The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-12-08
Rapid City Black Hls South Dakota Friday Dec s. 1899

| euoJccu mas Decn receiving the careful at
tention which its importance demands
with the result that modus vivcndi for
provisional demarkations in the region
about the head of Linn canal has been
agreed upon; and it is hoped that the ne
| gotlatlo'ts now in progress between the
TWO governments will end in an agree
ment for the establishment and delmt.
ton of permanent boundary
Neutrality Regarding Transvnai War.
This government maintained I'm atti
tude OF neutrality in the unfortunate con,
test between Great Britain and the Bocr
states of Africa. We have remained
faithful tn the preccpt of avoiding en-
tahglng alliances as to affairs not of our
direct concern. Had circumstan sug.
gested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly expires,
sion of the hope OF the American people
that war might be avertcd, good Offices
would have been gladly rendered. The
United States representative ut Pretoria
was early instructed to see that all neu-
tral American interests be respected nv
the combatants. This has been an easy
task in view of the positive declarations
OF both British and Boer authorities that
the personal and property rights Of our
citizens should be observed.
Upon the withdrawal of the British
| agent from Pretoria, the 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 neutral for the
care o British interests In the discharge
OF this function, am happy to say that
abundant opportunity has been afforded
TO show The impartiality Of this govern
ment toward both the combatants
Samoan Agreement.
A satisfactory arrangement was con-
Guided between the governments Of Ger.
many and of Great Britain, by which we
retired from Samoa in view Of compensa-
tions in other directions, and both pow
ers renowned in favor of the United
States oil their rights and claims over
and IN respect to that portion Of that
group lying to the east Of the Hist degree
OF west longitude, embracing the islands
OF Iutuila, Ofoo, Olosenga and Manua
l transmit to the senate, for its constitu-
tional action thereon, q convention, which
besides the provisions above mentioned
also guarantees us the same privileges
and conditions in respect to commerce and
commercial vessels in all of the islands Of
Samoa as those possessed by Germany.
Cuban Policy is Told.
The withdrawal Of the authority Of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef-
fecued by Jan. l, SO that the ull re-estab-
lishment of peace found the relinquished
territory held by us in trust for the in
habltants, maintaining under the direc-
ton OF the executive such government
and control therein as should conserve
public order, restore the productive con.
ditions of peace so long disturbed by tho
instability and disorder which prevailed
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, as
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 paciication thereof,
and declared its intention when that was
accomplished to leave tho government and
control of the island to its people, The
pledge contained in this resolution Is of
the highest honorable obligation and
must be sacredly kept.
believe that substantial progress has
been made in this direction. All the ad.
ministrative measures adopted in Cuba
have aimed to fit it for regeuerated ex-
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 intoxicating public
morality, and, in short, by taking every
rational step to aid the Cuban people to
attain to that plane Of self-conscious re.
spect and self reliant unity which fits an
enlightened community for self-govern-
ment within Its own sphere, while enab-
ling it to fulfill all outward obligations,
This nation has assumed before the
world grave responsibility for the fut-
ure good government Of Cuba. We have
accepted trust, the fulfllment 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 nv
ties of singular intimacy and strength il
its enduring welfare Is to be assured.
Whether those ties shall be organic or
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 ripeqess of events. Whatever be the
outcome, we must see to it that free Cuba
be reality, not name, perfect entity,
not hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements Of failure. Our mis-.
sion, to accomplish which we took up the
gage OF BATTLE is not to be fulfilled by
turning adrift any loosely framed COM
monwealth to face the vicissitudes which
too often attend weaker states whose nat
ural wealth and abundant resources are
Offset by the incongruities of their politr
jcal organization and the recurring oooa.
sionS for international rivalries to san
their strength and dissipate their energies.
The greatest blessing which can come to
Cuba Is the restoration Of her agricultural
and industrial prosperity, which will give
employment to idle men and re-establish
the pursuits Of peace. This Is her chief
aud immediate need.
First step Toward Free Cuba,
On the 10th Of August last an order
was made for the taking of the census in
the island, to be completed on the Goth Of
November. BY the treaty Of peace tho
Spanish people on the island have until
April II, 1900, to elect whether they will
remain citizens Of Spain or become citi.
zens Of Cuba. Until then 1t cannot be
definitely ascertained who shall be enti-
tied to participate in the formation Of the
government of Cnba. By that time the
results Of the census will have been tab.
ulated and we shlll proceed to provide for
elections which will commit the munich
pal governments Of the island to the offlc
ers elected by the 'opie. The expert.
ence thus acquired will prove of great
value In the formation Of representa-
tive convention OF the people to draft
constitution and establish general sys-
tom Of independent government for the
island. In the meantime and so long as