Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-17
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The Armenian s1assacres.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Armenian Massacres
At the outset Of reference to the more i'm
ZSortant matters affecting our relations with
Foreign powers II would afford me satisfaction
Il could assure congress that the disturbed
zqDdtion in Asiatic Turkey had curing the
past year assumed a less hideouS and bloody
aspect and that either as j consequence Of
Ghe awakening of the Turkish government to
The demands Of humane civilization, as the
result OF decisive action on the par OF the
.kEreat nations having the right, by treaty, to
interfere for the protection of those exposed
70 the rage of mad bigotry and cruel fanati-
md been mftigated.
Instead. however, Of welcoming q softened
disposition or positive Intervention, We have
been afflicted by confirmed and not unfreGuent
reports OF the WaDtOn destruction Of homes
and the bloody bUtchering OF men, women and
Sn.idren' made martyrs to their profession OF
CHRISTIAN faith. While none Of our ciLIzcns in
Turkey have thus far been killed or wounded,
slough often in the midst Of dreadful scenes Of
danger, their safety IN the future IS by no
means assured. Our government at honu and
oar minister at Cons taEtiEope have left moth
1aS 0HdOue TO protect our missionaries in OF
G0maa territory. who constitute nearly all the
GnatViGualS residing there who have FigBL 20
claim our protection on the score Of American
aciLizenship.
several naval vessels are stationed IN the
NCdteTraLean ; q measure OF caution anC To
furnish all possible relief and refuge in case OF
emergency.
The Cuban InsurrectIoB.
The insurrection in CUBA Sill continues with
All its perplexities. Il Is difficult to perceive
chat any progress has thus far been made to-
Nr2fds the pacihcation of the island that the
zxituation OF affairs depicted in my last an
-n0aI message has in the least improved. II
spain still holds Havana and the seaports and
AZ the considerable towns. the insurgents still
roam at will over at least twO-thlrds of the
inland country. II the determination Of Spain
&c put down the Instruction seems but to
strengthen with the lapse of time, and is evil
S1eneed by her unhesitatlng devotion OF largely
Increased military and naval forces to the
task, there is much reason to believe
that the insurgents have gained in
resources, and are none the less infexible In
zlseir resolve not TO succumb. without prac-
ideally securing the great objects for which they
EOok up arms. II Spain has not yet re-estab-
fEshed her authority, neither have the insur-
as an Independent state. Indeed. as the con-
test goes on, the pretense that civil govern
meHt exists on the island, except SO far as
u abandoned. Spain does keep on foot
such q government, more or less imperfectly.
In che large towns and their immediate sub
4xrb@. But. that exception being made, the
entire country is either given over to anarchy
or ls subject 70 the military occupation OF one
or the other party.
It Is reported, indeed, on reliable authority,
that. at the demand Of the commandments
chief Of the fnsurRent army, the reputative
C3bau government has now given up all at
tempt to exercise its functions, leaving that
reason for supposing It always to have been in
EacGl q government merely on paper.
Were the Spanish able to meet their aLtag-
<onists in the open, or in pitched battle. prompt
md decisive results might be looked for, and
the immense SUPERIORITY OF the spanish FORCES
GH numbers, discipline and equipment could
hardly fail to tell greatly to their advantage.
Bat they are called upon 10 face foe that
,&hanS general engagements; that can choose,
and does choose. It's own ground; that from the
nature OF the country is visible or invisible at
and when all the advantages OF position and
numbers are on its side. In country where
all that Is Indispensable to life in the way OF
food. clothing and shelter is so easily obtain
able, especially by those born and bred on the
sell Il is obvious that there Is hardly limit to
afsss q
may be prolonged Meanwhile, as in all cases
OF protracted civil strife. the passions OF The
s0nibatants grow more and more inflamed, and
excuses on both sides become more frequent
and more deplorable-
They also are participated In by bands Of
Euarauders, who now in the name OF one party
and now in the name OF the other as may bes {
suit the occasion harry the country at viii and
plunder its wretched Inhabitants for their own
advantage. Such condition Of things would
Inevitably entail immense destruction OF prop
-erty, even IL IL were the policy OF both parties
90 grevent IL as far practicable. But while
Asach seemed to be the original policy OF the
s1kandoned il, and is acting upon the same
BhcOTy the insurgents. namely, that the
@xfgencies Of the contest require the wholesale
aaaiIiilatton of property, that 1t may not
prove OF use and advantage to the enemy.
