St. Paul daily globe., 1895-11-28
CLEVELAND WANTS THE TARIFF
LAWS TO REMAIN UN-
CHANGED,
REVENUE WILL INCREASE.
MOVEMENT TOWARDS LIGHTER
TAXES is IN THE RIGHT DI-
RECTION.
Conditional Recognition PossibIe,
but the Rebels Must Stop Wan
ton Destruction.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-There
are good reasons for the belief that
In his Forthcoming message to con-
gress President Cleveland will strict
ly adhere to his previous utterances
in regard to the tariff and financial
questions, and it is altogether prob
able that these subjects, together
with that of our foreign affairs, will
occupy practically, if, indeed, not alb
solutely, the whole message, to the
exclusion of all other matter. 1t is
believed the president will commend
the present tariff as a step in the
direction of tightening the burdens
of the people, and though it has thus
far failed to bring sufficient amount
of revenue to meet the demands, it
may be expected to do SO under nor
NAL business conditions. 1t is be-
lieved he will point out that already
the increasing receipts from customs
and internal revenue show a gradual
return to business prosperity, and !
that in the near future receipts from
these sources will more than meet all
legitimate expenses of the govern
ment. 1t is, therefore, not thought
Mr.. Cleveland will recommend any
additional revenue taxation, either
by increasing the duties now ex-
listing or by adding new subjects.
There has been considerable discus
sion among politicians as to whether
the president might not favor a tax
ON domestic wines or beer, or a
stamp tax on bank checks, legal doc
umentS and patent medicines, but
such information as is obtainable
makes it more than probable that he
has not considered any of these ques-
tions in that way. That he will rec
ommend legislation retiring the
greenbacks by the issue of loW-rate
bonds, seems to be almost certain,
and it is not unlikely that he will ask
congress, as an alternative, to au-
thorize the secretary of the treas
ury to issue low-rate bonds, in his
discretion within certain limits, to
protect the gold reserve.
THE CASE OF CUBA.
In the realm of foreign affairs, the
subject which will take the greatest
share of attention ait the hands of the
president, and from its nature will re-
quire the most StateSmanlike and cau-
tious treatment, will be the Cuban in
surrection. While there is good rea-
son for the belief that the president
steadily adhereS to the view expressed
so .forcibly by ex-senator Edmunds, to
the effect that, as contentious exist on
the island, there is no warrant in in
ternational law or precedent for recog'-
milton of the belligerency of the insur-
gents there are indication that very
recent events, notably the adoption by
the insurgents of a policy of wanton
destruction of private property, includ-
ing vast sugar estates belonging to
American citizens, may Oblige him to
change the passive attitude he has oc-
cupied hitherto, in favor of a more
vigorous and positive line of action.
According to- the precepts of interna-
tional law, and as practiced in the case
of our late rebellion, Spain cannot be
held accountable for these losses by
Americans, provided it is evident that
she has done all in her power to stop
.
and also that the Spanish citizens are
equal sufferers by the operations of the
insurgents The result would seem to
be the only plan of action open to the
president. If he should recognize the
belligerency of the insurgents, 1t is
contended that he would bind them to
the observance of the rules Of civilized.
warfare, and be in position to insist.
l,,e 101,
of destruction of private property,
under peril of interference of the Unit
ed States. On the other hand he may
feel justified in using this argument of
great American losses with Spain as
reason for insisting that she press mat
ters to- conclusion in some way.
AS TO VENEZUELA.
Another matter that undoubtedly
will figure largely in the message to
congress will be the Venezuelan boun-
dairy dispute. The president will en-
deavor to show that he has done all
it is possible to- accomplish to carry
out the directions of the last congress
and effect "a settlement of this difficulty
by arbitration. He will refer to the
foreign correspondence of the past
year, including Secretary Olney's last
and most pressing note to- Ambassador
Bayard, and the reply of the British
government, which there is reason to
believe will amount substantially to a.
repetition of its willingness to linn
tied, but not full, arbitration. 1t is
believed that the message will show
that the president has made clear to
Great Britain the deep concern the
United States feels in the affair and the
peaceable adjustment of this important
subject. In this shape the Venezuelan
dispute will be laid before congress for
an expression of it's will in the further
guidance of the executive.
The remaining chapters of the mes
sage relating to foreign affairs will be
largely devoted to a recital of the eff
forts of the state department in behalf
of ex-Consul Waller, a discussion OF
the feasibility of completing the Mic
aragua canal according to the revised
project, and congrat tulatory references
to the good results attending the eff
forts of the United States ministers in
China and Turkey to protect the rights
of American residents therein,
CASE OF MAI. ARMIES.