The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-12-10

tlon OF DeILlgerency. The principle II
maintained, however, that this nation is
its own judge as to when TO accord the
rights of belligerency either to people
struggling TO free themselves from a
government they believe TO be oppres-
sive, or to independent nations at war
with each other. The United States
have no disposition TO interfere with the
existing relations of Spain to her colonial
possessions on this continent. They be-
lieve that in due time Spain and other
European pSwers will find their inter-
ests in terminating these relations and
establishing their present dependencies
as independent powers-members of the
family of nations. These dependencies
are no longer regarded as subject to trans
fer from one European power to another.
When the present relations of colonies
cease, they are to become independent
powers, exercising the right OF choice
and of self control III the determination
of their future condition and relation
with other powers. The United States,
in order to put stop to bloodshed in
Cuba, and the interest of the neighbour
ing people, proposed their good
Offices TO bring the existing contest to a
termination. The offer not being accep-
ted by Spain on q basis which we be-
ieved could be received by Cuba, it was
withdrawn. 1t is hoped that the
good offices of the United States
may yet prove advantageous for the set
Element of this unhappy strife. Mean
while number of Illegal expeditions
against Cuba have been broken up. 1T
has been the eudeavor of the admins
tration TO execute the neutrality laws iii
good faith no matter how unpleasant
the task, made so by the sufferings we
have endured from lack of like good
faith towards us by other nations.
The United States schooner Lizzie Ma
jor was arrested Oh the high seas by
Spanish frigatc and two passengers taken
from il and carried as prisoners to Cuba.
Representation of these facts were made
known 10 the Spanish government as
soon as official information of them
reached Washington. The two passen-
gers were set at liberty and the Spanish
government assured the United States
that the captain of the frigate
in making tho captures had acted with
out law, that no had been reprimanded
for the irregularity of his conduct, and
that the Spanish authorities in Cuba
would not sanction anything that could
violate the right, or treat with disrespcct
the sovereignty of this nation.
The question of the seizure OF the brig
Mary Lowell at Que of the Bahama Is
lands by Spanish authorities Is HOW the
subject of correspondence between this
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. Immediate remonstrance
was made against this; whereupon the
Captain General issued new proclama-
ton limiting the right of search of YES
sells of the United States so far as author
lied under the treaty of 1895. This
proclamation, however, was immediate
ly withdrawn.
NEW TREATIES.
have always felt that the most init
mate relations should be cultivated be-
tween the Republic of the United States
and all independent nations on this con-
tinent. 1t may well be worth consider
ing whether new treaties between the
United States and them may not be
profitably entered into to secure more
intimate extraordinarily commercial
and otherwise.
INTER-oCEASIC CANAL.
The subject of an inter-oceanic canal
toconneettheA Atlantic and Pacific oceans
through the Isthmus of Darien is one
which commerce ia greatly interested in.
Instructions have been given to our
minister to the Republic OF the United
States of Columbia TO endeavor To obtain
authority for q survey By this govern
ment In order to determine the practica-
bIIity OF such all undertaking, and q
charter for the right of way to build by
private enterprise such work II the sur
vey proves it to be practicable.
SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
In order TO comply with the agree
ment of the United States for n mixed
commission at Lima for the adjustment
of claims, it became necessary to send
commission and sec'y TO Lima in August
last: No appropriation having been
made by Congress for this purpose. it is
new advised that one be made, covering
the past and future expenses of the COM
mission.
The good Offices of the United States to
bring about peace between Spain and
the South American Republics with
which she is at war having been accept
ed by Spain, Peru and Chilli, q congress
has been invited to be held in Washing
ton during the coming winter.
RIGHT OF TRANSIT OVER NICARAGUA.
y grant has been given to Europeans
of an exclusive right of transit over the
territory of Nicaragua, to which Costa
Rlca has given its consent, which, it is
alleged, conflicts with vested rights of
citizens of the United States. The De
partment OF State has now this subject
under consideration.
THE SPANISH GUNBoATS.
The Minister of Peru having made
representations that there was a state of
war between Peru and Spain, and that
Spain WAS constructing in and near
New York thirty gunboats, which might
be used by Spain in such way as to re-
lievc the naval force at Cuba so as to OPP
crate against Peru, orders were given to
prevent their departure. No further
steps having been taken by the represen-
tatives of the Peruvian government, and
not feeling authorized to detain the
property of a nation with which we are
at peace OH a mere executive order. the
matter has been referred to the courts to
decide.
THE WAR IN PARAGUAY.
The conduct of the war between the
allies and the Republic of Paraguay has
made the intercourse with that country
SO difficult that it has been deemed adj
visable to Withdraw our representative
from there.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Toward the close of the last admins
tration, convention was signed at Lon
don for the settlement of all outstanding
claims between Great Britain
and the United States, which
failed to receive the advice and
consent of the Senate to its ratification.
The time and circumstances attending
the negotiation of the treaty were not /