Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1895-12-05

tion whether it would or would not sub
NIT the territorial controversy between
itself and Venezuela in its entirety to i'm
partial arbitration. The answer of the
British government has not yet been re-
ceived, but Is expected shortly, when fur
ther communications on the subject will
probably be made to the congress
The Corinto Incident.
In last years message 1 narrated at
some length the iurisdictional questions
then freshly arisen in the Mosquito Indian
"trip OF Nicaragua Since that time, by
the voluntary act of the Mosquito nation,
the territory reserved to them has been
Incorporated with Nicaragua, the Indians
formally subjecting themselves to be gov
erned by the general laws and regulations
Of the republic, instead Of by their own
customs and regulations, and thus avail
ing themselves of a privilege secured to
them by the treaty between Nicaragua
and Great Britain of Jan. 2S 1860.
After this extension of uniform Nicara-
guam administration to the Mosquito strip
the case Of the British vice consul, Hatch,
and of several of his countrymen who had
been summarily expelled from Nicaragua
and treated with considerable indignity
provoked claim by Great Britain upon
Nicaragua for pecuniary indemnity, which,
upon Nicaragua S refusal to admit liabil-
ity, was enforced by Great Britain While
the sovereignty and jurisdiction Of Mica
ragua was in no way questioned BY Great
Britain, the formers arbitrary conduct in
regard to British subjects furnished the
ground for this proceeding
A British naval force occupied without
resistance the Pacific seaport of Corinto,
t.,A0
promise that the sum demanded would be
paid. Throughout this incident the kindly
offices of the United States were invoked
and were employed in favor of as peaceful
a settlement and as much consideration
and indulgence toward Nicaragua as were
consistent with the nature of the case.
Our efforts have since been made the sub
ject of appreciative and grateful recogni-
tion by Nicaragua.
The Cuban Rebellion.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed An
instruction, in some respects more active
than the last preceding revolt. which con-
tinued from 1868 to 1878, now exists in a
large part Of the eastern interior of the
island, menacing even some populations
on the coast. Besides deranging the com
mercial exchanges of the island, of which
this fragrant condition Of hostilities, by
arousing sentimental sympathy and incit-
Ing adventurous support among our peo-
Pile, has entailed earnest effort on the part
of this government to enforce obedience
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 SOW
ereignty.
Whatever may be the traditional sym
pathy of our countrymen as individuals
with people who seem to be struggling
for larger autonomy and greater freedom,
deepened as such sympathy naturally
must be in behalf of our neighbors, vet
the plain duty of their government Is to
observe in good faith the recognized obli-
cations Of international relationship Tha
performance of this duty should not be
made more difficult by disregard on the
part Of our citizens of the obligations
growing out of their allegiance to their
country. which should restrain them from
violating as individuals the neutrality
which the nation of which they are men,
bers is bound to observe in its relations to
friendly sovereign states.
The Armenian Massacres.
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
a spirit of fanatic hostility to Christian
Influences naturally excited apprehension
for the safety Of the devoted men and
women who as dependents Of the foreign
missionary societies in the United States,
reside in Turkey under the guarantee OF
law and usage and in the legitimate per
fOrmance of their educational and reli-
gious mission
Our minister has been vigilant and
alert in affording all possible protection.
We have sent ships as far toward the
points OF actual disturbance as it is posi-
BILE for them to go, where <hey offer refuge
to those obliged to flee, and we have the
promise of other powers which have ships
in the neighborhood that our citizens as
well as theirs will be received and pro-
tected on board those ships. On the de-
mand of our minister orders have been
issued by the sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast Ameri
can refugees.
The Consular Service.
In view of the growth of our interests
In foreign countries and the encouraging
prospects for a general expansion Of our
commerce, the question of an improve
ment in the consular service has increased
In importance and urgency.
The importance Of the subject has led
the executive to consider what steps
might properly be taken without addi
tioDal legislation to answer the need of
better system Of consular appointments
The matter having been committed to the
consideration of the secretary of state, in
pursuance of his recommendations an ex-
ecutive order was issued on the Goth of
September, 1895, by the terms of which it
is provided that after that date any va
cancy In a consulate or commercial agency
with an annual salary or compensation
from official fees OF not more than 81, 500
or less than 81, 600 should be filled either
by transfer or promotion from some other
position under the department. of state Of
character tending to qualify the incum-
bent for the position to be filled, or by the
appointment of person not under the de-
partment of state, but having previously
served hereunder and shown his capacity
and fitness for consular duty, or by the
appointment of a person who. having been
selected by the president and sent to
board for examination, is found, upon
such examination, to be qualified for the
position. Posts which pay less than 81. 900
being usually, on account of their small
compensation, filled by selection from
residents Of the locality, it was not deemed
practicable to put them under the new
system.
am thoroughly convinced that in ad
dition to their salaries our ambassadors
and ministers at foreign courts shall be
provided BY the government with official
residences The salaries of these officers
are comparatively small and in most cases
insufficient to pay, with other necessary
expenses, the cost of maintaining house |
hold establishments in keeping with their
important and delicate functions
National Finances.
As we turn from review OF our foreign
relations to the contemplation of our ma
tional financial situation we are imme- |
diately aware that we approach a subject
OF domestic concern more important than |
any other that can engage our attention,
and one at present in such perplexing
and delicate predicament as to require |
prompt and wise treatment.
We may well be encouraged to earnest
effort in this direction when we recall the |
steps already taken toward improving our
economic and financial situation, and |
when we appreciate how we'll the way has |
been prepared for further progress by an
aroused and intelligent popular interest
In these subjects.