The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-12-09

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a mediator, were intended in good faith
without any selfish purpose, in the inter
est of humanity and in sincere friendship
for both parties, but were at the time
declined by Spain, with the declaration,
nevertheless, that at some future time
they would be indispensable. No inti-
nation has been received that, in the
opinion of Splin, that time has been
reached; and yet the strife continues
with its dread horrors, and all its inju-
ries to the interests of the United States,
and of other nations. Each party seems
quite capable of working great injuries
and damage to the other, as well as to all
the relations and interests dependent
upon 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 possess and control the
island TO the exclusion of the other.
These circumstances indicate that the
agency of others, either by mediation or
by Intervention, seems to be the only al
tentative which must sooner or later be
invoked for the termination of the strife.
At the same time while thus impressed,
l do not recommend the adoption of any
measure of intervention. shall be
ready at all times, and as the equal
friend. of both parties, to respond to a
suggestion that the good offices of the
United States will be an acceptable aid
in bringing about peace honorable to
both. 1t is due to Spain, so far as this
Government is sconcerned, that the agency
of third power, to which have ad-
verted, shall be adopted only as last ex-
pedient. Had it been the desire of the
United States to interfere in the affairs
of Cuba, repeated opportunities for SO
doing have been presented within the
last few years; but we have remained
passive and have performed our whole
duty and all international obligations to
Spain with friendly firmness and fidelity,
and with spirit of patience and for
bearance which negatives every possible
suggestion of desire to interfere or add
to the difficulties with which she has
been surrounded. The Government of
Spain has recently submitted to our
Minister af Madrid, certain proposals,
which may be found to be the basis, if
not the actual submission of terms to
meet the requirements of the particular
griefs of which this Government has felt
itself entitled to complain. These pro-
posals have not yet reached me in their
full text. On their arrival they will be
taken into careful examination, and it
may be hoped will lead to satisfactory
adjustment of the question to which
they refer, and remove the possibilities
of future interference, such as have given
rise to our just complaints.
1t is understood, also, that renewed
offers are being made to introduce reform
in the internal administration of the
Island. lam persuaded, however, that a
proper regard for the interests of the
United States and of its citizens entitle
it to relief from the strain to which it
had been subjected by the difficulties of
the questions, and the wrongs which arise
from the contest in Cuba and that the
interests of humanity itself demand the
cessation of the strife before the whole
island shall be laid waste, and large
sacrifices of life be made.
l shall feel Tiny duty. should my hope
of satisfactory adjustment, and of the
early restoration of peace and the re-
moval of future causes of complaint be
most happily dissipated, to make
further communication to Congress, at
some period not far remote, and during
the present session recommend what may
seem, to me, to- be necessary to the favor
able consideration of Congress.
The President recommends, as the
powers of Europe have manifested
friendly interest toward the United
States in joining in celebrating the Cen
NAL, that more national Importance be
given to this exhibition.
After speaking of reports of sundry
boards of commission, the President con-
tinues: In nearly every annual message
that have had the honor of transmit
ting to Congress, l have called atten-
tion to the fact that the free zone,
so-called, several years since estab-
lished by the Mexican Government in
certain of the States of that republic
adjacent to our frontier, remains in full
operation. 1t has always been materially
injurious to honest traffic, for it operates
as an incentive to traders in Mexico, to
supply, without customs charges, the
wants of the inhabitants on this side of
the line, and prevents the same wants
from being supplied by merchants of the
United States, thereby to a considerable
extent defrauding our revenue and
checking honest commercial enterprise.
Depredations by armed bands from
Mexico on the people of Texas, near the
frontier, continue. Though the main
object of the incursions is robbery, they
frequently result in the murder of un-
armed and peaceably disposed persons,
and in some instances even the United
States post-ofices and mail communica-
tions have been attacked. Renewed re-
monstances upon this subject have been
addressed to the Mexican Government,
but without much apparent effect.
The military force of the government
disposable for service in that quarter, is
quite inadequate to efeoenally guard the
line even at those points where the in
cursions are usually made. An expert
ment of au armed boat on the Rio Grande
for that purpose is ON trial, and it is
hoped that If not thwated by the shallow
ness of the river and other natural OBJ
stacles, it may materially contribute to
the protection of the herdsmen of Texas.
The proceedings of the Joint Com
mittee, under the convention between
the United States and Mexico, of the 4th
of July, 1868, on the subject of claims,
will soon be brought to close. The re.
suit of those proceedings will then be
communicated to Congress.
VENEZUELA.
1 am happy to announce that the gov.
ernment of Venezuela has, upon further
consideration, practically abandoned its
obj ction to pay the United States that
share of its revenue which, some year;
since, it allotted toward the extinguish.
ment of claims of foreigners generally
In thus reconsidering its determination
that government has shown a Just sense
of selfrespect, which can not fail to re.
feet credit upon it in the eyes of all dis
interested persons elsewhere. 1t is to be
regretted that its payments on account
of claims of citizens of the United State;
are still so meager in amount, and that
the stipulations of the treaty in regard tc
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