The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-10

rest and imprisonment of American
planters, which he characterizes as acts
of anarchy. On the other hand, he
shows that in the capital cities and sea.
ports and all parts of the island with
which the United States or it's citizens
maintain legitimate nominal intercourse
the Spanish power is supreme, though
often exercised in vexatious and arbitra-
ry ways, calling for just remonstrance
and most of the functions of government
proceed as in times of peace.
Recurring to his comparison of this in.
surrection with those that have preceded
it, he makes significant statement
From every accessible indication, it is
clear that the present rebellion is on a
far more formidable scale as to nun.
bers, intelligence and representation than
any of the preceding revolts of this coun-
try; that despite the constant influx OF
fresh armies and material of war from
the metropolis, the rebellion, after nearly
two years of successful resistance. ap-
pears today to be in a condition to in,
definitely prolong the contest ON its pres
cnt basis"
displayed by the insurgents, saying that
under the disparity of numbers and the
comparatively indefensibh, condition OF
the western vega country, the passage OF
a considerable force into the Pinar del
Rio region, followed by it's successful
maintenance there for many months
must be regarded as a military success
of a pronounced character.
"The insurgent armies" says the sec
rotary, fairly represent the intelligent as
pirations of a large proportion of the
people of the whole island and it is shown
that they purpose by this contest on theil
better grounds of vantage, to end and
to make the present struggle supreme
test of the capacity of the Cuban people
to win themselves and their children the
heritage of self-government."
The secretary speaks of the APPALLING
phases of the struggle, such as otter
appear in contests among the Latin races
of the western hemisphere; of the ex
cesses and forceful and arbitrary acts
of the military or the violation of prin
cples of civilized warfare by irresponsi
BILE officials and the killing of non-com
batants in some instances, happily but
few being American citizens.
He says: "a large correspondence OF
the state department with its agents in
Cuba has been devoted to these cases OF
assaults upon the rights of our citizens
In no instances have remonstrances and
energetic appeals been omitted. But
the representatives of the Spanish power
often find it easy practically to postpone
explanations and reparation on the ground
of alleged ignorance of facts or other
causes"
The secretary next treats at length OF
the financial and industrial losses inflicted
upon American citizens by the continu.
ance of the strife. all of which is summed
up concisely by the president in a por-
ton of his message. That part of the
report concludes with brief statement
of the Competitor case, which, it appears,
has now been remanded by the Madrid
authorities for a re-trial.
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION.
Secretary Olney says very little more
than does the president in his message
respecting the Venezuelan boundary
question. He announces with gratiil-
cation that amicable councils have pre-
vailed to produce satisfactory attempts
Mt understanding and that the boundary
question and associated phases have at
last been eliminated as between this
country and England. He gives. how
ever, no inkling of the nature of the
treaty beyond the statement that 1t pro
yides for honorable arbitration OF the
whole controversy. In view OF inc
suspicion that arises in some quarters
JndI- IUc arrangement mas PiN'
tirely,. acceptable to Venezuela, 1t Is a
significant statement of Secretary Olney
that mo doubt is entertained tnat
Venezuela, which has so earnestly
sought the friendly assistance of the
United States toward the settlement OF
this yexatious contention and which has
so unreseryedly confided its interests to
the impartial judgments of this govern
ment, will assent to the formal adjust
ment thus attained, thus forever ending
a dispute involving such far-reachlngs
consequences to the peace and welfare Oh
the western continent.
Touching the negotiations for a gen
eral arbitration treaty for the settlement
of all future disputes between the United
States and Great Britain, Secretary
Olney says that both countries having
given proofs of their acquiescence IN
tbe great principle involved, not only
nv treaties between themselves, but
seyeralIy, by concluding like adjust
ments with other powers for the adJudi,
cation of disputes resting on law ana
fact, the subject was naturally ap-
proached in benevolent spirit OF agree
ment and the negotiations have so salts
factorily progressed as to foreshadoW
nra ctical agreement ut an early date
ilpon the text of a convention to the de-
sired end. a..
The secretary expresses regret that the
British government has refused its con,
currence in proposed international
to devise means of protect
ing the seal herds; recitcs the. findings
Of the experts in effect showing that
the herds are threatened with total de-
struction unless changes are made
speedily in the award regulations, ana
hopes that the experts will induce the
British government to agree upon these
changes.
It is announced that the assent. of
Great Britain and other maritime
states having been secured, the rules Tor
he prevention of collisions at sea VIII
20 into effect July / next.
AND AMERICAN MEAT.
Under the head of Germany the report
treats briefly of the exclusion from that