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About Heppner gazette. (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1897)
PKIISBI Full Text of the Chief Exec utive's Address to Congress. To the Senate and House of Representa tives: It gives me pleasure to extend greeting to the 55th congress assembled In regular session at the seat of govern ment, with many of whose senators and representatives I have been associated In the legislative service. The meeting oc curs under felicitous conditions, justify ing sincere congratulation and calling for our grateful acknowledgment to a be neficent providence which has so signally Messed and prospered us as a nation. Peace andgood will with all the nations of the earth continue unbroken. A matter of genuine satisfaction Is tne arrowing feeling of fraternal regard and unification of all sections of our country, .he Incompleteness of which has too long delayed realization of the highest blessings of the Union. The spirit ot patriotism is universal and Is ever Increasing In fervor. The public qufstlons which now most en gross us are lifted far above either par tisanship, prejudice or former sectional differences. They affect every part ot our common country alike and permit of no division on ancient lines. Questions of foreign policy, of revenue, the soundness of tho currency, the Inviolability of na tional obligations, the Improvement of the jiubllc service, appeal to the individual con science of every earnest citizen, to what ever party he belongs, or in whatever sec tion of the country he may reside. The extra session of this congress which closed during July lust, enacted Important legislation, and, while Its full effects have not been realized, what it has already ac complished araureg us of Its timeliness and wisdom. To test Its permanent value further time will be required, and the peo ple, satisfied with Its operation and re sults thus far, are In no mind to withhold from It a fair trial. TUB t'lHRKNCV O.I ESTION. ateceaally of Puttlnsr Onr Finances I poo a Mound Rasls. Tariff legislation having been settled by the extra session of congress, the question next pressing for consideration Is that o( the currency. The work of putting our finances upon a sound basis, difficult as It may seem, will appear when we recall the financial operation of the government lnce 16. On the iWth day of June of that year, we had outstanding demand liabilities In the sum of (728,808,417 41. On the 1st day of July, 1879, these liabilities had been reduced to $443,X.S9,4!I5 88. Of our Interest-bearing obligations, the figuns are even more striking. On July 1, ltM, the principal of the Interest-bearing debt of the government was :,:i:,3:!l,i"H. On the 1st day of July, Mill, this sum had tieen reduced to JM, 037,100, or an aggre gate reduction of $1,747,21)4.108. The Interest-hearing debt of tho United States on the 1st day of December, 18!)7, was J817,. 866,62(1. The government money now out. landing (December 1) consists of :i4f,- Cfl.OIS of Untied States notes; l7.7!3.2hO of treasury notes Issued by authority of. the act of 1S90; :i84.'.iti.1,5ol of s.lver ctrtlll cate and $ijl,i!X0,7til of standard sliver dollars. With the great resources of tho govern nent and with the time-honored example of the past before us, we should not heal Jat lo enter upon a currency revision which will make our demand obligations lesa onerous to the government and re lieve our llnunrlal laws tiom ambiguity and doubt. ,J"he brief review of what was accom plished from the close of the war until 18U1 makes unreasonable and grounuiens any distrust either of our financial abil ity or soundness; while the situation from MM lo 1897 must admonish congress of the Immediate necessity for so legleltttllig us to make in leturn of" the conditions then gold reserve? ,If no further legislation Is had and the policy of selling bonds is to be continued, then congress should give the secretary of the treasury authority to sell bonds at long or short periods, bearing a less rate of Interest than is now author ized by law. I earnestly rtcommend, as soon as the receipts of the government are quite sufficient to pay all the expenses of the government, that when any of the United States notes are presented for re demption in gold and areredeeemed in gold, such notes shall be kept and only paid out In exchange for gold. This is an obvious duty. If the holderof theUnited States note prefers gold from thegovernment, he should not receive back from the government a United States note without paying gold In exchange for it. The reason tor this Is made all the more apparent when the gov ernment Issues an interest-bearing debt to provide gold for the redemption of United States notes a nonlnterest-bearlng debt. Surely It should not pay them out again except on demand and for gold. If they are put out in any other way they may return again to be followed by an other bond issue to redeem them another interest-bearing debt to redeem a non-interest-bearing debt. In my view, It Is of tho utmost Import ance that the government should be re lieved from the business of providing for all the gold required for exchange or ex port. This responsibility is alone borne by the government without any of the usual and necessary banking powers to help Itself. The banks do not feel the strain of the gold redemption. Tne whole strain rests upon the government, and the size of the gold reserve in the treasury has come to be, with or with out reason, the signal of danger or of se curity. This ought to be stopped. If we are to have an era of prosperity In the country with sufficient receipts for tho expenses of the government, we may feel no Immediate