Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-07


who desire to resume the cultivation Q
their fields 10 do so. and assures ther
OF the protection OF the Spanish Govern
ment In their lawful occupations. Sh
has just released the Competitor prison
ers. heretofore sentenced to death. an
, who have been the subject Of repeater
+ diplomatic correspondence during bot
= this and the preceding administration
Not single American citizen Is now II
arrest or confinement In Cuba, OF whom
this government has any knowledge
The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition o.
a righteous peace just alike to the Gu
bans and to Spain, as well az equitable
10 all our interests, so intimately in
voived in the welfare Of Cuba, is likely
to be attained. III 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, on the line OF indisputabe
right and duty. 1t will be faced. with
out misgfving or hestancy. in the light
Of the obligation this government owes
to itself, to the people who have con-
fided to II the protection OF their inter-
ests and honor. and TO humanity.
Sure OF the right, Keeping free from all
| offence ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by passion nor selfishness, the
government will continue its watchful
care over the rights and property of
| American citizens, and will abate none
OF its efforts to bring about by peace
! fui agencies peace which shall be
honorable and enduring
| III 1t shall hereafter appear to be a duty
| imposed by our obligations TO ourselves,
TO civilization. and to humanity, to in
tervene with force, II 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
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
The President next takes up the SUBJ
ject OF the annexation Of Hawaii. He
refers to this subject because the Senate
has made public the treaty now pending.
and legislation is required to settle many
details OF the eventual union, should an
nexation be accomplished. as he believes
it should be. Rapidly reviewing the ar
guments he has heretofore made in favor
of annexation, the President says: 'If
the treaty is confirmed az every consid-
Grafton OF dignity and honor requires,
the wisdom OF Congress will see to IL
that. avoiding abrupt assimilation of ele-
ments perhaps hardly yet fitted to share
in the highest franchises Of citizenship
and having due regard 10 the geographic
cal conditions, the most just provisions !
for self-rule in local matters, with thS |
largest political liberties as an integral |
part Of our nation, will be accorded to !
the Hawaiians. No less IS due to a peo- |
pie who. after nearly five years Of dem
onstrated capacity to fulfil the obligations |
OF self-governing statehood. come OF their |
free Will to merge their destinies in our
body polite"
OF the dispute between Japan and
Hawaii, growing out of the labor immf-
grafton problem, the President says: THE
issue is now I'm a satisfactory stage Of
settlement by negotiation. This govern
ment has not been invited to mediate,
nor has ii sought TO intervene, except to
evince its kindly disposition towards a
speedy, equitable, and honorable settle
ment 1t is also gratifying to learn that
Japan is no longer apprehensve through
Of the loss or impairment of
her privileges. but places confidence in
the uprightness Of this government, and
is purpose to deal with all possible ute ,
-ior questions in the broadest spirit of {
,
THE MERRY MATTER. I
The President next refers to the de- 1
'lination of Nicaragua to receive Minister I
Merry. because of the compact creating
he Greater Republic Of Central America. Z
lie says he could not accredit Mr.. Merry l
o the Diet, because the appointment law [
lid not permit it. Meanwhile, Mr.. Baker, .
he present Minister at Managua, Mica
aqua. has been directed to present his =
etters of recall. |
Mr.. W. Godfrey Hunter is likewise sit |
ated as 10 Guatemala and Honduras. L
is not n member Of the Great p
r Republic. but Honduras is, and should '
he latter decline TO receive him. he will u
wait instructions.
NICARAGUA CANAL
The President makes only the briefest is
aferences to the Nicaragua canal, as o
lbject Of large Importance to our coun- II
y, and Of increasing appreciation on Il
he part Of the people. He says that the do
st commission is now making its in cl
and when he transmits its lie
port TO Congress he will make further OF
ggestlons on the subject. p'
INTERNATIONAL BIMETALLISM. al
Coming 10 the question of an interna- IL
Onal coinage agreement, the President
ates that the special ENJOYS represent ~
< the United States in the effort TO Ia
cure such an agreement have been dill az
mt in their efforts to procure the CO. al
eration OF the European Powers but ti'
secure the agreement contemplated by II
cir mission. The gratifying action of IN
rance in joining this country in the ca
'ort is regarded as an assurance that by
are not alone among the larger ma ex
ms of the world i'm the desire TO reach go
me practical solution of the problem.
the future of the negotiations the Y
esident says: tfo
our speclai ENJOYS nave not mace tn;
III maj ieport' as luIlher Negotiations civ
tween the representatives Of this gov ON
lment and the governments of other 80
Intries are pending, and in contempla- an
n. They believe that the doubts which az
we been raised in certain quarters re- az
.cting the position Of maintaining the "0'
bility OF the parity between the metals
kindred questions, may yet be solved 7
further negotiations. tor
Meanwhile, II gives me satisfaction to pas
tie that the special ENJOYS have al pr
dy demonstrated their ability and fit vii
IS TO deal with the subject and ii Is all.
be earnestly hoped that their laboTs all
y result in an international agreement ella
ich will bring about the recognition or kl,o
h gold and silver as money, upon such cei,
ms, and with such safeguards as Will vb
ure the use OF both metals upon or
is which shall work no injustice TO any hid
IS of our citizens" inc
TARIFF RECIPROCITY. Pre-
urning TO the subject Of reciprocity, aut
President says that he has appointed gre
N a. Kasson. OF Iowa, as a special Sec
missioner. TO undertake the negotia- qua
Is, under the terms Of the tariff act. con
says: THE negotiations are now pro- the
ling with several governments, both n