The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-06

when the action oil the United States can
hasten the return of peace by single hour
that action will be heartily taken.
THF PROCLAMATION OF NEUTRALITY.
deemed it prudent in view of the number |
of persons of German and French birth living |
in the urited States to issue soon after ofhc'al
notice of state of war had been received from
both belligerents proclamation defining the
duties of the United States as aneutraI ana
the obligations of persons residing WITHIN theit
territory to observe their laws and the laws OF
nations This proclamation was followed by
others as circumstances deemed to call Tor
them. The people, thus acquainted in adj
vance of their duties and obligations, have as
sisted in preventing violations of the neutrality
of the United States.
THE CUBAN RESOLUTION.
1t is not understood that the condition of
the insurrection in Cuba has materially chang
ed since the close of the last session of Con-
gress. In an early stage of the contest the
authorities of Spain inaugurated system OF
arbitrary arrests. close confinement and OF
military trial and execution of persons sus-
pected of completely with the insurgents
and of summary embago OF their pro-
pensities and the sequestratlon OF
their revenues by the executive warrant
Such proceedings, SO tar as they a1ect the
persons or property OF citizens OF the pro
United States and Spain. The representa-
tons of injuries resulting to several persons
| claiming to be citizens of the United States by
reason Of such violations were made to the
| Spanish government. From April, 1869, to
| June last the Spanish Minister at Washington
had been clothed with limited power to aid
| in redressing such wrongs. That power was
found to be withdrawn in view as 1t was said,
| of the favorable situation in which the Island
| of Cuba then was which however did not lead
| to revocation or suspension of the extraordi-
| nary and arbitrary functions exercised by the
| executive power in Cuba and we were obliged
to make one complaint at Madrid.
In the negotiations thus opened and still
pending there the United States claimed that
for the future the rights secured to their citi-
zens by treaty should be respected in Cuba
and that as to the past joint tribunal should
be established in the United States with full
| jurisdiction of all such claims. Before such
an impartial tribunal each claimant would
be required to prove his case.
On the other hand Spain would be at
liberty to traverse every material fact and
thus complete equity would be done.
| CLAIMS FOR SPANISH INDIGNITIEs
A case which at one time threatened serious
| ly to effect the relations between the United
States and Spain has already been dis
posed of on this way, the claim of the
| Col. Lloyd Aspinwall for the illegal seizure
and detention of that vessel was referred to ar
bitxation by mutual consent and has resulted
| in an award to the United States for the own
ers of the same of $19,702.50 in gold.
Another and long pending claim of like
nature, that of the whale ship Canada, has
been disposed of by friendly arbitrament dur
| ing the present year. 1t was referred by the
| joint consent of Brazil and the United States
70 fIo ~ ;r Tbnr,
Britannia MajestyS minister at Washington,
who kindly undertook the task OF examining
the vcluminous mass of correspondence and
| testimony contributed by the two govern
| ments, and awarded to the United States the
| sum of one hundred thousand and seven
hundred and forty dollars and nine cents in
| gold, which has since been paid by the Impe-
| rial government. These recent examples
| show that the mode which the United States
has proposed to Spain for adjusting the pend
ing claims are just and feasible, and that it
may be agreed to by either nation without
dishonor. 1t is to be hoped that this moder-
ate demand may be acceded to by Spain
without further delay. Should the pending
negotiations unfortunately and unexpectedly
be without result it will then become my duty
to communicate that fact to congress and in
vite its action on the subject.
SPAIN AND THE ALLIED REPUBLICS.
The long deferred peace conference between
Spain and the allied South American repub-
lies have been inaugurated in Washington
under the auspices of the United States.-
Pursuant to the recommendation contained
in the resolution of the House of Representa-
tives of the 18th of December, 1866, the ex-
ecutive department of the government offer
ed its friendly offices for the promotion of
peace and harmony between Spain and the
allied republics. Hesitations and obstacles
occurred to the acceptance of the offer. Ult-
mately, however, conference was arranged
and was opened in this city on the 18th of
October last, at which authorized the Sec
rotary of State to preside. 1t was attended
by the ministers of Spain, Peru, Chill and
Ecquador. In consequence of the absence of
a representative from Bolivia. the conference
was adjourned until the attendance of plen-
ipotentiary from that republic could be secur-
ed or other measures adorted towards COM
passing its object. The allied and other. re-
pnblics of Spanish origin on this continent
may see in this fact new proof of our sim
cere interest in their welfare, of our desire to
SOC them blessed with good governments Ca
pable of maintaining order and preserving
their respective territorial integrity, and O.
our sincere wish for the extension of our own
commercial and social relations with them
The time is not probably far distant when in
the natural course of events, the European
political connection with this continent will
cease. Our policy should be shaped in view
of this probability so as to ally the CONNER
cial interests of the Spanish American States
more closely to our own, and thus give tho
advantages which Mr.. Monroe, Mr.. Adams
and Mr.. Clay contemplated when they pro-
posed to join in the congress of Panama.
THE ANNEXATION OF SAN DOMINGO.
During the last session of Congress trea-
ty for the annexation of the republic of San
Domingo to the United States failed to re-
ceive the requisite two-thirds vote of the Sen
ate. l was thoroughly convinced then that
best interests of this country, commercially
and materially, demanded its ratification.
Time has only confirmed me in this view.
now firmly believe that the moment it is
known that the United States have entirely
abandoned the project of accepting as part
of its territory the Island of San Domingo,
free port will be negotiated for by European
nations. In the Bay of SANTANA a large COM
mercial city will spring up to which we will
be tributary without receiving corresponding
benefits. The government Of San Domingo
has voluntarily sought this annexation. It
is "a weak power, numbering probably less
than 100000 souls, and yet possessing one of
the richest locations under the sun, and capa-
BILE OF supporting population of 100000
of people in luxury. The people of San Do
mingo are not capable of maintaining them
look for outside support. They yearn for the
protection of our fleet, institutions and laws,
our progress and civilization. Shall we re-
fuse them? The acquisition of San Domingois
desirableibecause of its geographical position.
1t commands the entrance of the Caribbean
and the Isthnus, the transit Of commerce
1t possesses the richest soil, the best and most
capaciOus harbor, the most salubrious climate
and the most valuable products of the purest
mines aud soil of any of the West India Is
lands. Its possession by us will in a few
years build up coastwiSe commerce of i'm
mense magnitude, which will go far towards |
restoring to us those articles which we con-
slider greatly and do not produce; thus canal |
izing our exports and imports. In case of a |
foreign war it will give us command Of all Of |
the islands and thus prevent an enemy from |
availing himself OF rendezvous on our coast. |
At present our coast trade between the States |
bordering on the gulf of Mexico is by the Ba- |
hamas and the Antilles, thus we must, as |
it were, pass through foreign countries to get |
from Georgia to the west coast of Florida. |
San Domingo with suitable government,
under which her immense resources can be |
developed, will give remunerative wages to |
10000 laborers not now upon the island. This |
labor will take advantage of every available |
means of transportation to abandon the ad- |
jacent islands and seek the blessings of free l
dom and its consequences, each inih abtant |
receiving the reward OF his own labor. Porto |
Rico and Cuba will. have to abolish slavery |
as a measure of self preservation to retain |
their laborers. San Domingo will become a |
large consumer of the products of northern |
farms and manufactures. The cheaplrate at |
which her citizens can be furnished with food,
tools and machinery will make it necessary |