The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-12-09

the Pacific, passes through the waters which wash
the shores of Cuba The exercise of this super
vision coud scarce fail 10 lead. if not to abuses
certainly TO collisions perous to the peaceful rela
nons of the two States. There can be little doubt
70 what result such supervision would before long,
draw this nation 1t would be unwo thy of the
United States to naugurate the possibilities of such
result by measures of questionabIe-rgbt or expe-
diency, or by any indirection.
Apart from any question Of theoretical right,
an SATISFIED that while the accordance of beliger
rt gls to the insurgents in Cuba might give them
hope and inducement to protract the struggle, it
would be but delusiye hope, aud would not re-
move the evils which this Government and its peo-
pie are experiencing. but would draw the United
States3into complications which it has waited long
and already suffered much to avoid. The recog-
milton of ndepe ndence of belgerency being thus
in my iudgme Mt equally ina Iaissible it remains 20
consider what course shall be adopted should the
conf ct not soon be brought to an end by acts Of
tn parties themselves, and should the evils which
resultsthl refroln, affecting all nations, and par
ticulsrly the United States, continue In such
event am of the opinion that other nations will
be compelled to assume the responsibility which
deyolves upon them, and to seriously consider
the only remaining measures possible media
ton and intervention. Owing, perhaps, to the
large expanse of water separating the island
from the peninsula, the want of harmony
and of personal sympathy between the inhabitants
of the colony and those sent Jhither rule them,
and want of adaptation of the ancient colonial sys
tenn of Europe to the present times and to the ideas
which the events of the past century have developed,
the cOnteDding parties appear to have within them
selves no depository of common confidence, to sug-
gest wisdom, when passion and excitement have
their say and to assume the part OF peacemaker.
In this view in the early days of the contest, the
good offices of the United States, as mediator,
rendered in good faith without any selfish purpose,
in the interest of humanity, and il sincere friend
ship for both parties, but We're at the time declined
by Spain with the declaration nevertheless that at
a future time they would be Indispensable. No in
timation has been received that in the opinion OF
SPAIN that time has been reached, and yet the STRIFE
continues with all its dread horrors and all ts in
juries to the interests OF the United States
and of other nations. Each party seems
quite capable Of working great injury and damage
to the other, we'll as to all the relations and
interests depending on the existence Of peace in
the island but they seem incapable of reaching
any adjustment, and both have thus far failed OF
achieving any success whereby one party shall pos
tess and control the island to the exclusion of the
other.e Under these circumstances, the agency OF
others, either by mediation or by Intervention,
seems to be the only alternative which must sooner
or Later be invoked for the termination Of the strife
At the same time, while thus impressed, i do not
at this time recommend the adoption of any meas
ure of Intervention. shall be ready at ali times,
and as the equal friend of both parties to respond
to suggestion that the good offices of the United
States will be acceptable to aid in bringing about
peace honorable to both. 1t Is due to SPAN so lar
as this Government is concerned, that the agency
Of third power, to which have averted, shall
be adopted only as last expedient. Had il been
the desire of the United States to interfere III
doing have been presented within the last few years.
but we have remained passive and have performed
our over whole duty and all international obligation
to Spain with friendship fairness and fidelity, and
with spirit of patience and forbearance which
negatives every possible suggestion of desire to in
terfere to add to the difficulties with which she
has been surrounded. The Government of Spain
has recently submitted to our Minister at Madrid,
certain proposals, which il is hoped may be found
to be the basis if not the actual submission of terms
to meet the requirements of the particular grefs OF
which this Government has felt itself entitled to
complain. These proposals have not yet reached
me in their full text On their arrival they will be
taken into careful examination, and may,
hope, lead to satisfactory adjustment of the
questions to which they refer, and remove the
possibility of future occurrences, such as have
given rise to our just complaints 1t is understood,
also that renewed efforts are being made to intro
duce reform in the internal administration of the
island. Persuaded, however, that proper regard
for the interests of the United States and of its c
zens entitled to relief from the strain to which it
has been subjected by the difficulties OF the ques-
tons, and the wrongs and losses which arise from
the contest in Cuba, and that the interests of human
ity itself demand the cessation of the strife before
the whole island shall be laid waste and larger
rices of life be made Ipshal feel it my duty should
my hopes OF satisfactory adjustment and of
early restoration of peace and the removal of future
causes of complaint, be unhappily disappointed, to
make further communication to Congress, at some
period not far remote, and during the present
sion, recommending what legislation may then seem
to me to be necessary.
The Free Zone, SO called several years since es-
tablished by the Mexican Government in certaln
of the states Republic adjacent to from
tier remains in full operation. It has always been
injurious to honest traffic, for it operates
as an incentive to traders IN Mexico to supply,
without customs charges, the wants of the inhabit-
ants this side Of the line, and prevents the
wants from being supplied by merchants of the
United States, thereby to considerable extent de-
frauding our revenue and checking honest CONNER
cial enterprise. Depredations by armed bands from
Mexico on the people of Texas, near the frontier,
continue. Though the main object of the ncursions
der of unarmed and peaceably disposed
persons, and in some instances even
the United states Postoffces ana mail CONF
municatlons have been attacked Renewed
dressed TO the Mexican Government but without
much apparent effect. The military force Of this
Government disposable for service in that quarter
is quite inadequate to efectually guard the line
at those points where the ncursions are usual
ly made An experiment of an armed vessel on the
Rio Grande for that purpose is on trial and it is
hoped that, if not thwarted by the 6hallowness of
the river and other natural obstacles, may mater
ally contribute to the protection OF the herdsmeno OF
Texas. ##98g6 NJ
the convention between the United States and
Mexico of the 4th of July 1863, on the subject of
claims, will soon be brought to close. The result
of these proceedings will then be communicated to
Congress. tH y-a
I am happy to announce that the Government of
has, upon further consideration practi-
States that share of its revenue which some years
since it allotted toward the extingushment of claims
of foreigners generally. In thus reconsdering its
determination, that Government has shown just
sense of self-respect which cannot fail to reflect 4
credit upon in the eyes of all dsinterested persons
elsewhere. It is to be regretted however, that its
on account of claims of citizens of the
United States still meagre in amount, and
that the stpulatons of the treaty in regard to the
sums to be paid and the periods when chose pay
ments were to take place should have been so sig
naly disregarded.
Since my last annual message the exchange
has been made of the ratification of treaty
of commerce and navigation with Belgium, and
and of conventions with Mexican Republic for the
further extent of the joint commission respecting
claims, with the Hawaiian Islands for commercial
reciprocity and with the Ottoman Empire for
extradition, all of which have been duly proclaimed
The Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims
has prosecuted its important duties very assiduous
Iy and very satisfactorily. It convened and was
organized on the 22d day of July, 1874 and by the
terms of the act under which it was created was to
exist for year from that date The act provided
however, that should it be found impracticable to
complete the work of the cou.t before the expira-
ton of the year. the President might by proclama-
hon extend the time of its duration to period not
more than six months beyond the expiration of
ono wear Having rpcevn6 ra+;sfootorxy ox;danca