The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-06
MESSAGE
Continued from Thir&pageo


sanguinary encounters. In this emer-
gency a joint commission of representa-
tives of the United States, Germany and
Great Britain was sent to Samoa to in
vestigate the situation and provide a tenn
porary remedy. By its active efforts
peaceful solution was reached for the
time being, the kingship being abolished
and provisinal gvernment established.
Recommendations unanimously made by
the commission for permanent adjust
ment of the Samoan question were taken
under consideration by the three powers
parties to the general act. But the more
they were examined the more evident it
became that a radical change was neces-
sary in the relations of the powers of
Samoa
JOINT COMMISSION PLAN FAILED.
The inconvenience and possible kials
Of the tripartite scheme Of supervision
and control in the Samoan group by pow
ers having little interest in common in
that quarter beyond commercial rivalry
has been once more emphasized by the
recent events. The suggestioned remedy
of the joint commission, like the scheme 1t
aimed to replace. amounted to what has
ercise of the functions of sovereignty by
an unanimous agreement Of three pow
ers. The situation had become far more
intricate and embarrassing from every
point of view than it was when my pre-
decessor in 1894 summed up its perplexi-
ties and condemned the participation in It
of the United States.
SURRENDER OUT OF THE QUESTION
The arrangement under which Samoa
was administered has proved impractical
BILE and unacceptable to all the powers
concerned. To withdraw from the agree
ment and abandon the islands to Ger
many and Great Britain would not be
compatible with our interests in the
archipelago. To relinquish our rights in
the harbor of Page Page, the best an
chorage in the Pacific, the occupancy Of
which had been leased to the United
States in 1878 by the first foreign treaty
ever concluded by Samoa, was not to be
thought of, either as regards the needs
of our navy or the interests Of our grow
ing commerce with the east. We could
not have considered any proposition for
the abrogation of the tripartite control
which did not confirm us In the Islands.
PARTITION THE FINAL REMEDY.
Our views commended themselves to
the other powers. A satisfactory arrange
ment was concluded between the gov
ernments of Germany and of England,
by virtue Of which England retired from
Samoa in view Of compensations in other
directions, and both powers renowned IN
favor of the United States all OF their
rights and claims over and in respect to
that portion off the group lying to the
east of the one hundred and seventy-frst
degree of west longitude, embracing the
islands of Tutuila, Ofoo, Olosenga and
Manau-
TREATY FOR SENATE ACTION.
I transmit to the senate for its con-
stitutiona action thereon. convention,
which, besides the provisions above men
toned, also guarantees us the same
privileges and conditions In respect to
commerce and COMMERCIAL vessels in all
of the islands of Samoa, as those pos
sessed by Germany.
CLAIMS TO BE ARBITRATED.
Claims have been preferred by white
residents of Samoa on account of inju-
ries alleged to have been suffered through
acts of the treaty governments in put
ting down the late disturbances. A con-
vention has been made between the three
powers for the investigation and settle
ment of these claims by a neutral arbi-
traitor, to which the attention of the
senate will be invited.
SPAIN WITH CUBA
FRIENDLY RELATIONS RESTORED.
My annual message Of last year was
necessarily devoted In great part to a
consideration Of the Spanish war and Of
the results 1t wrought and the conditions
it imposed for the future. I am gratified
to announce that the treaty of peace has
restored friendly relations between the
two powers. Effect has been given to its
most important provisions. The evacu-
alton Of Porto Rico having already been
accomplished 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 a suitable government for the
ceded territory. OF the character and
treat in another part of this message.
OF CUBr ESPECIALLY.
Pledge of Independence is Sacred.
The withdrawal of the authority OF
Spain from the island OF Cuba was ef
fected by the LIST of January. so that the
full re-establishment OF peace found the
relinGuished territory held by US in trust
for the inhabitants, maintaining, under
the direction Of the executive, such gov
eminent and control therein as should
conserve public order restore the pro-
ductive conditions Of peace, so long dis
turbed by the instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part Of
the preceding three decades, and build up
that tranquil development OF the domestic
state whtreby alone can be realized the
high purpose, as proclaimed in the joint
resolution adopted by the congress on the
18th Of April. 1888, by which the United
States disclaimed any disposition or in
tention TO exercise sovereignty, jurisdic-
ton or control over Cuba. except for the
paciication thereof, and asserted its de-
termination. when that was accomplished.
TO leave the government and control Of
the island to its people. The pledge con-
tanned in this resolution IS OF the high
est honorable obligation and must b
sacredly kept
The Cuban's Education Begun.
believe that substantial progress has
been made in this direction All the ad-
ministra:ive measures adopted in Cuba
have aimed 10 81 II for 3 -eEenerste1
existence by enforcing the supremacy Of
law and justice; By placing. wherever
practicable the machinery Of administr8-