Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-13

was not compatible with the dignity or
this government that so large body OF
our dependent citizens should be thrown
for relief upon the charity OF neis hbor-
ing state.
The Mosquito Affair.
In last years. message. | narrated az
some length the jurisdictiOnal questions
then freshly arisen In the Mosquito In
dian strip OF Nicaragua. since that time.
by the voluntary act of the Mosquito ma
ton, the territory reserved 10 them has
been incorporated with Nicaragua. the
Indians formally subJecting themselves TO
be governed by the general laws and reg
ulations OF the republic instead of by their
own customs and regulations and thus
avalling themselves OF privilege secured
10 them by the treaty between Nicaragua
and Great Britain of January p, 1850.
After this extension of uniform Me
araguan administration 10 the Mosquito
strip, the case Of the British vice consul,
Hatch, and of several OF his countrymcn,
who had been summarily expelled from
Nicaragua and treated with considerable
indignity, provoked claim by Great
Britain upon Nicaragua for pecuniary in
demnity, which, upon NiCaragua'S re-
fusal TO admit Liability, was enforced 10y
Great Britain. While the sovereignty and
jurisdiction of NicarG qua was in no way
questioned by Great Britain, the formers
arbitrary conduct IN regard TO BRUSH 81 b.
Jccts furnished the ground Tor TINS pro,
ceeding. British naval force occupied
without resistance the Pacihc seaport OF
Coriuto, but was soon after Withdrawn
upon the promise that the sum demanded
would be paid. Throughout this incident
the kindly Offices of the United states
were invoked and were employed in favor
of as peaceful a settlement and as much
considers ton and indulgence toward Me-
aragua as were consistent with the nature
of the case. our efforts have since been
made the subject ofapprecia tive and crate
full recognition by Nicaragua.
Relations with Russia.
The coronation Of the cZar OF Russia at
Moscow in May next invites the ceremonial
participation Of the United States, and In
.lv1 nd "A ar
priety our minister TO the imperial court has
been directed TO represent our government
on the occasion.
practice OF Russian consuls within the
jurisdiction of the United States to inter
rogate citizens as 10 their race and reli-
giOus faith, and upon aSCCTtainment there
Of to deny to Jews authorization OF pass
ports or legal documents for use IN Russia.
lnasmuch as such a proceeding imposes
disability, which in the case OF succession
to property I'm Russia may be found 10 In
fringe the treaty rights of our citizens
and which Is an obnoxious Invasion OF our
territorial jurisdiction, IL has elected mt
ting remonStranCe, the result Of which il
is hoped Will remove the cause of com
plant.
OF the United States seized I'm Russian
waters remain unadjusted. our recent con-
vention with Russia establishing modus
viVendi as TO imperial jurisdiction in such
cases has prevented further diilculty OF
this nature.
The Russian government has welcomed
I'm principle our suggestion for mOdus vi
Vendi, to embrace Great Britain and Ja-
pan. looking to the better preservation OF
seal life in the North Pacific and Bchring
sea and the extension Of the protected area
defined by the Paris tribunal TO all Pacific
waters north OF the Both parallel. II Is es-
pecially noticeable that Russia faVors pro-
hibitlon of the use of firearms I'm seal hunt
ing throughout the proposed area and a
longer close season for pelagic sealing.
An Inconsistent Position.
In my last two annual messages | called
the attention Of the congress TO the posi-
ton We occupied as one OF the parties to
"a treaty or agreement by which we became
jointly bound with England and Germany
to 40 interfere with the government and
control of Samoa as in effect 10 assume
the management of its affairs. on the 9Th
day of May, 1894. l transmitted 90 the sen
ate a special message with accompanying
documents giving information on the SUBJ
jcct and emphasizing the opinion / have
at all times entertained, that our situation
I'm this matter was inconsistent with the
mission and traditions of our government,
IN violation of the principles we profess,
and in all it's phases mischievous and vcNa-
tious. / again press this subject upon the
attention of the congress and ask for such
legislative action or expression "a VIII
lead the way to our relief from obligations
both irkSome and unnatural.
The Revolution in Cuba.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. An In
surrection, In some respects more active
than the last preceding revolt, which con-
tinued from 1868 TO 1873. now exists In a
large part of the eastern interior Of tho is
land, menacing even some populations on
the coast. Besides derangin6 the CONNER
cial exchanges Of the island, OF which our
country takes the predominant share, this
fragrant condition of hostilitieS. BY arouS
ing sentimental sympathy and melting ad-
Venturous support among our people, has
entailed earnest effort on the part OF this
government to enforce obedience 10 our
neutrality laws and to prevent the terri
tory of the United states from being
abused as vantage ground from which'to
aid those in arms against Spanish soVer-
eighty.
Must Maintain \ Position Of Neutrality.
Whatever may be the traditional SYM
pathy OF our countrymcn ~ individuals
with people who seem 10 be struggling for
larger autonomy and greater freedom,
6eepCnCd as such sympathy naturally must
be IN behalf of our neighbors, yet the plain
duty Of their government IS 10 observe IN
good faith the recognized obligations Of
International relationship. The perform
ance of this duty should not be made more
difficult by disregard on the part or our
citizens Of the bl!gatiOus growing out Of
their allegiance to their country. which
should restrain them from violating rs in
uiViduals the neutrality winch the nation
OF which they are members is bound TO
observe in its relation 10 friendly soNer-
eign states. Though neither the warmth
of our peoples sympathy with the cuban
Insurgents nor our loss and material dam
age consequent upon the futile cn4eaVors
thus far made 10 restore peace ana order,
may have received from the cruelties
which appear 10 especially characterize
this sauguinary and nerCely conducted
war, have IN the least shaken the determi-
nation OF the government 10 honestly full
I'll every international obligation, yet II
~ 10 be earnestly hoped, on every ground,
that the devastation of armed conflict may
speedily be stayed and order and quiet re-
stored to the distracted island, bringing
in their train the activity and thrift Of
peaceful pursuits.
The Alliance Incident.
One notable instance Of interference by
Spain with passing American ships has oc-
Cured ON March 5, last, the Alliance,
while bound from Colon TO New York. and
following the customary track for vessels
near the cuban shore, but inside he three
mile limit. was fired upon by d Spanish
gunboat Protest was promptly made by
theOuitcd States against this act as not be-
ing justified by a state of war, nor per
Missile in respect OF vessels on the usual
paths OF commerce, nor tolerable in view
Of the wanton peril occasioned to innocent
life and property. The act was disaVowed,
with fun expression Of regret and assur-
ancc OF nonCOnCurrence of such just cause
Of complaint, while the offending officer
was relieved of his command.
Arrests 81 Americans in Cuba.
Military arrests Of citizens OF the United
States IN cuba have oCCasiOnCd frequent
rcciamatious. Where held on criminal
charges, their delivery 10 the ordinary
civil jurisdiction for trial has been de-
mandod and obtained. I'm conformity with
treaty provisions, and whore merely de-