The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-04

ing an acute stage. definite statement
OF the interest and policy of the United
States as regards the controversy
seemed to be required both on It's own
account and In view of its relations
with the friendly powers directly con-
cerned. In July last. therefore, a dis
patch was addressed to our ambassa-
dor at London for communication to
the British government In which the
attitude Of the United States was fully
and distinctly set forth. The general
conclusions therein reached and formu-
lated are in substance that the tradi-
tional and established policy of this
government Is firmly opposed to a
forcible increase by any European
power of its territorial possessions on
this continent; that this policy is as
well founded in principle as 1t Is
strongly supported by numerous prcce-
dents; that as a consequence the United
States Is bound to protest against the
enlargement of the area of British
Guiana in derogation of the rights and
against the will of Venezuela. that con-
sidering the Disparity In strength of
Great Britain and Venezuela. the ter
ritorial dispute between them can be
reasonably settled only by friendly and
impartial arbitration and that the re-
sort to such arbitration should include
the whole controversy and is not satis-
fled II one of the powers concerned is
permitted to draw an arbitrary line
through the territory In debate and to
declare that 1t will submit to arbitra-
tion only the portion lying on one
side of 1t. In view of these conclusions.
the dispatch In question called upon the
British government for definite an
swer to the question whether II would
or would not submit the territorial con-
troyersy between itself and Venezuela
i'm its entirety to impartial arbitration.
The answer Of the British government
has not yet been received, but Is expect
ed shortly, when further communion
tion on the subject will probably be
made to the congress"
The message treats briefly of the at
tempt to overthrow the government of
Hawaii and says that the cases of certain
Americans arrested and expelled by ar
bitrary order without formal charge
or trial have been found to justify re-
monstrance and action for Indemnity
which Hawaii has not thus far conceded.
The Case of Cuba.
The president then refers to the boun-
Diary dispute between Mexico and Qua
tamala and the British dispute with
Nicaragua after which he speaks of the
Cuban troubles. He says: whatever
may be the traditional sympathy of our
countrymen as individuals, with q peo-
pie who seem to be struggling for larger
autonomy and greater freedom. deep
ened as such sympathy naturally must
be in behalf of our neighbors, yet the
plain duty of the government is to OBJ
serve in good faith the recognized obli
cations of international relationship.
The performance of this duty should not
be made more difficult by actions on the
part of our citizens in disregard of the
obligation growing out of their allie
glance to this country which should
restrain them from violating. as indiv-
iduals, the neutrality which the
nation of which they are men,
bers Is bound to observe in its
relations to friendly sovereign states;
though neither the warmth of our peo-
ple's sympathies with the Cuban IN
surgents nor our loss and material dam
age consequent upon the futile endea-
vors thus far made to restore peace ana
order, nor any shock our humane sem
sibilities may have received from the
crueltes which appear TO especially
characterize this sanguinary and fierce-
ly conducted war; have in the least
shaken the determination of the gov
ernment to honestly fulfill every inter-
national obligation. Yet it 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, bring
ing in it's train activity and the thrift OF
peaceful pursuits"
The Armenian Troubles.
In connection with the troubles nTur-
key the president says: The presence
,al Nv-h oh q
the vicinity of the disturbed localities,
affords opportunities to acquire a meas
ure of familiarity with the condition of
affairs and will enable us to take suit
able steps for the protection of any in
terests of our countrymen within reach
of our ships. that might be found i'm
perilled. The Ottoman government has
lately issued an imperial order exempt
ing forever from taxation an American
college for girls at Scutari; repeated as
surances have also been obtained by
our envoy at Constantinople that SIM
liar Institutions maintained and ad-
ministered by our coutrymen shall be
secured in the enjoyment of all rights
and that our citizens throughout the
empire shall be protected.
1.-The government. however. in view
Of existing facts. Ia far from relying
upon such assurances. as the limit OF
it's duty. Our minister has been vigil
liant and alert in affording every pos
sible protection In individual cases
where danger threatened or safety was
imperilled. We have sent ships as far
towards the point of actual disturb
ances as it is possible for them to go,
where they offer refuge to those Obliged
to fiee, land we have the promise of other
powers, which have ships in the neigh
borhood, 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 intelli-
| gence gives assurance Of the present
personal safety of our citizens and
missionaries, though thus far no lives
| of American citizens have been sacri-
| feed"
The Financial Problem.
After dealing with American foreign
relations the message says "As we
| turn from a review of our national
financial situation we are Immediately
aware that we approach subject oi
| domestic concern, more important
than any other that can engage
our attention, and one at present
in such a perplexing and deli
cate predicament as to require prompt
and wise treatment. We may well be
encouraged to earnest effort in this di-
rection, when we recall the steps al
ready taken toward improving Our
economical and financial situation and
when we appreciate how well the way
has been prepared for futher progress
by an aroused and intelligent popular
interest in these subjects. BY com