Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08

,l5l.
TO protect our missionaries in Ottoman
leriitorN. who constitute nearly all the
individuals resident there who have a
right to claim our protection on the score
OF American citizenship. Our efforts In
TINS direction will not be relaxed: but
the deep feeling and sympathy that have
been aroused among our people ought
not TO so far blind their reason and judg-
ment as 10 lead them 10 demand imposs-
bic things. The outbreaks OF blind fury
which lead TO murder and pllage in Tur-
Key occur suddenly and without notice.
ana an attempt on our part to force such
hostile presence there as might be ef-
iectlVe Tor prevention or protection
would not only be resisted by the Otto
man Government. but would be regarded
as an interruption OF their plans by the
great nations who assert their exclusive
flSht 10 intervene, In their own time and
method, for the security of life and pro-
perty in Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed I'm
the Mediterranean as measure of
caution. and to furnish all possible relief
and refuge in case Of emergency.
We have made claims against the Turk
lsh Government for the pillage and de-
struction Of missionary property al Har-
poot and Marash during uprsings at those
places. Thus IA the validity of these
demands has not been admitted, though
our Minister, prior TO such outrages and
IN anticipation of danger. demanded pro-
lection for the persons and property Of our
missionary citizens I'm the localities mem
TONED. and Notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists Of actual completely Of
InYl~f.h elf Is, i
tion and robbery the facts as they now
appear do not permit US TO doubt the JUS
tice OF these claims. and nothing will be
omitted 10 bring about their prompt set
tlement.
a number of Armenian refugees having
arrived at our ports. an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish Govern
ment permitting the wives and children
of such refugees to join them here. 1t is
hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be
interposed 10 prevent the escape Of all
those who seek TO avoid the perils which
threaten them in Turkish domnions.
our recently appointed consul at Erze-
roum Is at his post and discharging the
duties Of his Office, though for some un-
accountable reason his formal exequatur
from the Sultan has not been issued
do not believe that the present sombre
prospect in Turkey will be long permitted
so mars the human and enlightened civil
lization that belongs TO the close of the
nineteenth century that It seems hardly
possible that the earnest demand of good
people throughout the Christian world for
its corrective treatment will remain un-
answered.
CUBA.
The insurrection in Cuba still continues
with all It's perplexities. 1t is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made towards the pacifcation Of
the island. or that the situation of affairs
as depicted in my last annual message
has in the least improved. If Spain still
holds Habana and the seapOrts. and all
the considerable towns, the insurgents
still roam at will over at least two-thirds
Of the inland country If the determine
tion Of Spain TO put down the insurrection
seems but to strengthen with the lapse
Of time and is evinced by her unhesitat-
ing devotion Of largely increased military
and naval forces 10 the task. there is
much reason TO believe that the insur-
gents have gained in point of numbers
and character, and resources. and are
none the less nfexbie in their resolve
not to succumb. without practically Sc
curing the great objects for which they
took up arms. II Spain has not yet re-
established her authority, neither have
the insurgents yet made good their title
TO be regarded as an Independent State
Indeed. as the contest has gone on, the
pretence that civil government exists on
the island. except so far as Spain Is able
TO maintain 1t. has been practically aban-
dOned. Spain does keep on foot such
government. more or less imperfectly, in
the large towns and their immediate
suburbs But that exception being made.
the entire country Is either given over
TO anarchy or is subject TO the military
occupation of one or the other party II
is reported. indeed. on reliable authority,
that. al the demand Of the commander
I'm chief Of the insurgent army, the puta-
tive Cuban Government has now given
up all attempt to exercise its functions,
leaving that government confessedly
(what there is the best reason for sup
posing Il always TO have been In facD,
a government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish armies able TO meet
their antagonists in the open. or In pitch
ed battle. prompt and decisive results
might be looked for. and the immense
superiority Of the Spanish forces In
numbers. discipline. and equipment
could hardly fail to tell great
ly to their advantage. But they
are called upon to face foe that
shuns general engagements, that can
choose and does choose its' own ground
that from the nature Of the country -
visible or invisible at pleasure anu
that fights only from ambuscade, ana
when all the advantages Of position ana
numbers are on its side. In country
where all that IS Indispensable 10 ne III
the way Of food, clothing ana snsllel
is so easily obtainable, especially by those
horn and bred on the soil. it Is obvious
that there is hardly a limit 10 the tiihe
during which hostlities Of this sort may
he prolonged. Meanwhile, as in all cases
NJ nrotracted civil strife, the passions oi
the combatants grow more and more III
famed and excesses on both sues po-
come more frequent and more depioia-
tIc Tbev are also participated in by
hands of marauders. who. now IN the
name Of one party and now IN the hdiil'
Of the other. as may best suit the occd-
sion harry the country at viii, and piuh-
aor its wretched inhabitants for thelr
own advantage. Such a condition ol
things would inevitably entail immense
abstraction of property. even If 1t Were
the nolicv of both parties 10 prevent II
&c far as practicable. But While such
seeyned 10 be the original policy or the
snanfsb Government, IL has now appa-
rfntlv abandoned il. and is acting upon
he same theory as the insureents-name-
lv that the exigencies OF the contest io-
uulre the wholesale ahhlhlIdDon o1 80
nertv that II may not prove OF use ana
advantage TO the enemy o,oo
II Is to the same end that in pursuance
NJ general orders Spanish garrisohs are
now being withdrawn from plantations
and the rural population Is REQUIRED - -
itself in the towns a9 ne sui
-osult would seem 10 be that the nous rld'
yalue Of the island is fast diminishing,
and that unless there is a SPECIFY anu
~adical change in existing conditons II
viii soon disappear altogether. nas
value consists very largely. OF course
o,i4,, 90 rroduce sugar-a capacity