National Republican., 1875-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Icon,,,usd from First Poqs.)

and dif5cuIt complications which a war upon the
ocean is apt TO precpitate upon the vessels, both
commercial and national, and upon the consular
ocers of other Powers, calls for the dennition Oh
their relations to the parties to the contest Con-
sidere, as q question of eXpediency, regard the
orcoldance Of beIIfgerent rights still to be
wise and prema Urc aS regard II 10 De at present.
indCfensible as Il measure Of right. Sueh recog-
niti,n entails uppn the country according the
rights which Il from il difficult and complicated
duties and requires the eNaction from the con-
tend ny parties ol thc strict observance oi their
rights and Obligations. 1t confers the right OF
search NJ thc high seas by vessels OF both par
ties; il wUdiu subject the carrying OF arms ana
munitions If war, which now may be transporter
freely and without Interruption in the vessels OF
the United States. 10 dctention ana TO possible
seizure: il would give rise 10 countless NcNatious
questions, aid release the parent Government
from RESPONSIBILITY for acts done by the insur-
gents and wUuld invest Spain with the right TO
exercise the supervision recognized by our treaty
of 1895 over our commerce on the high seas, very
large mart Of which. in its traffic between the AT
lAnIic and the Gulf States. and between all OF
them ana the States on the Pacific passes through
the waters which wash the shores Ut CUBA.
The exercise Of this supervision could scarce tail
to lead. if not to abGses, certainly 10 coilisions
neriIcus to the pcgccful relations Of the two
States There can be little doubt TO what result
such supervision would before long draw this ma
tion II would be unworthy Of the United States
to inaugurate the possibilities of such result by
measures of questionable right or expediency, or
by any indirectiOn apart from any question of the.
Oretical right. ] am satisfied that while the &c.
cOrdance Of bcllgCTcnt rights to the insurgents
in Cuba might give them hope and an induce
ment TO prOtract the struggle, Il would be but a
delusive hope, and would not remove the evils
which this Government and its people are eXpe-
riencing, hut would draw the United States into
complications which il has waited long and
already suffered much TO avoid. The recognition
of independence or belligerency being thus in my
Judgment, equally inadmissible ii remains to con-
slider what course shall be adopted should the con-
fiet not soon be brought to an end by acts of the
parties themselves, and should the evils which
result theTclrUm, affecting all nations, and par
ticularly the United States, continue.
MEDIATION or INTERVENTION.
In such event am of the opinion that other na-
tiOnS will be compelled TO assume the responsi-
bility which uCyUyes upon them, and to seriously
consider the only remaining measures possible
mediation and Intervention. Owing, perhaps, to
the large expanse of water separating the Island
from the Ecnmsular, the want Of harmony and of
personal sympathy between the inhabitants of the
Colony and those sent thitheT to rule them; and
want OF adaptation of the ancient colonial system
OF Europe 10 the present times and to the ideas
which the events % the past century have devel-
Oped; the contending parties appear TO have
within theHseivUs no depository Of common conf
dcDce to suggest wisdom when passion and excite
ment have their sway and to assume the part of
peaceInakcT. In this view, in the earlier days of
the contest the good offices Of the United States,
as a mediator, were rendered in good faith, with
out any selfish purpose, in the interest OF human
ity anu in sUere friendship for both parties, but
were the lime declined by Spain, with the decla
ration, nevertheless, that at a future time they
would be indispensable
No intimaIion 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 its injuries TO the interests of the United
States and OF other nations. Each party seems
quite capable Of working great injury and dam
age TO the other well to all the relations and
interests dependent 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
possess and control the island to the exclusion Of
the other. Under these circumstances the agency
of others, either by mediation or by Intervention,
seems TO he the only alternative whichmust sooner
or later be invoked for 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. L shall be ready at all
times, and as the equal friend Of both parties, TO
respond to suggestion that the good offices of the
United States will he acceptable TO aid in bringing
about peace honorable to both.
ADJUSTMENT OF DIFFERENCES.
