Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-19

NAAhN 80 y - - 1890
between Spain and the insurgent Cubans
upon the lines above indicated may be at
once inaugurated and pushed on immed-
late and successful issue. The friendly Of
fees OF the United States either I'm the
manner outlined or i'm any other way con
slstent with our constitution and laws will
always be at the disposal of either party.
Other lowers Warned.
Whatever circumstances may arise our
policy and our interest would constrain us
30 object to the acquisition OF the island or
an interference with its control by any
other power. 1t should be added hat IL
cannot be reasonably assumed that the
hitherto eNpectant attitude of the United
States will be indefinitely maintained.
While We are anxious to accord all due
respect To the sovereignty of Spain, we
cannot view the present conflict In all its
features, and properly apprehend our in
eyitably close relations TO il and its pos
sible results without considering that by
the course Of events we may be drawn into
such an unusual and Unprecedented condi-
ton as will fix a limit 10 our patient walt
Ing for Spain to end the contest, either
alone and In her own way, or with our
friendly cooperation.
hen to Act.
when the inability OF Spain 10 deal sue
cessfully with the insurgents has become
manifest, ana IL ~ demonstrated tndt htT
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all pur-
poses OF its rightful existence and when a
hopeless struggle for it's re-establishment
has degenerated into a strife which means
nothing more than the useless sacrifice of
human life and the utter destruction of
the very subject matter Of the conflict, a
situation Will be presented In which our
Obligations to the sovereignty OF Spain
viii be superseded by higher obligations,
which we can hardly hesitate TO recognize
and discharge.
Deferring the choice Of ways and meth
obs until the time for action arrives, we
should make them depend upon the pre-
else conditions then existing and they
should not be determined upon without
giving careful heed TO every consideration
involving our honor and interest, or the
international duty we owe to Spain. I'm
Ill we face the contingencies suggested,
or the situation is by other incidents i'm
peratlVely changed, we should continue in
the line OF conduct heretofore pursued,
thus In all circumstances exhibiting our
obedience TO the requirements of public
law and our regard for the duty enjoined
upon us by the position we occupy in the
family of nations.
contemplation Of emergencies that
may arse should plainly lead us TO avoid
lneIr creation either through "A careless
disregard of present duty or even an UNI
due stimulation and ill-t!med expression
or Keeling. But ! have deemed IL not am.ss
TO remind the congress that "A time may
arrive when a correct policy and care for
our interests as well as a regard for the
Interests of other nations and their citi-
zens joined by considerations OF human
ity and a desire to see a SIGH and fertile
country, intimately related to, saved from
compete devastation viii constra.n our
government to such action as Will sub
serve the interests thus involved and at
the same time promise 10 Cuba and it's
inhabitants an opportunity 10 enjoy the
blessings Of peace.
The Venezuelan Question.
The Venezuelan boundary question
has ceased to be "A matter of difference
between Great Britain and the United
states, their respective governments
having agreed upon the substantial pro-
visions Of a treaty between Great Brit
ain and Venezuela, submitting the
whole controversy to arbitration. The
provisions Of the treaty are so eminent
ly just and fair that the assent of Vene-
zuela thereto may confidently be antic-
ipated. Negotiations for a treaty OF
general arbitration for all differences
between Great Britain and the United
States are far advanced and promise
to reach a successful contamination at
an early date.
Consular Service.
The scheme Of examining the appll-
cantS for certain consular positions to
test their competency and fitness,
adopted under an executive order issued
on the Goth OF September, 1895, has fully
demonstrated the usefulness Of this in
%novation. In connection with this plan
OF examination promotion and transfers
OF deserving incumbents have been
quite extensively made with excellent
results.
During the past year thirty-five APP
pointments nave been mad In the con-
sular service, twenty-seven of which
were made to fill vacancies caused by
death or resignation or to supply newly
created posts, two to succeed incum-
bents removed for. cause, two for the
purpose Of dlsplacing alien consular Of
fcials by American citizens. and four
merely changing the official title of in
cumbent from commercial agent to con-
sui. Twelve of these appointments
were transfers or promotions from 9TH
er positions under the department OF
state, four of those appointed had rem
dered previous service under the de-
partment, eight were made of persons
who passed a satisfactory examination.
Seven were appointed to places not in
cluded In the order of September 20,
1895, and four appointments, as above
stated. involved no change of incum-
bency.
The inspection of consular officers
provided for by an appropriation for
that purpose at the last session of con-
gress has been productive of such
wholesale effects that l hope this impor-
tant work will i'm the future be con-
tinued. | know of nothing that can be
done with the same slight expense so
improving to the service.
| desire to repeat the recommendation
contained in my last annual message in
favor OF providing at public expense OIL
clal residences for our ambassadors n
ministers at foreign capitols. The rea-
sons supporting this recommendation
are strongly stated in the report OF the
secretary of state, and the subject
seems of such importance that | hope 1t
may receive the early attention of con-
gress.
The Seal Question.
We have during the last year labored
faithfully and against ~unfavorable con-
ditions to secure better preservation or
seal life in the Behring sea. Both the
United States and Great Britain have
lately dispatched commissioners to these
waters to study the habits and condi-
ton Of the seal herds and the causes OF
their rapid decrease. Upon the reports
of these commissioners, soon to be sub
mitted, and with the exercise OF pa
thence and good sense on the part or all
interested parties, 1t is earnestly hoped
that hearty cooperation may be Sc
cured for the protection against threat
ened extinction Of seal life In the North
ern Pacific and Behring sea.
The Reports
Tho president reviewed the reports
from the heads of the department COM
menting on the services rendered. their
cost and the additional service needed.
Civil Service n Success.
The progress made in civil service re-
form calls for the utmost consratula-
lions. 1t has survived the doubts of its
friends as well as the rancor of its EN-
emies and has gained "a permanent
place among the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve,
economic and elevate the public SER
vice. There are nov in the competitive
classified class upward OF $4,000