Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-06

WASHINGTON, March 5.-Pro6ably
never before i'm American history hes an
administration been obliged 20 face at the
very beginning Of its assumption OF power
so many and important questions affecting
the foreign relations of the UnrcI States
as confront President Mckinley aad his
premier. Secretary Sherman. All of these
are important and while some Of them
nay be for a time kept in the background,
others and those of the utmost gravity are
likely 10 force themselves upon the al
tentioD OF the rev administration in suca
persistent manner that they must he
met promptly.
In the list or open diplomatic issues are
some old veterans: questions tGu- wcro
running along in diplomatic. tine-kiIling
fashion when President Harrison turned
ever tho helm Of the ship Of state 10
President Cleveland. but the latter in his
time and with the best Of Intentions ana
in spite Of the most heroic efforts vas
obliged 90 add 20 the lis, and make new
issues Of his own that he was unable 10
bring 10 a conclusion. before De. I'm turn.
gave way 10 President Mckinley
Foremost and Of the greatest interes.
20 the people Of the United Sta-az. be-
caust Of the strife that is being wlgel I'M
Ger their very eyes. is the subject az cur
relations towards Cuba. F3r two years
the insurrecuon on the evt- faiufgl isle
has gone on. and from the confusion OF
reports that reach the Department OF
ID. I'd !,
surely ascertain the exact conditions OF
this struggle which. as President Cleve-
land has stated On his message TO Con-
gres, has involved in itself interests OF
enormous value to citizens or the United
States 10 IS understood 10 be the policy
a. the new administration 10 deal with
this matter deliberately. and not TO un-
Certake 90 depart from the policy with
which Il has 50 far been treated. urtN
our more important internal financial ar
fairs are adjusted But the subject IS OF
an explosive nature. and it is not safe to
predict that through some overt act Of a.
subordinate among the either Spanish
forces or in the inSurgent lines something
ike the NirSiniUs affair. for instance.
the administration will not be forced to
Cepart from its plans ana direct it's at
tention az shor, notice TO this dangerous
subject
One Of the issues that was carried over
from the Harrison administration but
which now stands I'm very different shape
from what it he,d then is the subject or
Hawaiian annexation. The citizens of the
little island republic have come 70 look
upon the Republicans as their friends
and making ready I'm advance for the in-
auguratiCn Of President NcKirIev. they
have begun a carefully prepared agitation
20 further their ends in Washington.
They VIII seek. with the aid of powerful
friends I'm and out OF Congress. 20 induce
the President TO negotiate an annexation
treaty no the earliest possible moment
and while the desired annexation may be
attained I'm short order if the President
approves. 10 So arrange tho details of the
transaction as 10 avoid raising unpleasant
issues with Great Britain France and
Japan and losing an reputation for con-
sistency. Will require the exhibition OF
diplomacy OF high orier
With the mother uut-y-Encland-ou-
relations are so founded on reasonable and
mutual considerations that there is no
ground for apprehension that the subjects
pressing for the consideration Of the Dip
lonatic agencies viii not yield. in the end.
70 the usual method Of treatment This IS
fortunate for the welfare of both couu..
tries. as some OF these questions are of the
greatest Importance and arc easily capa-
be. II treated iu harsh and uucompro-
Rising spirit Of becoming the sources Of
open rupture OF such is the Alaskan
boundary question, and the proposed ex-
tensions OF the regulations for the protec-
ton OF the seals IN Boring sea. in the for
mer Of which O treaty has been negotiated
for the location OF the fist meridian. but
leaving the most difficult phase the draw
ing OF the boundary line I'm the southeast
stLI subject 10 negotiations on which some
progress has been made.
AS TO The protection OF sea, life i'm Ser
Ing sea. there are signs OF unrest that in
dictate a necessity Of early and decided
action on the part of the State Depart
meut Backed by the highest kind OF ex-
pert authority. Secretary Olney said at
the close OF mis- administration OF the
State Department: The fur seal herd is
threatened with utter ruin. unless some