The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-08

MAKES A REPORT ON IMPORTANT
QUESTIONS NOWATLSSUE.


Washington, Dec. S.-For the first time
within the memory of old officials. the
secretary of state has made regular re-
port to the president for transmission
to congress, lilaG the reports OF other offi-
GERS OF the cabinet. This report was laid
before congress yesterday as an appendix
to the presidents message. 1t treats OF
many details Of our relations during the
past year with foreign governments that
either were not touched upon at all In the
message or were more briefly treated.
Under the head of Spain, Secretary
Clney has much to say in reference tc
Cuba, and in his report he sets out ir
great detail the history OF the growth OF
the rebellion; the present evil state o1
affairs onthe island and other facts upon
which the president bases his broad
statements and conclusions.
No reference is made to a report from
Consul General Lee, but the secretary
iutimates- that his information comes
principally from the United States con-
suls, and 30 must be regarded as conf
Dental as tots source. The secretary's
estimate of The present situation is dis.
closed in the following paragraph, made
after a preliminary satement Of the de-
'struction of the Industrial resources OF
Cuba:
"From whatever point Of view we re-
gard this matter, IL is impossible not tc
discern that a state ofJthings exists at
our doors alike dangerous To- good re.
lations, destructive of legitimate com.
rmerce, fatal to the internal resources OF
Cuba and most vexatious and trying, be.
cause entailing upon this government
excessive burdens in it's domestic ad
ministrations and I'm it's outward rela
tions. This situation cannot indefinitely
continue without growing still worse
and the time may not be far distant
when the United States must seriously
consider whether its rights and inter
ests, as well as its international duties
in view of its peculiar relations to the
island, do not call for some decided
change in the policy hitherto pursued
Secretary Olney says very little more
than does the president in his message
respecting the Venezuelan boundary
question. He announces with gratifica-
tion that amicable counsels have pre-.
vailed to induce a satisfactory result OF
the attempts at an understanding, anc
that the boundary question and it's as
ISOLATED phases have been at last elm.
AhaSS0 oS OCSWCCh tiib SOuhtiy EH6-
land. He gives, however. no inkling OF
the nature Of the treaty beyond the state
nent that It provides for honorable arbi.
tration OF the whole controversy.
Touching the negotiations for a general
arbitration treaty for the settlement Oh
all further disputes between the United
States and Great Britain. Secretary
Oiney says that both countries having
given repeated proofs Of their acQuies-
cence In the great principle involved, not
only by treaties between themselves, but
severally. by concluding like adjust
ments with other powers for adjudica-
ton of disputes resting on law and fact
the subject was naturally approached IN
a benevolent spirit Of agreement, and
the negotiations have so satisfactorily
progressed as to foreshadow a practical
agreement at an early date upon the text |
OF convention to the desired end.