Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-16

The Near Future VIII Tell.
Not single American citizen is now under
arrest or in confinement in Cuba of whom this
government has any knowledge. The near
future will demonstrate whether the indis-
pensable condition OF righteous peace, just
alike to the Cubans and to Spain as well as
equitable to all our interests intimately in
volved In the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be
attained II not the exigency of further and
other action by the United States will remain
TO be taken When that time comes that action
will be determined in the line of indis-
putable right and duty. 1t will be faced with
put migiyings CT hesitancy in the light of the
obligation this government owes to itself. to
shespeople who have con aided to it the protection
f their interests and honor. and to humanity.
Hawaiian Annexation
By special message dated the 18th day of
June last, laid before the senate treaty
signed that day by the plenipotentfaries of the
United States and of the republic of Hawaii.
having for its purpose the Incorporation of the
Hawaiian islands integral part of the
United States, and under its sovereignty The
senate having removed the injunction OF Sc
crecy, although the treaty is still pending be-
fore that body, the subject may be properly re-
ferred to in this message because the necessary
action of the congress is required to determine
by legislation many details of the eventual
union should the fact of annexation be accom-
plished as believe it should be.
While consistently disfavoring from q very
early period any aggressive policy OF abSorp-
ton in regard to the Hawaiian group, long
series OF declarations through three-QuarterS
of q century has proclaimed the vital interests
Of the United States in the independent life of
the islands and their intimate commercial de-
tendency upon this country. At the same time
it has been repeatedly asserted that in event
could the entity of Hawaiian statehood cease
by the passage OF the island under the domina-
ton influence OF another power than the
United States Under these circumstances
the logic of events required that annexation,
before offered but declined, should in the
mn
the natural result of strengthening
the ties that bind us those islands, and be
realized by the free will Of the Hawaiian state.
That treaty was unanimously ratified without
amendment by the senate and president OF the
republic of Hawaii the 18th Of September
last and only awaits the favorable action OF the
American senate to effect the complete abSorp-
ton of the islands into the domains of the
United States What the conditions of such
union shall be, the political relation thereof to
the United States. the character Of the local
administration, the quality and degree of the
elective franchise of the Inhabitants. the ex-
tension of the federal laws to the territory or
the enactment of special laws to fit this pecu-
liar condition thereof, the regulation of needs
of labor therein. and all matters upon the treaty
has been wisely relegated to the congress
If the treaty is confirmed, as every conSidera-
ton of dignity and honor requires, 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-
graphical conditions, the most just provisions
for self rule in local matters with the largest
political liberties as an integral part Of our ma
lion will be accorded to the HawaiianS. No less
is due to a people who. after nearly five years
of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obliga-
tions Of self-goVerning statehood, come Of their
free will to merge their destinies in our body
polite.
The Nicaragua Canal
A subject of large Importance to our country
and an increasing appreciation on the part OF
the people, is the completion of the great high
way of trade between the Atlantic and Pacific
known the Nicaraguan canal Its utility
and value to American commerce is universally
admitted. The commission appointed under
date of July "a last, Ito continue the surveys
and examinations authorized by the acts ap-
proved March 2. 1886. - in regard Ito the proper
route. feasibility and cost of construction OF
the Nicaragua canal. with view OF making
complete plans, entire work OF construction of
such canal, is now employed in thu undertake
ing. In the future I shall take occasion to
transmit to congress the report of this commits
sion, making at the same time such further
suggestions may then seem advisable.
Bimetallfsm.
Under the provisions of the act of congress
approved March 3, 1897, for the promotion of an
international agreement respecting bimetal-
HSm, appointed on the 18th day of April, 1897.
Hon. Edward o. Walcott 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
question, but up to this time have not been able
to secure agreement contemplated by their
mission The gratifying action of our great
sister republic of France in joining this country
in the attempt to bring about an agree
ment between the principal commercial
nations of Europe whereby a 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 international character of the
problem and in the desire of reaching some
wise and practical solution of it. The British
government has published resume of the
steps taken jointly by the French ambassador
in London and the special ENJOYS OF the
United States with whom our ambassador at
London actively co-operated in the presenta-
ton of this subject to her majesty's govern
ment This will be laid before congress Our
special ENJOYS have not made their final re-
port. as further negotiations between the rep
reSentatives of this government and the gov
ernments of other countries pending and in
contemplation. They believe that doubts
which have been raised in certain quarters re-
speeding the possibility of maintaing the Stabil-
ity of the parity between the metals and kim
dred questions may yet be solved by further
negotiations
Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction to state
that the special ENJOYS have already demon
strated their ability and fitness to deal with
the subject. and it is to be earnestly hoped that
their laborS may result in an international
agreement which will bring about recognition
of both gold and silver money upon such
terms and with such safeguards will secure
the use OF both metals upon basis which shall
work no injustice to any class OF our citizens
Our Foreign commerce.
In order to execute as early as possible the
provisions of the third and fourth sections of
the revenue act approved july PA. 1897, ap
pointed Hon. John A kasson of Iowa, spe-
cial commissioner plenipotentiary to under
tata ranniSite NEGOTIATIONS foreign
countries desiring to avail themselves Of these
provisions The negotiations are now pro-
ceeding with several governments both Euro
pean and American 1t is believed that by
a careful exercise OF the powers conferred
By that act some grievances of our own and
of other countries in our mutual trade rela-
lions may be either removed or largely ale
waited and that the volume OF commercial
be er,laroad with ADVANTAGES