The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1875-12-18

eminent without bearing il Proportion q! the
burdens and expenses of the same VIII not he
looked upon acquirscently 10y those who have
paid taxes In II growing country wNcr" real
estate enhances 50 rapidly a. in the United
States there is scarcely Gnit Ia the Wcalih
that may be acquired by corporations, re-
ligiuns or otherwise il allowed to retain real
estate without taxation. The contemplation
Of 81 vast "A property rs Is mere "H"d'd TO-
without taxation, may lead t. s''int>i ratipn
without constitutional authority ald through
blood
| would suggest taxation uf a'l property
euuallv. whether church or corporation rN.
cmpting only the last resting place If tic dead.
and possibly, with proper restrictions, chnrrh
ediiiccs.
RELATIONS WIN rOHEiGN rfWrE-
Our relations with most Of the foreign pow
ers continue on Il sa, factory and friendly
footing Increased intercourse. the extension
of commerce and cultivation Oi mutual inter
csts have steadily improved oar relations with
the large majority ut the powers of the world,
rendering practicable the peaceful solution of
questions which from time to time necessarily
arise leaving few which demand extended oi
particular notice. ne torres pOuienrc of the
Department oi State with our Diplomatic rop-
rescnativcs abroad j. Transmitted hcreNith.
WITH ppRrruu
am happy 10 announce the passage Of ar
act 10y the general tnrits If Portugal pro
claimed since the adjournment Of congress
for the abolition of s.rNitldr in the pprtu-
gueSe colonies. 1t j. to be hoped tina, such
legislation may be another step toward the
great consunInation. to he reached when no
maI shall be permitted directly or indirectly
under AIRY guiSc. excuse or form of Law In
hold his iellrwman in bondage ! am of the
opinion also that il il the duty of the United
States Is contributing toward that end and
required by the spirit IF the age in which we
live 10 provide by suitable Legislation that no
citizen of the nitrd states shalt hold slaves
a. property in any other country or be inter
.stcd therein.
WITH Chilli
Chill has mad" reputation in the case of the
whale ship GOod Rct,'H, seized without sutli
cient cause upwards of forty years ago, though
she had hitherto denied her accountability
The denial was never acquieS,ed in bv this
government, and the Justice of the claim has
been 50 earnestly couirnded for that it has
been gratifying thai she shouId have acknowl-
edged 1t.
VoLuMHi,S STATES
The arbitration in the case of the I. s
steamer G,nfiDo, for the seizure and retention
of which the government of the | nte1 States
of Columbia were held accountable. has been
decided in favor of the claim. This decision
has settled a question which has been pending
for several years and which, while it con
tinucd open might more oi less disturb the
good understanding; which it is desirable
should be maintained between the republics
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
A reciprocity treaty. with the King of the
Hawaiian Islands was concluded s.,ne months
since but As il contained "A stipulation that it
shall be of no effect until Congress shall enact
the proper legislation for the purpose, copies
of the instrument are herewith submitted in
order that il such should he the pleasure of
Congress, the necessary legislation upon the
subject NAV .lp adopted
QUESTIONS WITH STAIN.
In March last an arrangement was made
through Mr. Cushing our Minister in Madrid,
with the Spanish Government for the pay
mcnt by the latter to the United States of the
sum of $500, 600 N coin for the purpose of the
relief of the families OF persons of the SHIPS
crew and certain passengers of the Iugipi,sS :
that the same was to have been paid in three
insallmentS ut two months each. 1t is due to
the Spanish Government that | should state
that the payments were fully and speedily
anticipated by that Government, and that the
whole amount was paid within but Il few days
more than two months from the date of the
agreement, a copy Of which is herewith trans.
mittcd and in pursuance of the terms of the
adjustment have directed distribution of the
amount among the parties entitled thereto
including the ships crew and such passengers
AS were American citizens Payments are
made accordingly Oh the application of the
parties.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
As evidence OF and approaching some of the
riinou, conflicts which have bocn raging, for
seven wears IN the n,ighbpring island Oft uba
the same disregard Oi the Laws Of civilized
warfare, of the just demands of humanity,
which have heretofore called forth expressions
of condemnation from the nations of Chris
tendon have continued to blach"n the sad
scene. Dcsoatiun. ruin and pillage are pre-
vailing in rich fields, once the most fertile and
productive regions of the earth and the in
cendiaries torch, burning plantations, vallI-
able factories and buildings, is the agent mark
ing the alternate advance and retreat of con
tending parties. The protracted continuance
of the strife seriously affects the interests of all
States more than Others, by reason of its close
proximity, its larger trade and intercourse
with Cuba and the friendly and intimate per
sonal social relations which have grown
up between its citizens and thn>r of the
island. Moreover, the PROPERTY of our citizens
in Cuba is large, and is rendered insecure and
depressed in value and in capacity of produc-
ton by the continuance of strife and the un-
natural mode of its conduct. The same is
true, differing only in degree with respect To
the interests and people of other nations and
the absence of any reasonable assurance of Il
near termination Of he conflict, must of ne
cessty soon compel the States thus suffering,
to consider what the intcres: OF their own
pcoil. and their duty towards themselves may
demand. have had hopes She would be en-
abicd to establish peace III hei colony, to
afford security to the property and interests Of
our citizens, and allow Legitimate scope to the
trade and commerce and natural productions
Of the island. Because of this hope and from
an extreme reluctance to interfere in the
affairs Of another and IA friendly nat IN,
especially Of one whose sympathy and friend
ship in the struggling infancy of our own ex-
ist-nce, must ever be- remembered with graft
tude, have patiently and anxi"i,ly awaited
the progress Of events. Our own civil conflict
is too recent for us not :o consider the difficult
ties which surround a government distracted
by dynas,ic rebellion at home at the same
time that it has to cope with Il separate insur-
r,aiinn in a Distant col nv. hut lnteV .r