Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-12-13

sumed by the people are probably
provoking public discussion and
should early claim the attention Of
congress. Whatever power congress
possesses over this important sub
ject should be promptly ascertained
and asserted, and it is to be hoped
that that will be supplemented by
wise and uniform state legislation.
FOREIGN RELATION.
The president dwells at some
length upon our relations with for
eign countries, particularly South
America, all OF when are in n fairly
satisfactory condition. Negotiations
in regard to restrictions upon theim-
port OF American meat into Belgium
and Denmark have resulted fnvorab-
ly in the former country, but no
progress has been made In the latter.
IsTHMIAN CANAL.
The isthmian canal commission,
appointed last March, is now at
work to determine the most practi-
cable and feasible route for a ship
canal. "Thegreat Importance OF this
work cannot be too often or too
strongly pressed upon the attention
OF congress.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain
are satisfactory, with the exception
OF the dispute over the Alaskan
boundary, but II is hoped that nego-
tiations now pending in congress will
result in a permanent settlement OF
the matter. The United States has
maintained a strict neutrality be-
tween Great Britain and the Trans
vaal.
SAMOAN QUESTION.
The Samoan question is satisfac-
torily settled, and the convention re-
port respecting the same Is transmit
ted to the senate. 1t providesfort the
cession to the United States Of four
islands, and the rest go to Germany.
CUBA.
The pledge made to Cuba in regard
to sovereignty is Of the highest hon
orable obligation and must be sa-
credly kept. Substantial progress
has been made in fitting that island
for regeneratcd existence. This ma
tion has accepted n grave RESPONSE
bility for the future OF Cuba, the full
lillment of which calls for the stern
est integrity Of purpose and the
greatest wisdom. This country must
always be bound to Cuba by ties OF
the closest intimacy, whether they
are constitutional or organic. After
April IL, up to which time the Span
iards of the island have the right to
decide whether they shall become
citizens of Cuba, it will be possible to
make the first steps in self-govern-
ment on the island. BY that time a
complete census of the island will
have been taken. While Cuba Is un-
der our control the people OF the isl
ands should have as free access to
our markets as is given to any Of the
other West Indies by reciprocity
treaties.
A SPECIAL MEDAL.
1t is recommended that congress
provide special medal for all the
soldiers and sailors who voluntarily
remained in the Philippines after
! their terms Of enlistment had expired.
THE PHILIPPINES.
On Dec. 10, 1898, the treaty of peace
between the United States and Spain
was signed. providing among other
things that the Philippines should be
ceded to the United States on pay
ment OF $20, 100000. The treaty was
ratified and the amount paid to Spain
on May /, 1899. The islands were
ceded by the government OF Spain,
which had been in undisputed pos.
session of them for centuries. They
were accepted not merely by our au.
thorized commissioners In Paris un-
der the direction OF the executive, but
by the constitutional and well-con.
sidered action Of the representatives
of the people of the United States in
both houses OF congress. l had every
reason to believe and l still believe
that this transfer of sovereignty was
In accordance with the wishes and
aspirations Of the great mass OF the
Filipino people.
The commander OF the military ex'
petition sent to the islands was in
structed to declare that we came not
to make war on the people OF the Isl