The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-13
CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
We Must Keep Sacred the Pledge to
Give Cuba Her Frcedom-Our Re-
1ations With Spain.

We Must Keep Sacred the Pledge to
Give Cuba Her Freedom-Our Re-
1ations With Spain.
My annual message OF last year was
| necessarily devoted in great part to a
| consideration OF the Spanish war and
OF the results 1T wrought and the con-
ditions 1t imposed for the future.
am gratified to announce that the
treaty Of peace has restored friendly
| relations between the two powers.
Elect has been given to Its important
provisions. The evacuation of Porto
Rico having been already accomplish
cd on October 18, 1893, nothing re-
msined necessary there to continue
the provisional military control of the
| island, until tho Congress should en-
act suitable government for the
| coded territory OF the character and
| scope OF tho meastres to that end
shall treat in another part OF this
| message.
The withdrawal Of the authority Of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef-
fected by the first of January 80 that
the full e-establibhment of peace
found the relinq uished territory held
maintaining under the direction of tn Q
|
troll thorein as should conserve public
order, restore the productive condi-
tions OF peace 40 long disturbed by the
instability and disorder which pre-
vailed for the greater part OF the pre-
ceding three decades, and build up
that tranquil development OF the do
mestic state whereby alone can be re.
allied the high purpose as proclaimed
In the joint resolution adopted by the
Congress on the 10Th of April, 1893, by
which the United States disclaimed
any disposition or control over Cuba,
except for the paclficaslGn thereof,
and asserted Its determination when
that was accomplished to leave the
government and control of the island
to its people. The pledge contained
In this resolution Is OF the highest hon
orable obligation and must be sacredly
kept.
| believe that substantial progress
has been made In this direction. All
the administrative measures adopted
In Cuba have aimed to fit for q regen
Grated existence by enforcing the su
premacy OF law and justice, by placing
wherever practicable the machinery
of administration in the hands OF In
habitants: by instituting needed sani
J tary reforms by spreading education
| Oy loopoliuB iuuuStTy anu ITduc Dy In
, culcating public morality, and, IL
short, by taking every rational step tt
aid the Cuban people to attain to tina
plane OF self-conscious respect and relf
reliant unity which fits an enlightenot
community for self government within
its own sphere, while enabling 1t t,
. falfill all outward obligations.
This nation has assumed before tn,
: world grave responsibility for tn
: future good government OF Cuba. W.
have accepted trust tha fulfillmen
I OF which calls for honesty and integrit
8 OF pcrpOse and the exercise OF tn
D highest wisdom. The new committe
= yet to arise from the ashes OF the pas
b must needs be bound to us by ties @
Q singular Intimacy and strength II 1t
Q enduring welfare is to be assured
t Whether those ties shall be organic O
o conventional, the destlnies OF Cuba ar
In some rightful form and manne
] irrevocRbly linked with our own, bu
l. how and how far is for The future I
# determine In the ripene.s OF event
q Whatever be the outcome, we mus
/. see to 1t that free Cuba oe realit,
i. not a name, q perfect unity, not
l. hasty experiment bearing within its 4.
n the elements of failure.
Is Our mission, to accomplish whic