Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-12-13

Neutrality Laws Must BE Observed, No
Matter " hat Grievance There Is

AN RESURRECTION ON CUBAN SOIL
Neutrality Laws Must he Observed, No
Matter What Grievance There Is.
Cuba Is again gravely disturbed. An
Instruction. In one respect, more active
than the last preceding revolt which con-
tinued from 1868 TO 1878 now exists in a
large part Of the eastern interior Of the
island, menacing even some Of the popu-
lation on the coast. Besides deranging
the commercial exchanges of the island,
Of which our country takes the predomi-
nant share, this fragrant condition Of hos
tilities, by arousing sentimental sympathy
and melting adventurous support among
our people, has entailed earnest effort on
the part of this government to enforce
obedience to our neutrality laws and to
prevent the territory of the United
States from being abused as vantage
ground from which to aid those bearing
arms against Spanish sovereignty.
Whatever may be the traditional SYM
pathy OF our countrymen as individuals
with a people who seem to be struggling
for larger autonomy and greater freedom.
and depend, as such sympathy naturally
must. on behalf of our neighbors, yet the
plain duty of their 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 disregard on the
part of our citizens of the obligations
growing out OF their allegiance to their
country, which should restrain them from
violating as individuals the neutrality
which the nation of which they are men,
| bers Is bound to observe In its relations
| to friendly SOY areign states. Though
neither the warmth of our peoples sym
pathy with the Cuban insurgents. nor the
| loss nor material damage consequent upon
! the futile endeavors thus far made
| to restore peace and order, or any shock
our humane sensibillty may have received
from the cruelties which appear to especi-
| ally characterize this sanguinary and
| fiercely conducted war, have In the least
| shaken the determination of the govern
ment to honestly fulfill every international
| obligation, yet 1t 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 dis
| tracted island, bringing into their train
the activity and thrift of peaceful pur-
suits.
ALLIANCE INCIDENT.
One notable instance of interference
by Spain with passing American ships has
occurred. On March s, last, the Alliance,
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 fired upon by Span
| lsh gunboat. Protest was promptly made
by the United States against this act as
not being justified by a state of war, mol
| permissible in respect to vessels on the
| usual paths of commerce, nor tolerable In
view of the wanton peril occasioned to
innocent life and property. The act was
| dlsavowed, with full expression OF re-
greet, and assurance Of non-recurrence Of
such just cause of complaint. while the
offending officer was relieved of his com
mand.
{tap &c Of "A nf a ~
| States in Cuba have occasioned frequen
| reclamations. Where held on crimina
charges their delivery to the ordinar,
civil jurisdiction for trial sas been de
| manded and obtained in conformity will
| treaty provisions and where merely de
tained by way of military precaution un
der a proclaimed state of seige withou
| formulated accusation their release O
trial has been insisted upon. The right o
American consular officers on the islam,
! to prefer protests and demands in sucl
cases having been questioned by the in
sular authorities, their enjoyment of tn
privilege stipulated by treaty for the con
suls of Germany was claimed under tn
most favored nation provision of our owl
| convention and was promptly recognized
MORA CLAIM.
The long standing demand of Antonio
Maxine Mora against Spain has at las
been settled by the payment, on the 14tl
agreed upon in liquidation OF the claim
Its distribution among the parties entitle
to receive 1t has proceeded as rapidly a
the rights of those claiming the fun
could be safely determined.
The enforcement of differential dutie
against products of this country exporte
to Cuba and Puerto Rico prompted tn
| immediate claim on our part to the bene
fit of the minimum tariff of Spain in re
turn for the most favorable treatmen
permitted by our laws as regards to pre-
| duction of Spanish territories. CON
mercial arrangement was concluded |
y January last securing the treatment S
| claimed.
Vigorous protests against excessiv
| fines imposed ON our merchandise by tn
| customs officers of these islands for tr
> | vial errors have resulted in the remissio
2 of such fines in instances where the equit
u of the complaint was apparent. though tf
vexatious practice has not been who'll
{ discontinued.