The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-08

time declined by Spain, with the delara-
ton, nevertheless, that at future time
they would be indispensable. No intima-
ton has been received that in the opin-
ion Of Spain that time has been reached;
and yet the strife continues, with its
dread horrors and all its injuries to the
interests Of the United States and Of
other nations, Each party seems quite
capable Of working great injury to the
other, us we'll rs to all the relations and
interests dependent on the existence OF
peace on the island; but they seem inca
pable OF reaching any adjustment, and
both have thus far failed OF achieving any
success whereby one party shall possess
and control the island tn the exclusion OF
the other. Under these circumstances,
the agency Of others, either by mediation
or Intervention, seems to be the only
alternative which must sooner or later
be invoked for the termination Of the ma
tons strife. At the same time, while thus
impressed, do not recommend the udop.
ton Of any measure OF intervention. |
shall be ready at all times, and as an
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,
II is due to Spain, 80 far as this Govern
ment is concerned, that the agency Of q
third power, to which have adVerted,
shall be adopted only as u last expcdient.
Had it been the desire OF the United
States to interfere in the affairs OF Cuba,
repeated opportunities for 30 doing
have been presented within the last
few years. But We have remain
cd passive, and have performed our
whole duty and all international OBJ
legation to Spain with friendly firm.
ness aud fidelity, and with aspirit Of pa
tience and forbGaranCe, which mega
tived every possible suggestion Of desire 10
interfere and add to the difficulties with
which she has been surrounded, The gov
eminent OfSpain has recently submitted
to our minister at Madrid certain prOpo'
sails which may he found TO be the basis
II not the actual submission Of the terms
to meet the requirements OF the particu-
lar grieis OF which this government has
felt itself entitled to complain. These
proposals have not yet reached here in
their full text. On their arrival they
will he taken into careful examination
and may, | hope, lead to n satisfactory
adjustment OF the questions to which
they refer, and remove tho possibility Of
future occurrences such Us had given
rise to our Just complaints. 1t Is under
stood also that renewed efforts are being
made to introduce reforms in the internal
administration Of the Island, PersnAd.
cd however that proper regard for the
interests Of the United States and Of its
citizens entitled to relieifro the strain
to which they have been subjected by the
difficulties OF hequestions, and The wrongs
and losses which arise from the contest
in Cuba, aud that the Interests OF human-
ity itself demand the cessation OF strife
before the whole Island shall be laid
waste and large sacrifices Of life be made;
Ishall feel it my duty, should my hopes
Of satisfactory adjustment and Of the
early restoration Of peace and the renloy.
al Of future causes OF complaint be dis.
appointed, to make n further COmmuni.
cation TO Congress nt some period not
far remote and during The present session,
recommending what Ihay then seem to
me to be necessary, aud appropriate to
the favorable consideration Of Congress,
THE CENTENNIAL.
The powers of Europe almost without ex.
CeptiOn, many Of the South American
States, and even the more distant East
ern powers, have manifested their friend.
ly sentiments toward the United States
and the interest OF the world In our pro.
gress by taking steps to join with us in
celebrating the centennial Of tho nation,
and | strongly recommend that II more
national Importance he given to the cx-
hibition By such legislation and by such
appropriations rs will insure its success.
lis value in bringing to our shores innu.
mcrablc useful works OF nrt and skill,
aud the commingling Of the citizens OF
foreign countries and our own, and the
interchange Of ideas and manufactures,
will far exceed any Pecuniary outlay we
may make,
/ transmit herewith the report OF the
Commissioners Of Agriculture, together
with the reports Of the Commissioners Of
the Board u Audit and the Board Of
Health Of the District Of Columbia, to
which | invite your attention. The lsu
rcan Of Agriculture has promised much
in disseminating useful knowledge TO the
agriCulturalist and also introducing new
and useful productions adapted to our
soil and climate, and IL worthy Of the con.
tinued encouragement Of the govern.
mcnt. The report Of the Commissioners
Of Education which accompanies the re.
port Of the Secretary Of the Interior,
shows gratifying progress in educational
matters.
ouR MEXICAN NEtniIRoRs AND THEIR VAN.
DlTTI.
In nearly every annual message
that Ihave had tho honor Of trans
hitting to Congress, have call.
ed attention to the Free Zone
80 called, which was several years
since established by the Mexican Gov.
crnment IN certain Of the States OF
That Republic adjacent TO our frontier,
and which still remains in full
operation. II has always been materi.
ally injurious to honest traffic, for II Op.
crates US an incentive to the trader in
Mexico to supply without custom charges
the wants Of the inhabitants Of this side
Of the line, and prevents the prime wants
from being supplied by the merchants Of
the United States, thereby to q consider.
able extent dGfrauding our revenue and
checking honest commercial enterprise.
The deprCdatiOns by armed bands from
Mexico OH the people Of Texas near the
frontier continue, The main object Of
these incursiOns Ia robbery. They fire..
qucntly result in the murder Of unarmed
and peaCeably disposed persons; and in
some instances even the United States
pOstOllcCs and mail communication have
been attacked. Renewed circumstances
upon this subject have been addressed to
the Mexican Government, but without
much apparent effect. The military
force Of this Government disposable for
service in that quarter ia quite made.
qnate to elltctnnlly guard the line at
those points where the ihcrtsions are
usually made. An experiment Of an
armed vessel OH the Rio Grandc for that
purpose Is on trial, and Il is hoped that,
II not thwarted by the shnllOwness Of the
river mud other distractions, II may
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