Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-07

paths, but our rivalry should be generous an
open. ever aiming toward the attainment 0
larger results and the mutually beneficial I'D
vancement Of each In the line Of It's especia
adaptabllity.
The Transvaal War.
This government has maintained an attitud
Of neutrality in the unfortunate contest betweel
Great Britain and the Boer states OF Africa
We have remained faithful 10 the precept o
avoiding entangling alliances as to affairs no
Of our direct concern. Had circumstances sus
gested that the parties to the quarrel woult
have welcomed any kindly expression Of th,
hope Of the American people that war might b
averted, good Offices would have been gladly
rendered. The United States representative a
Pretoria was early instructed to see that al
neutral American int rests be respected by thu
combatants. This has been an easy task il
view Of the positive declarations on both Brit.
ish and B0er authorities that the personal snd
property rights Of our citizens should be OBJ
served
Upon the withdrawal Of the British agent Of
Pretoria the United States consul was author
lied, upon the request Of the British govern
ment and with the assent OF the South African
and Orange Free State governments, To exer-
else the customary good ofices Of neutral for
the care OF British interests. In the discharge
Of this function am happy to say that abundant
opportunity has been afforded 10 show the I'm
Partially Of this government toward both the
combatants.
Wants Cable to Manila.
The Japanese government has shown lively
interest In the proposition Of the Pacific Cable
company to add TO Its projected cable lines to
Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines branch
connection with the coast Of Japan. 1t would
be a gratifying contamination we're the utility
Of the contemplated scheme enhanced by bring
Ing Japan and the United States into direct
teegIaphic relation Without repeating the
observations OF my special message Of February
10, 1890 concerning the necessity Of cable to
Manila, respectfully invite attention to 1t. |
recommend that In case the congress should not
take measures to bring about this result by the
direct action Of the government, the postmaster
general be authorized to invite competitive bids
for the establishment Of cable: the COMPANY
making tine Dest Responsible Ola 10 DC awartcu
the contract; the successful company to give
ample bonds to insure the completion OF the
work within reasonable time.
The Problem In Cuba.
The withdrawal Of the authority Of Spain
from the island Of Cuba was effected by the first
Of January so that the full re-establishment OF
peace found the relinQushed territory held by
us In trust for the inhabitants, maintaining, un-
der the direction OF the executive, such govern
ment 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 greater
part Of the preceding three decades and build
up that tranquil development 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,
1903, by which the United States disclaimed any
opposition or intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction or control over Cuba, exception the
qualification thereof, and asserted Its determi-
nation when that was accomplished to leave the
government and control Of the island to It's peo-
ple The pledge contained In this resolution Is
Df the highest honorable obligation and must be
'acredly kept.
believe that substantial progress has been
made In this direction. All the administrative
measures adopted In Cuba have aimed to fit 1t
or regenerated existence by enforcing the
supremacy Of law and justice; by placing wher-
'ver practicable the machinery Of administra-
ion In the hands Of the inhabitants by insti-
uting needed sanitary reforms by spreading
ducation; by fostering industry and trade; by
nculcatng public morality and, In short by
aking every rational step to aid the Cuban peo-
lie to attain TO that plane Of self-conscous re-
pect and self-reliant unity which fits an en-
lghtened community for self-government with
n It's own sphere, while enabling 1t TO fulfill all
outward obligations.
This nation has assumed before the world
rave responsibility for the future good gov
rnment of Cuba We have accepted trust |
he fulfllment OF which calls for the sternest |
integrity OF purpose and the exercise of the |
ighest wisdom. The new Cuba vet to arise |
rom the ashes Of the past must needs be bound |
0 us by ties of singular intimacy and strength |
It's enduring welfare is to be assured.
Whether those ties shall be organic or conven-
onal, the destnies of Cuba are In some right
III form and manner irrevocably linked with
ur own but how or how far Is for the future to
etermine In the ripeness Of events. Whatever
Q the outcome we must see to 1t that free Cuba
Q q reality, not name, perfect entity not
asty experiment bearing within itself the ele-
rents of failure Our mission, to accomplish
hitch we took up the wages Of battle, is not to
Q fulfilled by turning adrift any loosely framed
to face the viclssitudes which
10 often attend weaker states whose natural
ealth and abundant resources are Offset by the
Of their political organization and
10 recurring occasions for internal rivalries to
up their strength and dissipate their energies
he greatest blessing which can come TO Cuba
the restoration Of her agricultural and indus
'ial prosperity, which will give employment to
lie men and re-establish the pursuits Of peace,
his is her chief and immediate need.
BY the treaty of peace the Spanish people on
10 island have until April II, 1900, to elect
neither they will remain citizens of Spain or
Dcome citizens Of Cuba. Until then 1t cannot
. definitely ascertained who shall be entitled
} participate in the formation Of the gov
nihVnu vi tupus by lllub tlult luU TtSulbS VI
lie census will have been tabulated, and we
lall proceed to provide for elections which
Ill commit the municipal governments of the
land to the officers elected by the people. The
lperience thus acquired will prove Of great
llue In the formation Of u representative con-
9ntion OF the people to draft constitution
I'd establish general system Of independent
,vernment for the island In the meantime
I'd so long as we exercise control over the
land the products Of Cuba should have q
arket In the United States on as good terms
I'd with as favorable rates Of duty as are given
the W est India islands under treaties OF re-
procltv which shall be made.
Concerning Our Soldiers and Sailors
Since my last annual message and in obedl-
Ice to the acts Of the congress OF April y and
, 1898, the remaining volunteer force enlisted
r the Spanish war, consisting Of 81, 1884 regulars
Id llO,9O2 volunteers, with over 500 volunteer
hcers, has been discharged from the military
rvice. or the volunteers, 667 officers and A.
men were serving in the Philippines and t.
Of the regulars, who were entitled TO be mus
red out after the ratification OF the treaty Of
ace. They voluntarily remained at the front
It'll their places could be filed by new troops
hey were returned home In the order In which
ey went to Manila, and are now all Of them
It OF the service and in the ranks OF citizen
lip, recommend that the congress provide