The advocate., 1895-12-11

Early In January last an uprising against
the government Of Hawaii was promptly sup
pressed Martial law was forthwith pro-
claimed and numerous arrests were made OF
persons suspected Of being in sympathy with
the royalist party. Among these were several
citizens Of the United States, who were either
convicted by military court and sentenced
to death or Imprisonment or fine, or we're de-
ported without trial The United States,
while denying protection to such as had
taken the Hawaiian oath of allegiance,
insisted that martial law, though altering the
forms Of Justice could not supercede justice it.
self and demanded stay of execution until
the proceedings had been submitted to this
government and knowledge obtained there
from that our citizens had received fair trial
The death sentences we're subsequently COM
muted or were remitted on condition Of leaving
the islands.
Japan has furnished abundant evidence Of
her vast gain in every trait and characteristic
that constitutes nation greatness. We have
reason for congratulation in the fact that the
government Of the United States, by the eX-
change Of treaty stipulations with the new
Japan, was the first to recognize her wonderful
advancement and to extend to her the conSid-
GRAFTON and confidence due to her national eno
nghtenment and progressive character
Cuba is again graVely disturbed, an insurrec-
tion in some respects more active than the last
preceding revolt which continued from 1858
to 1s78 now exists In large part Of the eastern
interior OF the island, menacing even some pop
ulations on the coast Beside deranging the
exchanges of the island, of which our country
takes the predominant share, this hagrant con-
dition Of hostilities by arousing sentimental
sympathy and melting adventurous support
among our people, has entailed earnest ehort
on the part Of this government to enforce obe-
dlence to our neutrality laws and to prevent
the territory Of the United States from being
abused as vantage ground from which to aid
those in arms against Spanish sovereignty.
Whatever may be the traditional sympathy
Of our countrymen as individuals with people
who seem to be struggling for larger autonomy
and greater freedom, deepened as such sympa-
thy naturally must be in behalf Of our neigh
oor, yet the plain duty of their government
is to observe in good faith the recognized obli-
cations Of international relationship. The
performance of this duty should not be made
more difficult by o disregard on the part OF our
citizens OF the obligations growing out Of their
allegiance TO their country, which should re-
Strain them from violating, as individuals, the
neutrality which the nation Of which they are
members is bound to observe In its relations
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 endeaVors
thus far made to restore peace and order,
nor any shock our humane SenSibiltes may
have received from the cruelties which appear
to especially characterize this sanguinary and
hercely conducted war, have in the least shak-
en- the determination Of the government to
honestly fulfill every international obligation,
yet, IL Is earnestly hoped, on all grounds,
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
Vigorous protests against excessive fines Inn
posed on our ships and merchants by the ships,
ofncers Of these islands for trivial errors have
resulted In the remission Of such fines In in
stances the equity Of the complaint was appar-
ent, though the Vexatious practice has not
been wholly discontinued,
Occurrences In Turkey have continued
to excite concern. The reported massa-
cres OF Christians in Armenia and the de-
| velopment there, and in other districts, OF
| the spirit OF fanatic hostility to Christian in
| huences naturally excited apprehension for
the safety OF the devoted men and women, who
as dependents Of the foreign missionary soci-
cites in the United States all reside in Turkey
under the guarantee Of law and usage and in
the legitimate performance of their educa-
tional and religious mission. No efforts have
been spared in their behalf and their protection
IN person and property has been earnestly and
vigorously enforced by every means within our
power. The presence Of our naval vessels which
are now in the vicinity OF the disturbed localities
affords opportunities to acquire measure Of
familiarity with the condition OF affairs and
viii enable US to take suitable steps for the
protection Of any interests OF our countrymen
within reach Of our ships that might be found
lmperiled.
The Financial Situation.
As we turn from review Of our foreign re-
lations to the contemplation Of our national
financial situation we are Immediately aware
| that We approach q subject OF domestic con-