The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1895-12-05

oenalf OF our neighbors, yet the plain
duty OF their government Is TO OBJ
serve In good faith the recognized OBJ
legations OF international relationship.
Ihe performance Of this duty should
not be made more difficult By q dis
regard on the part OF our citizens OF
the obligations growing out OF the al
legiance TO their country, which should
restrain them from violating as fndi-
viduals the neutrality which the nation
OF which they are members IS bound
70 observe In its relations with friend
" sovereign States. Though nelghbors.
the warmth Of our peoples sympathy
with the Cuban insurgents, nor our loss
and material damage consequent upon
the futile endeavors thus far made 10
restore peace and order. nor any shock
our human sensibilities may have re-
ceived from the cruel ties which ap-
pear TO especially characterize this
sanguinary and fieTcely conducted
war. have In the least shaken the de-
termination Of the government 70 hon
estly fulfil every International obliga-
ton. Yet Il 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 peace
ful pursuits.
One notable instance Of interference
by Spain with passing American ships
has occurred. on March 8. last. the
Alliance, while bound from Colon TO
New York, and following the custom
ary track for vessels near the Cuban
shore, but outside the three mile limit,
was fired upon by a 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 tolerab bic
in view Of the wanton peril occasioned
70 innocent life and property. The act
was diavowed with full expression o.
regret and assurance Of non-rccurrence
Of such just cause Of complaint. while
the offending officer was relieved OF his
command. Military arrests Of citizens
Of the United States IN Cuba have oc-
casioned frequent reclamations where
held on criminal charges. Their deliv-
cry 20 the ordinary civil Jurisdiction for
in conformity with treaty provisions.
and where merely detained by way of
military precaution under a proclama-
tion Of state OF seige without formu-
lated ACQUISITION. 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 authority, their enjoyment Of
the privileges stipulated by treaty for
the consuls Of Germany was claimed
under the most favored nation pro-
vision OF our own convention and was
promptly recognized.
The long standing demand Of Anto-
Mo Maxine Mora against Spain has at
i.st been settled By the payment on
The 18th Of September last, Of the sum
originally agreed upon IN liquidation
Of the claims. It's distribution among
the parties entitled to receive II has
proceeded as rapidly as the rights OF
those claiming the fund could safely be
determined.
The enforcement Of diferential dudes
against products Of this country ex-
ported 10 Cuba and Puerto Rico
prompted the immediate claim on our
part 70 the benefit Of the minimum tar
IN OF Spain in return for the most IA
vorable treatment permitted By our
laws as regards the projections Of
Spanish territory. A commercial ar
rangement was concluded IN January
last severlng the treatment 50 claimed.
Vigorous protests against excessive
fines imposed on our ships and mer-
chandise by the custom officers Of the
islands for trivial errors have resulted
In the remission OF such fines, In In
stances where the equity Of the COM
plants was apparent. though the yex'
atious practice has not wholly been dis
continued.
Occurrences In Turkey have continued
to excite concern. The reported mas
sacres Of Christians in Armenia, ana
the developmcnt there and I'm other dis
trIcts OF a spirit OF hostility 70 Chris
tin influences naturally excited appre-
henslon for the devoted men ana
women who, as dependents Of the for
eiVn missionary societies in the United
states. reside in Turkey under the
GUARANTEES Of law and usage. and IN the
legitimate performance Of their edu-
catlonal and religious mission. no CT
forts have been spared IN their DenaI,
and their protection IN person anu
property has been earnestly ana Viso-
rousIy forced BY every means IN our
power.
/ regret. however that an attempt
ON our part 10 obtain better inforrna-
tion concerning the true condition OF
affairs In the disturbed quarters or the
ottoman empire, by sending thither the
limited States consul at Sivas TO make
snvastiratlon and report was thwarteo
bv the objections Of the Turkish gov
ernment. This movement on our part
was n. no sense meant as a gratuitous
cntanglement Of the United States In
the so-called Eastern question nor as
an oficlous interference with the right
and duty which belong by treaty 20 GER
tain great European powers, calling 1or
their Intervention IN political matters
affecting the good government and re-
lfgious freedom OF the non-Mussuiman
subjects OF the sultan, but II arose sole
~ from our desire TO have an accurate
knowledge OF conditions In our enorta
10 care for those entitled to our protec-
tion. The presence OF our naval vessels
which are now in the vicinity Of the
disturbed localities. affords opportunity
to acquire a measure Of familiarity
with the condition Of affairs and VIII
enable us to take suitable steps for the
protection cf any interests Of our coun-
try within reach OF our ships that
might be found imperilled.
The Ottoman government has iateiy
issued an imperial nrman exempting
forever from taxation an American coli
lege for girls at szutarl Repeated as
surances have also bcen obtained Dy
our envoy CT constantinople nat Sim
liar institutions maintained and au-
ministered by our countryn "a shall De
secured in the enjoyment OF an rights.
--s 49, o,,~ offivana throughout the