davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
in the accomplishment of Indian civilina-

in the accomplishment of Indian civiliza-
ton.
1t may be said in general terms that in
every particular the Improvement of the
Indians under government has been most
marked and encouraging. The secretary
the commissioner of Indian affairs, and the
agents having charge of Indians to whom
allotments have been made, strongly urge
the passage of a law prohibiting the sale
of liquor to allottees who have taken
their lands in severalty. / earnestly join
in this recommendation, and venture to ex-
press the hope that the Indian may be
speedily protected against this one greatest
of all evils to his well-being and advance
'ment.
The condition of affairs among the five
civilized tribes, who occupy large tracts
of land in the Indian territory and who
have governments of their own, has as
sumed such an aspect as to render it al
most Indispensable that there should be
an entire change in the relations of these
Indians to the general government. This
seems to be necessary in furtherance of
their own interests, as well as for the
protection of nOn-Indian residents in their
territory. A commission organized and
empowered under several recent laws is
now negotiating with these Indians for
the REIMBURSEMENT of their courts and the
division of their common lands in sever
atty, and are aiding in the settlement of
the troublesome question of tribal men,
bership. The reception of their first prof.
fers Of negotiation was not encouraging,
but through patience and such conduct on
their part as demonstrated that their in
tentions were friendly and in the interest
of the tribes, the prospect Of success has
become more promising. The effort
should be to save these Indians from the
consequences of their own mistakes and
improvidence and to secure to the real
Indian his rights as against intruders
and professed friends who profit by his
retrogresson. A change is also needed to
protect life and property through the OPP
Grafton of courts conducted according to
strict justice and strong enough to en-
force their mandates.
AS sincere friend of the Indian I am
exceedingly anxious that these reforms
should be accomplished with the consent
and aid of the tribes, and that no neces-
sity may be presented for radical or
drastic legislation. / hope therefore,
that the commission now conducting ne
gotiations will soon be able to report that
progress has been made toward friendly
adjustment of existing difficulties.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17

The correctness of this forecast need be
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has, nevertheless, a character to
maintain as a nation, which plainly die
tates that right and not might should be
the rule of it's conduct.
Further though the United States Is
not a nation to which peace is a necessi-
ty. is is, in truth, the most pacific OF
powers and desires nothing so much as
to live in amity with all the world. Its
own ample and diversified domain sat
isles all possible longings for terri
tory. precludes all claims of conquest and
prevents any castingo of covetous eyes up
on neighboring regions. however attrac-
tive.
That our conduct towards Spain and her
dominions has constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made manifest
by the course of our government. not only
thus far during the present instruction,
but during the 10 years that followed the
rising of Yara in 1865 No sother great
power, 1t may safely be said, under cir
cumstances of similar perplexity, would
have manifested the same restraint ana
the same patient endurance.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
Nialms Against Turkey.

n nave made claims against the Turk
rrr1 s,o:,eFhment for the pillage and de-
M Wa u missionary property at Harput
Ma. 'dIaSh during uprisings at these
tsn.n, mus far, the validity of these
nr -tN mas not been admitted, though
h .,.S'ef' prior to such outrages, and
ro.. aa,.Icpation of danger, demanded
n nr r'On Tor the persons and property
n.n.1,L Missionary citizens in the localities
s,on. ., and notwithstanding that
Mis- ~ exists of the actual COM
ies-rr,.v,t. turkish soldiers in the work of
rov ,"s.on and robbery. The facts, as they
u. ;U rppear' 90 not permit us to doubt
vii ~ 'Sce or these claims, and nothing
s,lsr, united to bring about their prompt
lrrvs5 OF Armenian refugees having
her a. our ports, and an order having
soverrrOoeeen obtained from the Turkish
alirsn permitting the wives and
hae = VI such refugees to join them
sac. Us hoped that hereafter no OBJ
scapa y. i De interposed to prevent the
.eels NJ y. ali those who seek to avoid the
snor. N'cn threaten them in Turkish do
nun e. eeenty appointed consul to Erze-
tudas :. al his post and discharging the
ssnt.SSit. MS Office, though for some unac-
ION ~. reason his formal exequatur
la ~. sultan has not been issued.
RusD.on.' t believe that the present somber
b ors,, N Turkey will be long permitted
hsrs n. me sight of Christendom. 1t so
adon ~ humane and enlightened civili-
eth ra, ct.a' belongs to the close of the
BAT tb, ~. mat it seems hardly possible
truuebo,,ee earnest demand of good people
errsc,ir.u the Christian world for its
lssre6 treatment will remain unan-
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
The CUBAN QUESTION.
ohces of the United States
r. Cre0 to SETTLE the VUu~

