The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-28
No Change in Tariff or Revenue
Laws to Be Asked.
PROPHECY OF LARGER INCOME
Retirement Of Greenbaeks bv Issue
of Bonds TO Be Recommended.
Recognition OF the Cubans as Bel
figereuts WIN Not Be Advised. and
the Venezuelan Correspondence VIII

Washington CITY. Nov g7.-There are
good reasons for the belief that in his
forthcoming message to congress Pres
dent Cleveland VII strictly adhere u his
previous utterances in regard 20 the tar3T
and financial questions. and il : alto
gether probable that these subjects To-
gether with that Of our foreign affairs.
VII occupy practically. If. indeed. not ao-
Soluteiy the whole message, to the exclu-
son Of all other matters
II is believed the president Will com
mend the present tariff as a step IN the
direction Of tightening the burdens of the
people, and though il has thus far failed
TO bring n sufficient amount Of revenue 10
satisfy the needs OF the government. IL
may be expected u do 50 under normal
business conditions. II Is believed he will
point ont that already the increasing re-
ceipts from customs and internal revenue
show a gradual return % business pros
perity, and that in the near future the re-
ce:pts from these sources will meet all the
legitimate expenses Of the government IL
is not. therefore thought that Mr.. Cleve-
land will recommend any additional reve-
nue. taxation. either by increasing the du-
ties now existing or by adding new s'lb-
jects. There has been considerable dis
cussion among politicians as 10 whether
the president might not favor a tax on do
nestle wines or beer. or a stamp tax on
bank checks. legal documents and patent
medicines. but such in formation as is OBJ
ta.uable makes IL more than probable that
ne has not cons. .dered any Of these ques-
tions in tfnt connection.
That he will recommend legislation re-
tiring the greenbacks by the issue Of low-
rate bonds seems almost certain. and 1t Is
not unlikely that ne will ask congress. rs
an alternative 10 authorize the secretary
Of the treasury 20 issue low-rate bonds
IN his discretion. within certain limits. 10
protect tho gold reserve.
In the realm of foreign affairs. the sub
tect which IL is expected viii claim the
greatest share of attention at the hands
of the president. and from It's nature VIII
require the most statesmanlike and cau-
tious treatment, will be the Cuban insur-
rection. While there is good reason for
the belief that the president has stead
ilv adhered 10 the view expressed very
forcibly by ex-senator Edmunds, TO the
effect that while contentious exist on the
island there is no warrant IN international
law or precedent for recognition OF the
belligerency of the insurgents, there are
indications that very recent events ana
notably the adoption by the insurgents
of a policy of wanton destruction or pri-
vate property, including vast sugar es-
tates belonging to American citizens, may
oblige him to change the passive atutuoe
he has occupied heretofore in favor or a
more vigorous and positive line OF ac-
ton According To the precepts OF inter
national law. and as practiced In the case
Of our late rebellion. Spain cannot ne held
accountable for these losses by Ameri-
ans provided Ii Is evident that she mas
done all in her power To stop the destruc-
tion of private property, ana also tha'
Spanish citizens are equally sufferers by
the ouerations Of the insurgents. II the
president should recognize the heilger-
encv of the insurgents, IL Is contended
that he would bind them to the ooserV-
ance of the rules OF civilized warfare ana
be in a position TO insist upon the aoah-
6onment OF this policy Of destruction or
nrivate property under peril OF interier-
ence bv the United States. on the other
bard he may feel justified in using this
argument OF great American losses with
Spain as a reason for insisting that she
press matters to conclusion III soiiie
way. ,,-.s,-- ..-,,,
sey,,ra largely IN the message 10 congress
viii he the Venezuela boundary dispute.
The president will endeavor 10 show that
no has done all that It Is possible 10 ac-
corupIIsh TO carry out the direction OF the
last congress and effect a settlement OK
th{s difficulty by arbitration. lie VII re-
fer 10 the foreign correspondence or tae
mast year Including Secretary Olney's last
and most pressing note 10 Ambassador
Bavard and the reply 0f the British gov
errment. which there Is reason 10 believe
will amount substantially 20 A repetition
of its willingness 10 accept limited hui
NOT a fur arbitration. II IS believed the
message will show that the president has
made Clear 10 Great Britain the deep con-
Germ the United States feels IN the atair
and its desire for a peacesbie settlement
of this important subject. In this shape
me Venezlela dispute viii be laid before
congress for an expression az its vii IN
tho further guidance Of the executive.
The Rering sea claims WI also ne
touched upon, and II is believed - pres!-
dent will take the ground that. the United
states being in honor hound "a the result
Of the Paris arbitration and the modus
vfvendi adopted during It's pendency 10
nav these claims. congress should act Ia
vorabIv upon a convention which No VII
s,.hrnIt. providing for the appointment OF
a mixed commlssio 10 ascertain and set
tie them.
The remaining chapters Of tho portion
~ the message relating to foreign aNa.rs
vsiu he largely devoted 70 recital ~ the
efforts OF the state department IN he1alf
81 ex-Consul Waller. a discussion of the
fsas bility ~ completing the \.oaraguan
canal according % the revised project. ard
-onrratllatory REFERENCES 10 The good 70
suits attending the efforts Of the United
States ministers in Cn.ra and Turkey 20
protect the r-ghts OF American residents
-havasn