The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-12-16

Der 1st and to proceed to the negotiations and
conclusions OF treaty OF peace, subject to rati-
flcation according to the respective constitu-
tional forms Of tho two countries.
The sixth and last Article provided that upon
the signing Of the protocol, hos tilities between
the two countries should be suspended and
that notice to that effect should be given as
soon as possible by each government to the
commanders OF its military and naval forces.
The appointment OF peace commissions to
Paris and military commissions to Cuba and
Porto Rico to arrange for evacuation ure re-
ferred to.
The Porto Rican joint commission speedily
accomplished its task October 49, and the
American Il az was raised over the island ut
noon that day Owing to the difficulties in the
way Of removing the large numbers Of Spanish
troops still in Cuba, the evacuation cannot be
completed before tho LIST OF January next.
OF the Paris peace negotiations the message
says:
The negotiations have made hopeful pro-
greSs, so that trust soon to be able to lay o
definite treaty OF peace before the Senate, with
q review of the steps leading TO its signature
do not discuss at this time the government
or the future OF the new possessions which will
come to us as the result of the war with Spain.
Such q discussion will be appropriate after the
treaty Of peace shall be ratified In the mean
time and until Congress hal legisated
otherwise, it will be my duty to con-
tinue the military governments which
have existed since our occupation and
give its people security in life an property and
encouragement under o jus: AM benefloient
rule.
CUBAN GOVERNMENT.
As soon as we are II possession Of Cua and
have pa flied tn island. it will be necessary to
give aid and direction to this people to form a
government for themselves. This should be
undertaken at the earliest moment consistent
with safety and assured success. 1t Is important
that our relations with those people shall be
OF the most friendly character and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal. 1t
should be our duty to assist in every proper
way to build up the waste places OF the island,
encourage tho industry Of the people and as list
them to form a government which shall be
free and Independent, thus realizing the best
aspirations of the Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by just, be-
nevolent and humane government, created by
the people OF Cuba, capable OF performing all
international obligations and which shall en-
courage thrift, industry and prosperity and
promote peace and good will among all OF the
inhabitants, whatever may have been their re-
lations In the past. Neither revenge nor pas
81 n should have place in the now govern
ment. Until there Is complete tranquility In
the island and O stable government inaugur-
ated, military occupation will be continued.
With the exception OF the rupture with Spain
the intercourse OF the United States with the
great family OF nations has been marked with
cordiality, AMI tho close OF the eventful year
finds most OF tho issues that necessarily arise
in the complex relations OF sovereign states
adjusted or presenting no serious obstl Giles to
just and honorable solution by amicable
agreement.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The Nicaragua canal commission. under the
championship of Rear Admiral John G.
Walker, appointed July q, 1897, under the au-
thorily of provision In the sundry civil act OF
June OF that year has nelr.y completed It's
labors, and the results OF its exhaustive inquiry
int the proper route, the feasibility and the
cost of construction of in inter-oceanic canal
by a Nicaraguan route will be laid before you
In the performance OF its task the commission
received all pos sible courtesy and assistance
from the governments of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, which thus testified their appreciation
of the Importance OF giving a speedy and prac-
tical on. come 60 the rcat project tn has for
so many years engrossed the atteltion OF the
respective countries.
AS the scope of recent inquiry embraced the
whole subject with the aim OF making plans
and surveys for canal by the most convenient
route, 1t necessarily included review OF the re-
suits of previous surveys and plans and In par
ticular those adopted by the Maritime Canal
company under It's existing concessions from
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so that to this extent
those grants necessarily held an essential part
in the deliberations and conclusions OF the canal
commission, as they have held, and must needs
hold, in the discussion Of the matter by the Con-
gress. Under these circumstances, ana In view
of overtures made to the governments or MIC
aragua and Costa Rica by other parties for
new canal concession predicated on the assumed
approaching lapse of the contracts OF the Mari
time Canal company, with those states l have
not hesitated to express my conviction that con-
siderations of expediency and international pol
icy as between the several governments inter-
ested in the construction and control of an inter-
oceanic canal by this route require the mainten-
ance of the status quo, until the canal commits
sion shall have reported and the United States
Congress shall have had tho opportunity to
pass finally upon the whole matter during the
present session, without prejudice by reason OF
any change in the existing conditions.
Nevertheless, it appears that the gov
ernment of Nicaragua, as one Of its
last sovereign acts before merging its
powers in those of the newly-formed United
States OF Central America has granted an OPP
tional concession to another association to be-
come effective on the expiration OF the present
grant. 1t does not appear what surveys have
been made or what route is proposed under this
contingent granted so that an examination OF
the feasibility of its plans is necessarily not
embraced in tho report Of the canal commits
sion All these circumstances suggest the
urgency of some definite action by the Congress
at this session II the abors OF the past are to be
utilized and the linking Of the Atlantic and Pa
cific oceans by a practical waterway is to be
realized. That the construction OF such mari
time highway is now more than ever indispens-
able to that intimate and ready inter-commun-
ication between our eastern and western sea-
boards dem lnded by the annexation OF the
Hawaiian islands and the prospective expan-
sion Of our influence and commerce to Pacific
and that our national policy now more impera-
lively than ever calls for its control of this
government, are prop )sitions which 1 doubt
not the Congress will duly appreciate and wisely
aot upon.
SITUATION IN CHINA.
The United States has not been an indifferent
spectator Of the extraordinary events transpr-
ing in the Chinese empire, whereby portions OF
its maritime pr ovinces are passing under the
control of various European powers; but the
prospect that the vast commerce which the
energy Of our citizens and the n, cessity Of our
staple productions for Chinese uses has built
up in those regions may not be prejudiced
through any exclusive treatment by the new
occupants has obviated tho need of our country
becoming an actor in the scene.
Our position among nations having large
Pacific coast, and constantly expanding direct
trade with the farther orient, gives us the
IL, g., dor nd frian6lv