The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-12-11


towns The sure result would seem to be that
the industrial value of the island is fast df-
miniShiLg and unless there is a speedy and
radical change in existing conditions. it will
soon disappear altogether. That value con-
>iStS very largely. of course, in its capacity TO
produce sugars. canacity already much re-
duced by the interruption to tillage, which
have taken place during the last two years
1t is reliably asserted that should these in
terruptions continue during the currant year,
and practically extend, as il is now threat
ened, to the entire sugar producing territory
of the island, much time and so much
money will be required to restore the land to
its normal productiveneSS that it is EXTREMITY
doubtful If capital can be induced to even
make the attempt The spectacle of the utter
ruin Of an adjoining country. by nature one Of
the most fertile and charming on the globe
would engage the serious attention of the gov
eminent and people OF the United States under
any circumstances In point OF fact, they
have a concern with it which is by
no means Of wholly sentimental
or philanthropic character. 1t lies so near to
US as to be hardly separated from our territory.
Our actual pecuniary interest in it is second
only to that Of the people and government of
Spain. 1t is reasonably estimated that at least
from $50, 10000 to 3 90 5000 OF American cap
ital are invested in plantations and in railroad,
mining and other business enterprises on the
United States and Cuba, which in 1889 amount
ed to about S64OOO.OOO, rose in 1898 to about
5000 O,OOO and in 1894, the year before the in
Surrection broke out amounted to nearly $685.
OOl;O o. Besides this large pecuniary stake in
the fortunes Of Cuba, the United States finds
itself inextricably involved in the present con-
test in other wavS. both vexatiouS and costly.
Many Cubans reside in this country and directly
promote the iuSurrection through the press by
public meetings, by the purchase and shipment
Of arms. by the raising of funds and by other
means which the spirit OF our institutions and
the tenor of our laws do not Kermit to be made
the subject of criminal prosecution. Some of
them, though Cubans at heart and in all their
feelings in interests, have taken out papers as
naturalized citizens of the United States. a
proceeding resorted to with n view to possible
protection bv this government and not unnatu-
rally regarded with much Indignation by the
country of their origin
These inevitable entanR dement's of the
United States with the rebellion in Cuba, the
large American property interests affected
and considerations of philanthropy and hu-
mainly in general have led to a vehement de-
mand in various quarters for some sort of pos
tive intervention on the part Of the United
States. Twas at first proposed that belliger-
ent rights should be accorded to the tnsur-
gentS-a proposition no longer urged because
untimely and in practical operation clearly
perilous and injurious to our own
interests. 1t has since been and
is now sometimes commended that the
independence OF the insurgents should be
recognized. But imperfect and restricted as
the Spanish government Of the island may be.
no other exists there, unless the will of the
military officer in temporary command OF
particular district can be dignified as
species of government 1t is now suggested
that the United States should buy the island.
suggestion possibly worthy OF consideration If
there we're any evidence OF a desire or
willingness on the part of Spain to en-
terrain such a proposal 1t is urged. finally,
that all other methods failing, the existing in
ternecine strife in Cuba should be terminated
bv our Intervention, even at the cost Of war
between the United States and Spain, war
which its advocates confidently prophecy could
be neitherlarg in its PROPORTIONS nor doubtful
in its issue The correctness of this forecast
need he either affirmed nor denied. The United
States has nevertheless the character to main
tain as a nation, which plainly dictates that
right and might sh .uid be the rule OF its con-
duct
1t would seem that if Spain should OFFER to
Cuba genuine autonomy. measure of home
rule which, while preserving the sovereignty of
Spain would satisfy all rational requirements
of her Spanish subjects. there should be no
just reason why the pacitcation of the island
might not be effected on that basis. 1t was in
of Spain some months ago that II satiSfac-
tory measure OF home rule were teniered
the Cuban insurgents and would be &C.
cepted by them upon a guaranty OF its
execution the United States would en-
deavor TO find wav not objection
able to Spain OF furnishing such guaranty.
1t should be added that 1t cannot be reasonably
assumed that the hitherto expectant attitude
OF the United States will be indefinitely main
tanned. While we are anxious to accord all
due respect to the sovereignty OF spain, we
cannot view the pending conflict In all its
features. and properly apprehend our inevita-
bic relations to it and its possible results with
out considering that by the course Of events
we may be drawn into such an unusual and
unprecedented con iition as will fix limit to
our patient waiting for Spain to end
the contest. either alone and in
her own way. or with our friendly cooperation
When the inability OF Spain to deal success
fully with the insurrection has become mani
fest. and il is demonstrated that her Sover-
eighty Is extinct IN Cuba for all purposes OF its
rightful existence, and when a hopeless strug
gle for it's le-eStabliShment has degenersted
into a st-ife which means nothing more than
the useless sacrifice If human life and then
utter d. truction of The very subject matter Of
the confI I Il situation viii be presented in
which our obligations to the sovereignty Of
Spain will be superseded by higher obligations
WHICH We Cdu uaTOly ucSlLdLo W T0CoSulLc anu
discharge.
The Venezuelan Boundary Question.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
ceased to be y matter Of difference between
Great Britain and the United States, their re-
>pertive governments having agreed upon the
substantial provisions OF q treaty between
Great Britain and Venezuela submitting the
who controversy 70 arbitration The provi-
Sions OF the treaty are so eminently just and
fair that the assent OF Venezuela thereto may
confidently be anticipated
Government Revenues and Expenses.
The secret ry of the TT asury reports that
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1896, the
receipts Of the government from all sources
amounte to 81 I7'.4 s78 During the same
period its expenditures were s4Sl.6s7.6,448
The excess OF expenditures over receipts thus
mounted to ssa.93.s3 20 The ordinary ex-
pend lures during the year were a0l- 1852 q
q. s. than during the precedin1 fiscal year. OF
the recei Is mentioned there we're derived
from customs the sun of Si6002l, 7aI.6T and
from internal revenue. ,l4S 1906 20. The re-
ceiotS from customs show an increase OF 81
s6g IsL22 over those from the same source for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, AMI the re-
&c pit, from internal revenue an increase Of
3. sI5S7-gl.
The value OF our imported dutiable merchan-
| n N