The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-12-17
.A CONCISE REVIEW HERE
MESSAGE TO CON.
GRESS SUMMARIZED.
Chapter on Cuba No More Warship
Speed Premiums Finances Tariff
-Navy-Nenezuela.

message to Congress centerS in his
treatment of the Cuban question. To
this subject he devotes much longer
chapter than he did in his previous
deliverance and develops a plan of
ending the war through the mediation
of the United States, Spain to grant
| the Cubans autonomy and this Gov
ernment to guarantee that the terms
of the compact will be kept. It is ad-
mitted that Spain has made no def
mite reply to the proposal now sew
eral months old, to bring this Arrange
ment about-though the public Will
readily recall the sneer of Senor Ca l.
ovas at the idea of "a nation of shop
keepers guaranteeing the word of
| Spain"-whereupo the President
gives warning that this Government
cannot indefinitely hold an "eXpectant
attitude" In other words Spain must
terminate the war in some way before
it becomes a useless sacrifice of human
life, or the United States will feel
called upon to intervene.
While the terms of the message give
the CubanS no reason to hope that
they will be granted belligerent rights,
its general effect must be to strength
en- them in the spirit of prolonged re-
sistance. They know, of course, that
Cleveland cannot fix the policy of the
Government after the 4th of March.
but it is fair inference that if he
would lay down "A policy of even re-
mote intervention, his Republican sue
cessor. coming in to Office on pro-
Cuban platform, would be likely to
make Spain's time limit very short. 1t
must likewise be admitted that Spain's
energies will also find a new stimulus
in the danger thus made threatening
and that the winter will witness the
most strenuous campaigns which any
war in Cuba has yet seen.
The President gives short para
graph to the Venezuela settlement, to
which he expects the assent of the
Caracas Government, and brings out
the important fact that a general ar
bitration treaty between Great Britain
and the United States is likely to be
concluded at an early date. The only
other significant matters touched up
on in the field of foreign relations are
the Armenian atrocities, in dealing
with which the President feels that
the initiative must come from the
great powers. (which assert their eN-
elusive right to intervene in their own
time and method for the security of
life and property in Turkey"
Upon domestic subjects the Presi-
dent dwells at great length. He does
not believe that Japanese Immigration
, gives ground as yet for alarm or dis
trust. He would equip the militia
with improved arms. In the matter of
: coast defense he urges that the gen
eral plan be followed out. and believes
that the cost of the remaining work
will be less than the original estimate.
The deficit in the postal revenues the
creasing the postage on much matte.
which is not rated as second class.
Speed premiums for warships have
been abolished. Touching recommends
ations for the further increase of the
Navy the Executive makes none, but
congratulates the country that our
naval shipbuilding facilities are now
equal to any demands likely 10 be
made upon them.
As to the Pacific railroad debts, the
. message goes into minute detail as
their nature and origin, and declares
, that unless Congress shall take conc
specific action in the premises, the
: Government will foreclose its leins.
In conclusion, President Cleveland
asks for a longer trial of the German
! Wilson tariff for reasons that need to
; he considered more at length than is
I practicable in this summary, and up)r
' the question of currency reform gives
2 il as his opinion that we can have nc
financial peace and safety until the
( Government currency obligations upon
which gold may be demanded from tho
Treasury are withdrawn from circula,
g tion and cancelled.
As whole, the message is perhaps
less commonplace than those which
have previously, during the present
+, term, borne the Cleveland signature
! But it is doubtful if it will either ado
4 to or detract from the reputation
G which its author has already made in
the production of state papers.
Hawaii is not mentioned in the mes
sage.