The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-04

try sskz the u-re8ominant snare THIS IA
grant condition % h0stiEres. ~ aro1sng
sentimental sympathy ard lneitinE adFen-
turous support among oar people. mas fn-
: tailed earnest enor- on the part or this
government 70 enforce obeyanee 70 our
neutraIltr laEs. and 70 prevent the terri
tory of the United states from bef5g abused
a. a vantage ground from which 10 al
those nezrinZ arms against Spanish soy
ereagrty. Whatever may - the traditional
sympathy ~ our corntrymen as tndiFAd-
uals gGfa a people who seem 70 be strug-
glfrg for larger autonomy ard greater
freedom, the plain duty Of the government
Is 70 observe 81 good faish the recognized
obligations ~ international relationship.
The performance Of this duty should not
~ made more difficult by a disregard on
the part Of Cur citizens Of the obligations
growing out % their allegiance 70 Their
country. which should restrain them fr0ns
violating as individuals the ne9tral1tg
which the nation Of which they are mem
bers i bound % observe IN It's relations 20
friendly sovereign states. Though neither
the warmth OF our peoples sympathy win
the Cuban insurgents. nor our loss and ma
tertsi damage consequent upon the futle
endeavors thus far made 20 restore peace
and order. and the shock our humane sen
ssbfsty may have received from the cruel
tires which appear 20 especially character
ize THIS sanguinary and fercely conducted
war. have In the least shaken he deter
m.nstson Of the government 10 honestly
fulnli every International obligation. yet
81 is 70 b. earnestly hoped. or every ground.
thai the devastation Of armed conflict may
speedily be stayed and order and quiet be
restored 20 the distracted island, bringing
m their train the activity and thrift OF
peaceful pursuits.
One notable instance Of Interference by
Spain with passing American ships has
occurred. On March S last The Allianea,
while bound from Colon 10 New York and
following the customary track for vessels
near the Cuban shore. but outside the three
mile limit, was fired upon by a Spanish
gunooat. Protest was promptly made By
ire United States against this action as
not being Justified by a state OF war. nor
permissible In respect OF vessels on the
usual paths OF commerce. nor tolerabls in
view OF the wanton peril occasioned 20
innocent life and property. The act was
disav0wed with full expression OF regret
and assurance of future non-occurrence OF
such just cause OF complaint. while The Of
Tending officer was relieved Of his COM
mand.
Military arrests OF citizens OF the United
States IN Cuba have occasioned fire.
quent complaints. Where held on
criminal charges their delivery 70
The ordinary civil Jurisdiction for
trial has been demanded and obtained in
conformity with treaty provisions, and
where merely detained by way OF military
%precaution under a state OF siege. without
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 eases having been questioned by the
insular authorities, their enjoyment of the
privilege stipulated by treaty for the con-
suls of Germany was claimed under the
most favored nation provision OF our own
convention and was promptly recognized.
The long-stand!ng demand Of Antonio
Maxine Mora against Spain has at last
been settled by the payment. on the 1tth Of
September last. OF the sum originally
agreed upon in liquidation Of the claim.
Its distribution among the parties entitled
70 receive IL has proceeded as rapidly as the
rights OF those claiming the fund could he
safely determined.
The enforcement Of dinerential duties
against products Of this country exported
10 Cuba and Puerto Rico prompted the inn
mediate claim on our part TO the benefit Of
the minimum tarif OF Spain i'm return for
the most favorable treatment permitted by
our laws as regards productions OF Span
Ish territories. a commercial arrangement
was concluded In January last. securing the
treatment so claimed. Vigorous protests
against excessive fines imposed o. our
ships and merchandise by the customs Off
GERS Of these Islands FOR trivial errors 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,
The Massacres In Turkey.
Occurrences in Turkey. the reported
massacres of Christians in Armenia and
the development there and in other dis
tricts of a spirit OF fanatical hostility to
Christian influence. naturally excited ap-
prehens-on for the safety OF the devoted
men and women who. as dependents OF
the foreign missionary societies in the
United States. reside i'm Turkey under the
guarantee OF law and usage and in the lie
/ gittmat 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.
however. that an attempt on our part to
obtain better Information concerning the
true condition of affairs i'm. the disturbed
/ quarters Of the ottoman empire by send
ing thither the United States consul at
I Slvas 30 make Investigation and report
was thwarted by the objections OF the
Turkish government. This movement on
/ our part was in no sense meant as a gra-
tuitoIs eutauglement OF the United States
in the so-Called Eastern question, nor as
an ofirous Interference with the right
and duty which belong 10y treaty 10 GER
HAhAA Aa"AN EAH wv ANtA
/ for their Intervention In political matters
81ectiug the good government and re-
I l!Eious freedom of the non-Mussulman
subjects Of the sultan. hut IL arose solely.
from our desire TO have an accurate
knowledge of the conditions in our efforts
10 care for those under eur protection.
The presence Of our naval vessels which
are now IN the vicinity of the disturbed
/ localities Affords opportunities to acquire
q measure Of familiarity with the condl-
tion of affairs and viii enable us 20 take
suitable steps for tho protection Of any
) interests OF our Countrymen within reach
of o1r ships that might be found imperiled.
The ottoman government has lately is
sued an imperial ode cNcmpting forever
from taxation the American college for
girls az Scutari Repeated assurances
have also btcn obtained ny our envoy AT
Constantinople that similar institutions
maintained ana administered by our coun-
trymeu shall Dee secured I'm tho ENJOYMENT
of an riEhts. and that our citizens
throughout tho empire shall he protected.
The government. however. ia view or eN-
istiuE facts. IS far from relying upon such
assurances as the limit OF its detv. our
minister has been v~iEilant and alert i'm at
f@erEfrE an possible protection I'm fndlyid-
( uat eases where danger threatened or safe
ty wss uncertain We have sent ships rs
far toward tho points Of actual disturb
auce ar it IS possible for them 20 so. where
they offer refuge TO those obliged 70 flee.
aud We have the promise Of other powers
which have ships IN the neighborhood
that cur citizens as Vel MS theirs viii he
received and protected on board these
ships ON the demand Of our minister. or
/ ders have been issued nv the sultan that
I Turkish Solfiers shalt Ef4wF and aNs-orr 20