The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-12-11

| JUltcu Dtutcs anu Oh OtueT ISpSi
party seems quite capable of working great
injury and damage to the other, as well AS tc
all the relations and interests depending or
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 thu
other. Under these circumstances, the agency
| of others, either by mediation or by inter
vention, seems to be the only alternative
which must sooner or later be invoked fol-
the termination of the strife
! AT the same time, while thus impressed,
do not at this time recommend the adoption
] Of any measure of intervention. | shall bt
ready at all times, and as the equal friend OF
both parties, TO respond 10 suggestion ma
the good offices of the United States Will be
acceptable to aid in bringing about peace
honorable to both. 1t is due to Spain, so fal
as this Government is concerned, that the
agency of third power, to which have ad
verted, shall be adopted only as last expe
dent. Had it been the desire Of the United
States to interfere in the affairs Of Cuba, re
peated opportunities for 80 doing have beer
presented within the last few years, but We
have remained passive and have performed
our whole duty and all
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION TO SPANS
with friendship fairness and fidelity, and
with spirit of patience and torbearanet
which negatives every possible suggestion
of desire to interfere or to add to the Difficult
ties with which she has been surrounded. The
Government of Spain has recently submitted
to our Minister at Madrid certain proposals
which it's hoped may be found to be the basis
! If not the actual submission of terms TO NEE
the requirements of the particular grleiS OF
which this Government has felt itself entitled
to CONF plain. These proposals have not ye
reached me in their full text. On their arri
val they will be taken into careful eXamina
ton, and may, hope, lead TO satisfactory
adjustment of the questions TO which they re
fer and remove the possibility of future oc
Currences, such as have given rise to our JUS
complaints. 1t is understood, also, that re
newed efforts are being made TO introduce
reform in the internal administration of the
island. Persuaded, however, that a proper
regard for the interests Of the United States
and of its citizens entitled to relief from the
strain to which 1t has been subjected by the
difficulties of The questions, and the wrongs
and losses which arise from the
CONTEST IN CUBA,
and that the interests of humanity itself de
mand the cessation of the strife before the
whole island shall be LAID waste and larger
sacrifices of life be made, / shall feel ii my
duty, should hopes of satisfactory adjust
ment and Of an early restoration of peace
and the removal of future causes of com
plant, be unhapply disappointed, to make d
further communication to Congress at some
period not far remote and during the present
session, recommending what may then seem
to me TO be necessary legislation to the favor
able consideration of Congress.
MEXICO.
The free zone, socalled, several wears since
established by the Mexican Government in
certain of the States of that Republic ada
cent 10 our frontier, remains in full operation
1t has always been materially injurious t,
honest traffic, for it operates as an incentive
to traders in Mexico to supply, without Gus
toms charges, the wants OF the Inhabitants or
this side of the line, and prevents the same
wants from being supplied by merchants o.
the United States, thereby, to consderabl,
extent, deirauding our revenue and checking
honest commercial enterprise. Depreda
tons by armed bands from Mexico on The
people Of Texas, near the frontier, continue
Though the main object Of the ncursions i.
robbery, they frequently result IN the murder
of unarmed and peaceably disposed persons
and in some instances even the United States
Post Offices and mail communications have
been attacked. Renewed remonstrances upon
/ this subject have been addressed to the MeXi
can Government, but without apparent effect
The military force of this Government dis
possible for service in that quarter is quit,
inadequate to effeCiually guard the line ever
at those points where the incursiOns are usu
ally made. An experiment of an armed yes
sci on the Rio Grande for that purpose Is or
trial, and it is hoped that, if not thwarted BY
the shalowness of the river and other natur
al obstacles, it may materially contribute tC
the protection of the heldsmen Of Texas.
The proceedings of the joint commission
under the convention between the United
States and Mexico, of the 4th of July, 1868
on the subject Of claims, will soon be brough
! to q close. The result of these proceeding
will be then communicated to Congress
! am happy to announce that the Govern
ment of Venezuela has, upon further consid
Grafton, practically abandoned its objection
to pay to the United States that share of it
revenue which some years since it allotted
toward the eXtinguishment Of claims of for
eigners generally. In thus reconsidering 1T
! determination, that Government has shown
ust sense of self.respect which cannot fai
to reflect credit upon it in the eyes of all dis
interested persons elsewhere, 1t is TO be re
4 gretcd, however, that lis payments on &C
count of claims Of citizens Of the UnlteC
States are still SO meager in amount, and tina
i the stipulatons of the treaty in regard t
the sums to be paid, and the periods whel
those payments were to take place SHOULD
have been so slgnally disregarded Sine
my last annual message the exchange ha
been made of the ratification of a treaty @
commerce and navigation with Belgium, ant
of conventions with the Mexican Republic 70
the further extension of the joint commits
sion respecting claims with the Hawaiian Is
lands for commercial reciprocity, and wit
the Ottoman Empire for extradition, all @
which have been duly proclaimed.
4 The Court of Commissions of Alabama
| Claims has prosecuted its important duue
| very assiduously and very satisfactorily.
convened and was organized on the 22d da
. of July, 1874, and by the terms of the act III
!, der which it was created, was to exist for on
[ year from that date. The act provided, how
(, ever that should it be found impracticable /
E complete the work of the cour, before the e,
5 pration OF the year, the President might b
/, proclamation, extend the time of rs duration
,,nrinl pnt mOrp than sly uppths a,