The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-12-08


IN the declaring state. IT summons the
international obligations OF neutral In
the presence of public state OF WA
It warns all citizens and others wttnin
the jurisdiction OF the proclaimant that
they Violate those rigorous obligations at
their own peril and cannot expect 20 pc
shielded from the consequences
The right OF visit and search on the seas
ana seizure OF vessels and cargoes and con-
traband Of war and good prize under ad-
mIraIfy law must under international law
be admitted as a legitimate consequence
of proclamation OF bellIgerency-
The enforcement OF this enlarged and
onerous code of neutrality would only be
influential within our own Jurisdiction Dy
land and sea and applicable by our own
instrumentalities. 1t could impart to the
United States no Jurisdiction between Spain
limited States no right of Intervention TO
enforce the conduct OF the strife within
the paramount authority of Spain according
to the international code of war
Insurgents Not Recognized.
For these reasons I regard the recognI-
zion of the belligerency of the Cuban In
surgents as now unwise and therefore In
admissible. should that step hereafter be
deemed wise as n measure OF rtght ana
duty the executive Will take it
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds
has been frequently suggested and has not
failed to receive my most active and earn
est consideration.
But should such n step be now taken when
1t is apparent that n hopeful change has
superyened in the policy of Spain toward
Cuba A new government has taken or
flee In the mother country. 1t is pledged
in advance to the declaration that all the
efforts In the world cannot suffice to main
tain peace in Cuba by the bayonet; that
vague promises of reform after sub1ugation
AFFORD no solution of the problem.
The first acts of the new government lie
In these honorable paths The policy OF
cruel rapine and determination that so long
shocked the universal sentiment of human
Ity has been reversed. Under the new mill
Itary commander broad clemency Is prof.
fered,-4 Measures have already been set
ON foot to relieve the horrors OF starva
The power of the Spanish armies, 1t Is
said, is to be used not to spread desoluuon,
but not to protect the resumption of agri-
cultural pursuits.
Fair Chance For Spain.
The president then reviews the Spanish
DEGREES foreshadowIng the reforms and con-
cIudes the Cuban discussion as follows: 1t
Is honestly due TO Spain and to our
friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given reasonable 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 infiamed the American mind
and shocked the civilized world. She has
modified the terrible order of concentration
and has undertaken to care for the help
less and permit those who desire to resume
the cultivation of their fields to do so and
ish government in their lawful occupations.
She has Just released the competitor
prisoners heretofore sentenced to death,
and who have been the subject OF repeated
Diplomatic correspondence during both this
and the preceding administration.
Not n single American citizen Is now in
arrest or confinement in Cuba of whom
this government has any knowledge. The
near future Will demonstrate whether the
Indispensable condition of the righteous
peace, just alike to the Cubans and to
N n
terests so intimately involved an the wei
fare of Cuba. is likely to be attained
If not, the exigency of further and other
notion by the United States VIII remain to
be taken. When that time comes that ac-
ton will be determined in the line of indis-
putable right and duty.
1t will be faced, without misgiving or hes
itancy In the light of the obligation this
government owes to itself, to the people
who have conhded to 1t the protection or
their interests and honor, and to humanity.
II 1t shall hereafter appear to be duty
imposed by obligations to ourselves,
to civilization and humanity to intervene
with force, 1t shall be without fault on
our part and only because the necessity for
such action will be clear as to command
the support and approval of the civilized
world.
Hawaiian Annexntion Recommended.
BY u special message dated the 10th day
of June last laid before the senate a
treaty signed that day by the plenipoten-
aries of the United States and of the Re
the incorporation of The Hawaiian islands
as an integral part cf the United States
and under It's sovereignty. The senate
having relieved the injunction of secretary,
although the treaty Is SIN pending before
that body, the subject MAJ be properly re-
ferred to in this message lecare the nee
essary action of the congrc-s is required
to determine by legislation many details of
the eventual union should the fact of an
nexatIon be accomplished, as L believe 1t
should be.
That treaty was unanimously ratified
without amendment by the senate and pres
ident OF the republic of Hawaii on the 10th
of September last, and only awaits the Ia
vorable action of the American senate to
effect the complete absorption of the Is
lands into the domain of the United States.
If the treaty is confirmed as every con-
Sideration of dignity and honor requires
che wisdom of congress VIII see TO IL that,
avoiding abrupt assimilation of elements
perhaps hardly yet fitted to share In the
highest franchises of citizenship. and hny
ing due regard to the geographical condt'
kions the most just provisions for self rule
In local matters with the largest political
liberties Integral pnrt of our nation
will be accorded to the Hawailnns-
The questions which have arisen between
Japan and Hawaii by reason of the treat.
ment of Japanese laborers emigrating tc
the islands under the Hawaiian-Jnpnnese
convention of 1888, are in a satisfactory
stage of settlement by negotiation
1t is gratifying to learn that the apprc-
tensions Mt first displayed on the part OF
tional life through annexation might I'M
pair privileges to which Japan honorably
laid claim, having given place to confidence
in the uprightness of this government to
deal with all Interior questions in the
broadcast spirit of friendliness
Instructions to Minister Merry.
As to the representation of this govern
ment to Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa
Rica, have concluded that Mr.. William u.
Merry, confirmed minister of the United
States to the states of Nicaragua, Salvador
and Costa Rica, shall proceed to San Jose,
Costa Rica, and there temporarily estab-
fish the headquarters of the United States
to those three states.
took this action for what regarded
as the paramount interests of this country
1t was developed upon an investigation by
the secretary of state that the government
of Nicaragua, while not unwilling to re-
ceIve Mr.. Merry in his diplomatic quality,
was unable to do SO because of the COM
pact concluded June 20, 1895. whereby that
republic and those of Salvador and Hondu-
ras, forming what Is known the Greater
Republic of Central America, had surren-
dered to the representative diet there of
their right TO receive and send diplomatic