embarrassment from our present currency; but the danger still exists, and will be ever present, menacing us a long as the existing system con tinues. And, besides, it is In times of adequate revenues and business tran quillity that the government should pre pare for the worst. We cannot avoid, without serious consequences, the wise consideration und prompt solution of this question. Plan of Secretary Gave. The secretary of the trensury has out lined a plan In great detail lor the pur pose of removing threatened recurrence of a depleted gold reserve and se ving us from future embarrassment on that ac count. To this plan I Invite your care ful consideration. I concur with the sec retary of the treasury In his recommenda tion that national banks be allowed to Issue notes to the face value of the bonds which they deposited for circula tion, and that the tax on circulating notes, secured by the deposit of such bonds, be reduced to one-half of one per cent per annum. I also Join him In recommending that authority be given for tho establishment of national banks with a minimum capital of $25,000. This will enable the smaller villages and agricul tural regions of tho country to be sup plied with currency to meet their de mands. I recommend that the Issue of national bank notes be restricted to the denomination of $10 and upwards. If the suggestions I have herein made shall have the approval of congress, then I would recommend that national banks be required to redeem their notes In gold. rests and long Imprisonment awaiting trial of pending protracted Judicial pro cedures. I felt It my first duty to make instant demand for the release or speedy trial of all American citizens under ar rest. Before the change of the Spanish cabinet, In October, 22 prisoners, citizens of the United States, had been given their freedom. For the relief of our own citizens suf fering because of the conflict, the aid oi congress was sought in a special mes sage, and under the appropriation of April 4, 1897, effective aid has been given to American citizens In Cuba, and many of them, at their own request, have been returned to the United States. Instructions to Minister Woodford. "5? jvalllnn Impossible, There re many plans proposed as a remedy for the evil, lb-fore we can find the true remedy we must appreciate the teal evil. It Is not that our currency of very kind Is not good, for every dollar of It Is good; goud lii-cauae the govtrn tnent'g pledge la out tn keep II so, and that pledge will not be broken. How aver, the guaranty of our purpiwe to keep the pledge will be best shown by ndvane. Ing toward la fulfillment. y l lh Present alem. ' The evil of the present system Is found In the great coat to the government of malnlainltig the parity of our different forms of money; Unit In, keeping all of them al par With gold. We surely cannot t longer needles of Ihe burden this im. noses HiHin Ihe people, gvrn under fairly bruaiH-roiM conditions, while the pant lour aara have ilimonst rated that II Is not only an pnlv charge upon the gov ernment, Im! a dangerous uu-nace lo the national credit. It la manifest that we must devise some elan In protect the government against timid Issues for relo-atcd redemptions, We must elthi-r curtail Ihe opportunity for piculsllon. made rimy by the multiplied redemptions of our demand ubllgaiiona, or lncre Ihe gold twrrvf for their re demption. We have $m.nm,i of currency which the government, by Wimn enaet anenl. ha undertaken lo keep at par wllh gjold. Nolavdy IS obliged lo redeem 111 gold but Ihe government. The banks are nut requital lo redeem m gold. The gov ernment is obliged lo keep equal with gold all Its) outstanding currency and coin obligations. While Us receipt are not rr oa red lo b paid III gold. They sr psid In every kind of money Put gold, Slid in only mean by which th government can. with certainty, gel g.d-l is by la.rrowlng. It cn get H In i other sir when II most tieeds II The government without any Hied gold revenue Is pledged lo maintain aold redemption, whl.h II bsa steadily and faithfully done, and which, under the au thority now given, a old lotiilmie lo do Th It much requires Ihe government, fur hevlrg redeemed lis hole, i.i pay them out agnin as current fun. I .1. insets constant replenishment of the gold re. serve This Is eH-,'ialiy so In limes of tiusioeas panic and whn Ihe revenue are Insnftb lent lo meed Ihe ene of the gsv emtio nt. At u. h limes Ihe govern, tnenl list no other way to supply Ha def ied and mania n tel. mptinn Pul through the Im rra-s of It bonded debt, dur ng Ihs aitmti titration i-t y predecessor. hen Hi .15 M of t't per rent 1-uH ll were l..e. and sold and Ihs ,r.-.ts used lo l-sir (lie pcne ef Ihs govern nent In ev of th revenues and smis'n the k -ld fe-'rv. Whi II is true Inst the gn aiar art of the pro. se.ts of these tr.l were toe J to supply den. lent rev. sum. a eonsidt rsM portion req uired ts maintain Ihs gold .