North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-15

the people Of Cuba in their pending
struggle that they manifested through
out the previous struggles between
Spain and former colonies in behalf of
the latter +; but the contest at no time as
sumed the conditions which amount
to war in the sense of international
law, or which would show the existence
of de facto political organization of
the insurgents, sufficient to justify re-
cognition of belligerency. The principle
is maintained, however, that this nation
is its own judge when to accord the
rights Of belligerency either to7a people
struggling to free themselves from a
government that they believe to be OPP
ressive, 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 colon
ial possessions on this continent. They
believe that in due time Spain and other
European Powers will find their interest
in terminating those relations and es-
tablishing their present dependencies as
independent powers-members Of the
family of nations. These dependencies
are no longer regarded as subject to
transfer from one European power to
another. When the present relation Of
colonies ceases, they are to become inde-
pendent powers, exercising the right of
choice and of self.control in the deter
mination of their future condition and
relations with other powers. The United
States, in order to put a stop to bloodshed
in Cuba, and in the interest of fneighboring
people, proffered their good offices to
bring the existing contest to termina-
tion. The offer not being accepted by
Spain on basis which we believed could
be received by Cuba, it was Withdrawn.
It is hoped that the good Offices of the
United States may yet prove advantage
GUS for the settlement of this unhappy
strife. Meanwhile number Of illegal
expeditions against Cuba have been
broken up. It has been the endeavor
of the Administration 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
good faith toward us by other nations.
The United States schooner Lizzie Ma
jor was arrested on the high seas by a
Spanish frigate, and two passengers
taken from it and carried as prisoners
to Cuba. Representations of these facts
were made to 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 max.
ing the capture, had acted without Law
that he had been reprimanded 70,
the irregularity OF his conduct, and thai
the Spanish authorities in Cuba would
1 not sanction anv act that would violate
the rights, or treat with disrespect tn.
sovereignty, Of this nation.
The question of the seizure of the bri,
Mary Lowell, at one Of the Baham,
Islands, by the Spanish authorities, i.
now the subject Of correspondence be
tween this Government and thUse of Spair
and Great Britain. The Captain General
of Cuba, about May last, issued procla
nation authorizing search to be made oil
vessels on the high seas. Immediate re-
monstrance was made against this, where.
upon the Captain General issued new
proclamation, limiting the right of search
of the vessels Of the United States 80 far
as authorized under the treaty of 1895
This proclamation, however, was immedi-
ately withdrawn.
have always felt that the most inti.
mate relations should be cultivated be-
tween the Republic of thu United States
and all independent nations on this CONT
nent. 1t may be we'll worth considering
whether treaties between the United States
and them may be not profitably entered
into, to secure more ultimate relations,
friendly commercial intercourse, and 9th
erwise.
The subject of an inter.oceanic canal to
connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
through the Isthmus Of Darien is one in
which commerce is greatly interested.
Instructions have been given to our Min
lister to the Republic of the United States
Of Colombia to endeavor to obtain author
ity for survey by this Government in or.
der to determine the practicahility of such
an undertaking, and charter for the
right of way to build by private enter
prise such work if the survey proves it to
be practicable.
In order to comply with the agreemen,
of the United States a. to o mixed com
mission at Lima, for the adjustment Of the
claims, it became necessary to send a
Commissioners to Lima in August last
No appropriation having been made for
this puI pose, it is now asked that one be
made covering the past and future expen.
ses of the Commission.
| The good Offices of the United States,
to brtng about peace between Spain and
the South American Republics, with
which she is at war, having been accepted
by Srain, Peru and Chill, q congress has
been invited to be held in Washington
during the present winter.
A grant has been given to Europeans oi
an exclusive right of transit ever the ter
ritory of Nicaragua to which Costa Rica
has given it's assent, which, it is alleged
conflicts with vested rights of citizens oil
the United States. The Department oil
State has now this subject under consider
alton.
The Minister of Peru having made rep
reservations that there was 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 relieve the ma
val force at Cuba SO as to operate against
Peru, orders were given to prevent their
departure. No further steps having been
taken by the representative of the Peru.
vian Government to prevent the departure
of these vessels, and l not feeling author
ized to detain the property of nation
with which we are at peace on mere
Executive order, the matter has been re-
ferred to the courts to decide.
The conduct of the war between the al.
lies and the Republic of Paraguay has