Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-10
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
President Cleveland Transmits His
Message to Congress.
Relations with Foreign Countries Clearly
Denned-The Cuban Situation-Radical
Currency Reforms Urged-Trusts
and Monopolies Discussed.

Fourth congress assem- bled for the short
session at noon to-day and soon after
committees from the house and
senate waited on the president and in
formed him that they were ready to
receive any communication he mic ht
have to make and the president then
sent the following communication:
To the Congress of the United States:
As representatives of the people in the legts-
Iative branch of their government you have as
sembled at time when the strength and ex-
ceIlence of our free institutions and the fitness
of cur citizens to enjoy popular rule have been
again made manifest. A political contest IN
volving momentous consequences. fraught
with feverish apprehension and creating ag-
greSsiveneSs so intense as to approach bitter
ness and passion. has been waged throughout
our land and determined by the decree OF free
and independent suffrage. without disturbance
OF our tranquility or the least sign of weakness
in our national structure. When we consider
these incidents and contemplate the peaceful
obedience and manly submission which have
succeeded a heated clash OF political opinions
we di scoyer abundant evidence OF determf-
nation on the part of our countrymen to abide
by every verdict of the popular will and to be
controlled at all times by an abiding faith in
the agencies established for the direction of
the affairs of their government Thus our peo-
pie exhibit patriotic disposition which en-
titles them to demand of those who undertake
to make and execute their laws such faithful
and unseltish service in their behalf Us can
only be prompted by q serious appreciation of
the trust and confidence which the acceptance
of pgblic duty invites In obedience to con-
Stitutional requirement.. herein submit to the
congress certain information concerning ma
tional Affairs. with the suggestion of such leg
1Sl2tion as in my Judgment Is necessary ana
eXpedient- To Sc 'ure brevity and avoid tire
some narration. shall omit many details con-
corning matters within federal control which,
though by no means unimportant. are more
proaiaolY discussed in departmental reports.
shall also curtail this communication by
emitting minute recital of many minor Incl
dents connected with our foreign relations
which have hitherto found place in executive
messages. but now contained in a report of
the secretary OF state, which is herewith sub
mitted.
The Armenian Question.
At the outset of q reference to more impor-
cant matters affecting our relations with foreign
powers it would afford me satisfaction if I
could assure The congress that the disturbed
condition OF Asatic Turkey had during the
past year assume q less hdeous and bloody
aspect and that either as a consequence of the
awakening OF the Turkish government to the
demands OF human civilization, the re-
suit of decisive action on the part OF the great
nations having the right by treaty to interfere
for the protection CT those exposed to the rage
of mere bigotry and cruel fanaticism, the
shocking fea ures of the situation had been
mitigated Instead. however, of welcoming
SOftening disposition or protective interview
tion we have been afflicted by continued and
not unfrequent re- ports of the wanton deStruc-
ton of homes and the bloody butchery OF men,
women and children. made martyrs to their
profession of Chris tian faith. While none of
our citizens in Turkey have thus far been
killed or wounded, though often in the midst
OF dreadful scenes of danger. their safety in
the future is by no means assured Our gov
eminent at home and our minister at Constan-
tinople have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory. who conSti
tute nearly all the individuals residing there
who have right to claim our protection on
the score of American citizenship
Several naval vessels are stationed in the Med
iterranean as measure of caution and to fur
nish ali possible relief and refuge in of
emergency. We have made claims against the
Turkish government for the pillage and de-
struction of missionary property at Harpool
and Marash during uprisingS at those places.
The Insurrection in Cuba.
The instruction in Cuba still continues with
inlI its perplexitieS 1t is difficult to perceive
that any progress has thus far been made to-
wards the pacifcution of the island that the
situation of affairs as de picted in my last an
nuai message has in the least improved. If
Spain still holds Havana and the seaports and
all considerable towns, the insurgents still
roam at will over at least two-thirdS of the in
land country. II the determination of Spain
to put down the insurrection seems but to
strengthen with the lapse of time and is
evidenced by her unhesitating devotion
OF largely increased military and naval
forces to the task, there is much rea-
son 10 believe that the insurgents have gained
in point OF numbers, and character, and
resources. and are none the less iuf1exible in
their resolve not to succumb. without practi-
caily securing the great project for which they
took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-eStab-
Hshed her authority. neither have the insur-
gents yet nude good their title to be regarded
independent state. Indeed. the n
test has gone on, the rreterSe that civil gov
eminent exists on the island, except far as
Spain is abb. to maintain it. has been prlctj-
cally abandoned. Spain does keep on foot such
n government, more OK less imperfectly, in the
large towns and their immediate suburbs.
country is eitaer given over to an
archy is subject to the mill
tary occupation OF the other
party. 1t is reported indeed. on reliable au-
thori,y that at the tie mani of the commander
in-chief of the insurgeut army. the putative
Cuban government has now given up all at
tempt exercise It's functions, leaving that
government eonfesSe ily (yshat there is the
best reason for SuppoSsng il always to have
been in faet) q government merely on paper
Were the Spanish armies able to meet their
antagonists in the oreu, or in pitched battle.
prompt and decisive results might be
looked for and tae immense superiority
of the Spanish forces in numbers,
discipline and equipment. could hardly
fail to tell greatly TO their advantage.
But they called upon to face foe that
shups general engagements, that can choose
and does choose its own ground. that from the
nature of the country is visible or invisible at
pleasure and that fights only from ambuscaoe
and when all the advantages OF position and
r..