The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-06


with the necessary consent of the Mexican
congress, but the illness of a member of
his family prevented his attendance, the
minister of foreign affairs relations, how
sver, came as the personal representative
Of President Diaz, and in that capacity he
was duly honored.
Relations With Russia
Claims growing out of the seizure of
American sealing vessels in Behring sea
have been under discussion with the gov
eminent of Russia for several years, with
the recent happy result of an agreement
to submit them to the decision of a single
arbitrator, and by this act Russia affords
proof of her adherence to the beneheient
principle of arbitration, which her plem-
potentiares consciously favored at Inc
Hague disarmament conference
\ suggestion for permanent exposition
of our products and manufactures IN Rus
STA, although not yet fully shaped, has
been so cordially welcomed by the imperial
government, that it may not inappropriate
ly take a fitting place in whatever legisla-
ton the congress may adopt, looking TO
enlargement of our commercial opportuni-
ties abroad.
Important events have occurred in the Sa-
moan islands. The election. according to
the laws and customs of Samoa, of sue
cessor to the late King Maliteou, develop
ed contest as to the validity OF the re-
suit which issue by the terms of the gem
Rfdl act was 10 De ueciueu ny Inc SAiSA u
tice Upon his rendering a judgment in
favor of Maliteou Tanu, the rival chief
Mataafa took UP arms. The active inter-
vention of American and British Warshlps
became an imperative act to restore order
at the cost of sanguinary encounters. In
this emergency a joint commission OF rep
resentatives of the United States Germany
and Great Britain was sent to Samoa TO IN
vestieate the situation and provide tenn
poratry remedy. BY its active e1orts
peaceful solution was reached for the tlme
being, the kngship being abolished anu d
provisional government established he
concentrations unanimously made by the
commission for a permanent adjustment Oh
the Samoan question, were taken ana con-
sideration by the three powers parties TO
the general act
The suggested remedy of the joint COM
mission like the scheme it aimed to re-
place. amounted to what has been styled
a trf dominum being the exercise of the
functions of sovereignty by an unanimous
agreement here by the interested particl-
pants.
The arrangement under which Samoa was
administered had proved impracticable ana
unacceptable to all the powers concerned.
To withdraw from the agreement ana
abandon the islands to Germany and Great
Britain would not be compatible with our
interests in the archipelago. To relinqulsh
our rights in the harbor of Pago-Pago, the
best anchorage in the Paclhc, the occu-
pancy of which had been leased to the
United States in 1878, by the first foreign
treaty ever concluded by Samoa, was noe
to be thought 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 ior the
abrogatien of the tripartite control wnlcn
did not confirm us in all our rights ana
safeguard all our national interests IN the
islands
Our views commended themselves to the
other powers. satisfactory arrangement
was concluded between the governments 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 their rights and claims
over and in respect to that portion OF the
group lying to the east of the Hist degree
of west longitude, embracing the islands
of Tutila, Ofoo, Olosonga and Manua.
Claims have been preferred by white res
idents of Samoa on account of injuries al
legged to have been suffered through the
acts of the treaty governments in putting
down the late disturbances convention
has been made between the three powers
for the investigation and settlement OF
these claims by a neutral arbitrator to
which the attention of the senate will be
invited
Relations With Spain
My annual message of last year was ne
cessarly devoted in great part to consid-
Grafton of the Spanish war, and of results
it wrought and the condition 1t imposed for
the future. | am gratited to announce
that the treaty. of peace has restored
friendly relations between the two powers,
Effect has been given to its important pro-
| visions The evacuation of Porto RICO nav
! ing been already accomplished on October
| IS 1898 nothing remained necessary there
| to continue the provisional military control
| of the island, until the congress should en-
act a suitable government for the cedeu
| territory. OF the character and scope Of
I the measure and to that end / shall treat
| in another part of this message.
| The withdrawal of the authority OF Spain
| from the island of Cuba was effected by
| the 1st of January in so far that the full re-
establishment of peace found the REIN
| quished territory held by us in trust for
| the habtants maintaining under the ul-
| rection of the executive such government
| and control therein as should conserve the
public order restore the productive condl
! lions of peace so long disturbed by the in
| stability and disorder which prevailed for
the greater part of the preceding three de-
| cades and build up that tranquil develop
ment of the domestic state whereby alone
| can be realized the high purpose as pro-
| claimed in the joint resolution adopted by
! the congress on the 18th of April, 1898, by
| which the United States disclaimed any
! disposition or intention to exercise 'sover-
! eighty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba
| except for the paefcation thereof, and as
| serted its determination when that was
! accomplished to leave the government and
| control of the island to its people. The
| pledge contained in this resolution is of the
highest horonable obligation and must be
sacredly kept.
l believe that substantial progress mas
been made in this direction. All the adj
ministra tive measures adopted in Cuba,
have aimed to fit 1t for a regenerated eX-
istence by enforcing the supremacy of law
! and justice by placing wherever practi-
| cable the machinery of the administration
| in the hands OF Inhabitants by instituting
| needed sanitary reforms; by spreading edu-
! cation; by fostering industry and trade
| by intoxicating public morality, and in short,
| by taking every rational step to aid the
| Cuban people to attain to the plane of self
| consciousness and self-reliant unity, which
| fits an enlightened community for self-gov
| eminent within its own sphere while en-
| abling it to fulfill all outward obligations.
Grave Responsibility
This nation has assumed before the world
| a grave responsibility for the future good