(serve, Heslenlakleg tho (.old Keserv. t 1 1 H our revenue r-xjl to sue tpenses, tker would l- .!. H fe-H rmg th I a- i . of t-c Itol if ths g.od refv 1 fall I ! w I -Ken, hnm w II II b r ' pU-wbthed let by Selling Worlds j la i her any r r pis- u l w-ier listing la T 1h rio.s qwesilon Ihea j M, small iil i us Ihe putt, y mat has ; Vie p irsued W the past that la. When ths , ld leseivs rs. low ts point mt danger, anor ton-Is and supply th )ld , fjutd t shall w pees id olhee mesas I tat prsvtal Ihts r. urrlng dralkt upo ' till. AM) SPAIN. Attitude of the Administration In the- Present Ilrbelllon. The most Important problem with which this country Is now called upon to deal, that pertaining to Its foreign rela tions, concerns Its duty toward Spain and th Cuban Insurrection. Problems and conditions more or less In common with those now existing have confronted this government at various times In the past. The story of Tuba for many years has been one' al unrest; growing discontent; nn effort toward the larger enjoyment of liberty and self-conlroi; of orgTinlxed re sistance to the mother country; or oppres sion and warfare nnd of Ineffectual set tlement to be followed by renewed re volt. For no enduring period since the 'enfranchisement of the continental pos sessions of Spain In the Western conti nent bus the condition of Cuba or the policy of Spain toward Cuba not caused concern to the Untied States. The prospect from time to time that the weakness of Spain's bold upon the Island and the political vicissitudes and embarrnssments of Ihe home government might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a 'ontlnental power called forth, between PO Olid 18(10, various emphatic declara tions of tho United State lo permit no disturbance of Culm's connection with Spain unless In Ihe direction of Independ ence or acquisition by Ihe United States through purchase, nor has there been nny rlmnge of this declared policy since upon the part of this government. The revolution which began In isf.s lusted for 1(1 years, despite the strenuous efforts of the successive peninsular gov ernment to suppress II. Then, ns now, th government of the United Slates les tllled lis grave concern and offered Its aid to put nil end to bloodshed In Cuba. The overtures made by llenernl (Irani were refused, nnd Ihe war dragged on. entail ing great loss of life and treasure, and Increased injury lo American Interests, beside throwing enhanced burdens of neutrality upon this government. In 1878, pence was hrouirht about by Ihe truce of .union, obtained by negotiation t--tsvei-n the Spanish commander, Martinet do Campos, ami the Insurgent lenders. Ilvlllard (ode of War Disregarded. The present Insurrection broke out In February. W!. Il I not my purimse. at this time, to recall Its remarkable Increase or to chariii terUe lis lenaclous resistance ugnlnst the enormous forces massed sgiilnst It by Spain. The revolt nnd the efforts lo sulMlue II carried destruction to every quarter of Ihe Island, developing , wld proportions Rm defying Ihe effort of Spain for It suppression. The elvills d code of war has been disregarded, no less so by the Sptiulitrd Hum by the Cuban. The etlstlng eondllli.n cinnol , but rill (hi government and the Amerl- ' can pwole with the gravest apprehen sion. There Is no vire on Ihe part of our people to pinftl by the misfortunes of Spain, We have only Ihe desire lo i see the Cubans prosperous and contented. eoSovlng Hint measure of self control sthuh la the Imiliennbl right of man. ) prom ted tn their rtiiht lo te..;i the bene- III of the rthauslliSs Measures t in. ir ; iiointry The offer made bv my pt. ! . ss..r In April, lm. tendering the friendly offlves : of this government, failed, and media- . lion on Mir pari rod accepted In brief, th answer read There Is no ef (.. .j..l wav to pacify Cut, unless tt Iss. gins with th s.lual submission, of the rebel to the molh.r couiitrv Then oniv can S;.ln set In the pr..mled direction of br own motion and after her own plan. t wweewlrallwa I f tersslsallow. Ths cruel policy of oru titration was ttiltiatr.t Kebrualf I, !- Tb produc tive districts controlled wf 'he Spanish armies wr depopulated and th agri cultural Inhabitants wet herded In and about th garrison towna, (heir lands b'd wasi and Iheir dwellings destroyed Thi poll, y th 11 rbltt of Soalil Joalihed a a v measure of war sn.l a a means of culling efl supplies from lh Insurgents i II ha utterly failed as war measure, i It was not lllit4 wsrfar 11 lermmsites Ass tot this abiM ef h rights of rf k fH cans! rained, on repeated oc casion, la enter th rm and P' ll wf thi government. Ther ws a h vt luKlit eomtemnalloa of lh lrlmnt wf Asskaa rills na by alleged Illegal ar The instructions given to our new min ister to Spain, before his departure for his post, directed him to impress upon that government the sincere wish of tha United States to lend its aid toward end ing the war in Cuba, by reaching a peace ful and lasting result, just and honor able alike to Spain and the Cuban people, These instructions recited the' character and duration of the contest, the wide spread losses It entails, the burdens and restraint it imposes upon us, with con stant disturbance of national interests and the injury resulting from an Indefinite continuance of this state of things. It was stated that at this Juncture our gov ernment was constrained to seriously in quire if the time was not ripe when Spain, of her own volition, moved by her own in terests and every sentiment of humanity, should put a stop to this destructive war and make proposals of settlement honor able to herself and Just to her Cuban colony. It was urged that, as a neigh boring nation with large interests In Cuba, we could be required to wait only a reasonable time for the mother coun try to establish Its authority and restore peace and order within the borders of the island; that we could not contemplate an indefinite period for the accomplishment of these results. No solution was proposed to which the slightest idea of humiliation to Spain could attach. All that was asked or ex pected was that some safe way might be speedily provided and permanent peace restored. It so chanced that the consid eration of this offer, addressed to the Spanish administration, which had de clined the tenders of my predecessor and which for more than two years had poured more .treasure into Cuba in the' fruitless effort to suppress the revolt, fell to oth ers. Between