Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-12-08
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Cuban and Venezuelan
Questions as Seen BY Sec
retary Of State OIney.
HE CHEATED THE GALLOWS
Permanent Republican Head
quarters aret0 be Established
In Washington Soon.
A MIL lWAJKEE FAIL LIRE
He CHEATED THE GALLoWS
MILWAUKEE FAILURE


The report of the secretary Of state, I,
which President Cleveland refers in biz
messageto congress, states that the re-
iations of the United States with for
eign powers continue upon that foot
ing of harmony and friendliness whlcl
has been their fortunate characteristic
for so many years. The report sum
marizes the more important question:
which have occupied the attention, Ii
current years. OF the dispute between
Great Britain and Venezuela, it says
"a complete accord has been reach
ed between this country aud England,
by which the substantial terms of Q
treaty of arbitration by Great Britain
and Venezuela has been agreed upon,
the provisions of which, embraces full
arbitration OF the whole controversy
upon basis alike just and honorable
to both contestants.
"Under the head of Spain, the secre-
tary in report, endorsed by the
president, speaks of the Cuban situa-
iion as follows: "The situation in the
island Of Cuba has largely engrossed
the attention of the department during
the past year. Its efforts to obtain
trustworthy information, and to insure
tue protection to citizens OF the United
States aud their property, within the
ehoster of distnrhance. have been ably
seconded by the consular reports in
that island. As regards the scope
OF hostile operations which now af-
faet the greater part OF Cubs, the
reports of our consuls are properly
confidential so that the department is
not in position to do more than state
it's general deductions, as to the posi-
tion of the contending parties. The
progress of the revolution is then trac-
ed and the fact is emphasized that
while controlling greater part Of in
ternatlonal area OF the whole island Of
Cuba, from Cape San Antonio to Cape
Maisi, and enjoying practically unlim
tied use of an equally large part of the
coast, the revolutionary forces are
scattered, being nowhere united for
any length Of time SO as to form an
army capable of attack or siege, and
fixed to take the defensive in a pitched
battle. So far as our information
SHOWS, there is not only no effective
local government by the insurgents 10
the territory they overrun, but there
is not even tangible pretense
10 establish an administration here, 10
not possible to discern an homogeneous
political entity, possessing and exer-
cising functions OF administration and
capable, il left to itself, of maintaining
orderly government in its own terri
tory, and sustaining formal relations
with an external family Of govern
ments. In opposition to the nomadic
control of the interior and undefended
coast by the insurgents, Spanish au-
thority continues in the capital cities
and seaports. As to those parts of the
island with which this country and its
citizens maintain legItimately normal
intercourse, the Spanish power is su.
preme, although often exercised IN a
vexatious and arbitrary way, calling for
just remonstrance.
The secretary describes the situation
IN Cuba at great length, and observes
that despite the influences Of fresh arm
les and material of war from the me-
tropolis, the rebellion, after nearly two
years of successful resistance, appears
to-day in condition to indefinitely
prolong the contest, on the present
lines. He says the situation can not
go on indefnitly without growing still
worse, and the time may not be far
distant, when the United States must
seriously consider whether its rights
and interests do not call for some de-
cided decision in the policy pursued.