The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-12-17
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These inevitable acknowledgements of the
| nited States with the rebellion in Cuba,
the large American property interests af-
fected and considerations of philanthropy
and humanity in general have led to Il
vehement demand in various quarters
for some sort of positive intervention on
the part of the United States. 1t was
AT first proposed that belligercnt rights
should be accorded to the insurgents-a
proposition no longer urged because un-
timely ana in practical operation clearly
pcriloiIs and injurious to our own inter-
ests. 1t has since been and is now some
times contended that the independence of
the insurgents should be recognized. But
imperfect and restricted rs the Spanish
Government of the island may be. no
other exists there-unlcss the will of the
military officer in temporary command Of
Il particular district can be dignitied as a
species of government. 1t is now also
suggested that the United States should
buy the island-a suggestion possibly
worthy of consideration if there were any
evidence of Il desire or willingness on the
part of Spain to entertain such a pro-
Sosal. 1t is urged. finally. that. all other
methods failing. che existing intcrncine
strife in Cuba should be terminated by
our intervention, even nj the cost of Il
war between the United States and
Spain-a war which its advocates con-
fidently propi:esy could be neither large
in its proportions nor doubtful in its issue.
The correctness of This forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The Unit
ed States has nevertheless \ character to
maintain as II nation. which plainly die
tatcs that right and not might should be
the rule of its conduct.
1t is in the assumed temper and dispO-
sition of the Spanish Government to rem
edy its grievances. fortified by indica-
ions of influential public opinion in Spain
that this Government has hoped to dis
cover the most promising and effective
means of ending the present strife
with honor and advantage to Spain and
with the achievement of all the reasona-
bic objects of the insurrcction. 1t was in
timated by this Government to the Gov
m of Spain some months ago that
if Il satisfactory measure of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents and
would be accepted by them upon a guar
anty of its execution, the United States
would endeavor TO find a way not OBJ
jectionable To Spain of furnishing such
guaranty. While no definite response to
thisi ntimatiOn has yet been received from
the Spanish Government, it is believed
to be not altogether unwelcome, while,
as already suggested. no reason is per-
ceived why it should not be approved
by the insurgents. Whatever circum-
stances may arise. our policy and our in
torest would cOnstrain us to object to the
acquisition of the island or an intcrfer-
ence with its control by any other power.
II should be added that it cnnnOt be rea-
Onably assumed that the hitherto expect
ant attitude of the United States will he
Indefinitely maintained. When the ina
bility of Spain to deal successfully with
the insurgents has become manifest and
it is demonstrated that her sovereignty
is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its
rightful existence, and when Il hopeless
struggle for its rc-establishment has de-
generated into n strife which means moth
ing more than tie useless sacrifice of
hUma life and the utter destruction of
the very subject matter of the conflict.
Il situation will be presented in which our
obligations TO the sovereignty of Spain
will 5c superseded by higher Obligations.
which we can hardly hesitate to recog-
nize and discharge.
Treasury Info nation.
The Secretary of the Treasury reports
that during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1896. the receipts of the Government
from all sources amounted to S4O9. 49,
4OS.IS. During the same period its OK
pcnditures We're $434. GIS.6J4 IS. the OK
cess of expenditures over receipts thus
amounting to SO. JOB 10. The ordi-
nary expenses during the year were ST.
0~1J,S52.21 less than during the preceding
fiscal year. OF the receipts mentioned
there was derived from customs the sum
of $1S0.021. 751.G7. and from internal rev.
cnue $14G, $50 ,615.GG. The receipts from
customs show an increase of 81. SG3. BAD
over those from the same source for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1879.
and the receipts from internal
revenue an increase of $3,.JS4. .I31. 81.
The value of our imported durable NOR
chand:se during the last fiscal year was
$500, 751.47O. and the value of free goods
imported $409. 961. 40, being an increase
of$G.J23,6IJinth the value of dutiablc goods
and S41 ,231 .O34 in the value of free goods
over the preceding year. Our imports of
merchandise. foreign and domestic,
amounted in value To $SS2. G0j. 1888, being
an increase over the preceding year of
S1J,06S, II3. The average al valorem
duty paid on dutiable goods imported dur
ing the year was 1904 per cent. and on
free and dutiabie goods taken together
20.J0 per cent. The cost of collecting our
internal revenue was us per cent. rs
against Isl per cent. for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1893. Tie total produc-
ton Of distilled spirits. exclusive OF fruit
brandies, was SG,JSS. IO3 taxable gallons.
being IN increase of G.G39. los gallons over
the preceding year. There was also an
increase of 1.443.6I6 gallons of spirits
produced from fruit as compared with the
preceding year. The number of barrels