Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-12-05

senate a speciai message with accompanying
giving i~nforInati9S gu me
/ have at all times entertained, that
our situation In this matter was incon-
sistent with the mission and traaIJioas 81 ons s
profess, and in all its phases mischievous ana
Yexatious. 1 again press this subject upon the
legislative action or expression as viii Lead
the way to our relief from obligations both irk-
some and unnatural
THE ISLAND OF CUBA
Cuba Is again gravely disturbed. an insurree-
tfon is some respects more active than the
last preceding revolt, which continued from
eastern interior OF the island, menaclng even
some populations on the coast be
sides dcrangtng the commercial ex-
country takes tho predominant share. this
fragrant condition OF hostilities by arousing
sentimental sympathy and melting adyentur,
Gus support among our people, has entatled
earnest efforts 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 a vantage ground
from which 10 aid those In arms against Span
ish sovereignty.
Whatever may be the traditional sympathy
of our countrymen as individuals with people
who seem TO be struggling for larger autonomy
and greater freedom, deepened as such symathS
naturally must be in behalf OF our neighoors,
yet the PLAIN duty OF their government Is 10
observe in good faith the obligations of inter-
national reLationship The performances OF
a 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 members
are bound to observe in is relations TO friend
warmth Of our peoples sympathy with the Gu
ban insurgents nor our loss and material dam
age consequent upon the futile endeayors thus
far made to restore peace and order.
nor any shook our humane sensibillties MAJ
have received from the crueltieS which appear
to especially characterize this sanguinary and
fercely-condueted war, have in the least
shaken the determination OF the government
to honestly fulfill every international ohisa-
ton, yet II Is 10 be earnestly hoped. en- ever
may speedily be stayed. ana order and quiet
restored to the distracted island. bringing In
their train the practicability and thrift OF
peaceful pursuits.
THE ALLIANCE INCIDENT.
One notable instance OF interference oy SPAR.
with passing American ships has occurred: Oi
March 8 last the Alliance, while bound from
Colon to New York, and following the GUS
tomary track for vessels near the Cuban shore,
but outside the three-mile limit, was fired up
on by O Spanish gunboat. Protest was prompt
ly 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 tolerable in view OF the
wantou peril occasioned to innocent lie ana
property. The net was disavowed, with fuli
expression OF regret and assurance OF nom
recurrence Of such just cause of complaint,
while the offending o1icer was relieved OF his
command
MILITARY ARRESTS.
Military arrests Of citizens of The United
States in Cuba have occasioned frequent
reclamations. Where seld on criminal charges,
their delivery TO the ordinary ciSil jurisdiction
for trial has been demanded, and obtained, IN
conformity with treaty .prcygions. and where
merely detained by way Of military preca!tfob
under a proclaimed state OF siege, without
formulate accusation, thAAr release or trtai 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 insulaI
authority. their enjoyment Of the privilege
MANY. was Claimed under the most favored
nation provision Of our own convention, and
was promptly recognized.
THE NOR CLAIM.
The loag-standing demand Of Antonio Max
tmo Mora against Spain, has at last been set
tied by the payment on the 18th of September
last; Of the sum originally agreed upon IA
the parties entitled TO receive has proceeded
as rapidly as the rights of those claiming the
fund could be safely determined.
The enforcement Of dinerentiai duties against
Rroduets OF this country exported TO Cuba and
Porto Rico prompted the immediate claim or
our part to the benefit of the minimum traffC
of Spain in return for the most favorable treat
ment permitted by our laws as regards the
production of Spanish territories. A CONNER
ctal arrangement was concluded in January
last securing the treatment so claimed.
yExATIoUS PRACTICES.
Vigorous protests against excessive fines
imposed on our ships and merchandise by the
customs officers of these islands for trivial er-
rors have resulted in the remission of such
fines In instances where the equity Of the com.
plant was apparent, though the vexatious
practice has not been wholly discontinued
AFFAIRS IN TURKEY.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued TO ex.
cite concern. The reported massacre of Chris
tlanS in Armenia and the development there
and in other districts OF q spirit of fanatic
hostility to Christian influences, naturally
excited sSs Savo ap5Pre 5oan ana for wo the SAFETY fsG 6
dependents Of the foreign missionary
societies In the United States, reside in Tur.
key under the guarantee OF law and usage, and
in the legitimate performance of their educa.
tional and religious mission. No efforts have
been spared In their behalf. and their protec.
ton In person and property has been earnestly
and vigorously enforced by every means with.
