Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-12-10

'putatiye Cuban government has not
given up all attempts to exercise its
functions. leaving that government
confessedly tbut there is the best
reason for ,supposing IL always to have
been in fact) government merely on
paper" President Cleveland is dis
posed to acknowledge the superiority
of the arms and of the Cuban tactics.
He says, however, unless there is a
speedy termination of the contest, the
policy of the Spanish government not
10 interfere with the destruction OF
property will ruin the, fertility, produc-
tiyeness and consequent commercial
value of the island. The message
points out the many entangling in
terests Of the United States in Cuba
Almost S50,000,000 of American capital
is invested there and the trade before
the revolution reached s100,000,000 an
nually. Our concern in Cuba is there
fore neithe4 sentimental nor wholly
philanthropic. He points out the diff
fieulty to which we are subjected by
reason of the many Cuban residents
who are naturalized Americans and
who, while aiding the instruction
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 for 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
thrOpy and humanity in general have
led to vehement demand in various
quarters for some sort of positive in
PREVENTION on the part of the United
States. The president declares against
according belligerent rights, does rot
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
universal reputation as the most pacific
of powers and the desire Of its people
TO live in amity with all the world.
The United States, he says, has plenty
of territory and should continue to
manifest its 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: 1T would seem that
if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
autonomy, 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" It 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 its 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
departments of the national govern
ment. In the treasury department the
receipts for 1896 were ,s409, Ats, 4OS.7s,
expenditures $43i, 67S, 654.4S, decrease
s25. 2O3. 245.7O. The value of dutiable
imports was 1868 ,757 ,470; value Of free
imports s4O9, 967, 470,, total increase $47,-
754, 700. The value of exports was
$685., sos, 1888, increase over preceding
year $75,O6S,773. The gold exported
amounted to SIP, 400 ,947 and the silver
to $50, 541 $40; gold increase 1874, 466, ,
silver increase s13,246,3s4 The gold
imports were s33,525 ,065, silver s2S.-
777,1S6. a decrease OF. 50. S59, 695 of gold
and an increase Of $s,566,O Of silver
The total metallic money. in the United
States July 1, 1896, was s1,22S ,326035,
OF which 1896, 597 1854 was gold and
s62S, 72S,071 silver November !, 1895.
the total of money in the United
States was s2,2s5, 41O,59O and the
amount in circulation exclusive Of
t,,eae ,,,.x, holdings ruae I'll GOT 055 Cal or