0G oIhces of the United States
Tbs ed to Settle the War.
sith an !. rection in Cuba still continues,
brew ~. Il. perplexities 1t is difficult to
ben n.s mat any progress has thus far
sand -. towards the pacification of the
eepictas : ulat the situation of affairs, as
last improved. - =
po.ts an sun holds Havana and the sea-
asureentt. al the considerable towns, fhe
iso-tbirSss sun roam at will over at least
isrninatGiss. Oh the inland country. The de-
sarection OF Spain to put down the in
as lanSa n seems but strengthened with
Ahesjts y. VI time, as is evinced by her
sltarv devotion of largely increased
There i anu naval forces to the task.
hsurgaMn.m much reason to believe that the
secter ana nave gained in number, char
eaeyible resources, and are none the less
IL their resolve not to succumb
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17

From the lifesaving service it is reported
that the number of disasters to docu-
mented vessels within the limits of its
operations during the year was 537. These
vessels had on board 4608 persons, OF
whom 1896 were saved and Ii lost. The
value Of such vessels Is estimated at
IS $50. 14o.- and of their cargoes 50, SAC, $50.
making the total value of property i'm
periled ST., 726, $40 OF this amount, $n,-
2s2. TOT was saved and s., 49,, 750 was lost.
Sixty-seven of the vessels were totally
wrecked There were besides 243 casual
ties to small undocumented craft on
board of which there were 594 persons. OF
whom 5S7 were saved and seven lost The
value of the property involved In these
latter casualties is estimated at $ll9,z6o,
of which s114,955 was saved and s435O was
lost. The lifesaving crews during the year
also rescued or assisted numerous other
vessels and warned many from danger by
signals. both by day and night. The num-
Der Of disasters during the year exceeded
that of any previous year In the history
Of the service. but the saving OF both ilre
and property was greater than ever before
in proportion to the value OF the properly
involved and to the number OF persons
imperiled.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
5 MESSAGE
r,e Important Features OF
:. Chief Executives Ad-
dress to Congress.

ae Congress Of the United States:
70 .LIrsssantatives Of the people IN the
.; t.i,.a branch Of their government, you
sgs'"'r u,EIal at a time when the strength
slyeas'e-iIIenoe Of our free institutions
sni tA'' stnass Of our citizens to enjoy
Gld ~' .,la have been again made mani
g'lu'1, noIitical contest involving moment
PSI \ -tto,nancps. fraught with feVerish
t2 ynsi5n and creating aggresslveness
iTI me- as n approach bitterness and
b h'5''' bas been waged throughout our
PassO' .s determined by the decree OF free
Illl .I az suffrage without disturb
W # our tranquility or the least sign
!. -,aknass in our national structure.
d u 49, We consider these Incidents and
NDS ..Iata the peaceful obedience and
e'A' '- l.,,bmiseion which have succeeded a
nl l.-s lash of political opinions, we dis
a'15l ,srrIant evidence Of a determination
f'' a.. Dar+ of our countrymen to abide by
" ~. Wv verdict of the popular will, and to
s'0 .s.,,rolled at all times by an abiding
" IN The agencies established for the
i'". of the affairs Of their govern
l.. Tins our people exhibit a patriotic
u-ro-fi0D WHICH tl4NlilVS lilOiil W
" .sass Uho undertake to make and exc
Wa .bsir laws such faithful and unselfish
. ..,f,s in their behalf as can only be pro-
',. bv a serious appreciation of the
..,.. and confidence which the acceptance
A. mjBic duty invites.
II obedience to constitutional require
uart 7 hereby submit to the congress
ATTAIN information concerning national af-
NV. with the suggestion of such legisla-
i'm as, in my judgment, is necessary
md syrpdient. ToSsecure brevity and to
,r,, ttresome narration, 1 shall omit
r,ry details concerning matters within
ts3sral control, which, by no means I'M
irportant. are more profitably discussed
h detrimental reports.
shall also further curtail this communf-
,,-ion by emitting a minute recital of any
minor Incidents connected with our foreign
,slations which have heretofore found a
mace in executive messages, but are now
rnaned in a report of the secretary of
rate which is herewith submitted:
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17