In our power.
DUR NAVAL FORCE IN OTTOMAN WATER
The presence Of our naval vessels which ara
now in the vicinity of the disturbed localities
affords opportunities to acquire q measure o.
familiarity with the condition OF affairs ant
protection OF any interests OF our coutrymer
within reach of our ships that might be found
iMefg1 issaea t . im pea9aa Trade S eesempsing r nas
| ever from taxation an American college fol
also been obtained by our envoy at CONSTANT,
nople that similar institutions maintained and
administered by our countrymen shall be
secured in the enjoyment of all rights and tina,
our citizens throughout-the empire shall be
protected.
SAFETY FoR ERI REFUGEES.
The government, however, in view OF exist
| ing facts, is far from relying upon such chances
as the limit OF its duty. Our minister has beer
| vigilant and alert in afording all possible pro.
| ection in individual cases where danger
threatened or safety imperiled. We have sent
| hips as far toward the points of actual dis.
rbance pc it is possible for them to go where
LEY offer refuge to those obliged to fee. and
We havef the promise of other powers which
nave ships IN the neighborhood. that our cltl.
gems as well as theirs will be received and pro.
tected on board these ships. On the demand Of
our minister orders have been issued by the
sultan that Turkish soldiers shall guard an6
escort to the coast American refugees, ant
these orders have been carried out. and oul
latest Intelligence gives assurance of the
| missionaries. Though thus far no lives Of
American citizens have been sacrificed, there
can be no doubt that serious loss and destruc-
conflicts and attacks. By treaty several of the
most powerful European powers have secured
a right and have assumed o duty not only In
behalf of their own citizens and in fur.
therance of their own interests, but
as agents of the Christian world
Their right is to enforce such conduct Of
zeal brutality. and their duty Is to interfere and
to insure against such dreadful occurrence In
1arkey as lately shocked civilization. The
powers declare this right and this duty to be
theirs alone, and it Is earnestly hoped that
prompt and effective action of their part will
| The new consulates at Erzeroum and Har-
| poot, for which appropriation Is asked. have
been Professionally flied by trusted employees
Of the department OF state. These appointees
though now In Turkey, have not yet received
their exeQuature.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE SERVICE
| In view Of the growth OF our interests in for
eign countries and the encouraging prospects
for o general expansion of our commerce, the
question of an Improvement In the consular
service has increased in Importance and ur-
gency. Though there. is no doubt that the
great body of consular offices are rendering
| valuable services to the trade and industries OF
| the country, the need OF some plan OF appoint
ment and control which would tend to secure q
| higher average OF efficiency can not be denied.
| TN Importance of the subject has led the ex-
| ecutlve to consider what steps might properly
be taken without additional legislation
to answer the need of a better system Of con-
| sular appointments. The matter having been
committed to the consideration OF the secre-
tary of state, in pursuance of his recommended
lions, an executive order was issued on the 10th
of september 1898, by the terms of which it is
provided that after that date any vacancy in a
| consulate or commercial agency with an an
| nual salary or c rnpenSatton from official fees
OF not more tnan $500, or less than 81, 600.
should be filed either by transfer or promotion
| from some other position under the state de-
partment OF a character tending to qualify the
incumbent for the position to be filled, or by
the appotntment Of q person not under the de-
hereunder and shown this capacity and fitness
for consular duty. or by the appointment of q
person who, having been selected by the presi-
dent and sent to q board for examination. is
found, upon such examination. TO be qualified
for the position. Posts which pay less than
| $1,000, ueing usually on account OF their small
compensation Allied by selection from residents
OF the locality, 1t was not deemed practicable
to put them under the new system.
In execution OF the executive order referred
10, the secretary OF state has designated as a
board to conduct the prescribed examinations
the third assistant secretary Of state, the so.
i licit0r OF the department OF state and the chief