The herald., 1895-12-04

! ~ - vcpCutuIy uObtCCdOiU ehov '''SS''
favors prohibition of the use of hrearm
in seal hunting throughout the propose
area and a longer closed season Tor pei
agic sealing.
SAMOA
In my last two annual messages callet
the attention Of congress to tho position
We occupied al ono OF the parties to
treaty or agrsemnt by which We became
jointly bound with England and Ger
manv to interfere With the government
and control Of Samoa as IN effect to as
sumo management of its affairs.
On the 9th day OF May, 1894, transmit
ted to the se..ate q special message WIN
accom- panying documents giving infor
nation nm the subject and emphasizing
the opinion have ct all times els r.
tanned, that our situation in this matter
| was inc 'nsistent with the mission ana
i traditions of our govern ment, IN VIOLA
! tion OF the princi pies We profess ana IN
| all ITS puases mischievous and vexatious.
again press this subject upon the atten'
| tion of the congress and ask for such ieg,
islative action or expression as VIII
| lead the way to our relief from uoliga-
tions both irksoma and unnatural.
CUBA.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. An
insurrectiion, in one respect more active
than the last preceding revolt. which
continued from 1865 to 1878, now exists IN
a large part of the eastern interior OF the
island, nienacing even sumo populations
on the coast. Besides ceranRing the
commercial exchanges, of the island, OF
which our country takes the predominant
share, this fragrant condition Ut hostility
arousing sentimental sympathy anu IN
citing adventurous support among our
people has entailed earnest eifort on the
part of this government to eniorce ope-
d,ence to our neutrality laws anu TO pre-
vent the territory OF the United Ststes
from being used as a vantage around from
whiun to aid those in arms against span
ish sovereignty. Whatever may be she
traditional sympathy OF our rountr ymeh
as individuals with people who sesm to
be struggling for larger autonomy and
greater freedom depend as much sym a.
thy must naturally must be IN behalf of
our eighbors. Yet the plain du'y OF
the government is to observe in good
faith the recognized obligations OF inter-
national relationship. The PEI torrance
of this duty should not b" made mJre
difficult by disregard on the part our
citizens of the obligations growing out
of the alleg lance to their country. which
should restrain them from violatl ms as
individuals the neutrality which the
nation of which they are mem 'ers is
bunu to observe in its relations to friend.
Icy foreign 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 mad. to restore
peace and order. Any shock our human
sens bilities may have received from the
cruelties which appear to be especially
characterize this sanguinary and Eercely
conducted war have in the least shamed
n tar mi, tim Of the tn
honestly fulfill our Internal onal obiiga-
tions, yet it is to be earnestly honei, on
every ground, that the devastation OF
armed conflict may speedily be stayed
and order restored to the distracted
islant bringing 10 their train tae activi-
ty ant thrift Of peaceful pursuits. Ohe
notable instance OF interior nee by spa n
with passing American ships hiss DC.
CURED. On March Stb last the Alliancea,
while bound from Colon to New York,
and following the customary track Tor
vessels near the Cuban shorr, but outside
of the tnree.mile limit. was bred upon
by a Spanish eunboat. Protest vas
promptly made by the United States
aga net this act, as not being justified
by a state of war nor permissible III re-
spect of vessels on the usual paths OF
CON merce, or tolerable in view of the
wanton peril occasioned to innocent Lille
anc property. The act was di avowed,
ance of non recurrence or such lust c"m-
plain:, while the offending officer WAS
reliesed of his command. Military ar
rests OF citizens of the Unite St ties in
Cuba have occusioned frequent eyamina.
tons. Where held in cri nj NAL charges
their delivery to the ordinary civil infis
diction for trIalc mas been demanded and
obtained in conformity with treaty pro-
visions, and whore merely detained by
way of military accusations. under a
proclaimed state OF siege without form
ulated accusation, their release or trial
has been insisted Iton. the right of
American C. nsular officers in the island
to prefer protests and demands in such
cases bnvine been questioned by the
authorities, their eniUymentof the privi-
lege stipulated oy tr -atv by the consu
of Germany was claimed under the most
favored nation provi,iln of our own con-
vention, and was romptlyrecosnlzed.
SPAIN.
The long. standing dem and of Maxine
Mora against Spain has at last been set
tied by the pay ment Of the lith OF Sep
tember of the sum originally agreed
upon in liquidation OF the Mora claim.
It's distribution among the parties en-
titled to receive it has proceeded as rap
Idly as tine rights OF these claiming the
fund could be safely determined. Tue
onf ,rceinent of differentiai duties against
pro iucts of this country exported to
Uuha aid Porto Rico prom pied the i'm
mediate claim on our part to the benefit
of the minimum tariff Of Spain in re
turn for the most favorable treatment
psrrnitted by our laws as regards the
prod uctions or Spanish terri tories. A
commercial arrangement was concluded
in January last securing the treatment SO
claimed
TURKEY.
Vigorous protests iainst excessive
fines imposed on our ships and merchan.
disc by the customs officers OF these
islands for trivial errors have resulted
in the remission OF such fines in Instances
where the equity Of the complaint was
apparent, thou.h the vexarions practice
has not been wholly discontinued.
Occurrences IN Turkey have contin ued
to excite concern. The reported massacre
of Christi ms in Armenia and the develop.
ment there and in otler districts Of
fanatic hostility to Christian influences
naturally excited apprehension for the
safety of the devoted men and women
women who are dependents OF the foreign
missionaries.
Societies IN the United States reside in
| Turkey under the guarantee Of law and
usage and in the legitimate performances
| of their educational End religious mis-
| sions. No efforts have been spared in
| their behalf, and their protection in per
| son and property has been earnestly and
| vigorously enforce by every means with
| in our power. / regret, however, that
an attempt ON our part TO obtain inform
| 49, 81