RI NAV also be said that this persistent
attitude of the United States towards
Suain in connection with Cuba unques-
tionably evinces no slight respect and re-
gard for Spain on the part of the Amerss
lean people They, in truth, do not forget
her connection with the discovery OF the
Western hemisphere, nor do they under
estimate the great qualities or the Span
ish people, nor fail to fully recognize their
splendid patriotism and their chivalrous
devotion to the national honor. They
view with wonder and admiration the
cheerful resolution with which vast bod
les of men are sent across thousands OF
miles of ocean and an enormous debt &C
cumulated that the costly possession OF
the Gem of the Antilles may still hold It's
Mace in the Spanish crown.
And yet neither the government nor the
people of the United States have shut
their ewes to the course of events in Cuba
nor have failed to realize the extent of
conceded grievances which have led to
the present revolt from the authority OF
Snain. grievances recognized by the queen
regent and by the cortes, voiced by the
most patriotic and enlightened OF Spanish
statesmen without regard to party, ana
demonstrated by reforms proposed py the
executive and approved by the legislative
branch of the Spanish government. 1t Is
in the assumed temper and disposition OF
the Spanish government to remedy these
grievances, fortified by indications OF N
fiuential public opinion In Spain, that
this government has hoped to discover the
most promising and effective means OF
composing the present strife with honor
and advantage to Spain and with the
achievement of all the ostensipie op-
iects of the Instruction.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
America Refuge for Prosecuted
Armenians.

Al the outset of a reference to the more
Important matters affecting our relations
With foreign powers, 1t would afford me
a.Stacti0n if I could assure the congress
that the disturbed conditions in Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year assumed
/ less hideous and bloody aspect, and
hat either as consequence of the awak-
gng Of the Turkish government to the
demand Of humane civilization or as the
result Of a decisive action on the part
Of the great nations having the right by
treaty to interfere for the protection
Of those evnOSed to the rage of mad bigotry
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
Of the situation had been mitigated. In
stead, however Of welcoming a softened
disposition or protective intervention, we
have been afflicted by continued and not
nheQuent reports of the wanton de-
rlcton of homes and the bloody butch
dy OF men, women and children; made
martyrs to their profession of Christian
faith.
While none Of our citizens in Turkey
nave thus far been killed or wounded,
u0ush often in the midst of dreadful
ssneS OF danger their safety in the
a'ure Is by no means assured. Our gov
alhent at home and our minister at Con-
s-lunopIe have left nothing undone to
sVeet our missionaries in Ottoman terri
WY VINO constitute nearly all the indi-
auas residing there who have a right to
aam our protection on the score Of
american citizenship.
VT Efforts in this direction will not be
M.sAAel' but the deep feeling and sympathy
naI nave been raised among our people
.snt not to so far / nd their reason
~ Judgment as to lead them to demand
stOSSole things. The outbreaks of blind
r ,%! winch lead to murder and pillage in
..,Aey' occur suddenly and without notice,
~ al attempt on our part to force such
apSule presence there as might be eff
~. Ior prevention or protection would
..s Uny De resisted by the Ottoman gov
s ..enl but would be regarded as an
s. @l upton OF their plans by the great
y ,t ISa VINO assert their exclusive right
y, y intervene in their own time and method
Turkey. " me anu property Al
@,efal naval vessels are stationed in
N, NeQlIerranean as a measure of eau
,.tnn ana 10 furnish all possible relief and
-se III case of emergency
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
pubIfc Lands.

Our public lands, originally amounting to
1,84O. 0OO, 900 acres, have been so reduced
that only 600, 900. 600 still remain in govern
ment control, excluding Alaska. The bal
ance. being by far the most valuable por-
ton. has been given away to settlers. to
new states and to railroads, or sold at
comparatively nominal sum.
The patenting Of land, in execution of
railroad grants has progressed rapidly
during the year, and since the 4th day OF
March, 1893, about 25,000,000 acres have
thus been conveyed to these corporations
agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should be more
carefully dealt with, and their alienation
guarded against by better economy and
greater prudence.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
Indian Affairs.

The total Indian population of the United
States is 1T, 235, according to census made
in 1895. exclusive Of those within the state
of New York and those comprising the i've
civilized tribes OF this number, there
are approximately 5000 children of school
age. During the year, 1893 of these were
enrolled in schools. The progress which
has attended recent efforts to extend In
dian school facilities and the anticipation
Of continued liberal appropriations to that
end cannot fail to afford the utmost salts
faction to those who believe that the edu-
cation Of Indian children u prime factor
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Spent as Much Money as 1t Used to
Take to Run the Government.

