Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-11
nav s1c5. 900 to Great Britain IN settle

ment of British claims for damages,
which was refused by the last Congress,
the President recommends that il can
again be considered and sanctioned. If
this is refused we are bound by every
consideration of honor and good faith he
says. to provide for speedy settlement
by arbitration. A treaty of arbitration
is. accordingly. TO be laid before the Sen
ate. An appropriation for the completion
of the Alaska boundary survey, which
follows the contour of the coast is earnest
ly recommended. The Importance of an in
ternational agreement as TO the line of the
141st meridian. which forms the rest of
the boundary. is dwelt upon. Attention is
also called 10 the unsatisfactory condition
of the boundaries with Canada in the
great lakes and the necessity for q joint
commission on the subject.
The Venezuela Controversy.
OF Venezuela the message simply states
that a statement of the inter st and pol
icy of the United States regarding the
boundary dispute was sent to Great Brit
ain in July last
1.-The general conclusions therein reach
ed and Formulated says the President,
ARE in substance that the traditional
and established policy of the Government
* firmly opposed Ia forcible increase by
any European power of its territorial
possessions on this continent: that this
policy is as well founded in principle as
il is strongly supported by numerous
precedcnts: that as consequence the
I nited States is bound TO protest against
the enlargement of the area of British
Guiana in derogation of the rights and
against the will of Venezuela: that. con-
sidering the disparity in strength of Great
Britain and Venezuela. the territorial
dispute between them can be reasonably
settled only by friendly and impartial
arbitration, and that the resort to such
arbitration should include the whole con
trOvcrsy. and il is not satisfied if one of
the powers concerned be permitted TO
draw an arbitrary line through the terri
tory in debate and declare that il will sub
nit To arbitration only the portion lying
on one side of it, In view of these CON
clusions, the dispatch In question called
upon the British Government for a def
mite answer TO the question whether 1t
would or would not submit the territorial
controversy between itself and NeneZue-
Ia i'll its entirety To impartial arbitra-
ton. The answer of the British Govern
ment has not been received. but is expect
ed shortly. when further communication
on the subject will probably be made 10
the Congress.
Hawaii is dismissed with reference 10
the uprising last January. the demands
made upon the Hawaiian Government for
the rights of American citizens concerned
therein. and the demand for the recall of
Minister Thurston.
The padrone system is denounced as re-
sponsible for such manifestations against
helpless aliens as the lynching of Italians
III Colorado. Congratulations are offered
on our good relations with Japan. in view
of her vast gains in greatness. Cnimpor-
tant references are made TO our relations
with Mexico. Nicaragua and Russia. The
recommendation for an abandonment of
the Samoan agreement is renewed.
Of Cuba the President says the United
States must preserve international faith.
whatever the sympathy of our citizens
with the insurgents. He continues:
Though neither the warmth of our
peoples sympathy with the Cuban insur-
gents nor our loss or material damage
consequent upon the futile endeavors thus
far made TO restore peace and order, nor
any shock our humane sensibilities may
have received from the cruelties which
appear 10 especially characterize this san
culinary and fiercely conducted war. have
in the least shaken the determination of
the Government to honestly fulfill every
international obligation. yet ii is to be
earnestly hoped on every ground that the
devastation of armed conflict may speed
lily be stayed and order and quiet restored
to the distracted island. bringing in their
train the activity and thrift of peaceful
pursuits"
The Alliance incident and SPANS dis
avowal of il and assure nces of n non-re-
currence of similar interferences are stat
ed.
The President then expresses his regret
that the Turkish Government should have
thwarted the purpose to send to the dis
turbed quarter of the empire the United
States consul at Sivas in order to investi-
gate and report. Every effort, he says, is
put forth 10 insure the safety of Ameri-
can citizens and the United States minis
ter is alert. But he goes on, several of
the most powerful European powers have
assumed duty as agents of the Christian
world in Turkey TO restrain fanatical bru-
tally. and 1T is earnestly hoped that
prompt and effective action on their part
will not be delayed
The message recommends at length an
improvement in the consular service by
some plan of appointment and control.
Delicate Financial Situation.
Fully half the message is devoted to a
discussion of the financial situation.
by command of the people," the mes
sage says, "a customs revenue system de-
signed for the protection and benefit Of
favored classes ut the expense of the great
mass of eur countrymen. and which, while
inefficient for the purpose of revenue.
curtailed our trade relations and impeded
our entrance to the markets of the world.
has been superseded by tariff policy
which H. principle is based upon a denial
of the right of the government to obstruct
the avenues To our peoples cheap living
or lessen their comfort and cOntentment,
for the sake of according especial advant-
ages TO favorites. and which, while en-
couraging our intercourse and trade with
other nations, recognizes the fact that
American self-reliance. thrift and ingenu-
ity can build up our country's industry
and develop its resources more surely than
enervating paternalism."
But this and the repeal of the silver