Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1895-12-11

attention OF the Congress to the position We
occupied as one of tn, parties to a 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
On the 9th day of May, 1891, i transmitted to
the senate a special message with accompany-
ing documents giving information on the sub
Ject and emphasizing the opinion have at all
times entertained that our situation on this
matter was inconsistent with the mission and
traditions OF our government in violation of
the principles we profess and in its phases
mischievous and vexatious. 1 again press this
Tor such legislative action or expression as will
lead the way to our relief from obligations both
rksome and unnatural
The Cuban Rebellion.
Cuba Is again gravely disturbed, an insurrec-
tion in some respects more active than the last
preceding revolt, which continued from 1858
TO 1879 now exists in a large d art of the East
ern interior of the island, menacing even some
populations on the coast. Besides dangering
the commercial exchanges of the island, of
which our country takes the predominant
share, this fagrant condition of hostilities by
rouslng sentimental sympathy and inciting ad-
venturous support among our people, has en-
tailed earnest effort on the part of this govern.
ment to enforce obedience to our neutrality
Laws and to prevent the territory of the Unite
states from being abused as a vantage ground
from which to aid those in arms against Span
ish sovereignty. Whatever may be the tradi-
tlonal sympathy of our countrymen, as indi-
vlduals with people who seem to be struggling
Tor larger autonomy and greater freedom
deepened as such sympathy naturally must be
In behalf or our neighbor. Yet the plain duty
OF their government Is to observe In good nth
the recognized obligations of international re-
tationship. The performance of this duty
should not be made more difficult by disre-
| gard on part of our citizens of the obligations
growing out of their allegiance to their coun-
Try which should restrain them from violating
as lndividuals 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 sensibili-
ties may have received from the cruelties
which appear to especially characterize this
sanguinary and fercely conducted war; have in
tne Ieast shaken the determination of the gov
ernment to honestly fulfill every International
obligation; yet, it is to be earnestly hoped on
every grounds, that the dev on of armed
conflict may sp edily be st d order and
quiet restored to the distra, nd, bring
ing in their train the actiI and thrift of
peaceful pursuits
The Turkish Troubles.
cite concern. The reported massacres of Chris
ua1s In Armenia and the development there,
and IN other distri cts of the spirit of fanatic
host ility to Christian influences. naturally ex-
cited apprehension for the safety of the devoted
men and women who, as dependents of the for
elgn mis- ssionary societies tho United States,
and reside in Turkey under the guarantee of
law and usage and in thu legitimat, perform
ance OF their educ cational and religious mission
NO efforts have been spared in their behalf and
TnVn in
been earne silly and vigorously enforced by
every means within our power. regret how.
ever, that an attempt on our part to obtain
better inf ormation cOncer ming the true condi-
ton OF affairs in the disturbed quarter of the
Ottoman empire by sending the United
states consul at Siuas to make Investigation
and report was thwarted by the objections of
the Turkish government This movement on
our part was in no sense meant as a gratuitous
ENHANCEMENT of the United States in the So
called Eastern question. nor as an officious in
reference with the right an duty which be-
long by treaty to certain great European
powers calling for their Intervention in polit-
ical matters affecting the go cd government and
religious freedom of the non-Mussulman sub
5ects of the Sultan, but it aros, solely from our
desire to have an accurate knowledge OF the
conditions in efforts to care for those en-
titled to our protection.
The presence of our naval vessels which are
now in the vicinity of the disturbed localities
ohOIU opportunities 10 acquire q measure OF
familiarity with the condition of affairs and
will enable us to take suitable steps for the
protection of any interests of our countrymen
within reach of our ships that might be found
imperilled. The Ottoman government has
lately issued an imperial Trade exempting for
ever from taxation an American college for
girls at Scutari. Repeated assurances have
also been obtained by our envoy at Constau-
tinople that similar institutions maintained
and administered by our count rymen shall be
secured in the enjoyment of all rights and that
our citizens throughout the empire shall be
protected.
On the demand of our minister orders have
been issued by the Sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast American
| refugees, and those orders have been carried
out and our latest intelligence gives assurance
OF the present personal safety of our citizens
and missionaries. Though thus far no lives of
American citizens have been sacrificed there
can be no doubt that serious loss and destruc-
ton OF mission property have resulted from
riotous conflicts and outrageous attacks
BY treaty several of the most powerful
European powers have securel right and az
sumed a duty not only in behalf of their own
ests, but agents of the Christian world
Their right is to enforce such conduct of the
Turkish government as will restrain fanatical
brutality, and in fact, their duty i, to interfere
so as to insure against such dreadful occur.
| rences in Turkey as lately shocked civilization.
The powers declare this right and this duty to
be theirs alone, and it is earnestly hoped that
effective action on their part will not be de.
| layed.
OUR FINANCES.