Il Is TO the same end that In pursuance OF
s-eneral orders, Spanish garrisons are now be-
Ing Withdrawn from plantations and the rural
population required TO concentrate itself in the
Gowns. The sure result would seem to be that
che industrial value Of the island is fast d.
diminishing and that uolesss there is speedy
zaad radical change IA existing conditions, it
iii Soon disappear altogether. That value
consists very largely, of course. in its capacity
% produce sugar-a capacity already much re-
.S1uced by the interruption OF ttllage. which has
taken place during the last two years
II Is reIiab ly asserted that should these in
serruptIons continue during the current year,
and practically extend. as is now threatened,
che island SO much time and so much money
Swtn be required to restore the land 10 Its
15oabGfuI IL capital can be induced to even
make the attempt. The spectacle OF the utter
e. most fertile and charming on the globe,
SEould engage the serious attention OF the gov
-ssrnment and people OF the United states un-
nave a concern with it which is by no means Of
n wholIy sentimental or phllanthropic sharac-
zarated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in 1t Is second
.S1rIv 20 that Of the people and government OF
Spain. 1t Is reasonably estimited that at
Teast from s3J,OOOOo0 to sS0oOo,eOJ OF American
capital are invested in plantations and in rail-
road, mining and other business enterprises
Ga the island. The volume Of trade between
sassonnted 10 about $4,000 900. rose in 1898 to
zIi11ut SIOS 10000, and In 1894. the year before
efe present resurrection broke out, amounted
60 uearIy ses.Co0 COO. Besides this large peeu-
ufarV stake in the fortunes Of Cuba, the United
states finds itself inextricably involved IN the
T7rrseut contest in other ways, both yexatious
sad costly.
,s4frerfly promote the Instruction through the
1--rVsss. 81 public meetings, by the purchase
zsnd shipment OF arms, by the raising OF funds.
.Rez4
Prohibitions and the tenor OF our laws do not
nermIt 20 be made the subject OF criminal
prosecutions
some OF them. though Cubans at heart and
-xn All their feelings and interests, have taken
.~1re paperS as RatuTaiZed citizens OF the
United states. g proceeding TesOrted &c with q
S-ie1 90 possible protestiUl by this COVE. II
Sz-s,sg and not unnaturaliy regarded with much
fsdfrnatiOn b. the country Of their or
lin The Insurgents are undoubtedly
Ssncoaraged and supported by the Widespread
-zvTnfsaihy the people OF this county always
NM fnsIinCtiVciy iecl for every struggle for
T.sfser and freer government. and which IN
,TIge ease oi the more ADVENTUROUS and restless
s-IeraeatS OF our population. leads. IN only too
1x5anv Instances. TO active and personal partic-
Fratioa ia the contest The result Is that this
sTgwernulent is constantly called upon 10 pro-
srrt American citizens TO claim damages for
n isarfeS TO persons and property. now CSti-
,rsatfssd &C many millions OF collars. and 70 ask
limitations and apologies for the acts OF
ssraanisls officials. whose zeal For the repression
81 rebellion SoInetiues blinds them 20 the in
zzz1ziGi-s belonging 20 the unsneEdirg citizens
~ a friendly power. II follows from the same
.s<zzEses that the United States IS compelled TO
SsoEfVely police long line OF seacoasS against
szztzufuI expeditions. the escape OF which tAe
Utmost vigilance will not always sufIl>e 10 pre-
~zeRE- These Inevitable eatangietne't It's O. tine
TJulted States with the rebellion IN Cuba, the
SAzzs An4Arican r~0erLT Interests aueeteo'