The evening times., 1899-12-05

by the people. The experience thus ac-
ouired will prove OF great value In the
formation OF representative convention
OF the people to draft a constitution and
establish a general system Of independent
government for the island. In the siean
time and SO lcng as we exercise control
over 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 India ISL
ands under treaties Of reciprocity which
shall be made.
| For the relief OF the distressed in the
island Of Cuba the War Department has
issued supplies to destitute persons
| through the officers of the Army. which
have amounted to 5,493, 900 rations, at q
cost Of 81, All. .554.07.
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 authenticated rolls,
on condition that he should deposit his
arms with the authorities designated by
the United States. The sum thus disbursed
aggregated $2.547.750. which was paid from
the emergency fund provided by the act of
January 5. 1889. for that purpose.
Out OF the Cuban island revenues during
the six months ending June 30. 1899,
Ous
$293.sS1-I0 for charities and hospitals, and
$685. -03 for aid to the destitute.
Following the exchange OF ratifications
| OF the treaty OF peace the two Governments
accredited ministers to each other, Spain
sending to Washington the Duke of ARGOS.
an eminent diplomatist. previously sta
toned in Mexico. while the United States
transferred to Madrid Hon. Bellamy Storer.
its minister at Brussels. This was fol-
lowed by the respective appointment OF
consuls, thereby fully resuming the rela-
tions interrupted by the war. In addition
to its consular representation in the United
States. the Spanish Government has ap-
pointed eOnsuis for Cuba, who have been
professionally recognized during the mill
tary administration Of the affairs of that
island.
Judicial intercourse between the courts
OF Cuba and Porto Rico and OF Spain has
been established. as provided by the Treaty
or Peace. The Cuban political prisoners
In Spanish penal stations have been and
are being released and returned to their
homes. in accordance with Article vi of the
treaty Negotiations are about to be had
for defining the conventional relations be-
tween the two countries which fell into
allegiance by reason CT the war / trus.
that these will include favorable arrange
ment for commercial reciprocity under the
terms OF sections and of the current
tariff act In these as in all matters o;
international concern. no effort will bs
spared to respond to the good disposition
OF Spain, and to cultivate in all practicable
ways the intimacy which should prevail
between two nations whose past history
has SO often and in as many ways been
marked by sincere friendship and by COM
munity of interests.
l would recommend appropriate legisla-
lion in order to carry into execution Ar
ticie VII CT the Treaty OF Peace with Spain.
by which the United States assured the
payment Of certain claims for indemnity
CT its citizens against Spain.
The United States minister to Turkey
continues, under Instructions to press for
money payment in satisfaction of the
just claims for injuries suffered by Ameri-
can citizens IN the disorders OF several
years past and for wrongs done to them
by the Ottoman authorities. Some of these
claims are OF many years standing. This
Government is hopeful Of a general agree
ment in this regard. ---l -s
Our Citizens in Turkey
In the Turkish Empire the situation OF
our citizens remains unsatisfactory. Our
Efforts during nearly forty years tc bring
about q convention of naturalization seem
to be on the brink of final failure through
the announced policy of the Ottoman Porte
to refuse recognition of the alien status
Of native Turkish subjects naturalized
abroad since 1857. Our statutes do not al
low this Government to admit any dis
tinction between the treatment of native
and naturalized Americans abroad, SO that
ceaseless controversy arises in cases where
persons owing in the eye of international
law dual allegiance are prevented from
entering Turkey or are expelled after en-
trance Our law in this regard contrasts
with that OF the European States. The
British act, for instance. does not claim
effect for the naturalization Of an alien in
the event of his return to his native coun-
try, unless the change be recognized by the
law Of that country or stipulated by treaty
between it and the naturalizing State.
The arbitrary treatment, in some in
of American productions in Turkey
has attracted attention Of late. notably in
regard to our -four. Large shipments by
tine recently opened direct steamship line
TO Turkish ports have been denied entrance
on the score that. although Of standard
and unquestioned purity, the
-four was pernicious to health because OF
deficient elasticity" as Indicated by an
tiquated and untrustworthy tests. Upon
due protest by the American minister. and
it appearing that the act was virtual
against our product, the
shipments in question were admitted In
these as in all instances. wherever occurr-
ing, when American products may be sub
jected in foreign country, upon specious
pretexts. to discrimination compared with
the like products of another country. this
will use its earnest efforts to
secure fair and equal treatment for its citi-
zens and their goods. Failing this. it will
not hesitate to apply whatever corrective
may be provided by the statutes.