Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-07

VI tho INTERESTS OF our growing COM
metce with the East. We could not
have considered any proposition for the
aprogation OF the tripartite control
which did not confirm in all our
rights and safeguard all our national
intei ests in the islands.
Our views commended themselves to
the other powers. A satisfactory
arrangement was concluded between
the governments of Germany and of
England, by virtue of which England
retired from Samoa, in view of COM
pensations in other directions. and
poth powers renowned in favor of tho
United States all thor rights aud
claims ever and in respect to that
portion of the group lying to the east
OF the l71st degree Of west longitude,
embracing the Islands of Tutuila,
Ofoo, Olcsenga, and Manua. | trans
init to tho Senate, for its constitutional
action thereon, convention, which
besides the provisions above mentioned
also guarantees us the same privileges
and conditions in respect to commerce
and commercial Vessels in all of the
islands of Samoa as those possessed by
Germany.
Claims have been preferred by whits
residents of Samoa on account of in
juries alleged 10 have been suffered
through the acts of the treaty govern
ments in putting down tho late dis
turbances. A convention has been
made between the three powers for the
investigation and settlement of these
claims by neuhal arbitrator, to
which the attention Of the Senate will
be invited.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to a
| consideration Of tho Spanish war and
Of the results it wrought and the con-
ditions it imposed for the future. |
ain gratified to announce that the
treaty of peace has restored friendly
relations between the two powers.
Effect has been given to its most i'm
portant provisions. The evacuation of
Porto Rico having already been accom-
plished on the 18th of October, 1888,
nothing remained necessary there but
to continue the provisional military
control of the island until the Congress
should enact suitable government for
| the oeded territory. Of the character
| and scope of the measures to that end
| shall trent in another part of this
message. ~.
WITH RESPECT TO CUBA.
The withdrawal Of the authority of
Spain from the Island of Cuba was
effected by the first Of January, SO that
the full establishment of peace
found the relinqushed territory held
by us ia trust for the inhabitants,
maintaining under the direction of the
| executive, such government and con-
troll therein as should conserve public
order, restore the productive conditions
of peace so long disturbed by the in
stability and disorder which prevailed
| for the greater part of the preceding
three decades and build up that tran
quill development of the domestic state
whereby alone can be realized the high
purpose, as proclaimed in the joint
resolution adopted by the Congress on
the 10th of April, 1898, by which the
United States disclaimed any dis
position or intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control
over Cuba, except for the pacifioaton
thereof, and asserted its determination
when that was accomplished to leave
the government and control of the
islands to its people. The pledge con
tanned in this resolution is of the
highest honorable obligation and must
be sacredly kept.
believe that substantial progress
has been made in this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted in
Cuba have aimed to fit it for re-
generated existence by enforcing the
supremacy of law and Justice; by
placing wherever practicable the ma
chInery Of administration in the hands
Of the inhabitants; by institutine
needed sanitary reforms; by spreading
education; by fostering industry anc
trade; by intoxicating. public morality,
and, in short, by taking every rationa
step to aid the Cuban people to affair
to that plane of self-conscious respect
and self-reliant unity which fits ar
enlightened community for self govern
ment within its own sphere, while
enabling 1T to fulfill all outward obi
cations. This nation has assumed be-
fore the world grave responsibility
for the future good government ol
Cuba. We have accepted II ust the
fulfilment of which calls for the
steruest integrity of purpose and the
exercise of the highest wisdom. The
new Cuba yet to arise from the ashs:
of the past must needs be bound to Us
by ties of singular intimacy ano
strength il its enduring welfare is tt
be assured Whether these ties shal
be organic or conventional, the desti
MES Of Cuba ate in some rightful form
and manner irrevocably linked witt
our owr, but how and how far is fol
the future to determine in the ripenes
of events. Whatever he the outcome
we must see to it that free Cuba be ;
reality, not name, perfect entirety
not hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements OF failure. Gu
mission, to accomplish which We tool
I'M the wager of battle, is not to b.
fulfilled by turning adrift any loosel,
framed commonwealth to face TIN
yicissitudes which too often attent
weaker states whose natural wealth ant
abundant resources are offset by TIT
inconpruities of their political organi
zation and tho recurring occasions 70
internal rivalries to sap their strength
and dissirate thsir energies. In
greatest blessing which can come t.
Cuba il the restoration of her aericul
tural and industrial prosperity, which
will give employment to idle men AM
re-establsh the pursuits of peace. Thi
is her chief and immediate need.
On the 18th OF August last, an orde
was made for the taking of tho censu
in the island, to be completed ON tn
3Oth Of November. BY the treaty o
peace the Spanish people on the islant
have until April 18th. 1900, TO cleo
whether they will remain citizens o
Spain or become citizens of Cuba
Until then it cannot be defnitel.
ascertained who shall be entitled t.
participate in the formation of tn
government Of Cuba. by that tim
the results of census will have beel