The Globe-republican., 1898-12-08

ANU SAAsu Suu A8St orslclo PROVIDED that uDOn
the signing OF the protocol, ostilities between
the two countries should be suspended and
tnas notice to that effect should be given as
soon as possible by each government To tho
commanders OF its military and naval forces
Inc appointment OF peace commissions to
Paris and military commissions to Cuba and
Porto Rico TO arrange for evacuation IRE Re-.
ferred to.
The Porto Riccn joint commission speedily
accomplished it, task Oc.obe: IS and the
American lag was raise1 over the island at
noon that day. Owing to the difficulties in the
way OF removing the large numbers Of Spanish
troops stu in Cuba. the evacuation cannot be
completed before the lst Of January next.
OF the Paris peace negotiations the message
says:
Tie negotiations have made hopeful pro-
gress. so that trust soon to be able to lay q
Definite treaty Of peace before the Senass. with
review OF til. steps leading to its signature
do not discuss at this time the governments
or the future Of the new possessions which will
come to US as the result Of the war with Spain.
Such discussion will be appropriate after the
treaty OF peace shall be ratified In the mean
time and until Congress ha, legislated
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 ari property and
encouragement under just and benedcient
rule
CUBAN GOVERNMENT.
As soon as We arc ia possession Of CuSa and
have pa lied the island it will be necessary to
give aid and direction to this people t. 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 these people shall be
OF tho most friendly character and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal. It
should be our duty to assist in every proper
way to build up the waste places Of the island,
encourage the industry Of the people and assist
free and independent thus realizing the best
aspirations OF the Cuban people
Spanish rule must be replaced by just be-
Eevolent 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
sion should have place in the new govern
ment Until there is complete tranquility in
tho island and q 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. and the close Of the eventful year
finds most Of the issues that necessarily arise
In the complex relations Of sovereign states
adjusted or presenting no serious Obstacles 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 ~. 1897 under the au-
thority Of provision in the sundry civil act OF
June OF that year. has nearly completed its
labors, and the results Of its exhaustive inquiry
into the proper route. the feasibility and the
cost Of construction Of an inter-oceanio canal
by Nicaraguan route will be laid bsfore you
In the performance Of its task the commission
received all possible courtesy and assistance
from the governments of Nicaragua and Costa
Eica, which thus testified their appreciation
OF the importance Of giving speedy and prac-
teal on. come TO the great project that has for
SO many years engrossed the atte1tion OF the
respective countries.
As the scope Of recent inquiry embraced the
whole subject, with tho aim OF making plans
and surveys for q canal by the most convenient
route II necessarily included q review Of the re-
suits Of previous surveys and plans, and In par
ticular those adopted by the Maritime Canal
company under its existing concessions from
Nicaragua and Costa RIGA, 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-
Of overtures made to the governments OF Mic
aragua and Costa Rica by other parties for a
new canal concession predcated on the assumed
approaching lapse Of the contracts OF the Mari
time Canal company, with those states I have
not hesitated to express my conviction that con-
siderations Of expedency and international pol
icy IS 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 the 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
eminent 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 the report Of the canal commits
sion All these circumstances suggest the
urgency Of some definite action By the Congress
1t this session II the labors Of the past to be
utilized and the linking Of the Atlantic and Pa
clio oceans by Q practical waterway is to be
time highway IS now more than ever indispens- |
able to that intimats and ready iater-cornmun- |
icaton between our eastern and western sea- |
boards dem ,nded 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 propositions which I doubt |
not the Congress Will duly appreciate and wisely |
net upon.
SITUATION IN CHINA.
The United States has not been IN Indifferent |
spectator Of the extraordinary events transpir- |
Ing in the Chinese empire. whereby portions of |
It. maritime pr ovinoes are passing under the |
control Of various European powers: but the |
prospect that the vast commerce which the |
energy Of our citizens and the necessity Of our
staple productions for Chinese uses has built |
up IN those regions may not be prejudiced
EhrousA any exclusive treatment BY the new
has obviated tbs need Of our country
IN actor in the scene
Our position among nations having largo
Pacific cosst. and q constantly expanding direct
trade with the farther ORIENT gives US the
equitable claim 70 consideration and friendly
treatment In this regard and IL viii be my aim