the departure of General Woodford, the new envoy, and his arrival in Spain, the statesman who had shaped the policy of his country fell by the hand of an assassin, and although the cabinet of the late premier still held office and re ceived from our envoy the proposals he bore, that cabinet gave place, within a few days thereafter, to a new administra tion under the leadership of Sagasta. Spain Friendly Iteply. The reply to our note was received on the 2nd day of October. It Is in the direc tion of a better understanding. It appre ciates the friendly proposals of this gov ernment. It admits that our country Is deeply affected by the war In Cuba and that our desires for peace are Just. It de clares that the present Spanish govern ment Is bound by every consideration to a change of policy that should satisfy the United States and pacify Cuba within a reasonable time. To this end, Spain has decided to put Into effect the political re forms heretofore advocated by the pres ent premier, without halting for any con sideration In the path which, In Its Judg ment, leads to peace. The military operations, It Is said, will continue, but will be humane and con ducted with all regard for private rights, being accompanied by political action leading to the autonomy of Cuba, while guarding Spanish sovereignty. This, it Is claimed, will result In Investing Cuba with a distinct personality, the Island to be governed by an executive and by a local council or chamber, reserving to Spain tho control of the foreign relations, tho army find navy and the judicial adminis trations, To accomplish this, the present govern ment proposes to modify existing legis lation by decree, leaving the Spanish cortes, with the aid of Cuban senators and deputies, to solve the economic prob lema and properly distribute the existing (toli , 6tt "pain a" Chance. In Ihe absence of a declaration of the measures that this government proposes to take In carrying- out Its proffer of good offices. It suggests that Spain be left free to conduct military operations and grunt political reforms, while the United States, for its part, shall enforce Its neutral obli gations, and cut off the assistance which. It Is asserted, Ihe Insurgents receive from this country. The supposition of an In definite prolongation of the war Is de nied. It Is asserted that the Western provinces nre already well-nigh re- ' claimed; that the planting of cane and tobacco therein has been resumed, and that by force of arms and new and ample retormij yery eirly and complete pacifi cation Is hoVd for. The Immediate amelioration of existing condition under Ihe new administration of Cuban affairs Is predicted, and there withal Ihe disturbance and all occasion for any change of attitude on the part of the United Stale. Discussion of the question of Interna tional duties and responsibilities of tha United States as Spain understands them. I presented with an apparent disposition to charge us wilh failure In this regard. This charge Is without any basis In fact. It could not have been made If Spain had b.-n cognisant of the constant effort this , government has made, at the cost of mll i l.eiis and by the employment of the ad I tnlnlslrmive machinery at the national i command, to perform Its full duly accord ing to the low of nation. Thai It bus successfully prevented Ihe df part tire of , single military expedition or armed vessel i from our shores In violation of our law would eit lo tie a sufficient answer. Hut on this siecl of the Spanish not It la not tiecissary to spenk further now. Kiim In the convliiion of a wholly per i f. nmed obligation, due response to thi ! charge hn Urn made In diplomatic Is iie. Thtoushoiit all Ihese horror and d.tngr o our own pes.-, tbl govern no-nt h never In any way abrogated It sovereign prerogative of reserving to It self the determination of It policy and course, in. or. In. g to It own high sense of right and In consonan.-e with Ihe dearest Interests and ronvt. tlons of our own pen ; pv, si,. .ill. I the prolongation of the rtrita so demand. (if the untried maurw there remain only ; ' It.-, .ignition of Ihe Insurgent a being refit, rec ognition of I'te Hub-pen. b in e of Culm, neutral Intervention lo end th war by imposing a rational ompromt be tween the i onl. slants, and lnleiv.ntloii In favor of one or the oilier pai'j 40t m Uaesllew of Awwetatlaw. I speak not of f..r. lb annetntlon, f.r lhal cannot be thoiiitsl of Tlial by our code of PurHty, would le irtminal ag gression Hes os nit ion of the t e,i g-r. n. y of Ihe Cnl-sn insurgent hsa often t - n j canvssaed s a possll.l If hot tnev Itsl-i step, both tn regard to the previous l years' struggle and during trm present wsr. t am nd unmindful thai ih two house nf congress, In th sptlng of l t. epred the opinion, .y corn linen! reso- lutton, (list a condition of pm.ilc war . j lsie-1 re-miring or justifying th rec.ni i lion of a iai of being, rvni y In Cut-. ! an I during th ir ssi.n th serial 1 voted a sow resoiuipin of I k Import, I whlttt. However. tod tmoaahl to a ' vols In lh house la th prsere- of I ha esgnirb ant etpreaston of th seen tnt of I h ivgislaiiva bim h It beh.n.v e the seculv .t.i 'y to c.e.r th con d tlona U"ter ah,, k lniiiasl a Uae must Weed leal (or ; lis! ila t lull. It Is to be seriously considered whether the Cuban insurrection possesses, beyond dispute, the attributes of statehood which alone can demand the recognition of bel ligerency in Its favor. Possession short of the essential qualifications of sover eignty by the insurgents, and the conduct of the war by them according to the rec ognized code of war, are no less important factors toward the determination of the problem of belligerency