Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-19

Is therefore ~feivently hoped on all grounds
that earnest efforts for healing the breach
between Spain and the insurgent Cubans
upon the lines above indicated may be at
once inaugurated and pushed on immed-
late and successful issue The friendly Of
fees of the United States either In the
manner outlined or i'm any other way con-
sistent with our constitution and laws Will
always be at the disposal of either party.
Other Powers Warned.
Whatever circumstances may arise our
policy and our interest would constrain US
80 object to the acquisition of the island or
an Interference with its control by any
other power. II should be added that II
cannot be reasonably assumed that the
hitherto eXpectant attitude of the United
States will be indefinitely maintained.
While we are anxious to accord ali due
respect to the sovereignty Of Spain, we
cannot view the present conflict I'm all its
features, and properly apprehend our in
eyitably close relations to il and its pos
siblc results without considering that by
the course OF events we may be drawn into
such an unusual and unprecedented condi-
ton as will fix a limit to our patient wait
ing for Spain to end the contest. either
dlbllt dIid III htl W - Va 49,
friendly cooperation.
When to Act.
When the inability " Spain to deal sue
cessfully with the insurgents has become
manifest, and 1t is demonstrated that her
sovereignty Is extinct in Cuba for all pur-
poses of its rightful existence and when a
hopeless struggle for its establishment
has degenerated into q strife which means
nothing more han the useless sacrifice OF
human life and the utter destruction OF
the very subject matter OF the conflict, a
situation viii be presented in which our
obligations TO the sovereignty of Spain
viii he superseded by higher obligations,
which we can hardly hesitate to recognize
and discharge.
Deferring the choice Of ways and meth
DDS until the time for action arrives, we
should make them depend upon the pre-
else conditions then existing; and they
hould not be determined upon without
giving careful heed TO every consideration
involving our honor and interest, or the
International duty we owe TO Spain. I'm
til we face the contingencies suggested,
or the situation is by other incidents i'm
peratively changed, we should continue in
the line of conduct heretofore pursued,
thus in all circumstances exhibiting our
obedience to the requirements or puDllc
law and our regard for the duty entoined
upon us by the position we occupy in the
family Of nations.
"A contemplation of emergencies that
may arse should plainly lead us TO aNor
their creation either through "A careless
disregard Of present duty or even an UNI
due stimulation and ill-timed expression
of feeling. But / have deemed il not am,ss
to remind the congress that "A time may
arrive when a correct policy and care for
our interests as well as n regard for the
interests OF other nations and their citi-
Unn0 nlna 1NF arNef ~ . ntha % M n "A N
ity and a desire to see a sich and fertile
country, Intimately related to, saved from
compete devastation VIII constra!n our
government TO such action as will sub
serve the interests thus involved and al
the same time promise to Cuba and its
Inhabitants an opportunity TO enjoy the
blessings OF peace.
The Venezuelan Question.
The Venezuelan boundary question
has ceased to be a matter OF difference
between Great Britain and the United
States, their respective governments
having agreed upon the substantial pro.
visions OF a treaty between Great Brit,
ain and Venezuela, submitting the
whole controversy to arbitration. The
provisions of the treaty are so eminent
ly just and fair that the assent of Vene
zuela thereto may confidently be antic
ipated. Negotiations for a treaty o
general arbitration for all difference:
between Great Britain and the United
States are far advanced and promis,
to reach a successful contamination a
an early date.
Consular Service.
The scheme OF examining the appli
cants for certain consular positions t.
test their competency and illness
adopted under an executive order issue
on the goth Of September, 1895, has full!
demonstrated the usefulness Of this In
novation. In connection with this plai
of examination promotion and transfer
of deserving incumbents have beel
quite extensively made with excellen
results.
During the past year thirty-five ap
pointments have been made in the con
sular service, twenty-seven of whic
.vi-.pI'ay ne WI
created posts, two to succeed incum
bents removed for cause, two for tn
purpose OF dlsplacing alien consular OF
ficials by American citizens. and fou
merely changing the official title of In
cumbent from commercial agent to con
sui. Twelve of these appointment
were transfers or promotions from 9th
or positions under the department O
state, four Of those appointed had rem
dered previous service under the de
pdrtment, eight were made of person
who passed a satisfactory examination
Seven were appointed to places not in
Guided in the order of September &c
1895, and four appointments, as abov
stated, involved no change of incum
bency.
The inspection of consular officer
provided for by an appropriation 70
that purpose at the last session of con
gress has been productive Of sucl
Wholesale effects hat / hope this impor
tant work will in the future be con
tinued. i know of nothing that can b.
done with the same slight expense s.
improving to the service.
desire to repeat the recommendation
contained in my last annual message IL
favor of providing at public expense Off
cial residences for our ambassadors ant
ministers at foreign capitols. The rea
sons supporting this recommendation
are strongly stated in the report Of tn
secretary of state, and the subjec
seems of such importance that I hope !
may receive the early attention Of con
eress.
The Seal Question.
We have during the last year laboret
faithfully and against u~nfavorable con
ditions to secur better preservation o
seal life in the BehriEg sea. Both thu
United States and Great Britain hav,
lately dispatched commissioners to thes'
waters to study the habits and condi
tion of the seal herds and the causes o
their rapid decrease. Upon the report,
of these commissioners, oon to be sub
mitted. and with the exercise of pa
thence and good sense on the part Of al
interested parties. II is earnestly hopet
that hearty cooperation may be Sc
cured for the protection against threat
ened extinction Of seal life in the North
ern Pacific and Behring sea.
The Reports
The president reviewed the report
from the heads Of the department com
menting on the services rendered, theil
cost and the additional service needed
Civil Service a Success.
The progress made in civil service re.
form calls for the utmost congratula.
lions. 1t has survived the doubts Of its
friends as well as the rancor Of It's en-,
emies and has gained a permanent
Mace among the agencies destined tC