The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-05


progress and trust soon to be able To lay
a definite treaty OF peace before the SEN
ate with review OF the steps leading To
its signature.
i do not discuss at this time the govern
ment for the future of the new posses
sions which will come TO US as the result
of the war with Spain. Such decision
viii be appropriate after the treaty of
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime
and until the congress has legislated
otherwise IL will be my duty TO continue
the military government which have ex-
listed since our occupation and give TO the
people security in life and property and
encouragement under a just and bene-
fcient rule.
AS soon as we are In possession Of Cuba
and have pacified the island, IL will be
necessary TO give aid and direction 10
it's people TO form "a government for
themselves. This should be undertaken
at the earliest moment consistent with
safety and assured success.
Spanish rule must be replaced by
just, benevolent and humane govern
ment, created by the people of Cuba,
capable Of performing all international
obligations and which shall encourage
thrift, industry and prosperity, and pro-
mote peace and good Will among all In
habitants, whatever may have been their
relations in the past. Neither revenge
nor passion should have a place I'm the
new government. Until there Is COM
plete tranquility in the island and a
stable government inaugurated military
occupation will be continued.
With the one exception OF the rupture
with Spain the intercourse of the United
States with the great family of nations
has been marked with cordiality, and the
close OF the eventful year finds most OF
the issues that necessarily arise in the
complex relations OF sovereign states ad-
susted or presenting no serious obstacle
10 n just and honorable solution by
amicable agreement.
The sympathy of the American people
have Justly been offered to the ruler and
the people of Austria Hungary by reason
of the affiiction that has lately befallen
them in the assassination OF the empress
queen of that historic realm.
Despite the brief time allotted for
preparation, the exhibits OF this country
at the universal exposition at Brussels
I'm 1897 enjoyed the singular distinction
of a larger proportion of awards, having
regard TO the number and classes OF
articles entered, than those of other
countries. The worth - such a result in
making known our national capacity TO
supply the worlds markets, is obvious.
The Nicaragua canal commission un-
der the chairmanship of Rear Admiral
John G.. Walker. appointed July "a, 1897
under the authority of a provision in the
sundry civil act OF June 4 OF that year
has nearly completed it's labors and ti,e
results of Its exhaustive inquiry into the
proper route. the feasibility and the cost
OF construction OF an inter-oceanic canal
by a Nicaraguan route VIII be laid be-
fore you In the performance Of its
task the commission received all possible
courtesy and assistance from the gov
ernments Of Nicaragua and Costa Hica'
| which thus testified their appreciation!
| OF the importanc of giving speedy anu
practical outcome TO the great proJect
| that has Tor so many years engrossed the
attention Of the respective countries.
| 1t appears that the government OF
| Nicaragua as one of its last sovereign
acts before merging its powers in those
or the newly formed United states OIL
Central America has granted an optional
| concession to another association 10 be-
| come effective on the expiration or tht
present grant. II does not appear wha
| surveys have been made or what route
| is proposed under this contingent grant
| so that an examination of the feasibilit,
| of its plans is necessarily not embraced
| in the itsport of the canal commission
| All these circumstances suggest tn
! urgency OF some definite action by tn
| congresses at this session If the labor
OF the past are to be utilized and the link
/ ing of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans b.
q practical waterway is to be realized
| That the construction OF such martini
! highway is now more than ever indis
pensable TO that intimate and ready in
accommodation between our EASTER
| and western seaboards demanded by tn
! annexation OF the Hawaiian islands an
| the prospective expansion of our infu
ence and commerce In the Pacific, an
that our national policy now more i'm
peratively than ever calls for its contrc
| by this government, are proposition
which doubt not the congress viii dul
appreciate and wisely act upon.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinar
events transpiring in the Chinese EN-
pire whereby portions Of it's martini
provinces are passing under the contrC
of various European powers; but tn
prospect that the vast commerce whic
the necessity of our citizens and tn
necessity of our staple productions fo
Chinese use has built up in those region
may not be prejudiced through any eN
elusive treatment by the new occupant
has obviated the need of our country be
coming an actor i'm the scene.
Meanwhile, there may be just groun
for disquietude in view of the unrest an
revival OF the old sentiment Of oppositio
and prejudice TO an alien people whic
pervades certain of the Chinese pro,
| inces. As in the case OF the attacks upo
\
In 1895. the United States minister hs
been instructed to secure the fulle.
measure OF protection for any menace
American in this and to demand in cas-
of lawless injury TO person or propert,
instant reparation appropriate to II
| case.
} Our relations with Great Britain ha,
continued on the most friendly footin
Asserting TO our request, the protectic
Of Americans and their interests
Spanish jurisdiction was assumed by II
diplomatic and consular Representative
or Great Britain, who fulfilled their d
licate and arduous trust with tact al
zeal, eliciting high commendation.
1t Will give me especial satisfaction
! | shall be authorized TO communicate
, you favorable conclusion of the pen,
ing negotiations with Great Britain vii
, respect TO the Dominion OF Canada.
is the earnest wish Of this governme
, TO remove all source OF discord and |
/ ritation In our relations with the neig
, boring Dominion. The trade betwe'
the two countries is constantly increa
ing. and il Is important To both cou
I tries that oil reasonable facilities shou
I, be granted for It's development.
The question OF reciprocical comme
, | cial relations with Greece. including n