The report of the secretary of the interior
presents a comprehensive and interesting
exhibit of the numerous and important
affairs committed to his supervision. 1t is
impossible in this communication to do
more than briefly refer to a few of the
subjects concerning which the secretary
gives full and instructive information.
The money appropriated on account of
this department for its disbursement for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1896. amount
ed to more than $157, 100000, or a greater
sum than was appropriated for the entire
maintenance of the government for the
two fiscal years ended June 30, 1861.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
Destruction of Property.

Meanwhile, as in all cases of protract-
ed civil Strife, the passions Of the
combatants grow more and more
inf1amed. and excesses on both sides
become more frequent and more
deplorable. They are also participated in
by bands of marauders who now in the
name of one party, and now in the name
OF the other, as may best suit the occa-
sion, harass the country at will and
plumber its wretched inhabitants for their
own advantage. Such condition Of things
would inevitably entail immense destruc-
ton of property, even if it were the policy
of one party to prevent it as far as prac-
ticable. But while such seemed to be the
original policy of the Spanish government,
1t has now apparently abandoned it, and
is acting upon the same theory as the in
surgents, namely: That the exigencies of
the contests require the wholesale ami
hilation of property that it may not prove
of any use and advantage to the enemy
1t is to the same end that, in pursuance
of general orders, Spanish garrisons are
now being Withdrawn from planta tons.
and the rural population Is being re.
quired to concentrate itself in the town.
The sure result would seem to be that the
industrial value of the island Is fast di-
minishing, and that unless there is
speedy and radical change in the existing
conditions it will soon disappear alto
gether.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
Marine Hospital Service

The operations of the marine hospital
service the revenue cutter service, the
steamboat inspection services the light
house service, the bureau of navigation ana
other branches of public work attached 70
the treasury department, together with
various recommendations concerning their
support and Improvement. are fully stated
in the report Of the secretary of the treas
nrv. to which the attention Of congress
is especially invited.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
without practically securing the great OBJ

without practically securing the great OBJ
1ect Tor which they took up arms.
IL spain mas not yet re-established her
authority, neither have the insurgents vet
made good their title to be regarded as an
independent state. Indeed, as the contest
mas gone on, the pretense that civil gov
eminent exists on the island, except so far
as Spain is able to maintain it. has been
practically abandoned. Spain does keep
on foot such a government, more or less
imperfectly, in the large towns and their
immediate 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
patty. 1t is reported, indeed, on reliable
au'4@ority, that at the demand Of the COM
mander-in-chief of the insurgent army
the putative Cuban government has now
given up ali attempt to exercise its func-
tons, leaving that government confessed
ly (what there is best reason for suppos-
ing it always to have been in fact a gov
eminent merely on paper
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17
The Union Pacific Case.

In the case of the Union Pacific, how
ever, the situation has become especially
and Immediately urgent. Proceedings have
been instituted to foreclose a first mort
gage upon those aided parts of the main
line upon which the government holds a
second and subordinate mortgage lien. In
consequence of these proceedings and in
creasing complications, added to the default
occurring on the 1st day Of January, 1897,
a condition will be presented on that date,
so far as this company Is concerned, that
must emphasize the mandate of the act
of 1887, and give to executive duty under
it's provisions a more imperative aspect
Therefore, unless congress shall otherwise
direct, or shall have previously determined
upon a different solution of the problem,
there will hardly appear to exist any rea-
son for delaying, beyond the date of the
default above mentioned, such executive
action as will promise to subserve the pub
lie interests and save the government from
the loss threatened by further inaction.
The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17

batants are always natural and not al
ways unjustif1able, being sincerely DESTROYS
in the interest of both as well as on our
own account that the Cuban problem should
be solved with the least possible
delay, 1t was intimated by this
government to the government of
Spain some months ago that If
satisfactory measure of home rule were ten
dered the Cuban insurgents, and would be
accepted by them upon a guaranty of it's
execution. the United States would en-
deavor to find way not Objectionable to
Spain of furnishing such guaranty.
While no definite response to this init
nation has yet been received from the
Spanish government, 1t is believed to be
not altogether unwelcome, while, as already
suggested, no reason is perceived why it
should not be approved by the insurgents.
Neither party can fail to see the impor-
lance of early action, and both must realize
that to prolong the present state of things
for even short period will add enormously
to the time and labor and expenditure
necessary to bring about the industrial re-
cuperation of the island. 1t is, therefore,
fervently hoped on all grounds that earnest
efforts for healing the breach between Spain
and the insurgent Cubans upon the lines
above indicated may be at once inaugu-
rated and pushed to an immediate success
full 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 policy may arise our policy
and our interest would constrain US to
object to the acquisition of the island or
to any interference with it's control by any
other power.