Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05
DEALINGS WITH CUBA.
Questions That We Have to Settle in the
Island.

My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to con-
alteration Of the Spanish war and of the
Imposed for the future / am gratifled to
announce that the treaty of peace has re-
stored friendly relations between the two
Important provisions. The evacuation of
Porto Rico having already been accom-
plished on the 18th Of October, 1898, moth
Ing remained necessary there but to con-
the island until the congress should enact
suitable government for the ceded ter
ritory. OF the character and scope of the
measures to that end shall treat in an
other part OF this message.
me WlthdraWa! OF the authority of Spain
from the island of Cuba was effected by the
lishment of peace found the relinquished
territory held by us in trust for the inhab-
itants, maintaining, under the ditecsion of
the executive, such government and con-
troll therein as should conserve public or
der, restore the productive conditions of
peace so long disturbed by the instability
and disorder which prevailed for the great
or part of the preceding three decades, and
build up that tranquil development OF the
domestic state whereby alone can be real
ized the high purpose as proclaimed in the
on the 10Th of April, 1898, by which the
United States disclaimed any disposition or
intention to exercise sovereignty jurisdic-
ton, or control over Cuba. except for the
termination when that was accomplished
to Leave the government and control of
me Island to its people. The pledge con-
honorable obligation and must be sacredly
kept. - -
Progress Being Made.
belieyey that substantial progress has
been made nthis direction. All the admin
1strative measures adopted in Cuba have
aimed to fit 1t for a regenerated existence
by enforcing the supremacy of law and
Justice; by placing wherever practicable
the machinery of administration in the
hands OF the inhabitants;. by instituting
needed sanitary reforms: by spreading ed
ucatlon; by fostering industry and trade;
by intoxicating public morality, and, in
snort, by taking every rational step to aid
the cuban people to attain to that plane of
unity which fits an enlightened community
for self-government within its own
sphere, while enabling 1t to fulfill all out
This nation has assumed before the world
grave responsibility for the future good
government Of Cuba. We have accepted a
trust the fultillment of which calls for the
sternest integrity of purpose and the ex-
ercise 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 Il its en-
nuring welfare is to be assured. Whether
those ties shall be organic or conventional,
the destinies Of Cuba are in some rightful
our own, but how ard how far is for The flu
ture 10 determine In the rpeness 81 events.
Whatever be the outcome, we must see to
1t that free Cuba be a reality, not a name,
bearing within Itself the elements Of fail
ure; Our mission, to accomplish which we
took up the wages of battle, is not to be
fulfilled by turning adrift any loosely
framed commonwealth to face the yicissl-
tudes which too often attend weaker states
whose natural wealth and abundant re-