1t is due to Spain so far as this Government is
concerned, that the agency Of third Power, to
which have adyerted shall be adopted only as n
last eXpedient. Had it been the desire of the
United States to interfere in the affairs of Cuba
repeated opportunities for so doing have been pre-
sented within the last few years, but we have
remained passive, and have performed our whole
duty and all international obligations to Spain
with friendship, fairness and fidelity, and with
spirit Of patience and fOrbearance which mega
tiYes every possible suggestion of desire to inter
fere, or 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 it is hoped may be found
to be the basis, if not the actual submission, of
grefs TO which :his Government has felt itself en-
titled 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
thequestiOns 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
being made to introduce reforms in the internal
administration Of the island: Persuaded, how
ever that proper regard for the interests Of the
United States and of its citizens entitle it to
lief from the strain to which it 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 demand
the cessation of the strife before the whole island
shall be laid waste and larger sacrifices OF life be
made, / shall feel il my duty, should my hopes of
a satisfactory adjustment and of the carly res
toratOn Of peace and the renewal OF future causes
of complaint be unhappily disappointed, to make
a further communication to Congress at some pc
riod not far remote and during the present ses-
sion, recommending what may then seem to me TO
be necessary.
THE MEXICAN FRONTIER.
The Free Lane, 50 called, several years since
established 10y 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 III incentive 10 traders in Mexico TO
supply without customs charges, the wants of in
habitants this side the Lime, and prevents the
same wants from being supplied by the merchants
OF tnC 'ittU 'pts'NN .lIeiSD!, " d
eXteEt, deirauding our revenue and checking
honest commercial enterprise. DepredatiOns by
armed hands from McNicO on the people of Texas
near the frontier continue. Though the main OBJ
ject Of these nUursiuns robbery they frequently
result in the murder Ofthe unarmed and peaceably
disposed persons, and in some instances even the
United States post Offices and mail cOmmunica-
tiOns have hecn attacked. Renewed remOnstrances
upon this subject have been addressed TO the Mex
ican Government, but without much apparent ef-
feet. The military force of this Government dis
possible in that quarter is quite inadequate to eE
fectually guard the line at those points where
the incursiOns are usually made. An experiment
~ ppd on Rio (rranda fnr hat
purpose is on trial, and it is hoped that, If not
thWarted by the shallowness Of the river and
other natural obstacles, iL may materially con-
tribute TO the heTdsmen of Texas.
The proceedings Of the Joint Commission under
the Convention between the United States and
claims will soon be brought to close. The result
Of those proceedings will then be communicated
TO Congress.
SETTLEMENTS AND TREATIES.
Il am happy TO announce that the Government of
Venezuela mas. upon further consideration, pTac-
ticalIy abandonedits objection pay to the United
States that share of its revenue which some years
since IL allotted towards the eXtinguishment OF the
claims oftOreigners generally. In thus reconsider
ing its determination, that Government has showna
lust sense Of selrespect which cannot fail to reflect
credit upon 1t in the eyes Of all dsinterested per-
sons elsewhere. 1t is to be regretted however,
that its payments on account Of claims Of citizens
Of the United States still so meagre in amount,
and that the stipulatiOns Of the treaty in regard
to the sums to be paid and the periods when those
payments were to take place, should have been SO
signRlly disregarded.
Since my last annual message the exchange has
been made of the ratification of n treaty OF CON-
merce and navigation with Belgium, and Of con-
ventions with the Mexican Republic for the further
extension Of the joint commission respecting
claims; with the Hawaiian islands for commercial
and with the Ottoman Empire for
extfadtion, all Of which have been duly pro-
claimed.
COURT OF COMMISSIONERS OF ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The Court Of Commissioners of Alabama Claims
has prosecuted its important duties very assidu-
ously and very satisfactorily. It convened and
was organized on the I'D day Of July, 1874, and by
the terms of the act under which 1t was created
was to exist for one year from that date. The act
provided, however, that should it be found tmprac
ticable to complete the work Of the court before
the expiration Of the year, the President might
by proclamation extend the time Of its duration TO
q period not more than six months beyond the ex-
piration Of the one year. Having received salts
factory evidence that it would be impractcable TO
fixed, issued proclamation "a copy of which is
presented herewith) extending the time of dura-
tion Of the court for period Of six months frem
and after the 22d day Of July last. A report
made through the clerk Of the court (eommuni-
Gated hereWith) shows the condition of the ealen-
dar on the lst Of November last, and the large
amount of work which has been accomplished.
Thirteen hundred and eighty-twO claims have
been presented, of which six hundred and eighty
two had been disposed of at the date Of the re-
port. 1 am informed that one hundred and sew
enty eases were decided during the month of No
Vember. Arguments are being made and decisions
given in the remaining cases with all the dispatch
consistent with the proper consideration Of the
questions submitted. Many Of these claims are
in behalf Of mariners or depend on the evidence
Of mariners, whose absence has delayed tine TAX Z
ing or the return Of the necessary evidence.
H. .NZn4 A. an