than are the in fluences and consequences of the struggle upon the internal policy of the recogniz ing nation. The utterances of President Grant In his memorable message of 1875 are signally relevant to the present situa tion in Cuba, and it may be wholesome now to recall them. At that time a serious conflict had for seven years wasted the neighboring island. During all those years an utter disregard of the laws of civilized warfare and of the Just demands of humanity, which called forth expres sions of condemnation from the nations of Christendom, continued unabated. Desolation and ruin pervaded that pro ductive region, enormously affecting the commerce of all commercial nations, but that of the United States more than any other, by reason of proximity and larger trade and intercourse. General Grant's Words. At that Juncture General Grant uttered these words, which now, as then, sum up the elements of the problem: "A recognition of the independence of Cuba being in my opinion impracticable j and Indefensible, the question which next I presents itself is that of the recognition of belligerent rights In the parties to the contest. In a former message to congress I had occasion to consider this question and reached the conclusion that the con flict in Cuba, dreadful and devastating as were its incidents, did not rise to the fearful dignity of war. It is pos sible that the acts of foreign powers and even acts of Spain herself of this very nature might be pointed to In defense of such recognition. But now, as in its past history, the United States should carefully avoid the false lights which might lead it ir.to the mazes of doubt ful law and of questionable propriety and adhere to the rule which has been Its guide, of doing only that which Is right and honest and o1' good report. The question of according or of with holding rights of belligerency must be Judged in every case in view of the. par ticular attending facts. Unless Justified by necessity, it is always, and Justly, re garded as an " unfriendly act and as a gratuitous demonstration of moral sup port to the rebellion. It Is necessary and It is required when the Interests and rights of another government, or its peo ple, are so far affected by pending civil conflict as to require a definition of its relations to the parties thereto. But this conflict must be one which will be recog- onerous code of neutrality would only be Influential within our own Jurisdiction of land and sea and applicable by our own instrumentalities. It could impart to the United States no Jurisdiction be tween Spain and the insurgents. It would give the United States no right of Inter vention to enforce the conduct of the strife within the paramount authority of Spain according to the international code of war. For these reasons, I regard the recog nition, of the belligerency of the Cuban Insurgents as now unwise and therefore inadmissible. Should that step hereafter be deemed wise, as a measure of right and duty, the executive will take It. Intervention upon humane grounds bas been frequently suggested, and it has not failed to receive -my most anxious and earnest consideration. But should such a step be now taken when It is apparent that a hopeful change has supervened in the policy of Spain toward Cuba? Pledges of the New Government. A new government has taken office In the mother country. It is pledged in ad vance to the declaration that all the ef fort In the world cannot suffice to main necessity for such action will be so clear as to command the support aid approval of the civilized world. ANNEXATION Urges tlie OP HAWAII. euate to Accomplish the Union. By a special message dated the 16th day of June last, I laid before the senate of the United States a treaty, signed that day by the plenipotentiaries of the United States and of the republic of Hawaii, hav ing for Its purpose the incorporation ot the Hawaiian islands as an integral part of the United States and under its sov ereignty. The senate having removed the Injunction of secrecy, although the treaty is still pending before that body,, the subject may be properly referred to In this message, as the necessary action of congress Is required o determine by legislation many details of the eventual union, should the fact of annexation be accomplished, as I believe it should be. While consistently disavowing from a very early period any aggressive policy of absorption in regard to the Hawaiian group, a long series of discussion through tain peace in Cuba by the bayonet; that j three-fluarters of a century has pro- vague promises of reform after subjuga tion afford, no solution of the insular problem; that with a substitution of com manders must come a change of the past system of warfare for one in harmony with a new policy which shall no longer aim to drive the Cubans "to the horrible alternative of taking to the thicket or succumbing in misery;" that reforms must be instituted In accordance with the needs and circumstances of the time, and that these reforms, while designed to give full autonomy to the colony and to create a claimed the vital interest of the United States in the Independent life of the islands and their intimate commercial de pendency upon this country. At the same time It has been repeatedly asserted that in no event could the entity of Hawaiian statehood cease by the passage of the is lands under the domination or influence of another power than the United States. Under these circumstances the logic of events required that annexation, before offered but declined, should, in the ripe ness of time, come about as the natural virtual entity and self-controlled admin- i result of strengthening the ties that bind