The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-06

and humanity, but by a conviction that It
was not compatible with the dignity OF
this government that so large a body of
cur dependent citizens should be thrown
for relief upon the charity OF neighbor-
Ing state.
The Mosquito Affair.
In last years message, / narrated at
eome length the jurisdictional questions
then freshly arisen In the Mosquito In
by the voluntary I act of the Mosquito ma,
tion, tho territory reserved to them has
been Incorporated with Nicaragua. the
Indians formally subjecting themselves to
be governed by the general laws and reg
ulations or the republic instead of by their
own customs'a and regulations, and thus
to them by the treaty between Nicaragua
and Great Britain Of January %, 1860
oraran administration TO the nsiI Moson it
strip, the case OF the British vice consul.
Hatch, and of several Of his countrymen.
Nicaragua and treated with considerable
indignity. provoked claim by Great
Britain upon Nicaragua for pecuniary in
fusaI to admit liability, was enforced by
Great Britain. While the sovereignty and
jurisdiction Of Nicaragua was In no way
questioned by Great Britain, the formers
arbitrary conduct in regard to British SUBJ
jocts furnished the ground for this pro-
ceeding. A British naval force occupied
without resistance the Pacific seaport of
Corinto, but was soon after Withdrawn
upon the promise that the sum demanded
would be, paid, Throughout this INCIDENT
the kindly offices of the United States
were invoked and were employed in favor
OF as peaceful a settlement and as much
consideration and indulgence toward iva mic MIC
of the case. Our efforts have since been
made the subject ofappreciative and CRATE
full recognition by Nicaragua.
Relations with Russia.
The coronation of the czar of Russia at
Moscow in May next invites the ceremonial
participation Of the United States and in
nnrHa mr. Wi o. n o.
priety our minister to the imperial court has
been directed to represent our government
on the occasion.
Correspondence Is on foot touching the
practice of Russian consuls within tho
Jurisdiction Of the United States to inter-
rogate citizens as to their race and reli-
gious faith, and upon ascertainment there
OF to deny to Jews authorization of pass
ports or legal documents for use in Russia
disability, which in the case of succession
to. property in Russia may be found to in
fringe the treaty rights OF our citiz ems
territorial jurisdiction, II has elected mt
ting rcmonstrance, the result Of which 1t
is hoped will remove the cause OF COM
plant.
The pending claims of sealing vessels
of the United States seized In Russian
vention with Russia establishing modus
vivendi as to imperial jurisdiction in such
cases has prevented further difficulty OF
this nature.
The Russian government has welcomed
in principle our suggestion for modus VI
pan, looking to the better preservation Of
seal life in the North Pacific and Behring
sea and the extension of the protected area
waters north Of the 35th parallel 1t Is eS-
pecially noticeable that Russia favors pro-
hibition of the use Of firearms in seal hunt
ing throughout the proposed area and
longer close season for pelagic sealing.
An Inconsistent Position.
In my last two annual messages I called
the attention Of the congress to the POSI-
ton we occupied as one of the parties to
q treaty or agreement by which we became
Jointly bound with England and Germany
to so interfere with the government and
control Of Samoa az in effect to assume
the management of its affairs, On the 9Th
day Of May, 1884, transmitted to the SEN
documents giving information on the sub
ject and emphasizing the opinion have
at all times entertained, that our situation
in this matter was inconsistent with the
mission and traditions of our government,
in violation of the principles we profess,
and in all its phases mischieyous and vexa-
attention of the congress and ask for such
legislative action or expression as VIII
lead the way to our relief from obligations
both irksome and unnatural.
Tho Revolution In Cuba.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. An in
surrection, in some respects more active
tinued from 1868 to 1878, now exists in a
large part of the eastern interior of the is
Se
cial exchanges of the island, of which our
country takes the predominant share, this
fragrant condition Of hostilities, by arous-
ing sentimental sympathy and melting adj
venturous support among our people, has
entailed earnest effort on the part of this
government to enforce obedience to our
tory of the United States from being
abused as vantage ground from whichsto
aid those in arms against Spanish sover-
eighty.
Must Maintain a Position of Neutrality.
Whatever may be the traditional SYM
pathy Of our countrymen as individuals
with people who seem to be struggling for
larger autonomy and greater freedom,
Geepened as such sympathy naturally must
be In behalf of our neishbors, yet the plain
duty OF their government is to observe In
good faith the recognized obligations Of
International relationship. The perform
81 TINS aHay d not b be nar o
citizens OF the obligations growing out of
their allegiance to their country, which
should restrain them from violating as in
dividuals the neutrality which the nation
OF which they are members is bound to
observe In it's relation to. friendly sover-
of our peoples sympathy with the Cuban
insurgents nor our loss and material dam
age consequent upon the futile endeavors
thus far made to restore peace and order,
nor any shock our humane sensibilities
may have received from the cruelties
which appear to especially characterize
war, have in the least shaken the determi-
nation Of the government to honestly full
I'LL every international obligation, yet 1t
Is to be earnestly hoped. on every ground,
that the devastation of armed conflict may
speedily be stayed and order and quiet re-
stored to the distracted island, bringing
in their train the activity and thrift Of
peaceful pursuits.
Tho Auianca Incident.
One notable instance of interference by
Spain with passing American ships has oc-
CURED. On March s, last, the Alliance,
while bound from Colon to New York. and
following the customary track for vessels
near the Cuban shore, but inside the three
mile limit, was fired upon by a Spanish
gunboat. Protest was promptly made by
theUnited States against this act as not be-
ing justified by a state of war, nor per-
missible in respect of vessels on the usual
paths Of commerce, nor tolerable in view
of the wanton peril occasioned to innocent
life and property. The act was disavowed,
with full expression of regret and aSsur-
ance of nonconcurrence of such just cause
of complaint, while the offending officer
was relieved of his command.
Arrests Of Americans in Cuba.
Military arrests Of citizens of the United
States In Cuba have occasioned frequent
reclamations. Where held on criminal
charges, their delivery to the ordinary
civil Jurisdiction for trial has been de-
manded and obtained, In conformity with
treaty provisions, and where merely de-