Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-12-07
all Pacific waters north Of tho thirty-ntth par

sliel
1t is especially noticeable that Russia favors
proh,bition pro of the use of hrearms in seal hunt
ing throughout the proposed area and q longer
closed season for pelagic scaling.
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
In my last two annual messages called the
attention OF congress to the position we occu-
pied as one OF the parties to n treaty or agree
ment by which we become Jointly bound with
England and Germany to so interfere with the
government and control OF Samoa us IN enect,to
assume sc management OF its affairs. On the
9TH day OF May, 1894, transmitted TO the senate
a special message with accompanying uocu,
mentS giving Information on the SUBJECT anu
emphasizing the opinion have ut oil times en-
tertained.
1 again press this subject upon the attention
OF the congress. and ask for such legislative
action or expression as will lead the way to our
relief from obligations both irksome and un-
natural.
THE CUBAN INsURREcT1oN.
Cuba Is again gravely disturbed. Aninsurrec-
tion, in some respects more active than the last
preceding revolt, which continued from 1858 to
1873, now exists in a large part OF the eastern
interior OF the island, menacing even some
populations on the coast, besides deranging tho
commercial exchanges OF the island OF which
our country takes the prominent share. In the
migrant condition OF hoStilities by arouSinB
sentimental sympathy and melting adventur-
Gus support among our people 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 used as vantage ground from which
W Hlu tnOSe IN arms against spanish SONSr-
eighty.
Whatever may be the traditional sympathy
OF our countrymcn as individuals with n 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
bors, yet the plain duty of this government Is
to observe in good faith the recognized obliga-
tions OF international relationship. The per-
formance of this duty should not be made more
difficult by disregard on the part OF our citi-
zens OF the obligations growing out Of their al
ieSiance 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 70
friendly sovereign states.
1t is TO be earnestly hoped, on every ground,
speedily be stayed and order and quiet re-
stored to the distracted island, bringing in
their train the activity and Thrift OF peaceful
pursuits ,-As
THE ARMENIAN MAssAcREs
Occurrences in Turkey have continued to ex-
cite concern. The reported massacreS Of Chris
tians In Armenia and the development there
and in other districts of spirit Of fanatic hos
tility to Christian Influences naturally excited
apprehension for the safety Of the devoted men
and women who rs dependents OF the foreign
missionary societies In the United States, re-
side in Turkey under the guarantee OF law and
usage and in the legitimate performance OF
their educational 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.
l regret, however that an attempt on our
part to obtain better Information concerning
the true condition of affairs in the disturbed
| quarter OF the Ottoman empire by sending
| thither the United States consul at Sivas to
mako Investigation and report, was thwarted
| by the objections Of the Turkish government.
This movement on our part was in no sense
meant gratuitous ENHANCEMENT OF the
| United States in the so-called eastern ques-
| tion nor as an oficious interference with the
right and duty which belong by treaty to GER
| tain great European powers calling for their
| Intervention in political matters affecting the
| good government and religious freedom OF the
on-MuSSulman subjects OF the sultan, but Ii
arose solely from our desire to have an ac-
| curnte knowledge of the conditions in our ef-
| forts TO care for those entitled to our protec-
| ton.
| The presence OF our naval vessels which are
now In the vicinity of the disturbed localities,
| familiarity with the condition Of affairs and
| will enable to take suitable steps for the
| protection OF any interests OF our countrymen
| within reach OF our ships that might be found
imperiled. The Ottoman government has slse-
| ly issued an imperial trade exempting forever
| from taxation an American college for girls al
| Scutaria. Repeated assurances have also been
obtained by our envoy at Constantinople that
| similar institutions maintained and admins
| tered by our countrymen shall be secured IN
the enjoyment OF all rights, and that our citl-
| Zens throughout the empire shall be protected
| Though thus far no lives of American citi.
| zens have been sacrificed, there can be no doubt
| that serious loss and destruction of mission
property have resulted from riotous conflict.
and outrageous attacks.
BY treaty several of the most powerful Eu
| ropean powers have secured q right and have
assumed q duty not only in behalf OF their Owl
| citizens and in furtherance OF their own inter
estS. but as agents OF the Christian world. Thei
right is to enforce such conduct of the Turkish
| government Us will restrain fanaticGl brutality
and II this fails their duty is to so interfer,
| as to insure against such dreadful occurrences
| in Turkey Us have lately shocked civilization
| The powers declare their right and this duty to
| be theirs olone and it is earnestly hoped tha
prompt and effective action on their part w1t
not be delayed.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE
| In view of the growth of our interests II
foreign countries and the encouraging pros
| poets for general expansion of our commerce
| the question of an improvement in the conSula
| service has increased in Importance and ur
| gency Though there is no doubt that th
great body of consular officers arc rendering
| valuable service to the trade and industries o
| the country, the needs of some plan OF appoint
ment and control which would tend to secure
| higher average of efficiency can not be denied
The Importance OF the subject has led the ex
| ecutive to consider what steps might properl.
| be taken without additional legislation.
| am thoroughly convinced that in addition
| to their salaries our ambassadors and minister
| at foreign courts should be provided by th
government with official residences. The sal
aries OF these officers are comparatively small
| and in most cases insufficient to pay, with othe
| necessary expenses the cost OF maintaining
household establishments in keeping with thei
fuiness OF u nations diplomatic Representative
undeniably depends much upon the appropri
atenSSS OF MS SURROUNDINGS ana country llH
ours, while avoiding unnecessary glitter nu,
show, should be certain that it does not suffe
in its relations with foreign nations through
parSimony and shabbiness in its diplomat
outfit These considerations and the other ad
va1tages OF having fixed and somewhat per
| manent locations for our embassies, woul
| abundantly justify the moderate expenditur
| necessary to carry out this suggestion.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.
As we turn from a review OF our foreign rela
| tions to the contemplation " our nationa
financial situation we are Immediately awar
that we approach subject OF domestic concer
more important than any other other that Gu
] engage our attention, and one at present
! such u perpleXing and delicate predicament u
| to require prompt and wise treatment.
We may well be encouraged to earnest eroi
In this direction when we recall the steps q
| ready taken toward improving our econom
and financial situation, and when We appreclat
) how we'll the way has been prepared for furthe
progress by an aroused and intelligent popula
interest in these subloctS-
! BY command OF the people customs revenu
system, designed for the protection and benet
. OF favored classes at the expense of the gret
! mass OF our countrymen, and which, while IL
4 eficient for the purpose OF revenue, ourtaile
our trade relations and impeded our entranC
to the markets OF the world has been supel
0 ceded by q tariff policy which in principle
| bascd upon u denial OF the right OF the govern
: ment to obstruct the avenues to our people