istration, shall yet conserve and affirm the sovereignty of Spain by a Just distri bution of powers and burdens upon a basis of mutual Interest untainted by methods of selfish expediency. The first acts-of the new government He in these honorable paths. The policy of cruel rapine and extermination, that eo long shocked the universal sentiment of humanity, has been reversed. Under the new military commander, a broad clemency is proffered. Measures have al ready been set on foot to relieve the hor rors of starvation. The power of the Spanish armies, it Is asserted, Is to be used, not to spread ruin and desolation, but to protect the resumption of peaceful agricultural pursuits and productive In dustries. That past methods were futile to force a peace by subjugation, Is free ly admitted, and ruin without concilia tion must inevitably fall to win for Spain the fidelity of a discontented dependency. The Reforms for Cuba. Decrees in application of the foreshad- owed reforms have already been pro- nized In the sense of International law aa i mulgated. The full text of these decrees T . I 1 . V,,,. ne ln-nloliD In war. "Belligerency, too, Is a fact. The mere existence of contending armed bodies and their occasional conflicts do not consti tute war in the sense referred to. Apply ing to the existing condition of affairs in Cuba the tests recognized by publicists and writers on International law, and which have been observed by nations of dignity, honesty and power when free from sensitive or selfish and unworthy motives, I fall to find In the insurrection the existence of such a substantial polit ical organization, real, palpable and mani fest to the world, as having the forms and capable of organization, the functions of ordinary government toward Its own people and to other states, with courts for the administration of justice, with a local habitation, possessing such organiza tion of force, such material, such occupa tion of territory as to take the contest out of the category of a mere rebellious Insurrection, or occasional skirmishes, and place it on the terrible footing of war, to which a recognition or belligerency would aim to elevute It. "The contest, moreover, la solely on land; the insurrection has not possessed itself of a single seaport whence it may send forth Its Hug. nor has It any means of communication wt'h foreign powers, except through the military lines of Its adversaries. No apprehension of any of these sudden and difficult complications has not been received, but, as furnished in a telegraphic summary from our minister, the reforms are: All civil and electoral rights of penin sular Spaniards are, by virtue of the exist ing constitutional assembly, forthwith extended to colonial Spaniards. A scheme of autonomy has been proclaimed by de cree to become effective upon ratification by the cortes., It creates a Cuban parlia ment, which, with the insular executive, can consider and vote upon all subjects affecting local order and Interests, pos sessing unlimited powers save as to mat ters ofstate, war and the navy, as to which the governor-general acts by his own authority as the delegate of the cen tral government. This parliament re ceives the oath of the governor-general to preserve faithfully the liberties and privileges of the colony, and to It the colonial secretaries are responsible. It has the right to propose to the central gov ernment, through the governor-general, modifications of a charter and to invito new projects of law or executive meas ures in the interest of the colony. Be sides its local powers, It is competent nrst, to reguinic electoral regisiraiion anu , procedure and prescribe the qualifications , i of electors and the manner of exerc sing us to those islands and be released by the free will of the Hawaiian state. That treaty was unanimously ratified without amendment by the senate and president of the republic of Hawaii on the 10th of September last, and only awaits the favorable action of the American sen ate to effect the complete absorption of the Islands into the domains of the United States. What the conditions of such a union shall be, the political relation thereof to the United States, the character of the local administration, the quality and de gree of the elective franchise of the in habitants, the extension of the federal laws to the territory or the enactment of special laws to fit the peculiar condition thereof, the regulation and needs of labor therein, the treaty has wisely relegated to congress. If the treaty Is confirmed, as every con sideration of dirnity and honor requires, the wisdom of congress will see to It that, avoiding abrupt assimilation of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to share in tha highest franchises of citizenship, and hav ing due regard to the geographical con ditions, the Just provisions for self-rule in local matters with the largest political liberties as an Integral part of our nation will be accorded to the Hawallans. No less is due to a people who after nearly five years of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obligations of self-governing elatehood, come of their free will to merge their destinies in our body politic. The Dispute With Japan. The questions which have arisen between Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treat ment of Japanese laborers emigrating to the Islands under the Hawaiian-Japanese convention of 1888, are in a satisfactory stage of settlement by negotiation. Thls government has not been Invited to medi ate, and on the other hand has sought no Intervention in that matter further than to evince Its kindliest disposition toward such a speedy and direct adjustment be tween the two