The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-12-09

{
j to transfer from one European power
to another. When the present rela-
| tions of colonies cease they are TO be-
come independent powers, exercising
| the right of choice and of self control
| in the determination of their future
condition and relation with other
powers. The United States, in order
to pnt stop to bloodshed in Cuba,
and i'll the interest of neighboring
people, proposed their good Offices to
bring the existing contest to termin
alton. The offer not being accepted
| by Spain on basis which we believed
could be received by Cuba, was with
| drawn. II is hoped that the good of
fees of the United States may yet
prove advantageous for the settlement
of the unhappy strife. Meanwhile
number of illegal expeditions against
Cuba have been broken up. 1t has
been the endeavor of the administra-
ton to execute the neutrality laws in
good faith. no matter how unpleasant
the task, made so by the suffering we
/ have endured from lack of like good
faith towards us By other, nations.
The United States schooner Lizzie
Major was arrested on the high seas
by a Spanish frigate, and two passen-
gers taken from it and carried as pris-
oners TO Cuba. Representations of
| these facts were made to the Spanish
government as soon as official infor-
nation OF them reached Washington.
| The two passengers were set at liberty
and the Spanish government assured
kthe United States that the captain of
the frigate i'll making the capture had
acted without law that he had been
reprimanded for the irregularity of his
conduct, and that the Spanish author
tiles in Cuba would not sanction any
act that could violate the rights or
treat with disrespect the sovereignty
! of this nation.
The question of the seizure of the
brig Mary Lowell, Mt one of the Bahia
ma Islands, by the Spanish authorities
is now the subject OF correspondence
between tilis government and those
of Spain and Great Britain.
The Captain General of Cuba, about
May last issued proclamation author
izing search to be made of vessels on
the high seas. An immediate re-
monstrance was made against this,
whereupon the captain-general issued
a new proclamation, limiting the right
of search of vessels of the United
| States, so far as authorized under the
treaty of 1895. This proclamation,
however, was immediately with
drawn. | have always felt that the
most intimate relations should be cul-
tivated between the republic of the
United States and all Independent ma
tions on this continent. 1t may be
we'll worth considering whether new
treaties between us and them may not
be profitably entered into to secure
more intimate relations, friendly, COM
mercial and otherwise.
THE DARIEN CANAL. r l.
The subject of an interoceanic canal
to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans through the isthmus of Darian
is one in which commerce is greatly
interested. Instructions have been
given to our minister to the Republic
of the United States of Columbia to
endeavor to obtain authority for sur
vey by this government i'll order TO
determine the practieability of such
an undertaking, and charter for the
right of way to build by private en-
terprise such work if the survey
proves it to be practicable. In order
!, ! to comply with the agreement of the
, United States as to mixed commits
t sion at Lima, for the adjustment OF
} claims, it became necessary to send a
commissioner and Secretary to Lima
in August last. No appropriation
, having been made by Congress fol
this purpose, it is now asked that one
be made, covering the past and future
expenses of the commission.
MEDIATION BETWEEN SPAIN AND PERU
, The good offices of the United
: States to bring about peace between
/ Spain and the South American repub
lies with which she is at war, having
, been accepted by Spain, Peru and
e Chill, a congress has been invited -tc
], be held in Washington during The
: present Winter. A grant has beer
S given to Europeans of an exclusive
!, right of transit over the territory O.
' Nicaragua, to which Costa Rica ha!
: given its assent, which, it is alleged
< conflicts with vested rights of the cit
/ liens OF the United States. The de
/ partment of State has now this subjec
: under considerati on.
v THE SPANISH GUNBoATs.
: The minister OF Peru having made
81
: of war between Peru and Spain, anC
2 that Spain was constructing in anC
: near New York thirty gunboats
t which might be used by Spain in suci
: a way as to relieve the naval force a
: Cuba SO as to operate against Peru
0 orders were given to prevent the de
parture of these vessels, and l no
Y feeling authorized to detain the prop
: erty Of nation with which we are a
peace on mere executive order, the
/ matter has been referred to the courts
: to decide. The conduct of the wa
f between the Allies and Republic o
5 Paraguay has made our intercourse
0 with that country so difficult that i
: has been deemed advisable to with
draw our representative from there.
= THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
t Toward the close of the last admin
+ istration convention was signed a
f London for the settlement of all out
: standing claims between Great Brit
: ain and the United States, which fail
: ed to receive the advice and consen
: of the Senate to its ratification. Th,
: time and the circumstances attendin!
:, the negotiation of the treaty were ia
: vorable to its acceptance by the peo
pie of the United States, but its pro
n visions were wholly inadequate TO
e the settlement of the grave wrong
: that had been sustained by this gov
b ernment as well as by its citizens
e The injuries resulting to the United
:. States by reason of the course adopt
ed by Great Britain during our lat
f civil war increased the rates of insur
: ance, in the dilninution of exports ant
r imports, and other distractions to do
It mestic industry and production, in it
+ effect upon the foreign commerce O
n the country, in the decrease and trans
= fer to Great Britain of our commercia
t marine, i'll the prolongation of tn
s war, and increased cost both in treas
n ure and in lines of its suppression
II could not be adjusted and satisfied a
y ordinary commercial claims whic
l. continually arise between commercis
e nations; and yet the convention treat
l. ed them simply as such ordinar
e claims, from which they differ NOR
II widely i'll the gravity of their charac