St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-12-11
The Presidents Message.

ITO the congress OF the United States,
with brief introduction, proceeds t
the discussion Of the condition OF thos
foreign countries in which here have bee,
wars and disturbances 1t treats first O
affairs in Turkey, and next dscusse
more at length the relations Of Span
with the Cuban rebellion
The president expresses regret that tn,
massacres and destruction in Asiati'
Turkey have been continued during The
year, and emphasizes and rcprobates The
cruelty attending them He states that
none Of our citizens have been killed, but
that they have been constantly in the
midst OF dreadful scenes OF danger, and
that "lheir safety in the future is by no
means assured" Our government has
done all that is reasonable or likely to he
efficient for their protection, aud is
efforts TO this end will not be rclaxed.
We have made claims for the pillage and
destruction of missionary property, the
validity OF which has not yet been adj
mittcd Their prompt settlement is be-
ing urged. The president anticipates
that there will be carly interference by
the powers of Christendom to remove
this blot upon civilization.
No progress has been made, congress is
told toward the pacidcation OF Cuba,
and there is not the least improvement
in the conditions there Both parties
decline to yield, and Spain will not com
promise. Mr. Cleveland finds no evidence
that a reliable civil government exists
among those in instruction, and thinks
such claim to this rs existed has been
practically abandoned He recognizes the
war now on both sides to be one OF dew
astation, which is turning this fertile
island into ruin for purposes OF produc-
ton. He fears if this continues another
year the injury done will be for a long
time irreparable. Our country has more
than a sentimental interest in the con-
test, from its commercial relations with
Cuba. This with the number OF Cubans
belonging to the insurgents residing here,
the large amount ofsympathy felt with !
those i'll rebellion, and the ENHANCEMENT |
growing out OF American property in
Cuba has induced call for United States |
interference The proposition to accord
beligtrent rights has been abandoned, |
and the president does not look lavora.
bly, upon the recognition OF Cuban indie
pendence, because he finds no Cuban gov
eminent to recognize. He does not APP
prove, either OF American intervention +
that would involve war. He thinks,
however, our course as nation has been
eminently iorbearing toward Spain, is
disposed now to suggest to that govern-
ment to bring the struggle to an end by
granting autonomy to Cuba, and states
that 1T was intimatcd by this govern
ment TO the government OF Spain months
ago that, il satisfactory measure of
home rule were rendered the Cuban in
surgents, and would be accepted by them
upon a guarantee of its execution, the
United States would endeavor to find
way not Objectionable to Spain of fur
nishng such guarantee" No definite
answer to this has been received, but it
has been intimated that it may be called
for, and that il the inability OF Spain to
deal with the instruction is made mani
lest "a siluation will be presented in
which our obligations to the sovereignty
of Spain will be superseded by higher OBJ
legations which we can hardly hesitate to
recognize and discharge. On this point
the president igniticantly says: "What-
ever circumstances may arise, our policy
and our interests would coustrain us to
object to an acquisition oil the island or
an interference with its control by any
other power There is no intimation
}, his tavoring the annexation of the
sland to our country.
The Venezuelan boundary question, we
IRE told, has ceased to be a matter of
Inference between Great Britain and the
United States.
Interesting figures are furnished in rel
renee to the treasury statement, and the
and exports, to which we
eler the reader.
immigration into the country has
omewhat increased, and the general
haracter oft is spoken OF favorably by
he president
Greater care is recommended in deal
ng with the public lands OF the United
states.
President Cleveland refers briefly, but
trongy to the abuses in the pension sys-
EN-, end states the pension roll to be
argcr now than at any previous time
lie thinks these abuses, aside from the
x cnse they have brought upon the
,eorle, which is equal to a third o the
,ovornment outlay, "have done meal =
IL able harm in demoralzing our people
md undermining good citizenship"
The reform OF the postal service, by dis
on,inuine the carrying ofsorial libraries,
dyerlsing sheets and Other matter at
um much less than the cost attending it,
S recommended Here is clearly an
buse.
Mode 81 I,o,.t,, ,,ro;ea ,,,I ,,,,,,,,