The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-12-19
The Late Elections.
AFFAIRS.
The Armenian Massacres


FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The Armenian Massacrea.
At the outset OF a reference to the more i'm
portant matters affecting our relations with
foreign powers 1t would afford me satisfaction
II / could assure congress that the di- turbed
condition in Asiatic Turkey had curing the
past year assumed q less hideouS and bloody
aspect, ard that either as q consequence Of
the awakening OF the Turkish government to
the demands OF humane civilization, or as The
result OF decisive action on the part OF the
great nations having the right, by treaty, TO
interfere for the protection of those exposed
TO the rage OF mad bigOtry and cruel fanati-
cLsm, the shocking features Of the situation
had been mitigated.
INSTEAD, however, Of welcoming o softened
disposition OF positive intervention, we have
been AFFLICTED by confirmed and not unfrequent
reports OF the wanton destruction OF homes
and the bloody butchering OF men, women and
children, maze martyrs to their profession Of
Christian faith. While none OF our citizens in
Turkey have thus far been killed or wounded,
though often in the midst Of dreadful scenes Of
danger, their safety In tho future is by nc
means assured. Our government at home and
our minister at Constantinop!e have left moth
ing undone TO protect our missionaries in OF
tomen territory, who constitute nearly all the
individuals residing there who have a right to
claim our protection Oh the score OF American
citizenship.
Mediterranean as O measure OF caution and to
furnish all possible relief and refuge in case OF
emergency.
Tho Cuban InsurrectIon.
The insurrection in Cuba stfIl continues with
all Its perpiexit.eS. II Is difficult TO perceive
that any progress has thus TAR been made to-
wards the pRciucatlon of the island or that the
situation Of affairs as depicted in my last an
nuai message mas in the least improves. IL
Spain Still! holds Havana and the seapGrtS and
al the considerable towns, the insurgents still
roam at viii over at least twO-thirGs OF the
Inland country. II the determination of Spain
TO put down the instruction seems but to
strengthen with the lapse OF time, and is eyi-
denced by her unhesitating devotion OF largely
increased military and naval forces to the
task, there Is much reason 10 OelieTe
that the insurgents have gained in
point OF numbers and character ami
resources, and are none the less intexihle in
their resolve not to succumb, without prac-
tically securing the great objects for which they
took up arms. II Spain has not yet re-estab-
lshed her authority, neither have the inSur-
gents yet made good tier title to be regarded
as an Independent state. Indeed, as tie con-
test goes, on, the pretense that civil govern
ment exists on the island, except SO far as
Spain is able to maintain 1t, has been practical
iy abandoned. Spain does keep on foot
such a government, more or less Imperlectly,
In the large towns and their immediate sub
ur0s. 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.
1t is reported, indeed. on reliable authority,
that, at the demand of the comnander-in-
ehlef OF the insurgent army, the reputative
SNOhA las NV v NJ a. az
tempt to exercise its functions, leaving that
government confessedly (whst there is the best
reason for supposing it always to have been il
fact) o government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish able to meet their artaG-
onists in the open, or in pitched 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 greatly to their advantage.
But they are called upon 10 face Il foe that
shunS general engagements; that can choose,
and does choose, its own ground; that from the
nature of the country is visible or invisible at
pleasure. and that fights only from ambuscade,
aud when all the advantages OF position and
numbers are on It's side. IN a country where
all that is Indispensable TO life in the way OF
food, clothing and shelter is so easily obtain
able, especially by those born ana bred on the
soil. 1t IS obvious that there is hardly a limit TO
the time during which hoStilities OF this sort
may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as in ali cases
of protracted civil strife. the passions OF the
combatants grow moro and more infamod. and
excuses on both sides become more frequent
and more deplOrable.
TheV also arc parttctpated in by bands OF
msraudcrs, who, now in the name of one party
and now in the name OF the other, as may best
suit the occasion, harry the country at will and
plumber its wretched Inhabitants for their own
advantage. Such a condition OF things would
inevitably entail immense destruction OF prop
erty, even IL il were the. policy Of both parties
to prevent It Us Tar as practicable. But while
such seemed to be the original policy Of the
Spanish government, IL has now apparently
abandoned it, and is acting upon the same
theory as the insurgents, namely, that the
exigencies Of the contest require the wholesale
humiliation OF property, that 1t may not
prove OF use and advantage to the emery.
1t is to the same end that in pursuance o;
general orders, Spanish garrisons are new be-
ing withdrawn frorl Plantations and the rural
population required to concentrate ftSe!f IN the
towns. The sure result would seem to lie that
the industrial value CT the island is fast al
miuishlng and that unleSsS there is 4 speedy
and radical change in existing conditions, it
will soon disappear altogether. That value
consists very largely, Of course, in Its capacity
20 produce sugar-a capacity already much re-
duccd by the interruption OF tllaGe, which has
taken place during the last Two years.
1t is reliably asserted that should these In
terruptions continue during the current year,
and practically extend, as Is now threatened,
to the end, the sugar-producing territory OF
the Island, so much time and so much money
will be required to restore the land TO its
normal prodDCLlvenesS that 1t Is extremely
doubtful il capital can be induced TO eyon
make the attempt. The spectacle OF the utter
ruin OF an adjoining country, by nature one OF
the most fertile and charming on the globe,
would engage the serious attention OF the gov
ernment and people OF the United states IN
Ger any circumstances. In pQlnt OF fact they
have 6 concern win II when Is Oy no means OF
a wholly sentimental or philantGroplc chaTac-
ter. 1t lies SO near 70 US as to be hardly sep
arated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in II IS second
only to that Of the people ald government CT
Sp2in. It is reasonably estimated that at
least from $ ,00J-tOt TO S0.tl!Gf OF American
capital are invested Il Plantations and II rail-
road, mining a8G other business enterprises
on the island. The volume Of trade between
the United States and Cuba which, in 1859.
amounted to about s5i.900G00, rose IN 1878 10
about al03.eJd.OO0. and in 1854, the year before
the present Instruction broke out, amounted
to uesrIy SSeUoQ.GGG. Besides this large pecu-
mary stake in the fortunes OF Cuba. the United
States finds itself ineIsr!c"Sly involved IN the
present contest in other ways, both NeXatious
and costly.
Many Cubans reside IN this country, and IN
directly promote TIE resurrection through the
press, By public meetings, by the purchase
and shirrnento of arms, by the raising of funds,
and by other means, which the spirit OF our
Institutions and the tenor OF our laws do not
permit to be made the subject of criminal
prosecutions.
Some of them, though CuSsns at heart and
In all their feelings and interests, have taken
out papers as naturaiiZed citizens Of she
United States, q proceeding resorted to with a
view 10 possible protection by this govern
Indignation by the country Of their or |
lgin The insurgents are undoubtedly
<aeeuraEsd and supported BIZ the Widespread J