Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-12


Mr.. Cleveland Thinks We should Inter.
fere---"A Limit to Our Waiting"--.
Turkish Atr cities Scored and veuex.
uelan Dispute Declared Ented-.-The
Present TarIft Law Is Approyed-..Cur.
rency Reforms Observation-Disclosures
Should Be Retired by LOng.Tern
Bonds---rhe Reports ot Departments
WASHINGTON, December SIN his annua,
message to Congress President Cleveland
says:
To the Congress Of the United States:
As representatives. OF the people in the e.
islative branch Of their Government, you
have assembled at time when the strength
and excellence OF our free institutions aud
the fitness OF our citizens to enjoy popular
rule have been again made manifest. A pO-
htical contest involving momentous conso-
quences, fraught with feverish apprehension
and creating aggressiveness 80 intense as to
approach bitterness and passion, has been
waged throughout our land, and determined
by the decree OF free and Independent suf-
frage, without disturbance OF our tranquility
or the least sign Of weakness In our National
structure.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded "a
heated clash Of political opinions, we dis
cover abundant evidence OF determination
on the Fart OF our countrJmen to abide by
every verdict OF the popular will, and to be
controlled ut all times by an abiding faith In
the agencies established for the direction OF
the affairs of their Government.
In obedience to a constitutional require.
ment, herein submit TO the Congress GER
tain information concerning national affairs,
with the suggestion of such legislation rs In
my judgment IL necessary and expedient.
tion, l shall omit many details concerning
matters within Federal control, which,
though by no means unimportant, are NOR,
proftably discussed In departmentalre reports.
The Armenian Question.
At the outset OF a reference to the more i'm
portant matters affecting our relations with
foreign powers, 1t would afford mo satisfac-
ton II l could assure the Congress that the
disturbed condition in Asiaiic Turkey had
during the past year assumed u less hideous
and bloody aspect, ard that either rs con.
Government to the d ,mands of humane civil
lization, or as the result of decisive action on
the part of tho great nations having the right
by treaty to interfere for the protection OF
thosa aypnsad tn tho rayn of na"d bis5otry and
cruel fanaticsm, the shocking features Of
the situation had been mitigated. Instead,
however, OF welcoming Il softened disposi-
ton or protective Intervention, We have been
afflicted by continued aud not unfrequent
reports OF the wauton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery OF men. women aud
children. made martyrs to their profession
Of Christian faith.
While none of our citizens in Turkey have
thus far been killed or wounded. though Of
ten in the midst OF dreadful scenes OF danger,
their safety in ihe future is by no means rs.
sured. Our Government at home and our
Minister at Constanitnople have left nothing
undone to protect our missionaries in Otto.
man territory, who constitute nearly all the
individuals residing there who have right
to claim our protection on the score OF Amer
lean citizenship. Our efforts In this direc-
tion will not be relaxed; but the deep feeling
and sympathy that have been aroused among
our people ought not to 30 far blind their
reason and judgment as to lead them to de-
mand impossible things. The outbreaks OF
blind fury which lead to murder and pillage
In Turkey occur suddenly AMI without no.
tice, and an attempt on our part to forca
such hostile presence there rs might be
effective for prevention or protection would
not only by resisted by the Ottoman Govern.
ment, but would be regarded as an inter-
ruplion OF their plans by the great nations
who assert their exclusive right to intervene
in their own time and method for the secur-
ity OF life and property in Turkey.
Caring for Our Subjects In Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed in the
Me ,iterranean rs measure OF caution anil
to furnish all possible relief and refuge In
case OF emergency.
We have made claims against the Turkish
Government for the pillage and destruction
Of missionary property ut Harpoot aud Mar
ash during nprisings Mt those places. Thus
far tho validity OF these demands has not
been admitted, though our Minister, prior
ger. demanded protection for the persons
and property Of our missionary citizens in
the localities mentioned, and notwithstand-
ing that strong evidence exists OF actual
completely o! Turkish soldiers in the work OF
destruction aud robbery.
The facts as they now appear do not per-
init us to doubt the justice OF these claims.
aud nothing will be omitted to bring nj O
their prompt settlement.
number OF Armenian refugees having
Arrived at our ports, an order has lately been
obtained from the Turkish Government per-
mitting the wives and children Of such refu-
gees to join them here 1. is hoped that
hereafter no obstacle will be interposed TO
prevent the escape Of nll those who seek to
avoid the peris which threaten them in
Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed Consul to Erzerum
Is ut his post pnd discharging tho duties OF
his ofilcr, though for some unnccountable
reason his formal cXcquatur from the Sultan
has not been issued.
do not believe that the present sombrs
prospect in Turkey will be long permitted to
offend the sight of Christendom. It so mars
the humane and enlightened civilization that
fury that 1t seems hardly possible that the
earnest demand of good people throughout
the Chr 'stian world for its corrective treat
ment will remain unanswered.
The Insurrection IN Cuba.
The insurrection in Cuba sill continues
with all its perplexities. It is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus fnr been
made toward the paoiiicatiOu OF the island
or that the situation OF affairs rs depicted
In my last annual message has In the
least improved II Spain still holds Havana
and the seaports and all the considerable
towns, the insurgents still roam at will over
the determination OF Spain t. put down the
insurrection seems but to strengthen with
tho lapse Of time, and Is evinced by her un-
hesitatIng devotion OF largely increased mil.
itary ami naval forces to the task. therc Is
much reason to believe that the insurgents
have game in point OF numbers and charac-
ter and resources, nnl are none the less in.
flexible in their resolve not 10 succumb.
without practically securing the great OBJ
jects for which they took up arms. II Spain
has not yet re-establishcd 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 civi
government exists on tho island, except so
far AZ Spain is able to maintain 1t, has been
practically abandoned. Spain does keep on
perfectly. in the large towns and their i'm
mediate 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,
at the demand OF the Commander-in.Chi"f
Of the insurgent army, the putntive Cuban
Government has now given upall attempt to