Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-12-07
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
President CleveIand's Address
to the Closing Session Of
the 54th Congress.
ATTITUDE TOWARD CUBA
He Outlines His Views on a
Financial Policy for the
Government.
A GENERAL SYNOPSIS

WASHINGTON, D. c., December T.
The following is synopsis OF Presi-
dent Cleveland's message to the Fifty
fourth congress, as furnished by the
Western Union Telegraph Co.
To the Congress of the United States:
As representatives of the people In the
legislative branch of their government,
you have assembled at . time when the
strength and excellence OF our free institu-
tions and the fitness Of our citizens to en-
Joy popular rule have been again made
manifest A political contest involving
momentous consequences, fraught with
feverish apprehension and creating ag-
gressiveness SO intense as to approach bit-
terness and passion has been waged
throughout our land, and determined by
the decree of free aud independent suf-
frage without disturbance OF our trsnquil-
fty or the least sign of weakness in our ma
tional structure.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded a
heated clash of political opinions, we dis
cover abundant evidence of determine
tion on the part of our countrymen to
abide by every verdict of the popular will
and to be controlled at all times by an
abiding faith In the agencies established d
for the direction of the affairs OF their gov
ernment. Thus our people exhibit pa
triotic disposition which entities them to
demand Of those who undertakes to make
and execute their laws such faithful and
unselfish service in their behalf,as can only
be prompted by a serious appreciation OF
the trust and confidence which the ac-
ceptance of public duties invites.
With this analysis of the recent election,
President Cleveland begins his annual
message to congress. The document com.
prises more than 10000 words. II contains,
besides wealth of departmental informa-
zion and statistics, succinct review OF
the Cuban revolution without committing
the United States government to an avow5
al of hostility either against the s9ver |.
eighty of Spain or the Cuban insurgents.
President Cleveland begins that portion Of
his message devoted to foreign affairs by
referring congress to the report OF the
secretary for all details in connection with
minor matters. He then declares that the
disturbed condition in Asiatic. Turkey
has assumed less hideous and bloody as
pect during the past year, owing to the de-
cfsive action on the part of the great ma
tions and the consequent awakening OF
the Turkish government to the demand of
humane civilization. SO far as the United
States government is concerned, it has left
undone nothing for the protection of
American missionaries and citizens in the
Ottoman ampire. Continuing the presi-
dent says:
do not believe that the present sombre
prospect 10 Turkey will be long permitted
to offend the sight of Cbristiandom. 1t so
mars the humane and enlightened civiliza-
ton that belongs to the close of the nine
teenth century, that 1t seems hardly possi-
BILE that the earnest demand OF good people
throughout the Christian world for its cor
rective treatment will remain unanswered.
President Cleveland in dealing with the
Cuban situation unaltefably opposes the
recognition of the insurgents as belliger
ents. He believes the situation to be too
delicate for any Intervention on the part
OF the United States at the present time,
although his message strongly hints that
the ultimate outcome may require an ag
gressive stand on the part Of this govern
ment With the greatest delicacy he de-
votes a large portion of his message to a
review OF the situation and points as a
solution OF the problem, the offer to Cuba
on the part of Spain, genuine autonomy.
The insurrection he declars still continues
with all its perplexties. No decision has
been reached on the trial at arms. If
6pain has not yet re-established her eu-
thority, neither have the insurgents yet
made good their title to be regarded as an
state.
The pretext that civil government exists
on the island, except so far as Spain 10
able to maintain ir, has been practically
abandoned. But that exception being made
the entire country is either give over to
anarchy or is subject to military eccu-
patton OF one or the other parties. 1t is
reported, indeed. on reliable authority,
that at the demand of the commander in
chief of the insurgent army, tile putative
Cuban government has now given up all
attempts to exercise its functions, leaving
that government confessedly (but there is
the best reason for supposing 1t always to
have been in facD a government merely
pn paper.
Pr4sident Cleveland Ia disposed to ac-
knowledge the superiority OF the Spanish
arms and of the Cuban tactics He says,
however, unless speedy co1test 70 1ne
open is had, the policy of the Spanish gov
srnment not to interfere with the destruc
zion OF property will ruin the fertility. pro:
ductiveness, and consequent commercial |
value OF the island. The message points |
put the many entangled interests OF the
United States in Cuba. Almost fifty mil
lions of American capital is invested there, !
and the trade before the revolution reach
I'D 500, ,89l 900 annually. Our concern in
Cuba is therefore neither sentimental nor |
wholly philanthrop'c,f but we are in many |
WAYS. both vexatiously and to much cost, |
involved 10 the present contest. he points |
put the difficulties which we are subjected |
TO by reason OF the many CuDan resioenIs
who are naturalized Americans and who |
while aiding the insurrection through pub
lie meetings, the press, war funds, and I
orher means, require the constant vigil
auce Of the authorities at Washington.
Besides this, the natural sympathy OF the I
people of this country with those who |
5truggle for better and freer govern |
ment combined to the adventurous and
restless elements Ia Europe, makes the /
position Of the United States, in Its de-
clared neutrality, mostsdificuir to main
tain. These iDevitable entanglements and
OF philanthropy aod 'hu-
manity in general, haveled to vehement
demand in various quarters for some sort
4 positive controvsntion on the part Of the
United States. The president declares
against according belligerent rights; does
not think Spain desires to sell. and depre..
rates war with Spain as a settlement OF
he question, on the ground that might is
aot sufficient reason or this country to VIC.
ate its universal reputation ss the most
sacff,c Of DC wers. and the desire OF its peo-
ple to live in amity With all the world:
Ihe United States, he says, has plenty OF
territory and should continue 70 manifest
Its patient endurance. which Is no slight /
to the regard IT Spain on the
part of the American people. While re-
nembering the part Spain has played In
the history OF the western hemisphere,
~.fkh.r A. s.o<x,Ia NOR the pnvarn ment of !