Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10

them upon guaranty of its execution,
the United States would endeavor to find
a way not Questionable TO Spain OF fur
nishing such guaranty.
While no definite response TO this ipti-
mation has yet been received from the
Spanish governplcnt, IL Is believed to he
not altogether unwelcome while, as al
ready suggested, no reason is perceived
why it should not be approved by the in
surgents. Neither party can fail TO see
the Importance of early action, and both
must realize that to prolong the present
state of things for even u short period will
add enormously. to the time and labor and
expenditure necessary to bring abont the
industrial recuperation of the island. 1t
is therefore fervently hoped on all grounds
that earnest efforts for healing the breach,
hetwecn Spain and the insurgcnt Cubans
upon the lines above indicated may be- Mt
once in;lugurated and pushed to an imme-
diate and successful issue. The friendly
offices of the United States either in the
manner above outlined, or in any other
way consistent with our constitution and
laws will always be at the disposal of
either party. Whatever circumstances
may arise our policy and our interests
would eonstrain us to object to the ac-
QUESTION of the island or an interfer-
cncc with its control by any other power.
1t should be added that it cannot be
reasonably assumed that the hitherto ex-
pectant attitude of the United States will
he indefinitely maintained While we are
anxious to accord all due Prospect to the
sovereignty of Spain, we cannot view the
pending conflict in all it's features, and
properly apprehend our Inevitably close
relations to it and its possible results,
without considering that by the course of
events we may be drawn into such an un-
usual and Unprecedented condition us will
fix a limit to our patient waiting for Spdin
TO end the contest, either alone and in
her own way, or with our friendly CO.
operation.
When the inability of Spain TO deal sue
cessfully with the insurrcction has he
come manifest, and il is demonstrated
that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba
for all purposes of its rightful existence,
and when hopeless struggle for its re-
establishment has degenerated into Il
strife which means nothing more than the
useless sacrifice of human life and the
utter destruction of the very subject
matter of the conflict, situation will he
presented in which our obligations to the
sovereignty of Spain will be suppressed
by higher obligations, which we can hard
ly hesitate to recognize and discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and metli-
ods 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 considera,
tion involving our honor and interest or
the international duty we owe to Spain.
Until we face the contingencies suggested,
or the situation is by other incidents inn
norativcly 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 enjoincd
upon MS by the position we occupy in the
family of nations. ~
A contemplation of emergencies Tint
may arise should plainly lead us to avoid
their creation either through careless
disregard of present duty or even an un-
due stimulation and il-timed expression
of feeling. But l have deemed it not
amiss to remind the Congress that time.
may arrive when n correct policy and
care for our interest as well as a regard
for the interest of other nations and their
citizens, Joined by considerations of hui
manity and desire to see rich and fer
tile country intimately related TO us saved
from complete devastation. will constrain
our government to such action as will sub-
serve the interests thus involved and MT
the same time promise to Cuba and Its
inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the
blessings of peace.
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
The Venezuelan boundry question has
ceased to he matter of difference be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States. their respective governments hav-
ing agreed upon the substantial provisions
Of treaty between Great Britain and
Venezuela submitting the whole contro-
versy to arbitration The provisions of the
treaty are so eminently just and fair, that
the assent Of Venezuela thereto may con-
fidently be anticipated.
Negotiations for n treaty of general mr..
bitration for all differences between Great
Britain and the United States are far nd
vnnced and promise to reach a successful
consuinmation at an early date. The
scheme of examining applicants for cer-
tain consular positions. to test their COM
potency and fitness, adopted under an OK
ecutive order issued on the Goth of Sep
tember, 1888, has fully demonstrated the
usefulness of this innovation. In connec-
tion with this plan of examination, pro-
motions and transfers of deserving in
cumbents have been quite extensively
made, with excellent results.
oTHEE MATTERs CONSIDERED.
During the past year thirty-fve ap-
pointments have been made in the con-
sillar service, twenty-seven of which were
made to fill vacancies caused by death or
resignation, or to supply newly created
posts, two to succeed incumbents removed
for cause, two for the purpose of displac-
ing alien consular officials by American
citizens, and four merely changing the
Official title of incumbent from CONNER
cinl agent to consul. Twelve of these an
pointments were transfers or promotions
from other positions under the Depart-
ment of State, four of those appointed
had rendered previous service under the
department, eight were made of persons
who passed satisfactory examination,
seven were appointed TO places not includ-
ed in the order of September 20. 1895, and
four appointments as above stated, in
yolved no change of incumbency
The inspection of consular Offices pro-
vided for by an appropriation for that
purpose at the last session of the Con-
gress, has been productive of such whole
some effects, that l hope this important
work will in the future be continued. 1
know of nothing that can be done with the
same slight expense so improving to the
service. desire to repeat the RECON-
mendation contained in my last annual
message, in favor of providing ut public
expense official residences for our ambns-
sndors and ministers at foreign capitals
The reasons supporting this recommends