The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-12-04


Russian government has welcomed in princi'
pie our suggestion for n modus vivendi, to en-
brace Great Britain and Japan, looking to the
better preservation of seal life in the North
Pacific and Behring sea.
The Entangling Alliance.
In my last two annual messages l called the
attention of congress to the position we oc-
cupied as one of the parties to treaty or
agreement by which we became jointly bound
with England and Germany TO so Interfere
with the government and control of Samoa as
In effect to assume the Management of its
affairs. again press this subject upon the at
tcntion of congress, and ask for such legisla-
tive action or expression rs will lead the way
to our relief from obligations both irksome
and unnatural.
The Cuban Insurrection.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. An insur-
rection, in some respects more active than the
last preceding revolt, which continued from
1868 to 1873 now exists in a large part of the
eastern interior of the island, menacng even
some populations on the coast, besides derang
ing the commercial 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 people,
has entailed earnest effort on the part of this
government to enforce obedience 90 our neu-
trality laws and to prevent the territory of
the United States from being abused as van
tage ground from which to aid those in arms
against Spanish sovereignty.
Whatever may be the traditional sympathy
of our countrymcn as individuals with people
who seem to be struggling for larger auton
omy and greater freedom, deepened Ms such
sympathy naturally must be in behalf of our
nelghbors, yet the plain duty of their govern
ment is to observe in good faith the recognized
obligations of international relationship. The
performance of this duty should not be made
a rI he 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 members is bound to observe in its rela-
lions to friendly sovereign states.
Though neither the warmth of our peoples
sympathy with the Cuban insurgents nor our
loss and material damage consequent upon the
futile cndeavors thus far made to restore
peace and order, nor any shock our humane
sensibilities may have received from the cruel
ties which appear to especially characterize
this sanguinary and fiercely conducted war,
have IN the least shaken the determination of
the government to honestly fulfill every inter-
national obligation. yet it is to be earnestly
hoped, on every ground, that the devastation
OF armed conflict may speedily be stayed and
order and quiet restored to 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 oc-
Cured. On March 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 fired upon by Spanish gunboat. Protest
was promptly made by the United States
against this act as not being justified by a state
of war, nor permissible in respect of vessels on
the usual paths of commerce. nor to erable in
view of the wanton peril occasioned to inno-
cent life and property. The act was dis
avowed, with full expression of regret and as
surance of non-recurrence of such Just cause
of complaint, While the offending officer was
relieved of his command.
Military arrests of citizens of the United
States i'll Cuba have occasioned FREQUENT recla-
nations Where held on criminal charges,
their delivery to the ordinary civil jurisdiction
for trial has been demanded and obtained in
conformity with treaty provisions and where
merely detained by way of military precau-
tion under a proclaimed state of siege, with
out form ulated accusation, their release or
trial has been insisted upon. The right of
American consular officers in the island to
prefer protests and demands in such cases
having been questioned by the insular author
| ity, their enjoyment of the privilege stipulated
by treaty for the consus of Germany was
claimed under the most favored nation pro-
vision 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 of the sum originally
agreed upon Ill liquidation of the claim.
The Turkish Situation.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued To
| excite concern. The reported massacres of
| Christians IN Armenia and the DEVELOPMENT
| there and in other districts of q spirit of
| fanatic hostility to Christian influences natur-
ally 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 legiti-
| mate performance of their educational and
| religious mission.
No efforts have been spared in their behalf
anu their protection in person and property
has been earnestly and vigorously enforced by
every means within our power. regret, how
| ever, that an attempt on our part to obtain
| better information concerning the true condi-
| ton of affairs ia the disturbed quarter of the
| Ottoman empire, by sending thther the
| United States consul at Sivas to make investi-
CATION and report, thwarted by the oh.
| jectons of the Turkish government. This
movement on our part was in no sense meant
aS IA gratuitous entanglement of the United
States in the so-called Eastern question, nor as
an ollicious interference with the right and
| duty which belong by treaty to certain Euro
peAn powers, calling for their Intervention in
political matters affecting the good govern
ment and religious freedom of the non Mussul-
man subjects OF the sultan, but it 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 vicIniip Of the disturbed localities
| affords opport antics to acquire IA measure of
familiarity with the condition of affairs, and
| will enable to take suitable steps for the
| protection of ANY interests of our countrymen
within reach of our ships that might be found
| imperllcd.
The Ottoman government has lately issued
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 ana admins.
tered by our countrymen shall be secured II.
the enjoyment of all rights and that our
citizens throughout the empire shall be pro-
tected.
The government, however, in view of exist
ing facts, is far from relying upon such assur-
ances as the limit of its duty. Our minister
has been vigilant and alert in afforiing all
possible protection in individual cases where
danger threatened safety was imperilled
We have sent ships as far toward the points of
actual disturbance as it is possible for them to
CO. where they offer refuge to those obliged to
Al tl,.,.,. 3