Middletown transcript., 1895-12-07

satisfied If one Of the powers concerned ID
permitted to draw an arbitrary line
through the territory in debate and to de-
clare that 1t will submit to arbitration
only the portion lying on one side of it.
/ In view of these conclusions, the dispatch
in question called upon the British gov
ernment for a definite answer to the ques-
tion whether it would or would not sub
NIT the territorial controversy between
itself and Venezuela in its entirety to Inn
| partial arbitration. The answer Of the
British government has not yet been re-
feived, but is expected shortly, when fur
bher communications on the subject will
probably be made to the congress.
The Corinto Incident.
In last years message narrated at
some length the jurisdictional questions
then freshly arisen in the Mosquito Indian
| strip of Nicaragua. Since that time by
the voluntary act of the Mosquito nation,
the territory reserved to them has been
Incorporated with Nicaragua, the Indians
| formally subjecting themselves to be gov
erned by the general laws and regulations
of the republic, instead Of by their own
| customs and regulations. and thus avail
| ing themselves of a privilege secured to
them by the treaty between Nicaragua
| and Great Britain of Jan. 28 1860.
| After this extension Of uniform Nicara-
guam administration to the Mosquito strip
| the case of the British vice consul, Hatch,
| and of several of his countrymen who had
been summarily expelled from Nicaragua
and treated with considerable indignity
| provoked a claim by Great Britain upon
| Nicaragua for pecuniary indemnity, which.
upon Nioaragua's refusal to admit liabil-
| ity, was enforced by Great Britain. While
the sovereignty and jurisdiction OF Mica.
ragua was in no way questioned by Great
Britain, the formers arbitrary conduct in
regard to British subjects furnished the
ground for this proceeding.
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but was soon after withdrawn upon the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
q settlement and as much consideration
and indulgence toward Nicaragua as were
consistent with the nature of the case.
Our efforts have since been made the SUBJ
ject Of appreciative and grateful recogni.
tion by Nicaragua.
The Cuban Rebellion.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed An
insurrection, In some respects more active
than the last preceding revolt, which con-
tinued from 1868 to 1878, now exists in
large part Of the eastern interior of the
island, menacing even some populations
on the coast. Besides deranging the COM
mercial exchanges of the island, of which
our country takes the predominant SHARE
this fragrant condition of hostilities, by
arousing sentimental sympathy and incit-
ing adventurous support among our peo-
pie, has entailed earnest effort on the part
of this government to enforce obedience
to our neutrality laws and to prevent the
territory of the United States from being
abused as vantage ground from which
to aid those in arms against Spanish soy
ereignty.
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,
deepened as such sympathy naturally |
must be in behalf Of our neighbors, yet |
the plain duty Of their government is to |
observe in good faith the recognized obli- |
cations Of international relationship. The |
performance of this duty should not be |
made more difficult by disregard on the |
part of our citizens of the obligations /
growing out of their allegiance to their /
country. which should restrain them from |
violating as individuals the neutrality |
which the nation of which they are mem
bers Is bound to observe in It's relations to
friendly sovereign states.
The Armenian Massacres.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued
Eo Tha toI
cres Of Christians in Armenia and the de-
velopment there and in other districts OF
spirit Of fanatic hostility to Christian
influences naturally excited apprehension
for the safety Of the devoted men and
women who, as dependents of the foreign
missionary societies in the United States,
reside in Turkey under the guarantee OF
law and usage and in the legitimate per-
formance of their educational and reli-
gious mission.
Our minister, has been vigilant and
alert in affordine all possible protection.
We have sent ships as far toward the |
points of actual disturbance as 1t is posi-
BILE for them to go, where they offer refuge
to those obliged to flee, and we have the
promise of other powers which have ships
in the neighborhood that our citizens as
well as theirs will be received and pro-
tected on board those ships. On the de-
mand Of our minister orders have been
issued by the sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast Ameri-
can refugees.
The Consular Service.
In view Of the growth Of our interests
in foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for a general expansion of our
commerce, the question of an improve
ment In the consular service has increased
in importance and urgency.
The Importance of the subject has led
the executive to consider what steps
might properly be taken without addi-
tional legislation to answer the need of
better system Of consular appointments.
The matter having been committed to the
consideration of the secretary of state, in
pursuance Of his recommendations an ex-
ecutive order was issued on the Goth of
September, 1896, by the terms Of which 1t
is provided that after that date any va
cancy In a consulate or commercial agency
with an annual salary or compensation
from official fees of not more than 50, 500
Or less than 81, 600 should be filled either
by transfer or promotion from some other
position under the department of state Of
. character tending to qualify the incum-
bent for the position to be filled, or by the
appointment Of person not under the de-
partment of state, but having previously
Ierved hereunder and shown his capacity
and fitness for consular duty, or by the
Of a person who, having been
selected by the president and sent to.a
board for examination, Is found, upon
such examination, to be qualified for the
position. Posts which pay less than 81. 600
being usually, on account OF their small
filled by selection from
residents Of the locality, it was not deemed
practicable to put them under the new
system.
! am thoroughly convinced that in ad-
dition to their salaries our ambassadors
and ministers at foreign courts shall be
provided by the governments with official
residences. The salaries of these officers
are comparatively small and In most cases
insufficient to pay with other necessary
expenses, the cost Of maintaining house
hold establishments in keeping with their
important and delicate functions. II
National Finances.