The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-12-14

numerous matters arising In the vas,
ana intimate intercourse OF TIN Tinted
states and Great Britain.
ihE EOER WAa-A NEUTRAL AT
rj1CpE.
ih,e government has maintained an
attitude Of neutrality in the unfortu-
nate contest between Great Britain
ana the Boer States cs Attlca. We
nave Remained faithful to the rreeep,
OF Avoiding entansllng alliances as 10
aHairs no. OF our direct concern. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
ties TO the quarrel would haze well
cofncd any kindly expression OF the
hs.e ot the American people that war
might be ayerted. our good offices would
have been gladly rendered. The United
states representative at Pretoria was
early Instructed to see that all neutral
American Interests be respected by the
combatarts This has been an easy
task, in view of the positive deciara-
tions OF both British and Boar authori-
ties that the personal and property
rights of our citizens should be OBJ
served. 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 OF British inter-
ests. In the discharge Of this function
l am happy to say that abundant op-
portunity has been afforded to show the
lmpartialty Of this government toward
both the combatants.
NATURALIZATION INVENTION.
''Afer many years Of endeavor on the
part of this government to that end,
the italian government has consented
to enter into negotiations for a natu
raiiZation convention, having for one
Of it's objects the regulation of the stat
US Of Italians Except those of an age
for active military seryice), who. hav-
ing been naturaliZed in the United
States, may revisit Italy. 1t is hoped
that with the mutually conciliator
spirit displayed a successful conclusion
viii be reached
THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.
The recent trouble in Samoa Is gone
| into exhaustively and negotiations
which led to the retirement Of Great
Britain and the partition OF the islands
between this country and Germany are
described. The recently signed treaty
is transmitted to the Senate.
THE CUBAN SITUATION.
| Concerning Cuba the President says:
The withdrawal Of the authority Of
! Spain from the island Of Cuba was ef-
fected by the first of January, so that
! the full re-esta bliShmeht OF peace
found the relihquished territory held
by US in trust for the inhabitants, main
| tanning, under the direction of the ex-
ecutive, such government and control
| therein as should conserve public or
| der, restore the productive conditions
| of peace SO long disturbed by the in
| stability and disorder which prevailed
| for the greater part of the preceding
! three decades, and build up that tran
gull development Of the domestic state
whereby alone can be realized 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 dispOsi
| ton or intention to exercise sovereign
| ty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba,
except for the paCiication thereof, and
asserted its determination when that
| was accomplished to leave the govern
people. The pledge contained in this
resolution is Of the highest honorable
obligation and must be sacredly kept.
4 believe that substantial progress
has been made in this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted in
Cuba have aimed to fit it for a regener-
| ated existence by enforcing the SUI
premacy of law and justice; by plac-
ing wherever possible the machinery OF
| administration in the hands of the in
| habitants; by institutihg needed sani-
tary reforms; by spreading education;
| by fostering industry and trade; and by
intoxicating public morality, and, ir
| short. by taking every rational step tC
aid the Cuban people 10 attain to that
plane of self-conscious respect and self
reliance only which fits enlightened
communities for self-government with
in it's own sphere. while enabling it tt
fulfill all outward obligations.
THE CENSUS TO SOLVE THE CUES
TlON OF CITIZENSHIP.
'On the 10Th Of August last an order
was made for the taking Of the censu:
in the islaud.to be completed on the
seth of November. BY the treaty O.
peace, the Spanish people on the islanl
have until April II. 1860, to elect wheth
er they will remain citizens Of Spain
or become citizens of Cuba. Until ther
it cannot be definitely ascertaned wht
shall be entitled to participate in tbs
forma tion of the government Of Cuba
BY that time the results of the census
Will have been tabulated and we shall
proceed to provide for elections which
will commit the municipal govern
ments of the island to the officers elect
ed by the people. The experience thu
acquired will prove of great value il
the formation of representative con
, vention of the PEOPLE to draft a consti
\
, of independent government for the isl
| and. In the meantime, and so long a
we exercise control over the island. tn
products Of Cuba should have marke
in the United States on as good term
, and with as favorable rates Of duty a
are given to the West India islands un
der treaties of reciprocity which shal
be made"
OUR SOLDIERS IN THE PHILIP
PINES.
The President recommends that Con
gress provide a special medal of homo
= for the volunteers, regulars, sailors an
marines, on duty in the Philippine
who voluntarily remained in the ser
vice after their terms of enlistment ha
, expired. THE force now in Manila con
= sists of 905 officers and 30.507 regular
= and 594 officers and 1888 of the volun
teers, making an aggregate of 1,499 OF
| ficers and 1896 men. When the troop
now under orders shall reach Manil
the force in the archipelago will com
= prise 2.051 officers and 63, 4S3 men. Til
: muster out of the great volunteer arm
= organized for the Spanish war and tn
e creation Of new army. the transpol
n tation from Manila to San FranciJc
5 Of those entitled to discharge, and til
3 transportation of the new troops
a take their places have been work {
S great magnitude we'll and ably don
e for which too much credit cannot
d given the War Department.
r REDUCTION OF FORCES IN CUB
/ AND PORTO RICO.
:. During the past year we have r.
e duced our force in Cuba and Port
: Rico. In Cuba we now have 334 Officer
v and 796 enlisted men; in Porto Ric
81 officers and 1856 enlisted men and
: battalion Of 400 men composed OF natl,
Porto RicanS; while stationed through
q out the United States are $40 Officer
: and 1877 men. and in Hawaii y Officer
a and 453 enlisted men.
e OFFICERS AND MEN COMMENDED
e The operations Of the army are iul
n presented in the report of the Secretai
V cf War ! cannot withhold from of
i GERS and men the highest commend;
s. ton for their soldierly conduct in tr,
i ing situations, their willing sacrifice
= for their country. and the integrity ar
d ability with which they have performe
o unusual and difficult duties in our is
l. and possessions. In the organiZatiC
~ | Of the Voll1nta rapiment. 9ntIoriye