and $7,177,065.13 paper from 1906, made a total sum for 1907 of $46,408,416.74 gold and $162,153,450.29 paper.

The expenses of the same year amounted to $31,134,445.97 gold and $180,640,337.69 paper.

VIII.

Our international commerce reached in 1907 the sum of $573,762,585 gold of 18d.

The importations amounted to $293,681,855, according to tariff value, and the exportations $280,080,730, according to the current market values.

If we compare these figures with those corresponding to 1906, we find an increase of importations of $55,984,213 and a decrease of $9,540,067 in exportations.

In closing he calls on Providence to assist the Congress and the Government in the great work which they have in hand.

Your obedient servant,

JOHN HICKS.

PROTECTION OF CHINESE IN CHILE AND ECUADOR.

File No. 15077.

No. 9.]

The Chinese Minister to the Acting Secretary of State.

IMPERIAL CHINESE LEGATION, Washington, August 13, 1908. SIR: You are no doubt aware that there are several South American Republics with which my country has not yet entered into treaty and diplomatic relations, but in which large numbers of my

countrymen have made their temporary homes or are engaged in commercial pursuits. While their presence has contributed much to the prosperity of their adopted countries, and is, generally speaking, welcomed, they are nevertheless placed in an anomalous position, in that there is no official representative recognized by the local government to watch over their interests and afford them protection in case of need. Pending the negotiation and conclusion of treaties with these countries, my Government is obliged to fall back on the good offices of the diplomatic and consular representatives of friendly powers accredited to the same countries, and you will recall that only recently I had the honor of communicating with your department regarding the protection of Chinese subjects in Nicaragua.

A dispatch from our chargé d'affaires at Lima, Peru, calls attention to the fact that my countrymen in Chile and Ecuador desire that some arrangement be made whereby their interests may be safeguarded and their grievances, should they unfortunately arise, may be brought officially to the notice of the Governments concerned. In former days the British minister and consular officials accredited to the two countries undertook, at the request of my Government, to represent my people, but with the lapse of time and change of officials their interest in and attention to the task intrusted to them have gradually waned and ceased. Moreover, as all communications with British ministers have to be sent through the foreign office in London by our minister near the Court of St. James, while complaints from my countrymen residing in the Americas naturally come to my legation, the arrangement formerly entered into for the protection of Chinese subjects in Chile and Ecuador was not the best possible nor the most practicable.

In view of the fact that your Government has already undertaken to look after the interests of my countrymen in Nicaragua, Guatemala, etc., and that your Government has always manifested a willingness to assist my Government in the promotion of justice and broader humanity, I venture to address you with the request that the task of protecting Chinese subjects in Chile and Ecuador, formerly intrusted to the British ministers and consuls, be assumed by the diplomatic and consular agents of your Government.

It seems to me that the leading position occupied by the United States of America in the sisterhood of American Republics also justifies that I approach your Government and not any other for assistance in the matter outlined above. I feel sure, therefore, that you will give my communication a very favorable consideration.

Accept, etc.,

File No. 15077.

WU TING FANG.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chinese Minister. No. 116.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 22, 1908.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 9 of the 13th instant, in which you request, in consequence of the absence of treaty and diplomatic relations between China and the Republics of Chile and Ecuador, that the American diplomatic and

consular officers in those republics may be allowed to exercise good offices in behalf of the Chinese subjects resident therein.

In reply I have the honor to say that I have taken pleasure in instructing the American ministers at Santiago and Quito to take under the protection of their legations Chinese subjects and their interests in Chile and Ecuador and to issue appropriate instructions in the premises to each of the American consular officers in those countries.

Accept, etc.,

File No. 15077.

No. 126.]

ALVEY A. ADEE.

The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Hicks.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 22, 1908.

SIR: I inclose herewith a copy of a note from the Chinese minister at this Capital, in which he requests, in consequence of the absence of treaty and diplomatic relations between Chile and China, that the American diplomatic and consular officers in Chile may be allowed to exercise good offices in behalf of the Chinese subjects living in that country.

You will accordingly, with the consent of the Government of Chile, take under the protection of your legation Chinese subjects and their interests in Chile. Your good offices will be confined to friendly intervention in case of need for the protection of the Chinese in their persons and property, and should be exercised by you and the consular officers without the assumption of any representation function as agents of China.

It of course follows that American officers so acting can not officially certify to the fact of Chinese citizenship, original certification of which can be made only by a responsible agent of the Chinese Government. A form of certificate to be used by you and the consular officers should, therefore, be prepared in consultation with the Chilean minister for foreign affairs, in order that it may correctly express the character of the protection afforded and the degree in which it is recognized by Chile. It is suggested that the following form, or a similar one, may perhaps be satisfactory:

L

of the United States of America, certify: That

claims to be a subject of the Emperor of China, resident in Chile, and that upon his proving his status as a Chinese subject he will, in case of need, be entitled to the protection of the Government of the United States and to the good offices of the diplomatic and consular officers thereof, while in Chile, in pursuance of an understanding between the Governments of Chile and China to that end.

All fees collected by American diplomatic or consular officers for services rendered in the interests of China may be retained by them. No official fee stamps should be affixed to documents issued in the interest of China or its subjects. All such papers should be signed by consular officers in their official capacity, their signatures being_followed by the words "In charge of the interests of China." It is thought that the tariff of American consular fees should be followed in assessing such fees, unless you are advised otherwise by the Chinese Government.

1 Mutatis mutandis to: Ecuador No. 61.