Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-12-10

bne course OF events we may be drawn into
such an unusual and unprecedented condi-
tion as will fix a limit to our patient wait
ing for Spain to end the contest, either
alone and in her own way or with our
friendly cooperation.
when the inability of Spain to deal
successfully with the insurrection has be-
come manifest, and it is demonstrated
shat her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for
all purposes of its rightful existence and
when hopeless struggle for its re.estab-
hshment has degenerated into strife
which means nothing more than the use
less sacrifice of human life and the utter
destruction of the very subject matter of
the conflict, a situation will be presented
in which our obligations to the sovereign
ty OF Spain will be superseded by higher
obligations, which we can hardly hesitate
TO recognize and discharge
'Deferring the choice of ways and meth
ods until the time for action arrives, we
should make them depend upon the pre-
else conditions then existing, and they
should not be determined upon without
giving careful heed to every consideration
involving our honor and interest or the
international duty we owe to Spain.
Until we face the contingencies sug-
gested, or the situation is by other Incl
dents imperatively changed, we should
continue in the line of conduct heretofore
pursued, thus in all circumstances exhib-
iting our obedience to the requirements of
public law and our regard for the duty
enjoined upon us by the position we occl,-
py in the family of nations.
"a contemplation of emergencies that
may arise should plainly lead us to avoid
their creation either through a careless
disregard of present duty or even an un-
due stimulation and ill timed expression
of feeling
Time May Come For Intervention.
"But l have deemel it not amiss to re-
mind the congress that u time may arrive
when II correct policy and care for our in
terests as well as "a regard for the interests
of other nations and their citizens, Joined
by considerations of humanity and de-
sire to see II rich and fertile country init
mately related to us saved from complete
devastation, will constrain our govern
ment to such action as will subserve the
interests thus involved and at the same
time promise to Cuba and its inhabitants
an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of
peace.
The message deals with the atrocities in
Turkey in no delicate way The president
the people at the wholesale massacres of
Armenian Christians, but points out that
no American citizen has been harmed and
states that claims have been made to the
Turkish government for damage to mis-
sionary property. Nothing will be omitted,
he says, to bring about the settlement of
these claims.
The Venezuelan boundary dispute is dis
missed briefly as "a matter now practically
settled, while it is stated that negotiations
between this country and Great Britain
for a treaty of general arbitration promise
to be successful
Financial conditions are reviewed at
some 1,ngth, though the recent campaign
is referred to in the opening of the mes
sage briefly as ''a political contest involv-
ing momentous consequences and creating
aggressiveness so intense as to approach
bitterness and passion" There is note
of congratulation for the peaceful solution
of the contest.
Tariff matters are dealt with in review
of the workings of the present law, which
the president pronounces good as far as it
goes. He points out that the present law,
if given an opportunity, will yield u fair
revenue and thinks that the payment of
deficiencies Of revenue from the surplus
treasury fund is perfectly legitimate.
The president is convinced that 1--WE can
have no assured financial peace and safety
until the government currency obligations
upon which gold may be demanded from
the treasury are withdrawn from circula-
ton and cancelled" =" National banks
should redeem their own notes, he says,
and the government should abandon the
banking business and confine its financial
operations to revenue and expenditures.