Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1896-12-10
FOREIGN AFFAIRs


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Armchair Ma-sacr~s
. Al the outset Of 4 references to the rner. I'm
|portant matters affecting our relations with
Foreign powers it would afforsi me satisfaction
" could assure congress- shat the di~ tureed
condition IN Asiatlc Turkey had curing the
|past rear assumed a less hideous and bloody
nspecr and that etther as a consequence OF
|fhe awakening OF the Turkish government 10
PIE demands OF humane cfvtllxatson. or A. the
fesult Of decisive action on the part OF the
reat nations having the right. BY treaty. 10
3nterfere for the protection OF those exposed
y tne rage OF mad oigotry and cruel taaati-
e1sn. the shocking features OF the situation
Ead been mttigated.
| Instead. however. OF welcoming a Softrned
disposition Qr positive Intervention. We have
been Afflicted by confirmed and not unfr-Quent
reports OF the vaDton destruction OF homes
Nd the bloody bufcherfng Of men, women and
ni.dren. made martyrs 70 their profession Of
khristtan faith. While none Of our citizens In
Turkey have thus far been killed or wounded
[hough often IN the midst Of dreadful scenes OF
Danger their safety in the future Is by no
neans assured Our government at home and
our minister at Constantinope have left moth
kng undone 10 protect our missionaries In OF
soman territory, who constitute nearly all the
endivffnaIs residing there who have q right to
kitizenship
Sevsral naval vessels are stationed in the
|@6eciterranea.n as a measure Of caution and 10
fnrnish al possible relief and refuge in case Of
Emergency.
The Cuban Insurrection.
The nsurrectton in CuDa sgIlI continues with
y is 1erVlexities- Il Is difieuIt TO perceive
hAt any progress has thus far been made to-
sar'is the uaciaeat1cn Of the island or that the
ttuation Of Affairs as depicted IN nv last an
nal message nas in the least improved Il
pan still hollis Havana and the seaports and
~ tae considerable towns. the Insurgents sill
oam az VIII over az least two-thirsis Of the
nlaad country II the determination OF SPAIN
y put down the t1surrecti0n seems but 10
tt-eugt1en with the lapse OF tine, and Is evf-
Fenced ny her Undertaking devotion Of largely
ncreased military and naval forces u the
hat the insurgents have gained In
fOint sf numbers and character aud
esources. and are none the less inftexibie in
their resolve not 10 succumb. without prac-
tcaly securing the great objects for which they
nok up arms. II spain has not yet re-estab-
isaed her authority, neither have the inSur-
Irnts yet made good their title 70 be regarded
y an independent state Indeed. as the con-
e-t goes en-. the pretense that civil govern
lent exists on the islans. except 50 far as
pain n able 20 maintain =. has been practical
u abandoned. spain does keep on foot
tlcn q government. more or less perfestly
- the large towns and their immediate sub
pros. But. that exception being made. the
<sntire country Il either given over % anarchy
r. : subject 70 The military occupation Of one
p The other party
Il Is reported indeed. on reliable authority
|rAat. at the demand Of the eommander-in-
|caief OF the insurxent army. the repufattve
tunan government has no~ given Gp a. at
|fempt 70 exercise its functions. leaving that
government confessettly twhat there Is the best
|reason for supposing il always 70 have been in
-actl government merely On paper
Were the Spanish able 70 meet their aEsax-
enisis n he open. or in pitched battle. prompt
nnd decisive results might be looked for ami
tne immense superiority Of the Spanish forces
n numbers. discipline and equipment could
1arfly fail TO tell greatly TO their advantage
bat they are called upon 10 face a foe that
snuns general engagementS, that can choose
aad does choose. It's own ground. that from the
nature Of the country is visible or invisible At
pieasure. and that fights only from ambuscade.
and when all the advantages Of position and
EuunerS are on its side. In a country where
a. that = Indispensable to life In the way Of
too1- clothing and shelter is 50 easily obtain
Aoie, especially BY those born and bred on the
pol. L Is obvious that there is hardly limit to
tae tine during which hosttlittes Of this sort
naaT De prolonged Mennwhile. as in all cases
OF protracsed civil strife. the passions Of the
cumoatants grow more and more inffamed. and
excesses on both sides become more frequent
and more deplorable.
