The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-13

oceans, to which again invite your oon.
sideration. The reasons then presented
for early action are even stronger now.
The Paris Exposition.
Preparations for the representation
of the industries. arts and products OF
the United States at the worlds expost.
tion, to be held in Paris next year, con-
tinue on an elaborate and comprehen.
sive scale, thanks to the generous ap.
preparation provided by congress and TO
the friendly interest the French govern,
ment has shown in furthering q typical
exhibit of American progress
States considerable addition of space
which, while placing our country in
the first rank among exhibitors, does
not suffice to meet the increasingly ur.
gent demands of our manufacturers.
The efforts of the commissioners gen.
eral are ably directed towards the secur-
ing of q display of all that most charao-
teristoically marks American achieve
ment in the inventive arts and most ad.
equately shows the excellence Of our
natural productions.
The United States government build.
ing is approaching completion and no
effort will be spared to make it worthy
in beauty Of architectural plan and IN
com ple seness of display to represent our
nation.
Boer-British Conflict.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortu.
nate contest between Great Britain and
the Boer states of Africa. We have 70.
NAMED faithful to the precept Of avoid.
ing entangling alliances as to affairs
not OF our direct concern. Had circum-
stances suggested that the parties to the
quarrel would have welcomed any
kindly expression of the hope OF the
American people that war might be
avertsd, good Offices would have been
gladly rendered.
The United States representative at
Pretoria was carly instructed to see that
all neutral American interests be re.
spscted by the combatants. This hal
been an easy task in view OF the posi-.
tive declarations Of both British and
Bosr authorities that the personal and
property rights Of our citizens should
be observed.
Upon the withdrawal Of the British
agent from Pretoria, the United States
consul was authorized, upon the request
of the British government and with the
assent Of the South African and Orange
FREQ State governments, to exercise the
customary good offices Of neutral fol-
tho care of British interests. In the dis.
charge Of this, function, am happy tc
say that abundant opportunity has been
afforded to show the eimpartiallty OF this
government toward both the combat
ants.
Partition Of Samoa.
Important events have occurred in the
Samoan islands. Tho election, accord.
ing to tho laws and customs Of Samoa,
of a successor to the late king, Malietos
Laupepa, developed contest rs to the
validity of the result. which issue by
the terms of the general act was to be
decided by the chief justice. Upon bis
rendering q Judgment in favor OF Ma
lietoa Tanu, the rival chief, Mataafa,
took up arms. The active Intervention
of American and British warships be.
came an imperative necessity to restore
order at the cost Of sanguinary encount-
ers In this emergency q joint com.
mission of representatives of the United
States, Germany and Great Britain was
sent to Samoa to investigate the situa-
ton and provide q temporary remedy.
BY its active efforts peaceful solution
was reached for the time being, the
kingship being abolished and . provis'
ional government Established.
Recommendation unanimously made
by the commission for permanent ad.
justment Of tho Samoan question were
taken under consideration by the three
powers parties to the general act. But
the more they were examined tho more
evident it became that radical change
was necessary in the relations OF the
powers to Samoa
A satisfactory arrangement was con.
cluded between the governments OF
Germany and OF England, by virtue OF
which England retired from Samoa in
Wow of compsnsations in other direo
tions and both powers rsnounced In
favor Of the United States all theil
rights and claims over and in respect tc
that portion Of the group lying to the
east OF the one hundred and seventy.
first degree of west longitude. smbrao'
ing the islands of Tutuilla, Ofoo, Olo'
songa and Manua.
| I transmit to tho senate, for Its con.
stitutional action thereon, q convention,
which, besides tho provisions above
mentioned, also guarantees as tho same
privileges and conditions in, respect tc
commerce and commercial vessels in al
of the islands Of Samoa as those Dos
sssssd by Germany.
Cuban Administration.
My annual message of last year wa,
necessarily devoted in great part to q
consideration of the Spanish war and
of the results it wrought and the condi'
tions it imposed fGr the future. I am
gratified to announce that the treaty OF
peace has restored friendly relations be-
twssn the two powers. Effect has been
given to its important provisions. The
evacuation of Porto Rico having already
been accomplished on Oct lS, 1898
nothing remained necessary there &c
continue the provisional military CON
! troll of tho island until the con.
gross should enact . suitable govern
msnt for tho coded territory. OF the
character and scope of tho measures te
that end shall treat in another part OF
this message.
The withdrawal Of the authority ot
Spain from tho island Of Cuba was Of
fected by Jan. l, SO that the full re.es
adjustment of peace found tho relin
quishsd territory held by rs in trust fol
the habitants. main tanning under the
direction of the executive such govern
ment and control therein as should con
serve public order. restore the produo
tive conditions of peace so long dis
turbed by the instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part o.
the preceding three decades, and built
up that tranquil development Of tho do
mastic atate whereby alone can be reAl