The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-05

should conserve public order, restore
the productive conditions of peace so
long disturbed by the Instability and
disorder which prevailed for the great
er part of the preceding three decades
and build up that tranquil development
OF the domestic state whereby alone
can be realized the high purpose as
proclaimed in the joint resolution adopt
ed by congress on the 18th of April,
1898 by which the United States dis
claimed disposition or intention to eXer-
else sovereignty, Jurisdiction or control
over Cuba, except for the pacificatiOn
thereof, and asserted its determination
when that was accomplished to leave
the government and control of the IS
land to its people. The pledge con-
tanned in this resolution is of the high
est honorable obligation and must be
sacredly kept
I believe that substantial progress
has been made in this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted
in Cuba have aimed to fit it Tor regen-
premacy of law and justice; by placing
wherever practicable the machinery of
administration in the hands of the in
habltants, by lnstituung needed sani-
tary reforms; by spreading education;
by fostering industry and trade; by in
culcating public morality and in short
by 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 enlight-
ened community for self government
it to fulfill all outward obligations.
OUR DUTY TO CUBA.
This nation has assumed before the
world a great responsibility for the
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 high
est wisdom. The new Cuba yet to arise
from the ashes Of the past must needs
be bound to US by ties of singular in
timaCy and strength if its enduring vel
fare is to be assured. Whether those
ties shall be organic, or conventional,
the desuinies of Cuba are in some right
full form and manner, irreVOcably link
ed with our own, but how and how far
is for the future to determine in the
ripenesS of events. Whatever be the
outcome, we must see to it that free
Cuba, be a reality, not q name, a per-
feet entity not a hasty experiment.
bearing within itself the elements of
failure. 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 vfciSsitudes which too often
attend weaker states whose natural
wealth and abundant resources are Off
set by the incOngruities of their pOliti-
cal organization and the recurring Oc-
casiOns for internal rivalries to sap
their Strenth and diSsipate their ener-
gies. The greatest blessing which can
come to Cuba is the restoration of her
agricultural and industrial prosperity,
=
men and re-establish the pursuits of
peace. This is her chief and immediate
need.
On the 18th of August last an order
was made for the taking of the census
in the island to be completed on the
Both of November. BY the treaty of
peace the Spanish people on the island
have until April IL, 1900, to elect
whether they viii remain citizens of
Spain or become citizens of Cuba I'm
til then it can not be definitely ascer-
tanned who shall be entitled to partici-
pate in the formation of the govern
ment of Cuba. BY that time the re-
suits of the census will have been tab
ulated and We shall proceed to pro-
vide for election, which Will commit
the municipal governments of the is
land to the officers elected by the peO-
pie. The experience thus acquired will
prove of great value in the formation
of a representative convention of the
people to draft a constitution and eS-
tablish a general system of independent
government for the island. In the
meantime so long as we exercise con-
troll over the island. the products of
Cuba should have a market in the I'm
tied States on as good terms and with
as favorable rates of duty as are Civ
en- to the West India islands, under
treaties of reciprocity which shall be
made.
RELIEF WORK.
For the relief of the distressed in
the island of Cuba, the war department
has issued supplies to destitute per-
sons through the officers of the army
which have amounted to 5,493,000 ra-
tiOns at a cost of 81 All, 81.
To promote the disarmament of the
Cuban volunteer army and in the in
terest of public peace and the welfare
of the people the sum of S75 was paid
to each Cuban soldier borne upon the
authenticated rolls on condition that he
should deposit his arms with the authO-
rites designated by the United States.
The sum thus disbursed aggregated
= h S-1, 4
emergency fund provided by the act Of
January s. 1899. for that purpose.
Out of the Cuban island revenues
during the six months ending June 80,
1899. $1,712,01420 was expended for SAN !
itation, S293. .SS1.70 for charities and
hospitals, and $6S,944-03 for aid to the
destitute.
Following the exchange of ratifca-
tiOns of the peace treaty the two gov !
ernments accredited ministers to each /
other, Spain sending to Washington the /
Duke d'Arcos, an eminent diplOmatist, /
previously. stationed in Mexico, while /
the United States transferred to Ma !
drid Hon Bellamy StOrer, its minister /
at Brussels. This was followed by the /
respective appointment of cOnsuls, /
thereby fully reSumlng the relations in /
terrupted by the war. In addition to |
its consular represe esentatiOn to the Uni !
ted States, the Spanish government /
has appointed consuls for Cuba. who /
have been professionally recognized dur
inE the military administration of the /
affairs of that island.
Judicial intercourse between the
courts of Cuba and Porto Rico and of
Spain has been established, as provid-
ed by the treaty of peace. The Cuban
political prisoners in Spanish penal
sections have been and are being re-
leased and returned to their homes. in
accordance with article VI of the
treaty. Negotiations are about to be
had for defining the conventional rela-
tions between the two countries, which
hRW9noa Of F7nx
trust that those viii include a favor
able arm for commercial reciprocity
under the terms of sections and 4 of
the current tariff act. In these, as in
! Il, . Il