The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-12-16
PRESIDENT lL'KINLBY'S MESSAGE.


the independence of Cuba, neutral inter-
vention to end the war by imposing ra-
tional compromise between the contest
ants, an Intervention in favor of one or
the other party. He says: 81 speak not
of forcible annexation, for that cannot
be thought of. That, by our code Of
morality, would be criminal aggression"
Iak!ng up the question of belligerency,
the PRESIDENT quotes at length from Pres
ldent Grants message of December I.
1870. wherein he declared that the con-
ditions in Cuba warranted neither the
recognition of independence nor the rec
ognition of belligerency. He adds that
moreover recognition of belligerency
would confer upon neither party to the
conflict a status not Heretofore actually
possessed, while it would weigh heavily
in Spain's behalf, giving her the right
of search on the high seas and extend
ing her maritime rights to the margin of
our territorial waters.
Recognition Unwise.
For these reasons the President regards
recognition OF the belligerency of the Gu
ban insurgents as now unwise and there
fore inadmissible. Should that step here
after be deemed wise, as Il matter of right
and duty, the executive will take it."
He points to the hopeful change in the
Spanish policy to the pledge of reform
and to the abatement Of the horrors of
war as reasons against Intervention on
humanitarian grounds. The first acts of
the new government lie in the honorable
paths it has outlined; the policy of rapine
and determination has been reversed;
broad clemencies prOffered; measures
have been taken 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 pro-
tect the resumption of agricultural in
dustries. The President sketches the au-
tonomy scheme of the Spanish govern
ment and says that it is honestly due to
Spain that she should be given reason
able chance to realize her expectations
and to prove the asserted efficacy of the
new order of things to which she stands
irrevocably committed. He points to the
many concessions already made, to the
modification of the horrible order of con-
centration, TO the release of the Com
a single American citizen is now under
arrest in Cuba. He says the near fl-
ture will demonstrate whether a righ-
teous peace is likely to be attained; if
not, the eXigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain
to be taken. Sure of the right, the gov
ernment will continue its watchful cares
over every American citizen, and its eff
forts to bring about honorable peace,
and, says the President, ''If it shall here
after appear to be duty imposed by our
obligations to ourselves, TO civilization
and to humanity to intervene with force.
il shall be without fault on our part and
only because the necessity for such ac
tion will be so clear as to command the
support and approval of the civilized
world"
Hawaiian Annexation Favored.
The President next takes up the sub
e ~ - l.
he says, should be accomplished Rap.
idly reviewing his former arguments in
favor of annexation, he says that legisla-
ton is required in the event of the ratii-
cation of the treaty and, while abrupt as
similations of immature elements of pop
ulation should be avoided. just provision
should be made for self-rule in local mat
tiers with the largest political liberty to
the Hawaiians. lie says that the dis
pute between Japan and Hawaii over the
immigration question is now in salts
factory stage of settlement by negotia-
ton; that our government has not inter
yencd, and that it is learned that Japan
is now confident in the intention of this
government to deal with all possible ul-
terror questions affecting her interests in
the broadest spirit of friendliness.
Central American Matters.
Reference is made to the failure of Mr..
Merry 10 Ue IGCelNtu tto ilihiSttl "
Nicaragua on account of the obligations
of that country to the Diet of the Great
er Republic of Central America. As
there is no legal authority at present to
accredit him to the Diet, Mr.. Baker, the
present minister at Managua, has been
directed to present his letters of recall.
Mr. w. Godfrey Hunter is said to be Ii ke-
wise accredited to Honduras, a member
of the Greater Republic, and his case is
awaiting action.
The Nicaragua Canal Is spoken OF as OF
large Importance to our country and the
promise Is made of further reference to the
subject which in the report of the commits
sion now at work is sent to Congress.
The President says Of the international
monetary commission that notwithstanding
diligent effort the ENJOYS have failed SO far
10 secure an agreement. Gratihcatlon Is ex-
pressed at the action Of France In this
matter in Joining In our enorts ana IL Is
said that the negotiations are still pending.
Meanwhile the ENJOYS have not made their
final report believing that the doubts raised
In certain quarters respecting the IeasiDlilty
Of maintaining parity between soid anu Sill
Yer may vet be solved. The President earn
estly hopes that their labors may bring about
an international agreement.
Mr. Kasson, of Iowa, is said to be now
conducting negotiations with several gov
der the tariff act, and 1t is believed that by
a careful exercise of the powers conferred
by the act, some grievances of our own and
other countries in our mutual trade relations
may be removed or alleviated ana the vol
ume of our commercial exchanges enlarged.
The President earnestly urges the improve
ment of our merchant marine, the inferiority
of which, he says, is humiliating to the ma
tional pride.
The Sealing Conferences.
Reference is made to the recent confer
ences at Washington on the subject OF the
protection of seal life. the result Of which
places beyond controversy, it is said, the
duty of the governments concern to adopt
measures without delay for the preservation
of the herds. Negotiations to this end are
now in DrogreSS