The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-08

tereStS. The year has been marked by
constant increase in the intimacy OF
our relations with Mexico and in the
magnitude of mutually advantageous
interchanges. This government has
omitted no opportunity to show its
strong desire to develop and perpetuate
the ties of cordiality now so long hap
PLY unbroken. The ex~tradftion of Mrs.
Matte Rich, a citizen of the United
States, charged with homicide commit
ted in Mexico, was, after mature con-
sideration. directed by me in the con-
viction that the ends of justice would
be thereby subserved. Similar action.
on appropriate occasion, by the Mexi-
can executive will not only tend TO ac-.
complish the desire of both govern
ments that grave crimes go not unpua-
ished, but also to repress lawnessneSs
along the border Of the two countries.
PARTITION OF SAMOA
The recent trouble in Samoa is gone
into exhaustively and negotiations
which led to the retirement of Great
Britain and the partition of the islands
between his country and Germany are
described. The recently signed treaty
is transmitted to the senate.
CONCERNING CUBA.
The President says:
THE withdrawal of the authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was eff
fected by the 1st of January, so that
the full re-establiShment of peace found
the relinquished territory held by US in
trust for the inhabitants maintaining.
under the direction of the executive,
such government and control therein as
should conserve public order, restore
| the productive conditions Of peace so
long disturbed by the instability and
disorder which prevailed for the great
| er part Of the preceding decades, and
build UP that tranquil development 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 dis
claimed any disposition of intention TO
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or
control over Cuba, except for the pac-
ification thereof, and asserted its de-
termination when that vas accomplish
ed 10 leave the Overnmen and con-
troll Of the island to Its people. r
PIE &c contained in his resolution is
of the highest honorable obligation and
must be sacredly kept.
Il believe that substantial progress
has been made in this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted
in Cuba have aimed to fit it for a re-
/ generated existence by enforcing the
supremacy of law and justice; by
! placing wherever u dCllCdDle lue ma
chinery of administration in the hands
of the inhabitants; by instituting need
ed sanitary reforms; by spreading ed
ucation; 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 that plane Of ~self-conscious respect
and self-reliant unity which fits an
enlightened community for self-govern-
ment withiH> its WI sphere, while en-
aiding it to fulfill all outward Obliga-
lions.
CUBA SHALL BE FREE.
This nation has assumed before the
world a grave responsibility for the fu-
ture good government of Cuba We
have accepted a trust, the fulfillment
of which calls for the sternest integri-
ty of purpose and the exercise of the
highest wisdom. The new Cuba yet to
arise from the ashes OF the past must
needs be bound to us by ties of singu-
lar intimacy and strength if its endur-
ing welfare is to be assured. Whether
those ties shall be organic of conven-
tional, the deStinies of Cuba are in
some rightful form and manner irrev-
ocably linked with our own, but how
and how far is for the future to de-
termine in the ripeness of events
Whatever be the outcome, Ee must SET
TO it that free Cuba be a reality, no
a NAME, a perfect entity, not a hasty
experiment bearing within itself the
element of failure. Our mission, tt
accomplish which we took UP tn
wager of battle, is not to be fulfilled
by turning adrift any loosely frameC
commonwealth to face the vicissitudea
which too often attend weaker state;
whose natural wealth and abundan
are offset by the incOngrui
ties of their political organization am
81 60, 4@-~@
rivalries to sap their strength and dis
sipate their energies. The creates
blessing which can come to Cuba is tn
restoration of her agricultural and in
dustrial prosperity, which will Civ
employment to idle men and re-estab
lish the pursuits of peace. This is he
chief and immediate need.
THE CUBAN CENSUS.
ION the 18th of August last, an orde
was made for the taking of the censu
IN the island, to be completed on tn
Both OF November. By the treaty o
peace, the Spanish people on the islam
AVE until April II, 1900, to elect wheth
er they will remain citizens of Spail
or become citizens of Cuba. Until the,
1t canno be definitely ascertained VIII
shall be entitled to participate in tn
formation Of the government Of Cuba
By that time, the results of the censu
VIII nave OCcL ldOul0lCo LII we SIId1
proceed to provide for elections whic
will commit the municipal government
OF the island to the officers elected b
the people,. The experience thus &C
quired will prove Of great value in tn
formation of a representative conven
ton of the people to draft a %constitu
ton and establish a general system @
Independent government for the island
In the meantime and so long as we ex
ercise control over the island the pre-
ducts Of Cuba should have a marke
in the United States OF as good term
and with as favorable rates of dut
as are given to the West India island
under treaties OF reciprocity whic
hall be made"
. UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION r.
TURKEY.
In the Turkish empire the %situatio
Of our citizens emains unsatisfactory
The arbitrary treatment in some in
l stances of American productions i
, Turkey has attracted attention of lat,
notably in regard to orr four Tbi