Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-12-10

ency is proffered Measures have already
been set on foot to relieve the horrors OF
starvation. The power of the Spanish
armies, it is asserted, is TO be used not to
spread ruin and desolation, but to protect
the resumption of peaceful agricultural
pursuits and productive industries. That
past methods are futile TO force a peace by
subjugation is freely admitted, and that
ruin without Cancellation must inevitably
fail TO win for Spain the fidelity Of con-
tended tendency.
That the government of Sagasta has
entered upon a course from which recess
sion with honor is impossible, can hardly
be questioned that in the few weeks it
has existed II has made earnest Of the sin
cerity Of its professions is undenable.
shall not impugn its sincerity nor should
Impotence be suffered 10 embarrass il in
the task 1t has undertaken. 1t is honestly
due TO Spain and TO our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given a rea-
sonable chance to realize her expectations
and to prove the asserted efficacy of the
new order of things TO which she stands
irrevocably committed. She has recalled
the commander whose brutal orders in
famed the American mind and shocked
the civilized world. She has modified the
horrible order OF concentration and has
undertaken TO care for the helpless and
permit those who desire TO resume the cul-
tivation of their fields TO do so and assures
them the protection OF the Spanish gov
eminent in their lawful occupations.
She has just released the Competitor
prisoners heretofore sentenced TO death,
vrh haNa ha sub Of
ed diplomatic correspondence during both
this aud the preceding administration.
Not single American citizen is now in
arrest OF in confinement in Cuba, of whom
this government has any knowledge. The
near future will demonstrate whether the
Indispensable condition of a righteous
peace just alike to the Cubans and TO
Spain, as well as equitable to all our inter
ests, so intimately involved in the warfare
of Cuba, is likely TO be attained. If not,
the exigency of further and other action by
the United States will be taken. When
that time comes the action will be deter
mined in the line of indisputable right and
duty. II ii shall appear TO be a duty i'm
posed by our obligations 10 our ourselves,
10 civilization and humanity to intervene
with force, ii shall be without fault on our
part and only because the necessity for
such action will be so clear as 10 command
the support and approval of the civilized
world.
Annexation of Hawaii.
Discussion of this subject is brief. The
President still believes firmly in the pro-
ject, and that every consideration,of dig
nifty and honor" requires the ratification
of the treaty.
International BImetaIIIsm.
The fact is recalled that under the pro-
visions of the act of Congress approved
March 3, 1897, for the promotion of an in
ternational agreement respecting bimetal-
lism, Edward o. Wolcott of Colorado
Adlai +. Stevenson of Illinois and Charles
j. Paine of Massachusetts were appointed
special ENJOYS to represent the United
States. They have been diligent in their
efforts to secure the concurrence and CO
operation of European countries in the in
ternational settlement of the question, but
up to this time have not been able to Sc
cure an agreement contemplated by their
mission, though France has taken favora-
BILE action. at is still earnestly to be
hoped that their labors may result in an
international agreement which will bring
about recognition of both gold and silver
as money upon such terms and with such
safeguards as will secure the use of both
metals upon basis which shall work no
injustice TO any class of our citizens"
The Seals, the Navy, Alaska, Etc.
AS TO the sealing controversy the Presi-
dent hopes an agreement may be reached
with Great Britain by which the seal herds
may be saved.
He is of the opinion that our present
naval force, especially in view of its in
crease by the ships now under construc-
ton, while not as large as that of few
other Powers, is a formidable force, and
adequate for our needs so long as it is main
tanned in efficiency and repair. Our great
est need now is for the erection of addi-
tional docks, on both the Atlantic and the
Pacific coasts, large enough for docking
our largest vessels.
Alaska needs a better government and
the presence of more troops. Relief must
be sent to the Yukon miners.
The exposition TO be held at Paris in
1900 is intended to be the most important
and comprehensive of the long series of in
ternational exhibitions, of which our own
at Chicago was brilliant example, and it
is desirable that the United States should
make Z worthy exhibition of American
Sohiuo anu sAlll anu InelI ulIlVhltu achieve
ments in every branch of industry. To
this end there should be liberal and Judi
cious appropriation by Congress.
The Indian Territory.
For a number of years past it has been
apparent that the conditions under which
the five civilized tribes were established in
the Indian territory, under treaty provisions
with the United States with the right of
self-goVernment and the exclusion of all
white persons from within their borders,
have undergone so complete change as to