Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-12-10

LeFeSLS OF the united States IN Cuba
Almost $50 1000, 900 of American capital
is invested there and the trade before
the revolution reached S100, 900, 900 an
nually. Our concern in Cuba is there
fore neither sentimental nor wholly
philanthropic. He points out the diff
ficulty 10 which we are subjected by
reason of the many Cuban residents
who are naturalized Americans and
who, while aiding the insurrectiOn
through public meetings, the press,
war funds, and other means, require
the constant vigilance OF the author
titles at Washington. Besides this, the
natural sympathy of the people OF this
country with those who struggle Tor a
better and freer government, COM
bined with the adventurous and restless
elements in our population, makes the
position of the United States in its
declared nutrality most difficult TO
maintain. These inevitable entangle-
mentS and considerations Of philan-
Uhropy and humanity in general have
led to a vehement demand in various
quarters for some sort of positive in
teryention on the part Of the United
States. The president declares against
according belligerent rights, does not
think Spain desires to sell Cuba, and
deprecates a war with Spain as a
settlement of the question on the
ground that might is not a sufficient
reason for this country to violate its
hn fio
of powers and the desire of it's people
to live in amity with all the world.
The United States, he says, has plenty
of territory and should continue to
manifest it's patient endurance, which
is NO slight testimonial of the regard
for Spain on the part of the American
people. While remembering the part
Spain has played in the history Of the
western hemisphere neither the people
or the government of the United
States have shut their eyes to the
course of Spain in this contest. After
summing UP the complication Of inter-
national law bearing on the case, the
president says: cit would seem that
if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
autonomy, a measure of home rule
which while preserving the sovereignty
Of Spain, would satisfy all rational re-
quirements of her Cuban subjects,
there should be no just reason why
the pacificatiOn of the island might
not be effected on that basis. 1t would
put the prosperity of the island and the
fortunes Of its inhabitants within their
own control without severing the
natural and ancient ties which bind
them to the mother country" 1t has
been intimated to Spain, and that
country does not seem unwilling to
adopt the suggestion, that the United
States act as mediator in bringing
about this result. At the same time
Spain demands that the insurgents lay
down their arms before a compromise
will be considered and the Cubans in
sist upon something more definite than
a promise of autonomy before they will
consent to do so. In any event the
president says the United States should
make no attempt to acquire the island
and should prevent any other power
from acquiring it. If, however, the in
ability of Spain to demonstrate its
sovereignty becomes manifest, the
United States should not hesitate to
recognize and discharge it's duties
without fear of the consequences.
Fiscal Affairs.
Briefly touching on the Venezuelan
boundary question and the Behring
message takes up in detail the various
sea complications, the president then
devotes himself to internal affairs. His
departm ents of the national govern
ment. In the treasury department the
receipts for 1896 were ,$4O9, 475, 4O8. rs
expenditures $434, 678, 654.4S, decrease
$25, 203, 245.70 The value of dutiable
imports was 1869, 757, 40; value of free
imports s4O9, 1857 40, total increase Sat-
754709. The value of exports was
1882 $685. increase over preceding
year S75,068,773. The gold exported
amounted to SIP, 400 .947 and the silver
to $50, 541 $40; gold increase sac, 941 1866
silver increase $13,246,384 The gold
imports were $33, 525 ,065, silver $2S,-
777,186, a decrease of s2,859,69 of gold
and an increase of $3.50, 007 of silver.
The total metallic money. in the United
States July 1, 1896, was $1,228, 1926, O35,
of which $500, 597, 1854 was gold and
$628,728,071 silver. November l, 1896,
the total of money in thu United
States was S2,2S5, 410,59O and the
amount in circulation exclusive of
bo1l 4
S22.63 per capita on a population of
Il, 100000. The coinage of these
metals throughout the world the same
year was 1892, 701 ,43S in gold and s121,-
996,219 in silver. October 6, 1896, there
were 3,679 national banks in operation
with So, 263, 6S5, 900 of resources Of
the liabilities $1,590,S91,058 was due
depositors and s210,0OO,O00 was in out
circulating notes. Twenty
new banks were organized and 81 sur
rendered their charters while for 27
others receivers were appointed. State
banks to the number of sos are in
existence During the year $40 468 i'm
migrants arrived bringing to this coun-
try more than 100000.
No Army Increase.
In reviewing the war department,
the president does not recommend an
army, as he says the Or
ganized militia numbers 1883 men
and costs $3,2OO,OOO annually, which |
should suffice. He believes both the |
regular army and militia should have |
more money for equipments.
Regarding the navy, the president |
,OmmeDds the eXDenditllre of money