sovereign states in Interest as shall comport with equity and honor. It Is gratifying to learn that the appre hensions at first displayed on the part of Japan lest the cessation uf Hawaii's na tional life through, annexation might im pair her privileges, lo which Japan prop erly laid claim, have given place to up righteousnesa In the government and sin cerity of Its purpose to deal with all pos- whlch a war upon the ocean Is apt to pre cl-jltate upon the vesselB, both, commer cial and naval, and upon the consular officers of other powers, calls for the definition of their relutlon to the parties , to the contest. Considered as a question of expediency, I regard the accordance of belligerent rights still to be as unwise and premature a I regard It to be, at present. Indefensible as a measure of right. I "Such recognition entails upon the roun- try according the rights difficult and com- plicated duties, and requires the exaction i from the contending parties of the strict observance of their rights nnd obllga- i Hon. It confers Ihe right of search up- : on the hleh sens by vessels of both pur- ties; It would subject the carrying or arms and munitions of war. which now may be 1 transported freely una witnoui interrup tion In vessels of the United Slate, lo detention nnd possible selgure; It would give rise lo countless vexatious questions; It would relieve Ihe present government of responsibility for acls done by Ihe insur gents, and would Invest Spain with the right to exercise the supervision recog nised by our treaty of U'.5 over our com merce on the high sens, a very large part of which. In It truffle between the Atlantic and the (lulf stales gnd between all of them and the slate on the Pacific, pusses through the waters which wash ' the shore of Cuba. The exercise of this supervision could scarce fail to lead. If pot lo abuses, certainly lo collisions, per ilous lo the peaceful relation of the two stale. There ran be Utile duubt as lo what result such supervision would be fore long draw this nation. It would lie unworthy of the Untied Stale to In augurate Ihe possibility of such result by a measure of questionable right or ex pediency, or by any Indiscretion." ot a Time for It ecoaeltloa. Turning lo the practical aspects of a recognition of belllgrrency and reviewing II inconvenience ard possible danger, further pertinent consideration ni..r. In Ihe rode of nation, tl-er I no ucn thing a a nuked re.-ognltlon of belliger ency iinaecompnnlc-d by th assumption of national neutrality. 8m h recognition (Wl-bout ncuiialiiy will not confer upon citt er pnrtv to a domestic confflct a statw not therefore actually pwesrd, or f- fe. t the relation of cither pariy to other slate. The act take ihe form of a .iii mn prociamitlon ; of t.eiitrslltv which recti. the d facto .oii.lltlon of belligerency as Us motive. It announce a .bun. sue lw of neutrality In Ihe declaring ' ile It assume ihe In. ternattomil obligation of a neutral In th pr.eeitie of public stale of war, ll w.ims all cliiieii nnd other within th Jurisdiction "f th latreani lhal Hiey v o. Ul lho r'gnrou bi n . il Inns at their nwn pent and l armol e.e. t so be shield, ed from tb rnnsequem The right of visit and search and Isur of vessel n, isr(os and i . ' rst-..nd of war un I. r.s.lini'aity law must under In'erna llonal la Ins admitted a legiilma' conseqnenc of a proclamation of riitgr rm y W hll cording equal bliig!-enl right defined by public law. to . h par ty in our porta, disfavor would I"- lmpo !H to bcth, which, while tTi-mirislly eon a I. would weigh heavily In behalf of Hpiib, brelf, -....esit g a havy and i la mtng th porta of Cub, her maritime riahta it. old I assorted, not only for the mlliiary Investment of th liand. but up to Hi margin of our own terri torial waters, and a e..r..lni..a of thing w oil.1 ssist frwhi h th Cuban could tt hop tie feats a parallel, whll aid from .within our domain would hm even mora lrciNsiti than now, with lh addlibmal el. I astron of Intern llonal nu!riiiy whh h w would perforce aim Th hf.rctmm of this nlar(4 r4 nlVrnirai easttA f rt nrffonUa firtlirta iif ! Justice with native Judges from membera , "Me ulterior questions In the broadest of the local bar; third, to franle the In- Pint of friendliness. 1 sular budget, both as to expenditures and 1 revenues to meet the Cuban shnre of the i national budget, which latter will be voted I by the national cortes with the assist ance of Cuban senators and deputies; fourth, to Initiate or take part In the ne- 1 gotlntlons of the national government ; for commercial treaties which may affect j Cuban Interests; fifth, to accept or re- i Ject commercial treaties which the nation- ; al government may have concluded with- j , out the participation of the Cuban govern ment; sixth, to frame the colonial tariff, acting In accord with the peninsular gov ernment In scheduling articles of m ituul commerce between the mother country and the colonies, tlefore Introducing or voting upon a bill the Cuban g ivernment or the chambers will lay the project be fore Ihe central fcoverrment nnd hear Its opinion thereon; all the corres; ondenc In such regard being made public. Fi nally, all conflicts of Jurisdiction arlslrg between the d:fferent municipal, prov.n clai nnd Insular nssrmbl.es, or bet we' n the latter and the Insular executive pow- CKNTIl AL AMERICAN STATES. Representation of Onr Government la the Greater Republic. Ai to the representative of this govern ment to Nicaragua. Bulvador and CosXa Rica. 1 have concluded that Mr. William I,, Merry, conlirmed as minister of the United States to the slates of Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa ltica, shall proceed to San Jose, Costa Rica, and there tempo rarily stablish the headquarters of the United States to those three states. 