Gilpin observer., 1899-11-02

| are not under existing regulations ac-
counted for. The increase over the
| figures for last year is represented
| largely by immigration from Europe.
specifically from italy. Austria and
Hungary and the Russian empire and
Finland In addition to 79G paupcrs
and 1903 alien contract laborers debar-
red on the Canadian and Mexican bor-
ders, there were refused admission one
IDIOT nineteen insane persons. $500
paupers, or persons likely to become
public charges; 34S diseased persons.
eight convicts, eighty-two assisted i'm
migrants and TAI contract laborers,
making total of 3.19S.
A special sent to the Chicago Times
Herald from this city says: The
United States has demanded from
the governments of Russia, Ger
| many and France assurances that in
their division of China into zones of
political denomination or of spheres
of influence. the trade rights of citi-
zens of this country shall be fully re-
| spected. These demands are pretty
sure to be acceded to, and as soon as
the necessary correspondence can be
passed between Washington and the
three European capitals. 1t is not
doubted that the desired assurances
will be given by the governments
iiu'hSd. III IaSts IL luNll UNDERSTANDING
to this effect already exists. and little
remains to be done, but to decide upon
the form in which the assurances shall
be given. There was some little sur
prise in diplomatic circles when the
demands of this government were pre-
sented through the embassies here, but
no sign of extreme displeasure or of in
tention to resist was manifested in any
quarter. This move for making sure
| of our trade status in China and for
assuring ourselves that all our treaty
rights would be respected under the
proposed arrangement of actual au-
thority along the coast of China, was
entered upon by the administration in
no light or casual manner. but only
after full discussion and careful con-
sideration of all the possibilities.
Now that there is practically certain.
ty Of successful issue. it is felt that
great stroke has been made for
American trade and influence
Major General Fitz Hugh Lee. who
arrived In Washington late Saturday
night, discussed the social political and
Industrial conditions of Cuba in an in
terview Sunday. General Lee says the
island under the existing protection of
the United States, is improving every
hour. He says there il little friction
VI any hhiu III SuDi- tb't ludt tne DeO-
pie are slowly but surely rebuilding
their war-wasted homes and repairing
their crippled fortunes. He thinks that
life and property are now secure on
the island. and that Cubans generally
are not abusing their newly-acquired
freedom. General Lee said that this
happy condition of things was due
largely to the salutary restraint exer-
cised by American military authority.
The native population. he says. is in
experienced in both the theory and
practice of self-government. General
Lee realizes that the United States gov
ernment is pledged to grant ndepend-
ence to Cuba after it has been thor
oughly pacified. and he feels strongly
that the pledge should be fulfilled as
swiftly as practicable. Until life can
be protected by II purely Cuban govern
ment however, he thinks the islands
should remain under the government
of the United States.
In view of the current discussion of
the military agreement between Cen
eral Bates and the Sultan of Sulu, the
views of President Schurman of the
Philippine commission on this subject
are interesting. Mr.. Schurman was
one of the first Americans to visit Jolo.
the seat of Spanish government in the
Sulu archipelago. and had an extended
interview with the Sultan before the
arrival of General Bates. The arrange
ment entered into between General
Bates and the Sultan was considerably
influenced by this meeting. Although
the text of the agreement with the Sui
tan has not been made public by the
Washington authorities it can be stated
that it practically conforms to the pre-
vious convention existing between the
Sultan and the Spanish government
In this agreement Spain never claimed
any more than an external protector
ate in the Sulu group. the right to sup
press piracy In its waters and to pre-
vent the periodic migrations of oath
bound Mohammcdans who went to the
northern islands under vow to kill
Christians and thus secure an entrance
into paradise. Professor Schurman said
when questioned about the probable
continuance of polygamy and slavery
In the islands after they came under
the American dominion. that this was
n subject which would have TO be dealt
with in the most careful fashion to
bring an ultimately satisfactory solu-
tion. 1T seems to me-" said he. that
were II not for the Ignorance displayed
the present hue and cry about polyga-
my and slavery in these islands would
be absolutely criminal. In taking over
the Sulu group we have acquired no
rights of any sort there except those
bequeathed us by Spain. She was
bound by her agreement with the Sui
tan not to interfere with the religion
or customs of the, islands, and 1t would
be most unwise for us 10 attempt this
by force when it can be ultimately ac-
complished by the slower method of
civilization and education. The Sulu
group proper contains about 100000
inhabitants. They are all Mohamme-
ians. ms are about 100000 Of the resi-
dents of Mindnnao. directly east. To
attempt TO interfere with the religion