Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-12-11

"iCnouO disturbance of our tranquility or
the least sign of weakness in our national
structure" The first subject formally taken
up is the state of affairs in Turkey. Under
this head the President says we have been
afflicted by continued and not unfreouent
reports of the wanton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery of men, women
and children made martyrs to their pro-
Iesslon OF Christian faith. Impossible things
should not be demanded of our government
and display of hostile forces would not
only be resisted by the Ottoman govern
ment, but would be regarded as an inter
ruption of their plans by the great nations
who assert their exclusive right to inter
9ne in their own time and method for the
security of life and property in Turkey.
While none of our citizens in Turkey has
thus far been killed or wounded, though
often in the midst of dreadful scenes of
danger, their safety in the future is by no
means assured. Our government at home
and our minister at Constantinople have
left nothing undone to protect our mission
aries in Ottoman territory, who constitute
nearly all the individuals residing there
who have right to claim our protection
on the score of Al rican citizenship. Sew
eral naval vessels are stationed in the Med
iterranean as a measure of caution, and to
furnish all possible relief and refuge in case
Of emergency. Claims have been made
against the Turkish government for the de-
struction of missionary property at Har-
poot and Marash, but thus far validity of
these demands has not been admitted. The
President does not believe the present SOM
bre prospect in Turkey will be long per-
mitted to offend the sight of Christendom.
The Cuban question is then taken up and
discussed at length;
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
with all its perplexities. 1t is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made toward the pacification of the
Island or that the situation of affairs as
depicted In my last annual message has
IN the least improved. If Spain still holds
Habana and the ports and all the con
siderable towns. the insurgents still roam
at will over at least two-thirds of the
inland country. If the determination of
Spain to put down the instruction seems
but to strengthen with the lapse of time
tion of largely increased military and
naval forces. to the task, there is much
reason to believe that the insurgents
have gained in point of numbers and
character, and resources. and are none
the less inflexible in their resolve not to
succumb. without practically securing the
great objects for which they took uI
arms
II Spain has not yet re-established
her authority, neither have the insur-
regarded as an Independent state In
deed, as the contest has gone on the
pretense that civil government exists on
the island. except so far as Spain is able
to maintain 1t. has been practically aban-
doned. Spain does keep on foot such a
government, more or less imperfectly ir
the large towns and their immediate sub
urbs. But, that AT0 lion being made,
the entire c. either given over
to anarchy or s-JJect to the military
ocC Ipation of one or the other party.
II IL reported. indeed. on reliable au-
thority. that, at the demand of the COM
mander-ln- chief of the insurgent army.
the putative Cuban government has now
given up all attempt to exercise Its func-
lions. leaving that government confess
sedly Cwhat there is the best reason for
supposing 1t always to have been In fact)
4 government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their antagonists In the open or In
pitched battle, prompt and decisive re-
suits might be looked for. and the I'm
mense superiority Of the Spanish forces
In numbers. discipline, and equipment,
could hardly fall to tell greatly to their
advantage.
But they are called upon to face q foe
that shuns general engagements. that can
choose. and does choose. it's own ground
that from the nature of the country is
Visible or Invisible at pleasure, and that
nghts only froN ambuscade and when
all the advantages of position and num-
bel e on its side. In a country where
al is indispensable to life in the way
of clothing and shelter is so easily
BILE, especially by those born and
n the soil. 1t Is obvious that there
" limit to the time during which
= Ina s q Of. Of this sort may be prolonged
.rch ailments tfe the S n sssSs OF q, Pro tS
cory letters that v more and more infiamed
anl are doing Tor n both sides become more
ertung backs a. more deplorable. They are
aI3csasing acpated In by bands OF ma
F4ne. stoopedho. now in the name of one
torated az now in the name of the other
u a medicbest suit the occasion, harrass
tthout hairy at will and plumber it's
9,iva tad Inhabitants for their own ad-
fb.raye. Such a condition of things
inevitably entail immense destruc-
Of property. even If it were the policy
both parties to prevent 1t as far as
tcticable. But while such seemed to
the original policy OF the Spanish gov
nent. Il has now apparently aban-
\ 1t. and is acting upon the same
as the insurgents, namely that
Agences of the contest require the
le humiliation of property that 1t
prove of use and advantage to
n.
,tacle of the utter ruin OF an
country. by nature one OF the
Va lie and charming on the globe
81 n
1t and people of the United
NtI any circumstances. In point
III fact, they have a concern with II
which Is by no means OF a wholly SEN
t|mental or philanthropic character. 1t
Nda 20 near to MS as to be hardly sep
ere % from our territory.
actual pecuniary interest In It IL
rrt5dd only to that of tn0 people and
roqarnment OF Spain. 1t is reasonably
estimated that at least from S3O.OOOOOO to
I6o000.0oo Of American capital are invest
a IN nlantatons and In railroad, mining,
end other business enterprises on the
|.|tn6 The volume Of trade between
tao unitad States and Cuba, which in
I..I an|eunted to about $64, 100000 rose In
10 about $40. 100000. and In
tho year before the present insur-
.1IInn broke out. amounted to nearly
I16 n01I|1 Besides this large pecuniary
stake ~ the fortunes OF Cuba, the United
.Iat1I fnds itself inextrtcably involved
h. In0 NFeSent contest In other ways both
V1ENI|Iun and costly.
Many Cubans reside IN this country and
indirectly promote the insurrsction