Middletown transcript., 1898-09-24

p0Qp16Ss
"The same large iberality in money
and effort that has accomplished the
physical deliverance of our neighbots
should be shown in our plans for their
intellectual and moral deliverance. A
sum of money much less than we have
spent in three months of war will sus-
tain magnificent educational campaign
in all the surrendered territory for an
sntire generation, and when the total
sost of this campaign shall have been
paid by these islands they will be richer
therefor than ever before.
"On behalf, then, of education in
America we submit in addition of our
Saratoga conference two suggestions in
regard to particulars that may be expe-
dient to be taken next December by con-
gress upon the recommendation of the
president:
"First.-In the exercise of our pro-
tecting power let prompt effort be
liberal portion Of the revenues Of the
surrendered territories for the building
Of schoolhouses and the establishment
of system Of elementary schools, in
cIuding ample provision for the train
ing Of teachers and for industrial edu-
cation.
"Second.-Let moderate appropria
tion be promptly made for thorough
investigation of the subject Of education
in the surrendered islands. At least two
special commissioners Of education for
these islands might be appointed, with
whom the national commissioner of ed
ucation should cooperate. Let these re-
port to congress upon public schools for
the new population, their report to in
olude careful presentation of the facts
upon which their conclusions may be
founded, especially the facts in regard
to existing schools in the countries in
question, in the neighboring republics
and in the West Indies under the con-
troll of Great Britain.
The recommendation for a graded
diplomatic service is expanded with il
Illustrations drawn from Great Britain,
which, it is held, will be of great value
to the commercial interests of the Unit
ed States. Then: From this CONNER
cial point of view, also, it may be urged
that, while the United States has been
subjected for years to the repressive
fiscal policy Of other nations in securing
its tropical products, we now, through
our protecting power over the surren-
dered islands, may become in large
measure independent. Heretofore Spain
has kept her colonies in state Of re-
preston. Commerce, industry and en-
terprise have been stified and the wealth
Of the islands has been exploited for the
benefit of the mother country, to the
great detriment of the colonists. -
The presidents attitude on interna-
tional arbitration, outlined in his in
augural address, is commended. Refer
ring to the protection of private proper
ty at sea in wartime, the memorial
quotes many international precedents
for its exemption from seizure and says:
"The committee would, then, therefore
recommend the abolition Of the system
of prize money as unequal, unjust and
iniquitcus in its operation, tainting pa
triotism with the lust of cupidity and
with the immortality of gambling in the
distribution made, not according to the
sacrifices made and risks incurred, but
according to the accident Of rank. We
deem it unjust to the army as we'll as
to the naval, marine and subordinate
officers, and altogether as of evil infu-
ence and example.
"We cordially indorse the precedent
set by you when you refused at the be-
ginning of the war with Spain to grant
letters Of marque and reprisal. We re-
gret that your overture was not frankly
and fully responded to in the same spirit
by Spain, whose reservation in regard
to privateering was constant menace
to our commerce and had the same
practical injurious effects, in driving our
commerce to seek neutral bottoms, as
would have resulted from her actual re-
sort to privateering.
"We recommend that in the treaty Of
peace to be concluded between the Unit
ed States and Spain stipulation be en-
bodied, as in our treaty of 1885 with
Prussia and Of 1871 with Italy, binding
the two nations, in the event Of war be-
tween them, not to resort to privateer-
ing or the capture Of merchant ships
and their cargoes. whether enemy or
neutral, except contraband of war or in
the attempt to violate an effective block
ade.
"We would respectfully recommend
that such measures may bo taken as
shall be deemed appropriate by this
government to bring about an interna-
tional compact that all private property
shall be exempt from capture or confis-
cation in time Of war, on land or by
sea, except in cases of recognized mill
tary necessity. Many other questions
will doubtless arise at this critical Pc
riod in our history, which will receive
the close and sedate consideration Of the
government. We do not undertake to
| discuss their details, but we submit the
foregoing as what we understand to be
the views of the participants in the Sar-
atoga conference, and we ask for these
expressions of opinion tho kind consid-
Grafton of the executive. "-Philadel.
| phia Press
| Steam Flowing Competition.