The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1896-12-11
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Tho Armenian Nrnssnore.

The Armenian nIassacres
AZ the outset or reference to the more I'm
portant matters affecting our relations with
foreiEn powers 10 would afford me satisfaction
IL could assure congress that the disturbed
condition in Asiatic Turkey had curing the
past year assumed less hideous and bloody
aspect, aud that either as consequence OF
the awakening Of the Turkish government 20
the demands OF humane civilization. or as the
result OF decisive action on the part OF the
great nations having the right by treaty, TO
Interfere for the protection OF these exposed
20 the rage Of mad biRotry and cruel fanati=
SlSm, the shocking features OF the situation
Instead, however, OF welcoming softened
disposition OF positive Intervention, we have
been amictcd by confirmed and not unfreQuent
reports OF the wantOn destruction OF homes
and the bloody butchcring OF men. women aud
ehlIdrgu, made martyrs 10 their profession OF
Shristan faith While none OF our citizens In
Turkey have thus far been killed or wounded
though often In the midst Of dreadful scenes OF
danger their safety Ia the future is by no
means assured Our government at home and
our minister at Coustantinopie have left moth
Ing undone 70 protect our missionaries in OF
tOman territory. who constitute nearly all the
individuals residing there who have a right TO
claim our protection on the score Of American
Several hawai- vessels are stationed in the
mediterranean as q measure Of caution and TO
furnish Gil possible relief and refuge in case OF
emergency.
The Cuban InsurrectIont
The instruction I'm Cuba stIL continues with
All It's perplexities. IL IS dificult TO perceive
wards the pacihcRtion OF the island or that the
situation Of affairs as depicted IN my last an
nuhl message has In the least improved. N
Spain Still holds Havana and the seaports and
al the considerable towns. the Insurgents still
roam NJ viii over at least two-thirds Of the
Inland country. III the determination Of SPAN
20 put down the Instruction seems but TO
strengthen with the lapse Of time, and is evil
denced by her unheSitating devotion OF largely
increased military and naval forces TO the
task there ts much reason 70 believe
that the insurgents have gained in
n0IuN character md
TgSources, and are none the less inhexible in
their resolve not 70 succumb, without prac-
took up arms II spain has not yet re-estab-
hshod her authority, neither have the insur-
gents yet made good their title to be regarded
Hs an independent state. Indeed. as the con-
test goes on, the pretense that civil govern
ment exists on the island, except 50 fur as
spain Is able 10 maintain IL. has been practical
~ abandoned. Spain does keep on foot
such government, more or less imperfectly,
In the large towns and their immediate SUBJ
urbs. But, that exception teing made the
entire country IS either given over 20 anarchy
or Is subject TO the military occupation Of one
II Is reported Indeed. on reliable authority,
that. az the demand Of the commander-in-
Cuban government has now given up all at
tempt 20 exercise its functions, leaving that
government confeSsedly what there is the best
reason for suppOSing 70 always 10 have been in
facD government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish able TO meet their aLtaR-
Onists In the open, or In pitched battle, prompt
and decisive results might be looked for. and
the immense superiority OF the Spanish forces
In numbers. discipline and equipment could
hardly fail to tell greatly TO their advantage.
But they are called upon to face foe that
shuns general engagements; that can choose,
nature OF the country Is visible or invisible al
pleasure, and that fights only from ambuscade,
and when oil the advantages OF position and
numbers are on It's side In a country where
oil that l. Indispensable 20 life In the way OF
food clothing and shelter Is so easily obtain
able, especially by those born and bred on the
soil, it Is obvious that there Is hardly limit to
the time during which hostilities OF this sort
may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as in oil cases
OF protracted civil strife. the passions OF the
comoatants grow more and more inhamed, and
excuses on both sides become more frequent
They also are participated IN by bands Of
marauders. who. now in the name OF one party
and now In the name Of the other. may best
suit the occasion. harry the country at will and
plumber It's wretched inhabitants for their own
advantage. Such a condition OK things would
inevitably entail immense destruction Of prop
erty, even IL Il were the policy OF both parties
such seemed 70 be the original policy Of the
Spanish government. it has now apparently
abandoned ~ and is acting upon the same
theory as the insurgents, namely. that the
exigencies Of the contest require the Wholesale
annihilation Of property. that IL may not
II Is 70 the same end that in pursuance OF
general orders. Spanish garrisons are now be-
ing Withdrawn from Plantations and the rural
population required to concentrate itself ia the
towns. The sure result would seem to be that
the Industrial value OF the island is fast d.
mfnishinE and that unlesss there is a speedy
and radical change in existing conditions, II
wilt soon disappear altogether. That value
consists very largely, OF course, In its capacity
70 produce sugars capacity already much re-
duced by the interruption OF tillage. which has
taken place during the last two years.
II IS RELIABLY asserted that should these in
terruptions continue during the current year,
aha practlcaLty extend as j. now threatened
20 the end, the sugar-produeing territory Of
the island, so much time and so much money
Will be required 10 restore the land 10 It's
normal prOductiveness that 10 Is extremely
doubtful II capital can be induced 10 even
make the attempt The spectacle OF the utter
ruin Of an adjoining country. by nature one OF
would engage the serious attention OF the gov
eminent and people OF the United States I'M
der any circumstances. In point OF fact they
have a concern with 10 which Is by no means OF
wholly sentimental or philanthrOpic charac-
ter. Il lies 50 near TO US as 20 be hardly sep
Rrnted from our territory.
Our actual pecunlary interest in Il is second
spain. II Is reasonably estimated thar al
least from 81, 100000 20 $4,000. nOJ OF American
capital are Invested in plantations and in rail-
road, mining and other business enterprises
on the Island. The volume Of trade between
the United states and Cuba which, in 1859,
about eos 600, and In 1894, the year before
the present insurrection broke out, amounted
20 nearly co. coo COO Besides this large pecu-
niary stake IN the fortunes OF Cuba, the United
states 6nds itself ineXtrtcably involved IN the
present contest In other ways both vexatious
Many Cubaus reside In this country. ana in
directly promote the instruction through the
press kA1A4N ElGcAAAkaa pg the purchase
ind shipment OF arms. by the raising Of funds
and By other means which the spirit OF our
institutions and the tenor Of our laws 90 not
permit 20 be made the subject OF criminal
prosecutions.
some Of them. though Cubans ct heart and
IN Gil their feelings and interests. have taken
out papers as naturaliZcd citizens Of the
Cnited States, proceeding resOrted 70 with
view % possible protection by this govern
rreut and not uunaturally regarded with much
Indignation BY the country OF their or
igin The insurgents are undoubtedly
elcopTased aHd snPPoEFed ~ Ihe widespread