1 took this action fur what 1 regarded as th paramount Interests of this country. It was developed, upon an Investigation by the secretary of state, that the government of Nicaragua, while not unwilling 10 re ceive Mr. Merry In his diplomatic capac ity, was unable to do so on account of tn compact concluded June 20. 1W5, whereby that republic and those of Salvador and Honduras, forming what Is known as th (inaur Republic of Central America, .iad surrendered to the representative diet er. und which, from their nature, may i (hereof their right to receive and tend r.ot be referable to the central govern- ujI,omatic agents. The dirt was not wlll mrnt for decision, shall be submitted lo lnif , ,c(.(.r,i him because he waa not se ttle courts. Result Will dues ne Known. That the government of S ig.ista hns en- tend upon a course from which recession with honor l Impossible, can hardly be , questioned: that In the few weeks It hai , existed It h made earnest of the sin- j eerily of II profession Is undeniable. I ' shall not Impugn Its sincerity, nor shou'd Impatience be aufTi red lo emburras It In the task It ha undertaken, it hon estly due to Spain and to our friendly ; relation with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realise her expectations and to prove Ihe its, rled ef ficiency of Ihe new order of things to which she stands Irrevocably committed. She has m ulled Ihe command, r wls-s brutal ord' r Inflamed th American m ml and shocked the clvlllxid worl I. She hS modified Ihe horrible order of c-mrrntra-tion and h undertaken Ihe car of Ihe helples. and pctmli those who dis'r to resume the cultlvntlon of ihelr flebt 10 do o and assure them of the protection of the Spun h government In their lawful neriipatlons. She has Just released th Competitor prisoners, hiretofor en t r d to disth. and who have been the subject of repealed diplomatic eorre-siotul.-nce during both th' and Ihe pre- f recognition usually i .,,!;,, administration. Not a sing e American i itlsen 1 r.ow under nrrest or In cftitflmrnent in Cuba .f whom this gov- rnmitit has any know'.!.., Th near fulqr i; rtnu.iitrv whe'h- , er the mdlspepsah e comllt on of a rleht- j eon peace. Just ap.k lo th Cubans r,. . to Spam. Well sa eq-llla' I lo sll our Inii rests, so inllmati ly involved In lh j welfare of Cuba, I to be alt ilne.l If pot. the ex'.g.n. y of further a1.! ether action , l.y ih l'nlld Pistes will reman to b tkni When that tin comes, that so- ! lion will lie determined In the lire nf In d.spulsble right and duly. It will b fmul without ml-g'v ng or hesltanrv. n the light of Ihe obligation th! government owe lo Hself. to the tnpl who har con. fbie l lo II th protection of their Inter! and hor, and to humanity, j All! Iwtr Wfcea rmrf. j Sur of Ih right, keeping free from all Offeree ourselves. i tllsle l only bv UP ' r.gM and patriot c crs Vration moved ; pen her hr pasei.ia nor mhne. th government will ronllnu It wiehful ' car over tk right and property of Amer'raa cl tsen and Will sbvt nor, of p. effort ( burg about hy pef il gen. le a peace w h , end endur ng If It hU hereafter be a , duty imied hr our higiio lo our at la civil ti.n ar.d humanity l Intervene with fore. H h'l b tiheut fault en ur pari, and nly bu lh credited to that body. I could not ac credit him to that body because the appro pr.atlon law of congress did not permit. Mr. IJaker, the present minister at Man agua, has been directed to present tin letters of recall. Mr. (lodfrey Hunter ha likewise been accredited to lh government of (laute niala and Honduras, the same as his pred ecessor. Guatemala Is not a member of the Greater Republic of Central America, hut Honduras is. Should this latter gov ernn.ent decline to receive him, he has been Instructed to report this fact to hia government and awa.l Ha further Instruc tions. The Mearagna Canal, A subject of large Importance to our country and Im-reaiing pprc,ailon on th part of the people 1 Ihe completion of the great hlghwy of trede between the At lantic and Pacific known as th Nicara gua canal. 11 vslu to American com merce i unlv rwally admitted. The com mission appointed under date of July It last "lo continue Ih survey and exam , (nation authned by the act approve,! March I. 1V, In rcgsrl to the proper rout, feasibility and cost of eotisiruc linn of ihe Nlcarsgua canal, with a view of mak.rtg complete plans for th enure work of construction of such ranal." la now employed in th undertaking, tn Ih future I shall tk occasion to transmit to consne th report of thi mm i on, i making at Ih m urn uch further ' suggestions as may then seem a.!isbl. I'l of Payne !"t THR IllwKTttMC t OHwiailiH. l allsre wf Ik Mission of Ike Special ailv !:. Under th pfovlslcaa of Ih act of MIS. gres approved Mr- h I. 1T, for Ihe pro motion of an international agreement re al! ting bimeiali.m. I appointed on Anrli II. IWT. lion, rdward o. Vvoleoii. of Colorado: Hon. Ad'l F. Stevensm llllnwia. and Hun. Charles 1. of klssssi hnsella. a le, lal nvi) lo represent Ih United State. They have bn diligent In their effort to secure th concurrence and co-t.pertlon of Kuro pn count rie la Ih International set tlement of th question, but tip to thi t im rtsv hoi ween able to swur an agreement contemplated by their mission. The grtlfylng a. Hon of our great is lr rspubltr of r"rncw In Joining thta country in th attempt to bring gj-oul th h shall b hinorh1 i grirnt between th principal rem- rne. lal nation of Kurop. whrly a Used and relstsv valu between gold and iirr shall b cured, furnish assur ance ths! w ar not alone among tha larger aallun ! Ih world In rwiisJng