The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-12-11

spsin and Cuba-Land Defenses Com
mended.
The president, in his annual message
TO congress, after referring to the re-
newed evidence of the stability OF our
government as evidenced by acceptance
Of the result of the recent election, hrst
refers to the situation in Turkey. He
points out the bloody aspect of the sltua-
ton, and says that our minister at Con-
stantinople has left nothing undone TO
protect our missionaries, concluding by
saving: do not believe that the pres
ent sombre prospect in Turkey Will De
long permitted to offend the sight OF
Christendom 1t so mars the humane
and enlightened civilization that belongs
to the close of the 10th century that II
seems hardly possible that the earnest
demand of good people throughout the
Christian world for it's corrective treat
ment will remain unanswered.
The Cuban question is treated at great
length and completeness. After refer
T-ins TO the bloody and ruinOus character
of the contest and Spain's inability TO
nueT the instruction, the president
saw. The spectacle of the utter rum
OF an adjoining country, by nature one
of the most fertile and charming on the
globe would engage the serious atten-
fion of the government and people Oh the
United States in any circumstances In
point of fact, they have a concern with
II which is by no means of wholly SEN
timental or philanthropic character. IL
lies so near to us as to be hafdly sep
arated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in 1t is
second only to that of the people ana
government of Spain. 1t is reasonably
estimated that at leSst from $3C, OOo,ooO TO
$50, 600 900 of American capital are IN
vested in plantations and in railroads,
mining and other business enterprises
on the island.
It would seem that if Spain should
offer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a
measure of home rule which, While pre-
serving the sovereignty of Spain would
satisfy all rational requirements or her
Spanish subiects-there should be no
1ust reason why the pacitlcat1cn OF the
island might not be effected on that
basis. Such result would appear to
he in the true interest of all concerned.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious
and precautions on the part of the
weaker of two combatants are always
natural and not always unJusti1laole-
being sincerely DESTROYS in the interests
OF both as we'll as on its own account
that the Cuban problem should be solved
with the leas possible delay-it was in
tinlated by this government to the gov
eminent of S0ain some months ago that,
AZ a satisfactory measure of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents,
and would be accepted by them upon
guaranty of its execution the United
States would endeavor to find a way not
Objectionable to Spain of furnishing such
guaranty While no definite response
10 this intimation has yet been received
from the Spanish government, it is be-
Neved to be not altogether unwelcome,
while, as already suggested, no reason
is perceived why it should not be ap-
proved by the insurgents.
1t should be added taat IT CANNOT De
reasonably assumed tnat the 1lGnetto
expectant attltuoe Oh tne nltsu . 1tes
will be lndeInlteiy ulallitallleu. wien
the 1naplHtS Oh SPAN " ueol SUI
cessfully with the lnsurfectloh mas pc
come manifest ana IL Is uerhonslrateu
that her sovereignty is e%tinct III Cuoa
for all purposes OF lts rlgntlul eAlsIehce,
and when a hopeless struSsie LOT us
re-establlshment mas degeheraleu mo
strife Whlch means notnlhS hloIe lhdli
the useless sacrifice OF human life and
the utter destruction OF the very SuD!ecl
matter OF the CONNECT, SITUATION VIII pe
presented in which our obllSatlons TO the
sovereignty Il Spain VIII be suspended
by higher Obligations, wnlch we can
hardly hesitate to recognize and dis
charge.
The Venezuelan boundary question mas
ceased to be matter OF dlterence pc
tween Great Britain and the Unlteo
States, their respective governments
having agreed upon the substantial pro-
visions of treaty between Great Britain
and Venezuela submitting the Whole
controversy to arbitration. Negotia-
lions for treaty or general arbitration
for all differences between Great Brltalr
and the United States are far advanced
and promise to reach a successful con
summat.rn at an early date.
The scheme of examining applicant!
for certain consular positions, to tes'
their competency and fitness, adopted
under an executive order issued on sept
20, 1895, has fully demonstrated the use
fulness of this innovation. In connec
ton with this plan of examinations, pro
motions and transfers of deserving in
Cumbents have been quite eXtensivel!
made, with excellent results
On the subject of finances the presi
dent quotes freely from the figures o
the secretary of the treasury, showing
both our exports and imports of gold
production ~ precious metals ana TN
There were organized during the yea
preceding the date last mentioned 2
national banks, located in 10 states, o
which u were organized in the easter