The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-04


by Spain with passing American ships
has occurred. On March Q last, the Al
lianca. while bound from Colon to New
York and following the customary
track for vessels near the Cuban shore
but outside the three mile limit. was
fred upon by a Spanish gunboat- Pro-
test was promptly made by the United
States against this act as not not be-
ing justified by a state OF war, not In
respect of vessels on the usual paths
OF commerce. nor tolerable In view OF
the want or peril occa1oned TO inno-
cent life and property. The act was
disavowed. with fun expression OF re-
greet and assurance of nOn-recurrence
OF such lust cause Of complaint while
the Offending officer was relieved OF his
command. Military arrests OF citizens
of the United States in Cuba have oc-
casioned frequent reciamat-ons Where
held on criminal charges, their delivery
to the ordinary civil jurisdiction for
trial has been demanded and obtained
On conformity with treaty provisions,
and where merely detained by way OF
military precaution under a proclaimed
state of siege. without formulated ac-
cusaition. their release or trial has been
insisted upon. The right OF American
consular officers in the Island to pre-
fer protests and demands In such cases.
having been questioned by the author
ties. their enjoyment of the privilege
stipulated by treaty OF the consuls OF
D
favored nation provision OF our own
convention, and was promptly recog-
nized.
THE MORA CLAIM.
The fongstandlng demand or Antonio
Maxine Mora, against Spain. has at
hast been settled by the payment on
the 1fth OF September, last. OF the sum
originally agreed upon In liquidation OF
the claim. It's distribution among the
parties entitled to receive u has pro-
ceeded as rapidly as the rights OF those
claiming the fund could be safely de-
termined.
The enforcement OF differeutlal du-
ties against products OF this country
exported TO Cuba and Puerto Rico.
prompted the immediate claim on our
part to the benefit OF the minimum
tariff OF Spain In return for the most
favorable treatment permitted by our
laws as regards the production OF
Spanish territories. A commercial ar
/ rangement was concluded in January
last securing the treatment % claimed.
Vigorous protests against excessive
fines imposed on our ships and mer-
chandlse by the customs officers OF
these islands for trivial errors have re-
suited in the remission OF such fines. In
instances where the equity OF the COM
plant was apparent. though the vexa-
tious practice has not been wholly dis
continued.
IN TROUBLED TURKEY.
Occurrences in Turkey have contin-
ued to excite concern. The reported
massacres of Christians In Aremenia
and the development there and In other
districts OF fanatic hostility TO Christ
san influences naturally excited appre-
tension for the safety OF devoted men
/ and women VINO. as dependent on the
/ foreign missionary societies In the
United States, reside In Turkey under
the guarantee OF law and usage and in
| the legitimate performance OF their ed
I irrational and religious missions. No
efforts have been spared IN their behalf
/ and their protection In person ana
property has been earnestly and vigor-
ously enforced by every means within
our power. / regret. however. te1at an
attempt on our part to obtain better
I information concerning the true condi-
ton of affairs In the disturbed quarters
OF the Ottoman empire. by sending
/ thtther the United states consul al
| Sfvas to make Investigation and re
port. was thwarted by the objections
/ OF the Turkish government. This
movement on our part was IN no sense
meant as a gratuitous ENHANCEMENT OF
/ the United States IN the so-called east
ern question. nor az an officious inter
/ ference with the right and duty which
/ belong by treaty TO certain European
| powers. calling for their Intervention
/ in political matters affecting the good
government and religious freedom OF
]
tan. But II arose solely from our de-
/ sire TO have an accurate knowledge or
| the conditions In our efforts TO care for
those entitled to our protection
| AMERICAN SHIPS ON HAND.
The presence of our naval vessels
which are now TN the vicinity OF the
disturbed locality affords opportunities
/ to acquire a measure of familiarity
with the condition OF affairs and will
enable US TO take suitable steps for the
/ protection OF any interests OF our coun-
/ frymen within reach OF our ships that
might be found imperiled. The Otto
/ man government has lately issued an
imperial edict. exempting forever from
taxation an American college for girls
| at Scutari. Repeated assurances nave
also been obtained by our envoy at
Constautinople that similar Institutions
maintained and administered by our
countrymen shall be secured In the en-
| tOyment OF all rights and that our Cit
4 liens throughout the empire shall be
protected. The government. however.
7 IN view of existing facts. Is far from
relying upon such assurances as to The
afrr.t OF its duty. Our minister has
been vigilant and alert In affording all
I possible protection In individual cases
/ where danger threatened or safety was
imperilled. We have sent ships as far
towards the points OF actual distrub-
ance as n Is possible for them 20 go
where they offer refuge TO those OBJ
l llged to Zee. and we have the promise
/ OF other powers which have ships IN
the neagl1borhood that our citizens Is
well as theirs win be received and pro-
tected on board these ships.
on the demand OF our minister CT
/ ders have been issued by the sultan
! that Turkish soldiers shall guard and
/ escort 10 the coast American refugees.
/ These orders have been carried cut.
I and our latest intelligence gives essur-
I - fafN Of 81
/ liens and missionaries. Though thus
/ far no lives OF American citizens have
I been sacrificed. there can be no doubt
/ that serious loss and destruction OF
mission property have resulted from
/ riotous conflicts and outrageous at
lacks. BY treaty several OF the most
/ powerful European powers have secur-
/ ed a right and have assumed a duty
not only In behalf OF their own citizens
and an fuItherance OF their own inter