The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1899-12-15

| contest between Great Britain and the
| Boer states OF Africa. We have remained
| faithful 10 the precept of avoiding en-
| tangling alliances as TO affairs not Of our
direct concern Had circumstances sug-
| gested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly express
| sion of the hope of the American people,
| the war might be averted, good offices
| would have been gladly rendered. The
United States representative at Pretoria
| was early Instructed TO see that all neu-
| trail American interests be respected by
| the combatants. This has been an easy
| task i'm view of the positive declaration
| OF Both British and Boer authorities that
the personal and property rights OF our
| citizens should be observed.
| A satisfactory arrangement was con-
| cluded between the governments of Ger
many and of England, by virtue of which
England retired from Samoa in view OF
compensations I'm other sections. and both
powers renowned in favor of the United
States all their rights and claims over and
in respect to that portion of the group
lying to the east of the one hundred and
seventy-frst degree of west longitude, en-
bracing the islands of Tutuila Ofoo Olo-
senga and Manua. | transmit to the sem
ate, for it's constitutional action thereon,
a convention, which besides the provis-
ions above mentioned. also guarantees the
same privileges and conditions in respect
to commerce and commercial vessels in all
of the Islands of Samoa as those possessed
by Germany.
The Spanish War.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to a con-
sideration of the Spanish war and OF the
result II wrought and the conditions II i'm
announce that the treaty of peace has re-
stored friendly relations between the two
powers. Effect has been given to It's most
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-
tinue the provisional military control of
the island until the congress should enact
n suitable government for the ceded tor
ritory.
The withdrawal of the authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was effect
ed by the first of January. so that the fun
re-establishment Of peace found the re-
lnquished territory held by us In trust
for the Inhabitants, maintaining under
the direction of the executive, such gov
eminent and control therein as should
conserve public order, restore the pro-
ductive conditions of peace, so long dis
turbed by the instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part or
the preceding three decades, and build up
that tranquil development OF the domestlc
state whereby alone can be realized the
high purpose, as proclaimed in the joint
resolution adopted by the congress on the
18th of April 1885, by which the United
States discaimed any disposition or inten-
ton 10 exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction
or control over Cuba. except for the paclh-
cation thereof. and asserted It's determina-
ton when that was accomplished to leave
the government and control OF the island
to it's people. The pledge contained IN
able obligation and must be sacred!y
kept.
Cable to Manila.
without repeating the observations OF
my special message OF February 10, lS59'
concerning the necessity of cable 10
Manila 1 respectfully invite attention TO
It. l recommend that, in case the con-
gress should not take measures 10 brlnS
about this result by direct action OF the
government. the postmaster general be
authorized TO invite competitive bids for
the establishment of cable; the company
making the best responsible lid 20 be
awarded the contract: the successful COM
pany to give ample bonds to insure the
completion Of the work within reason
able time.
Russin's FriendIiness.
Claims growing out of the seizure OF
American sealing vessels in Bering sea
have been under discussion with the gov
eminent of Russia for several years with
the recent happy result Of an agreement
to submit them to the decision of a single
arbitrator By this act Russia AFFORDS
proof of her adherence TO the beneficent
potentiaries conspicuously favored at the
Hague disarmament conference when IT
was advocated by the representatives OF
the United States.
Samoa settlement.
Important events have occurred In the
Samoan Islands. The election according
to the laws and customs of Samoa, OF "A
successor to the late king, Malietoa Lau-
pepa. developed a contest as 10 the valid
| ity of the result, which issue, by the terms
Of the general act. was 10 be decided by
the chief justice. Upon his rendering a
| judgment in favor of Malietoa Tanu, the
rival chief, Mataafa, took UP arms. The
active Intervention Of American and Brit
ish warships became imperative TO restore
order, at the cost of sanguinary encOunt-
ers. In this emergency a Joint commits.
sion Of representatives of the United
States, Germany and Great Britain was
sent to Samoa Ia investigate the situation
and provide q temporary remedy.
The New Cuba.
This nation has assumed before the
world n grave responsibility for the fu-
ture good government of Cuba. We have
accepted trust the fulhllment 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
II 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 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 we must see to IL that free Cuba
be reality, not name. perfect en-
tity. not a hasty experiment bearing with
i'll itself the elements of failure.
Our mission, to accomplish which we
took up the wager of battle, is not to be
fulfilled by turning adrift any loosely
framed commonwealth to face the vicissi-
tudes which too often attend weaker states
whose natural wealth and abundant re-
sources are offset by the incongruities OF
| their political position and the recurring
occasions for internal rivalries to sap
| their strength and dissipate their ener-
| gies.
The greatest blessing which can come
! to Cuba is the restoration of her agricul-
| tural and industrial prosperity, which
| will give employment to idle 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 Goth OF
| November. BY the treaty of peace the
| Spanish population on the island have un-
| til April II, 1900 10 elect whether they will
remain citizens of Spain or become citi-
| zens of Cuba. Until then IL cannot be
! definitely ascerta.ned who shall be en-
! titled TO participate in the formation of
the government of Cuba. BY that time
! the results of the census will have been
! tabulated and we shall proceed TO pro-
! vide for the elections which commit the
| municipal governments of the island TO
| the officers elected by the people. The
! experience thus acquird Will prove or
great value in the formation of repre-
! sentative convention of the people TO
! draft a constitution and establish gen
| real system OF Independent government
| for the island. In the meantime. and 50
/ long as we exercise control over the