The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-04

especially characterized this sanguiaarv
and nercely conducted war have in the
least shaken the determination OF the
government 10 honestly fulfill every inter-
national obligation, yet IL Is to De ear
nesty hoped, on every ground. that the
devastation of armed conflict may speedily
be stayed and order and quiet restored 10
the distracted island, bringing in their
train the activity and thrift OF peaceful
pursuits.
one notable instance of interference by
spain with passing American ships has
occurred. On Marcn s. last, the Alliance,
while bound from Colon TO New York. and
following the customary track for vessels
near the Cuban shore. but outside the
three mile limit, was nred upon by Span
tsh gunboat. Protest was promptly made
by the United States. against this act as
not being Justified by state of war, nor
pernlsSlDle IN respect OF vessels on the
usual paths OF commerce. nor tolerablc in
view OF the wanton peril occasioned to in
nocent lie ana property. The act was dis
aNONed, with tull expression OF regret,
and assurance of nOn-reCurrenCe of such
Just cause of complaint. while the Offend
ing officer was relieved of his command.
Military arrests OF citizens OF the United
States in Cuba have occasioned frequent
reclamauOnS. Where held on criminal
charges the delivery to the ordinary civil
jurisdiction for trial has been demanded
and obtained in conformity with treaty
provisions, and whore merely detained ny
way OF military precaution under "A pro-
claimed state of siege, without formulated
accusation, their reiease or trial has been
insisted upon. The right OF American con
sular officers in the island TO prefer pro-
tests ana demands in such cases having
been questioned by the insular authority.
their enjoyment OF the privilege supulat-
ed by treaty Tor the consuls of Germany
was claimed under the most favored ma
ton provision OF our own convention and
was promptly recognized.
The long standing demand of Antonio
Maxine Mora against Spain has at last
been settled by the payment, on the l4th
OF September last, or the sum originally
agreed upon in liquidation of the claim.
- dis frtn IN ~
to receive II has proceeded as rapidly as
the rights OF those claiming the fund could
be safely determined.
The enforcement of differential duties
against products of this country exported
TO Cuba and Puerto Rico prompted the
immediate claim on our part TO the bene-
tit of the minimum tariff of Spain in re-
turn for the most favorable treatment per-
mitted by our laws as regards the prOuuc-
tion of Spanish territories, A commerclal
arrangement was concluded in January
last, securing the treatment so claimed.
Vigorous protests against excessive lines
imposed on our ships and merchandise by
the custom officers OF these islands for triV-
TAI errors have resulted IN the remission
of such fines in instances where the equity
of the complaint was apparent though tne
veXatious practice has not been wholly
discontinued.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued
to excite concern. the reported massa-
ores of Christians in Armenia ana the
development there and in other districts
OF a spirit of fanatic hostility TO Chrls-
tian Influences naturally excited appre-
hension for the safety OF the devoted men
and women who. as dependents OF the Tor
elgn missionary societies IN the united
States, reside IN Turkey under the guar
antee of law and usage ana OF the leglu-
mate performance or their educatOhai
and religious mission. No efforts have
been spared in their behalf and their pro-
lection in person and property has been
earnestly and vigorously enforced by eN-
cry means within out power. regret,
however that an attempt on our part 70
obtain better information concerning the
true condition of affairs in the disturbed
quarter of the Ottoman empire, by SEND
ing thither the United States consul at
SiVas to make investigation and report
was thwarted by the objections of the rur-
kish government. This movement on our
part was in no sense meant as a grattu-
Gus ENHANCEMENT of the United States In
/ the so-caled eastern question, nor as as
officious interference with the right and
duty which belong by treaty to certain
/ great European powers calling Tor their
/ Intervention in political matters affecting
] the good government and religious free
dom of the on-Mussulman subjects OF
/ the sultan, but IL arose solely from our
! desire to have an accurate knowledge OF
! the conditions in our efforts to care for
/ those entitled to our protection.
The presence of our naval vessels, which
are now in the vicinity of the disturbed
! localities affords opportunities to acquire
a measure of familiarity with the condi-
ton of affairs and Will enable us to take
! suitable steps for the protection of any
/ interests of any of our countrymen with
/ in reach of our ships that might be found
imperilled.
sued an imperial trade exempting forever
! from taxation an American college for
girls at Scutari. Repeated assurances
have also been obtained by our envoy
at Constantinople that similar institutions
maintained and administered by our coun-
! trymen shall be secured In the enjoyment
| of all rights, and that our citizens
| throughout the empire shall be protected.
The government. however, in view or
existing facts. is far from relying upon
such assurances as the limit of its duty.
| Our minister has been vigilant and alert
/ in affordng all possible protection in in
| dividual cases where danger threatened
or safety was imperlled. We have sent
ships as far toward the points of actual
/ disturbance as 1t is possible 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 sol
diers shall guard and escort to the coast
American refugees These orders have
been carried out and our latest intelli-
gence gives assurance Of the present per-
sonal safety of our citizens and
l missionaries Though thus far no lives of
American citizens have been sacri1 ed
there can be no doubt that serious loss
and destruction of mission property have
resulted from riotous conflicts and out
rageous attacks. BY treaty several Of
the most powerful European powers have
secured a right to assume a duty not
only in behalf of their own citizens and
in furtherance of their own interests. hut
as agents of the Christian world Their
right is to enforce such conduct Of the
Turkish government as will restrain ia
natical brutality and If this fails their
duty is to so interfere as to insure against
such dreadful occurrences in Turkey as
have lately shocked civilization. The
powers declare this right and this duty
to be theirs alone, and it is earnestly
to be hoped that prompt action on their
part will not be delayed.
The new consulates at Erzeroum and
Harpoot for which appropriation was
made last session, have been Professionally
filled by trusted employees Of the depart
ment of state. These appointecs, though
now in Turkey, have not yet received
their eXequaturs.
The arbitration of the claim of the
Venezuela Steam Transportation COmpa-
ny under the treaty OF Jan. 10. 1892, be-
tween the United States and Venezuela
resulted in an award in favor of the.
claimant.
The government has used its good Of
fees toward composing the differences
between Venezuela on the one hand md
France and Belgium on the other crow
ing ont of the dismissal of the rea.i.s-