The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-12-07

ment OF many Of these questions where Il
became apparent that an irrcconciliable
difference of views was entertained re
smoothing the dclimitation of the Alaskan
boundary. In the failure OF an agreement
ns tu the meaning of articles and of
the treaty of lS2b between Russia and
Great Britain, which defined the bound
airy hctwccn Alaska and Canada, the
American commissioners proposed that tho
subject of the boundary he laid aside and
that the remaining questions OF difference
be proceeded with. THIS being declined
by the British commissioners, an adjourn
mcrt was taken until the boundary should
b. adjusted by tho two governments. The
subject has N'rn receiving the careful Mt
tcntion which It's Importance demands,
with the result that n modus vivcndi for
provisional dcmarkntions In the region
about the head of Linn canal hns been
agreed upon; and 10 Is hoped that the nu-
gotiations now I'm progress between the
two governments will end In an ngrce'
mcnt for the establishment and dclimita
tion of n permanent boundary.
Neutrality Regarding Transvaal War.
This government maintained an ntti-
tudc Of neutrality In tho unfortunate con
test between Great Britain and the Bocr
states of Africa. We have remained
faithful to tho precept OF avoiding on
tangling alliances as to affairs not OF our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
Eosted that tho parties to tho quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly express
sion Of the hope of the American people
that war might DO avcrtcd, good offices
would have boon gladly tcnderei. The
United States representative ut Pretoria
WAS early instructed to 500 that all ncu-
trail American interests be respected by
the combntants. This has been an easy
OF both British and Boor authorities that
the personal and property rights of our
citizens should be observed.
Upon the withdrawal Of the British
agent from Pretoria, tho United States
CONSUL was authorized, upon the request
OF the British government and with the
assent of the South African and Orange
Free State governments, to exercise the
customary good offices of a neutral for the
care of British interests. In tho discharge
Of this function, nm happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded
to show tho impartiality Of this govern
ment toward both tho combatants.
Samoan Agreement.
A satisfactory arrangement was con-
cludcd between the governments Of Ger
many and Of Great Britain, by which we
retired from Samoa In view Of compcnsa-
lions In other directions, and both pow
ors renounced In favor of the United
States nll their rights and claims over
and In respect to that portion of that
group lying to the east Of the 17lst degree
OF west longitude, embracing the islands
OF Tutuila, Ofoo, Olosenga md Manua.
I transmit to the senate, for Its constitu.
tional action thereon, n convention, which
besides tho provisions above mentioned
also guarantees us tho same privileges
and conditions In respect to commerce and
commercial vessels in all of the islands OF
Samoa rs those possessed by Germany.
Cuban Policy IL Told.
The withdrawal of the authority OF
Spain from tho island of Cuba was Of.
fccted by Jan. 1, so that tho !ull ro.estab-
lishment of peace found tho rclinquished
territory held by us In trust for tho In.
hAbitants, maintaining under tho direc.
tton of tho executive such government
and control therein rs should conserve
public order restore the productive con
ditions Of peace so long disturbed by the
instability and disorder which pr,v vailed
for the greater part Of the preceding three
decades and build up that tranquil de-
velopment Of the domestic state whereby
alone can be realized the high purpose, rs
proclaimed in the joint resolution adopted
by the congress on the 10th of April, 1898
by which the United States disclaimed
any disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over
Cuba, except for the paci1cation thereof
and declared its intention when that was
accomplished to leave the government and
control of the island to it's people. The
pledge contained In this resolution is OF
the highest honorable obligation and
must be sacredly kept.
believe that substantial progress has
been nade in this direction. All the ad-
ministrative measures adopted in Cubs
have aimed to fit it for a regeuernted cx
istence by enforcing the supremacy OF
law and justice; by placing wherever
practicable the machinery Of administra
ton in the hands of the inhabitants; by
instituting needed sanitary reforms; by
spreading education; by fostering in
dustry and trade; by inculcating public
morality, and, In short, by taking every
rational step to aid the Cuban people to
attain to that plane Of self-conscious re
oICSU WulCn HtS III
enlightened community for self govern
ment within its own sphere, while enab
ling 1t To fultill all outward obligations.
This nation has assumed before the
world n grave responsibility for the fut
ure good government Of Cuba. We have
accepted trust, the fulfllmcnt of which
calls for the sternest integrity 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 singular intimacy and strength II
Ats enduring welfare is to be assured
Whether those ties shall be organic ol
conventional, the destinies of Cuba are in
some rightful form and manner irrevoca
bly, linked with our own, but how and
how far is for the future to determine In
the ripcness of events. Whatever be the
outcome, We must see to it that free Cub,
be reality, not name, "a perfect entity
not hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements of failure. Our mis-
sion, to accomplish which we took up tn,
gage of battle, is not to be fulfilled by
turning adrift any loosely framed com