The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-12-10

horrible order of concentration anu mas
undertaken to care for the helpless and
permit those who desire to resume the
cultivation of their fields to do So
Not a single American citizen is now
in arrest or confinement in Cuba or
whom this government has any knowl-
edge. The near future will demon
strate whether the indispensable condi-
ton of righteous peace just alike to
the Cubans and to Spain as well as
equitable to all our interests so inti-
mately involved in the welfare of Cuba
is likely to be attained. If not, the ext
gency of further and other action by the
United States will remain to be takerN
When that time comes, that action will
be determined in the line of indisputable
right and duty, and it Will be faced
without misgiving or hesitancy. -
If it shall hereafter appear to be a
duty imposed by our obligations to our
selves. to civilization and humanity to
intervene with force, it shall be without
fault on our part and only because the
necessity for such action will be so
clear as to command the support and
approval of the civilized world.
THE ANNEXATION PROBLEM.
BY a special message, dated the 18th
day of June last, 1 laid before the sem
ate a treaty, signed that day by the
Observation-Disclosures of the United States
and of the republic of Hawaii, having
for it's purpose the Incorporation of the
Hawaiian Island as an integral part of
the United States and under it's sover-
eighty The senate having removed the
Injunction of secrecy - although the
treaty is still pending before that body
the subject may be properly referred
to in this message because the neces-
sary action of the congress is required
to determine by legislation many de-
tails of the eventual union should the
fact of annexation be accomplished, as
/ believe it should be.
If the treaty is confirmed, as every
consideration of dignity and honor re-
quires. the wisdom of congress will see
to it that avoiding abrupt assimilation
of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to
share in the highest franchises of citi-
zenship and having due regard to the
geographical conditions. the most just
provisions for self rule in local matters
with the largest political liberties as an
integral part of our nation will be ac-
corded to the Hawaiians. No less is
due a people which after nearly five
years of demonstrated capacity to full
fill the obligations of self governing
statehood come of their free will to
merge destinies in our body polite.
The questions which have arisen be-
tween Japan and Hawaii by reason of
Che treatment of japanese laborers
70 hn tel fl,o
observation-disclosures convention of 1888,
are in satisfactory stage of settle
nent by negotiation. So
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
A subject of large Importance to our
country and increasing appreciation on
the part of the people is the completion
Of the great highway of trade between
the Atlantic and Pacific, known as the
Nicaragua canal. It's utility and value
to American commerce are universally
admitted. The commission appointed
under date of July "a last "to continue
the surveys and examinations author
lied by the act approved March 2,
1895" in regard to the proper route,
feasibility and cost of construction of
the Nicaragua canal, woh view of
making complete plans for the entire
work of construction Of such canal' is
now employed in the undertaking. In
the future l shall take occasion to
transmit to congress the report of this
commission, making at the same time
such further suggestions as may then
seem advisable.
THE MONETARY COMMISSION.
Under the provisions of the act of
congress, approved March g. 1897, for
the promotion of an International agree
ment respecting bimetallism | appoint
ed, on the 14th day of April, 1897, Hon.
Edward O. Wolcott of Colorado, Hon.
Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois and Hon
Charles j. Paine of Massachusetts as
special ENJOYS to represent the United
States. They have been diligent in their
efforts to secure the concurrence and
cooperation of European countries in
the international settlement of the ques-
ton, but up to this time have not been
able to secure an agreement contem-
plated by their mission. The gratifying
action of our great sister republic of
France in joining this country in an at
tempt to bring about an agreement
among the principal commercial ma
tons of Europe whereby fixed and
relative value between gold and silver
shall be secured furnishes assurance
that we are not alone among the larger
nations of the world in realizing the in
ternational character of the problem
and in the desire of reaching some wise
and practical solution of it. Our
special ENJOYS have not made their
final report, as further negotiations be-
tween the representatives of this gov
eminent and the governments of other
countries are pending and in contem-
plation. = =
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
Most desirable from every standpoint
of national interest and patriotism is
the effort to extend our foreign com
merce. To this end our merchant ma
rine should be improved and enlarged.
We should do our full share of the car
rying trade of the world We do not do
1T now. We should be the laggard no
longer. The inferiority of our merchant
marine is justly humiliating to the ma,
tional pride. The government by every
proper constitutional means should aid
wi Sii- 10 leiAi4-lleLi NlStlBIS ut
every commercial port of the world.
thus opening up new and valuable mar
kets'to the surplus products of the farm
and the factory. : =
international arbitration cannot be
omitted from the list of subjects claim
ing our conside- alton. Events have only
served to strengthen the general views
on this question expressed n my in>
augural address. The best sentiment of
the civilized world is moving toward the
settlement of differences between ma
lions without resortinR to the horrors of
war. Treaties embodying these hup-ane
principles of broad lines without in anv