Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-12-06

performance or this duty should not be made
more difficult by disregard on the part OF
our citizens Of the obligations growing ont OF
their allegiance to their country, which should
restrain them from violating as individuals
the neutrality which the nation Of which they
are members is bound to observe in its rela-
tons to friendly sovereign 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 made to restore
peace and order, nor any shock our humane
sensiblllties may have received from the cruel
ties which appear to espec ally characterize
THIS sanguinary and ferccy conducted war,
have IN the least shaken the determination Of
the government to honestly fulfill every inter-
national obligation, 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 peaceful pursuita
One notable instance of interference by
Spain with pas ing American ships has oc-
CURED. ON March last, the Alliance, while
| bound from Colon to New York, andfollowing
the customary track for vessels near the
cuban shore, but outside the threc.mile limit,
| was fired upon by 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 u, cradle in
view OF the wanton peril occasioned to inno-
avowed, with full expression of regret and a..
surance Of nOn-recurence 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 occasiuned frequent recla.
| nations. Where held ON criminal charges.
their delivery TO the ordinary civil jurisdiction
| Tor trial has been demanded and obtained in
| conformity with treaty provisions, and where
merely detained 10y way Of military precau.
/ "a mr. 1.fry t..N9
| out formulated accusation, 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 author
| lty, their enjoyment OF the privilege 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 Antonio
Maxine Mora against Spain has at last been
settled by the payment Of the sum originally
agreed upon In liquidation of the claim.
The Turkish Situation.
| Occurrences in Turkey have continued to
| excite concern. The reported massacres OF
| Christians in Armenia and the deyelopment
there and in other districts Of a spirit OF
| fanatic hostility to Christian influences natur.
ally excited apprehension for the safety Of the
| devoted men and women who, as dependeuts
| OF the foreign missionary societies in the
| United States, reside in Turkey under the
guarantee Of law and usage and in the legiti-
mate 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. regret, how
| ever, that an attempt on our part TO obtain
| better information concerning the true condi
| ton Of affairs in the disturbed quarter Of the
| ottoman empire, by sending thither the
| United states consul at Sivas to max. investi-
| cation and report, was thwarted by the OBJ
iections Of the Turkish government This
| movement on part was in no sense meant
! as a gratuitous ENHANCEMENT Of the United
States in the so-called Eastern question, nor AZ
officiOus interference with the right and
duty which belong by treaty ~ certain Euro
| pean powers, calling Tor their Intervention in
| political matters affecting the good govern
ment and religious freedom of the non Mussul-
man subjects of the sultan, but 1t arose
solely from our desire to have an accurate
knowledge Of the conditions in our efforts to
care for those entitled to our protection.
| The presence Of our naval vessels which are
now in the vicinity Of the disturbed localities,
affords opportunities To acquire a measure of
familiarity with the condition Of affairs, and
will enable to take suitable stop. for the
| protection Of any interests of our countrymen
within reach Of our ships that might be found
| imperilled-
The Ottoman government has lately issued
imperial trade exempting forever from
taxation American college for girls at
| Scutari. Repeated assurances have also been
| obtained by our envoy at ConstantinOple that
similar institutions maintained and admins
tered by our countrymen shall b. secured in
the enjoyment of all rights, and that our
| citizens throughout the empire shall be pro
tected.
The government, however, in view Of exist
ing facts, is far from relying upon such assur-
ances ~ the limit Of its duty. Our minister
has been vigilant and alert in afforIing all
| possible protection in individual cases where
danger threatened or safety was imperilled
We have sent ships a. far toward the points Of
actual disturbance as it is possible for them to
go, where they offer refuge to those Obliged to
fee, 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 protected on board those ships.
On the demand OF our minister, orders have
been issued by the sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast American
refugees. These orders have been carried out
and our latest intelligence gives assurance of
the present personal safety of our citizens and
missionaries Though, thus far, no lives Of
American citizens have been sacrificed, there
can be no doubt that serious loss and destruc-
ton Of mission property have resulted from
riotous conflicts and outrageous attacks
By treaty several Of the most powerful Flu.
ropean powers have secured a right and have
assumed duty not only in behalf Of their own
cltlZenS, ana IN turtherance OF their own in
terests but agents Of the Christian world.
Their right Is to enforce such conduct of Turk.
ish government will restrain fanatical
brutality, and IL this fails their duty is to so
interfere as to insure against such dreadful
occurrences in Turkey as have lately shocked
civilization. The powers declare this right
and this duty to be theirs alone, and 1t is earn
estly hoped that prompt and effective action
ON their part will not be delayed
The new consulates at hrzruum ana har-
poot. for which appropriation was made last
session, have been Professionally filled by
trusted employees Of the department Of state.
These appointees, though now in Turkey, have
not yet received their exequaturs.
The Consular Service.
In view Of the growth of our interests in
foreign countries and the encouraging pros
poets for q general expansion Of our com
merce, the question of an improvement in the
consular service has increased in Importance
and urgency.
urge such action by congress as will per-
init the frequent and thorough inspection of
oonsulates by officers appointed for that pur-
pose or by persons already in the diplomatic
or consular service The expense attending
such plan would be insignificant compared
with its usefulness and hope the legislation
necessary to set it on foot will be speedily
forthcoming.
The Financial Question.
As we turn from a review of our foreign
lations to the contemplation of our national
financial situation, we are Immediately aware
that we approach subject of domestic CON
Germ more important than any other that can
| a finu md m MT in