They also are participated IN by bands OF
nlarauders. who. Eow In the name Of one party
Ant now In the name OF the other. as may best
suit the occasion. harry the country at will and
advantage. Such q condition OF things would
inevitably entail immense destruction Of prop
Try. even II Il were the policy OF both parties
. prevent u a. far practicable. But while
such seemed % be the original policy Of the
spanish government. It has now apparently
aoandoned IL. and is acting upon the same
tneory as the insurgents. namely. that the
e1iSeneies OF the contest require the wholesale
annthlatton Of property. that il may not
prove Of use and advantage 70 the enemy
II Is 70 the same end that In pursuance OF
srneral orders. Spanish garris0ns are now be-
.nS sitndraNn from plantations and thu rural
POPULATION required 20 concentrates itself In the
towns The sure result would seem TO be that
the industrial value Of the tsland IS fast d1-
nllaishing and that unlesss there Is a speedy
anu % radical change In existing conditions. it
VIII soon disappear altogether. That value
consists very largely. Of course. in Is capacity
70 produce sugar capacity already much re-
eneed oy the Interruption OF tillase. which has
taAen place during the last two years.
II Is reliab ~ asserted that should these In
terruptfons continue during the current year.
and practically extend. As Is now threatened.
% ne end. the sugar-producing territory Of
the island. 50 much time and 30 much money
Will De required 20 restore the land % its
normal produetfveness that II Is extremely
uoontfnl II capital can be induced To even
MAKE the attempt The spectacle Of the utter
run OF an adjoining country. BY nature one Of
We most fertile and charming on the globe,
eoeia engage the serious attention OF the gov
eminent and people Of the United States u1-
ger any circumstances. In point Of fact they
lave concern with IL which Is BY no means of
Nnclly sentimental or philanthropic charac-
Ter Il lies 50 near 70 as as 70 be hardly sep
arsted from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest IN Il Is second
sSe-s 20 taaE Of the people and governments OF
least from 81. .e0.nso 70 bo0oo.o00 Of American
sapstaI are Invested IN plantations and IN rail-
On q. ne STAND The volume Of trade between
sae nited States and Cuba which, In ls-s
amounted % about ee&1oa.9oe rose In lssJ 20
soeot sl9o"o.oo0. and In isss. the year before
sac present tnsurrectton broke CUT. amounted
- nearty &c.0eo.0uo Besides this large peeu-
ee.ary s.ake In the fortunes Of Cuba. tho United
states 1nds Itself tnextrfcably Involved N The
and eostly.
Many canans reside In this country. and in
S-1cetly promote the insurrection t1ruuga the
grsss. oF public meetings. BY the purchase
sa9 -. shipment Of arms. hy the raisingef funds.
Institutions and the tenor OF cur laws do not
pto pss.nl. 2 De made the subject Of criminal
some Of them. though Cunans At heart and
W. Wy papers as narurzllzed citizens Of tne
l--e1 States proceeding res0rted 70 with
% possible prutection By rEis govern
f1ss1u.s and not unnatnraliy Regarded via much
80 tt-sssnatlna ~ the country Of their or
IL fhe tnsurxunts are undoubtedly
encouraged and supported By the widespread
~ patny taa people Of this country always
s Saa lnsEiaetively feel for every struggle for
better and freer government. and which IN
= - esse or he more adventurous and restless
..snents or our population. leads. IN only TOO
fn.- - ..1ees. 2 active and pers9nai partae1
.R-lon n TIE contest The result Is that this
sosernmenf Is constantly called upon 10 pro-
go american citizens. % claim damages for
t..eslss % persons and property. nov esu-
sxplAnat1ons and apologies for the acts 0f
SF@n1an oncials. whose zeal fur The Repression
~ esneilion sometimes blinds them 20 The tE-
:, Les Lies belonging 70 the unorsndtns eiri1ens
=. friendly power II fellows from he sans
e11ses th4r the Uniked States n compalle1 -
se,lsely police = long line Of seacoast zsAi1ss
..a sInl expeaitinns. the escape e Na1ea -
venG These tnexitable enranziemenfs uf tAs
led States with the rebellion IN cn1a. rs
ts ARArrican property Interests A1cHie2s