Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-08
THE WEST INDIES,
PacifcatiOn and Government of Cubs
Progress Made.

tiOh "a Tic SeHdle Will De invited.
THE WEST INDIES.
Ratification and Government of Cubs
Progress Made.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to 4
consideration of the Spanish war, the re-
suits 1t wrought, and the conditions IL i'm
posed FOR the future. I am gratified to
announce that the treaty of peace has re-
stored friendly relations between the two
powers. Effect has been given to its most
important provisions. The evacuation OF
Puerto Rico having already been accom-
plished on the 18th of October, 1893, MOTH
ing remained necessary there but to con-
tinue the provisional military control Of the
island until the congress should enact .
suitable government for the ceded terri
tory. OF the character and scope of the
measures to that end I shall treat in an
other part of this message.
The withdrawal Of the authority of Spain
from the island Of Cuba was effected BY
the LIST OF January, so that the full re-es]
tablishment of peace found the relinQuished
territory, held by US in trust for the in
haDltants maintaining under the direction
OF the executive such government and con-
troll therein as should conserve public or
der. restore the productive conditions Of
peace. long disturbed by the instability and
oiSoANCA Which, PtcNdIcu lOT the greater
part Of the preceding three decades, and
build up that tranquil development Of tho
domestic state whereby alone can be re-
allied the high purpose. as proclaimed
In the joint resolution adopted by the
congress on the 18th Of April, 1898, by which
the United States disclaimed any DISPOSE
ton or intention to exercise sovereignty.
jurisdiction or control over Cuba, except
for the pacification thereof, and asserted
Its determination when that was accom-
plished to leave the government and con-
troll Of the island to Its people. The
pledge contained in this resolution II 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 Cubs,
have aimed to fit 1t for a regenerated *
istence by enforcing the supremacy Of law
and justice; by placing where 1t Is practt-
cable the machinery Of administration il
the hands Of the inhabitants; by institute
Ing needed sanitary reforms, by spreadin0
education. by fostering industry and trade.
by intoxicating public morality. and In
short 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-government within its own SPHERE
while enabling 1t to fulfill all outwar4
obligations.
Obligations to Cuba Must BE Kent.
This nation has assumed before the
world q grave responsibility for the fu-
ture good government Of Cuba. We have
accepted a trust. the fulfillment 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, u
In lie n hn
Whether these ties shall be organic or con-
ventional. the destinies of Cuba are In
some rlghtful form and manner ire
vocably linked with our own, but how and
how far Is for the future to determine In
the ripeness Of events. Whatever be the
outcome. VIC must see to 1t that free Cuba
be a reality. not Il name; perfect entity,
not hasty experiment bearing within
itself the elements of failure Our mis-
sion. to accomplish which we too8
up the gage Of battle. Is not
to be fulfilled by turning adrift any
loosely framed commonwealth to face the
vicissitudes which too often attend weak
er states, whose natural wealth and album
dant resources are offset by the incongrui-
ties of their political organization and the
recurring occasions for internal rivalries to
sap their strength and dissipate their en-
ergies. The greatest blessing which can
come to Cuba Is the restoration Of her ag-
ricultural and industrial prosperity. which
will give employment to idle men and
re-establish the pursuits of peace. This -
her chief and immediate need. On the
18th Of last August an order was made for
the taking of the census In the island, -
be completed on the 30th Of November.
Our Markets to He Open to Cubs.
Under the terms Of the treaty Of peace
the Spanish people on the island have until
April Ii. 1900. to elect whether they win
remain citizens of Spain or become citi-
gems of Cuba. Until then 1t cannot be def
nitely ascertained as to who shall partici-
pate in the formation Of Cuba. By that
time the results Of the census will have
been tabulated. and We shall proceed with
the elections. which will deliver the mu-
nicipal governments of the island to the Of
ficers elected by the people. The expert
ence thus acquired will prove of great
value in the formation of a representative
convention of the people to draft a con-
stitution and a general scheme of indie
pendent government for the island. In the
meantime. and so long as We control the
island, the products Of Cuba should have
a market in the United States on as good
terms and with as favorable rates Of duty
as are given to the West Indian islands
under treaties of reciprocity which may BE-
made. For the relief of the distressed In
the island of Cuba, the war department
issued supplies to destitute persons through
the officers Of the army, which have
amounted to 5.493.OO0 rations at a cost OF
81. All, 554 81.
To promote the disarmament of the Gu
ban volunteer army. and in the interest
of public peace and the welfare OF the
people. the sum OF SIS was paid to each
Cuban soldier borne upon the authenti-
Gated rolls. on condition that he should
deposit his arms with the authorities
designated by the United States. The
sum thus disbursed aggregated $2.5A,750.
which was paid from the emergency fund
provided by the act of January Is, 1899.
for that purpose. Out of tine Cuban
island revenues during the six months
ended June 80. 1899 SITE. Ola 20 was ex-
pended for sanitation, s293, ISL 70 for char
tiles and hospitals. and $SS.944 03 for aid
to the destitute.
Relations Resumed With Spain.
Following the exchange Of Publications
of the treaty of peace, the two govern
ments accredited ministers to each other
Spain sending to Washington the Duke
of ARGOS, an eminent diplomatist. previ-
ously stationed In Mexico. while the
United States transferred to Madrid tho
Hon. Bellamy Storer, its minister at
Brussels. This was followed by the re-
spective appointment Of consuls. thereby
fully resuming the relations interrupted
by the war. In addition to its consular
representation In the United States, tha