The Red Cloud chief., 1895-12-13

attention ot tho Congress To the position we
occupied ~ ono Of tbs parties to a treaty or
agrc mcpt by which We became 'ointly bount:
with England and Germany to so interfere with
tho government and control Of Samoa as In
effect to assume tho management OF Its affairs.
On the 9th day Of May, 1885,, ] transmitted to
tho senate n special message with accompany
ing documents giving information ON the sub
jcct and emphasizing tho opinion I have at all
times entertained that our situation on this
matter was Inconsistent will the mission and
traditions OF our government in violation Of
the principles wo profess aud In all its phases
mis"hievous and vexatious. / again press this
subject upon tho attention OF Congress and ask
for such legislative action or o preston as will
lead the way TO our relief from obligations both
irksomo aud unnatural.
The Cuban Rebellion.
Cuba is again era vely disturbed, an insurrcc.
ton in some res poets more active than the LAST
proceeding revolt, which continued from 1858
10 1878. now exists In a large y art Of the East
crn interior OF the island, mcnacing oven some
populations on tho coast. Beside, dangcring
the commercial exchanges Of Tho island, OF
which our country takes tho predominant
share, this fragrant condition of hostilitie, by a
rousing Sentimental sympathy and melting ad-
vcnturous support among our people, has en-
tailed earnest effort on the part OF this govern.
mcnt to enforce obcd cncc {, our neutrality
laws and 10 prevcat the territory OF tho Unite
states from b,ing abused as a vantage ground
from which to aid thoss In arms against Span.
ish sovereignty Whatever may be the tradi.
tional sympathy Ut our countrymen, as indi.
viduals with people who seem to DO struggling
70. larger autonomy and greater re,dom
dcepened as such sympathy naturally must DO
In behalf OF our neighbOr. Yet this plain duty
Of their government 10 to observe In good faith
the recognized obligations Of International re-
Iationship The performance Of this duty
should not be made moro difficult by q disre-
pnrI nm nnrt nf nur ri tiyopsaf tho nlltyattnps
growing out OF their allegiance to their coun-
try which should restrain them from violating
as individuals the neutrality which the nation
OF whi,h they are members is bound to observe
In its relations to friendly sovereign States.
Though neither the warmth OF our peoples
sympathy with the Cuban insurgents nor our
loss and material dimago consequent upon tho
futile endcavOrj thus far made To restore peace
and order, nor any shock our humane son ,ibili-
tics may have received from the crucltics
which appear to especially characterize this
sanguinary and fierccly conducted war, have In
tho least shaken tho determination OF the gov.
crnmcnt to honestly fulHll every International
obligation; yot, it Is TO be earnestly hoped, on
every grounds, that tho devastation Of armed
conflict may sp eddy DO stayed aud order and
quiet restored to the distracted island, bring
ing In their train the actibility and thrift Ut
peaceful pursuits.
The Turkish Troubles.
'htV th Ahthty uiNc otttiuutu ~ =
citc concern. Tho reported mnssacres Of Chris
tia1s in Armenia and tn, development there.
aud in other districts, Of the spirit OF fanatic
host ility to Christian Influences. naturally ex-
cited apprehension for tho safety of the devoted
men and women who. as dependents OF the for
cign missionary societies in tho United States,
and reside In Turkey under the guarantee OF
law and usage and In tho lcgitimat, perform.
ancc Of their educational and religious mission.
No efforts have been spared in their behalf and
their protection In person and property has
been earnestly aud vigorously enforced by
every means within our power. rcRrst, how.
ever, that I'm attempt on our part to obtain
better int ormation concerning the trus condi-
ton OF Affairs In the disturbed quarter of tho
Ottoman empire by sending tho United
States consul at Siuas TO make investigation
and report. was thwartcd by this objections Of
tho Turk ish government. This movement on
our part was in no sense meant rs a gra tuitous
cntanelemcnt Of the United States in tbs So
called Eastern question. nor Us an ofiicious in
reference with the right AMI duty which be-
long by treaty to certain great European
powers. calling for their intervention in polit-
ical matters affecting tho good government and
religious freedom of the non. Mussulman sub
iects of the Sultan, but it aros, s,lcly from our
desire to have an accurate knowledge o tho
conditions in our efforts to caro- for those Gu
titled To our protection
The presence Of our naval vessels which arc
~ ~ ~ - ~ . p'h tNNoiAN v
afford opportunities to acquire u measure OF
familiarity with the condition OF affairs and
will enable Us 10 take suitable steps for the
protection OF amy interests OF our countrymen
within reach Of our ships that might be found
imperillcd. The Ottoman government has
lately issued an imperial Trade eIenpting for
ever from taxation an American college for
girls at Scutari. Repeated assurances have
also been obtained by our envoy at Constan-
tinoplc that similar institutions maintained
and administered by our count rymen shall be
secured in the enjoyment Of NIL rights and that
our citizens throughout the empire shall be
protected.
On the demand OF our minister orders have
been issued by the Sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and Is ,ort TO the coast American
refugees, and those orders have been carried
Of the prcscut personal safety Of our citizen,
American citizons have been sacr ihced, there
ton Of mission property have resulted frou
riotous conflicts and outrageous attacks.
BY treaty several Of the most powerful
sumed n duty not only in behalf Of their owr
csts, but rs agents OF tho Christian world
Their right IL To enforce such conduct OF tho
Turkish government as will restrain fanltica
brutality, Ind in fact, their duty II To intcrfer
so as to insure against such dreadful occur
This powers declare this right and this duty t,
effective action on their part will not DO do
IaxNd