Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-12-14

the Spanish government of the island NAV
be- no other exists there-unless the will
of the military officer in temporary com
mand of q particular district, can be
dignified as a species of government Tt
| is now also suggested that the United
| States should buy the island-a suggestion
| possibly worthy of consideration, even if
| there were any evidence of a desire or
| WILLINGNESS on the part of Spain to en-
| terrain such a proposal 1t is urged fin
| ally. that all other methods falling the
| existing internecine strife in Cuba should
be terminated by intervention, even
| at the cost of between the United
| States and Spain-a war which its ad-
| yocates confidently prophecy could he
| neither large in It's proportions nor
| doubtful in its issue.
| The correctness of this forecast need
be neither affirmed nor denied. The
| United States has nevertheless a charac-
| try to maintain nation, which plainly
| ly dictates that right and not might
| should be the rule of it's conduct. Though
the United States is not nation to
/ which peace is a necessity, it is in truth
| the most pacific of powers, and desires
| nothing so much as to live in amity
| with all the world. It's own ample and
| diversified domains satisfy all possible
| longings for territory, preclude all
| dreams Of conquest, and prevent any
casting of covetouS eyes upon neighbor-
| ing regions, however attractive. That our
| conduct towards Spain and her donin-
| this national disposition is made mani
| fest by the course of our government,
| not only thus far during the present
| instruction, but during the ten years
that followed the rising at Yara in 1868.
No other great power it may be safely
said, under circumstances of similar per-
plexity would have manifested the same
restraint and the same patient endur-
ance. 1t may also be said that this per-
SiStent attitude of the United States to-
unquestionably evinces no slight respect
and regard for Spain the part of the
American people. They, in truth, do not
forget her connection with the discovery
of the western hemisphere nor do they
underestimate the great qualities of the
Spanish people nor fail to fully recognize
their splendid patriotism and their chiv-
alrous devotion to the national honor.
Nevertheless realizing that suspicious
and precautions the part of the weaker
of two combatants are always natural
and not always notwithstanding sin
cerely DESTROYS in the interests of both
as we'll as its own account that the
Cuban problem should be solved with the
least possible delay-it was intimated
by this government to the government
of Spain some months ago that, if a
satisfactory measure of home rule were
rendered the Cuban insurgents, and would
be accepted by them upon a guaranty of
it's execution, the United States would
deavor to find way not Objectionable
y.
While no definite response to this init
nation has yet been received from the
Spanish government, it is believed to be
not altogether unwelcome, while, as al
ready suggested, no reason is perceived
why it should not be approved by the in
surgents
1t should be added that it cannot DE
reasonably assumed that the hitherto
expectant attitude of the United States
will be indefinitely maintained. While
we are anxious to accord all due resDecr
to the sovereignty of Spain, we cannot
view the pending conflict in all its fca-
lures and properly apprehend oar ;nev~
liable close relations to it, and it's nos
sible results, without considering that by
the course of events we may !.e Drawn
into such an unusual and unprecedented
condition as will fix a limit to our p.-
tient waiting for Spain 10 end the CON
test either alone and her own Way or
with our friendly cooperation.
When the inability of Spain TO Geal sue
cessfully with the insurrecrion has be-
come manifest, and it is d1monstra led
that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba
for all purposes of its rightful existence
and when a hopeless struggle for its
establishment has degeperated into :,
strife which means nothing more than tho
useless sacrifice of human life and che
utter destruction of the very subject mat
ter of the conflict, a situation will be
presented in which our obligations to the
SOY ereignty of Spain will be suspended
hardly hesitate to recognize and dis
charge.
The Boundary Dispute.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
ceased to be matter of difference be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States, their respective governments hav-
ing agreed upon the substantial provisions
of treaty between Great Britain and
Venezuela submitting the whole contro-
versy to arbitration. The provisions of
fho fy-oa fxro 0y,oir nYafIx ifrCf nd Poi
that the assent of Venezuela thereto may
confidently be anticipated. Negotiations
for treaty of general arbitration for all
differences between Great Britain and
the United States far advanced and
promise to reach successful consumma-
ton at an early date.
The Consular Service
The scheme of examining applicants for
certain consular positions, to test their
competency and fitness, adopted under
an executive order issued on the 10th of
September, 1895, has fully demonstrated
the usefulness of this innovation. In con-
nection with this plan of examinations,
promotions and transfers of deserving in
cumbents have been quite extensively
made, with excellent results.
Concerning the Seals.
We have during the last year labored
faithfully and against unfavorab1e condi-
tions, to secure better preservation of
seal life in the Behring Sea. Both the
United States and Great Britain have
lately dispatched commissioners to these
waters, to study the habits and condi-
ton of the seal herd, and the causes
of their rapid decrease. Upon the
ports of these commissioners, to be
submitted, and with the exercise of pa
thence and good sense the part of all
interested parties, it is earnestly hoped
that hearty cooperation may be secured
for the protection against threatened
extinction of seal life in the northern
Pacific and Behring Sea-
Our Finances
The secretary of the treasury reports
that during the fiscal year ended June
80 1886. the receipts of the government
from all sources amounted to S4O9 475-
4O8. rs. During the same period its ex-
penditures were $434, SIS. 654. 48, the excess,