Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-08
0LNEYS REPORT.
Secretary Of State on Our
Foreign Complications.
Treats at Length on Cuban Situation
American Interests Threatened.
Thinks May Sc Soon Necessary for United
Stats to Inteiere.

tHe SECRETARY OF tne STATE 10 winch
President Cleveland refers in his mes.
sage to Congress states that the rela-
tons of the United States with foreign
powers continue upon that footing OF
harmony and friendliness which has
been their fortunate characteristic for
so any years"
The report summarizes the more i'm
portant questions which have occupied
the attention of the department during
the current year. OF the dispute be-
tween Great Britain and Venezuela it
says: 1t is most gratifying to announce
that amicaple counsel have prevailed
to induce satisfactory result whereby
the boundary question and it's asso-
ciated phases have been at last elimi-
mated as between this country and
England. A complete accord has been
reached between them by which the
substantial terms of a treaty of arb-
tration to be concluded by Great Brit
ian and Venezuela have been agreed
upon. the provisions Of which embrace
a full arbitration of the whole contro-
versy upon bases alike just and honor
able to both the contestants.
1t only remains for the two parties
NiitN Wy tViA't " ttllipitlt tIlS
equitable arrangement by signing the
proposed formal treaty, and no doubt
is entertained that Venezuela which
has so earnestly sought friendly assist
ance of the United States toward the
settlement of the veXatious contention
and which has so unreservedly con-
fided its interests to the impartial
judgment of this government. will as
sent to the formal adjustment thus at
tanned, thus forever ending a dispute
involving reaching consequences to
the peace and welfare of the west con-
tinent.
Coincidently with the consideration
of the Venezuelan boundary question
the governments have continued nego-
tiations for a general convention,in the
line of the recommendation of the
British House of Commons, to which
previous messages of the President
have diverted, that all differences here
after arising between the two coun-
tries and not amenable to ordinary
diplomatic treatment should be referred
to arbitration.
The United States and Great Britain
having given repeated proofs of their
acquiescence in the great principle in
volved. not only by treaties between
themselves, but severally by concluding
like adjustments with other powers for
adjudication of disputes resting
on law and fact. the subject was natu-
rally approached in a benevolent
spirit of agreement, and the negotia-
tons have SO satisfactorily progressed
as to foreshadow practical agreement
at an early date upon the text of a
convention to the desired end.
Under the head of Spain. the secre-
tary. in his accompanying report. which
is of course endorsed by the President
speaks of the Cuban situation as fol-
lows: The situation in the island of
Cuba has largely engrossed the atten-
ton OF the department of state during
the past year. Its efforts to obtain
worthy information and to insure due
protection to citizens of the United
States and their property and interests
within the theatre of disturbance have
been ably seconded by the consular
in that island
AS regards the character and scope
Of the hostile operations which now eff
feet the greater part of Cuba. the re-
ports of our consuls are properly
and while precise as to |
The several districts touching which re-
ports have been received, the nature |
tanned are such as to make detailed |
publication impracticable, so that the |
department is not in a position to do |
more at present than state it's general |
deductions as to the position of the |
parties.
Confined in the outset. as in the 10 |
years instruction, which began at |
Yara in October. 1868, to the eastern
portions of the island where the topog-
Apply and absence of settled centers
favored the desultory war
are apparently normal to this class of
contests. the present instruction very
.arly took proportions beyond those of
is predecessor and Herewith assumed
IN aggressive phase, invading the
central and western districts
The only apparent aim on either side
$ to cripple his adversary by indis-
,riminate destruction of all that by
my chance may benefit him. The
,opulous and wealthy districts of the
enter and west are now ravaged and
aid waste by the blind fury of the re-
pective partisans. lhe principles of
civilized warfare are only too often
'iolated with impunity by rresponsi-
Ne subordinates.
Mr.. olney says that an estimate of
80 900, goo would hardly equal the
mount of American money invested
II Cuba. and a large portion of these
Investments is now exposed to the Wis