“\4—9-5 T I H] 14. 11sz I N G ”GI’A z an E ~f PRESIDENEMESSAGE. To the Congress of the United States: As representatives of the people in the legislative branch of their government you , have assembled at a time when the strength and excellence of our free institutions and the fitness of our citizens to enjoy popular rule have been again made manifest. A po- litical contest involving momentous conse- quences, fraught with feverish apprehen- sion and creating aggressiveness so intense as to approach bitterness and passion, has been waged throughout our land and de- termined by the decree of" free and inde- pendent suffrage, without disturbance of our tranquillity or the least sign of weak- ness in our national structure. When we consider these incidents and contemplate the peaceful obedience. and manly submission which have succeeded a heated clash of political opinions, we dis- cover abundant evidence of a determina- tion on the part of our countrymen to abide by every verdict of the popular will and to be controlled at all times by an abiding faith in the agencies established for the di- rection of the affairs of their government. '4: >l‘ At the outset of a reference to the more important matters affecting our relations with foreign powers it would afford me satisfaction if I could assure the congress that the disturbed condition in Asiatic Turkey had during the past year assumed a less hideous and bloody aspect, and that either as a consequence of the awakening of the Turkish government to the demands of humane civilization or as the result of decisive action on the part of the great na- tions having the right by treaty to inter~ fore for the protection of those exposed to the rage of .mad bigotry and cruel fanati- cism the shocking features of the situation had been mitigated. Instead, however, of welcoming a softened disposition or pro- tective intervention we have been afflicted by continued and not infrequent reports of the wanton destruction of homes and the bloody butchery of men, women and chil- dren, made martyrs to their profession of Christian faith. A The Situation In Turkey. While none of our citizens in Turkey has thus far been killed or wounded, though often in the midst of dreadful scenes of danger, their safety in the future is by no means assured. Our government at home and our minister at Constantino- ple have left nothing undone to protect our missionaries in Ottoman territory, who constitute nearly all the individuals residing there who have a right to claim our protection on the score of American citizenship. Our efl‘orts in this direction will not be relaxed, but the deep feeling and sympathy that have been aroused among our people ought not to so far blind their reason and judgment asto lead them to demand impossible things. The out- breaks of blind fury which lead to murder and pillage in Turkey occur suddenly and without notice, and an attempt on our part to force such a hostile presence there as might be effective for prevention or pro- tection would not only be resisted by the Ottoman government, but would be re- garded as an interruption of their plans by the great nations who asserttheir exclusive right to intervene in their own time and method for the security of life and property in Turkey. 7_ Several naval vessels are stationed in the Mediterranean as ameasure of caution and to furnish all possible relief and refuge in case of emergency. We have made claims against the Turk- ish government for the pillage and destruc- tion of missionary property at Kharput and Marash during uprisings at those places. Thus far the validity of these demands has not been admitted, though our minister, prior to such outrages and in anticipation of danger, demanded protection for the persons and prOperty of -Our missionary citizens in the localities mentioned and notwithstanding. that strong evidence ex- ists Of actual complicity of Turkish sol- diers in the work of destruction and rob- bery. The facts as they now appear do not per- mit us to doubt the justice of these claims, and nothing will be omitted to bring about their prompt settlement. A number of Armenian refugees having arrived at our ports, an order has lately been obtained from the Turkish govern— ment permitting the wives and children of such refugees to join them here. It is hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be in- terposed to prevent the escape of all those who seek to avoid the perils which threaten them in Turkish dominions. Our recently appointed consul to Erze- rum is at his post and discharging the duties of his office, though for some unac- countable rcason his formal excquatur from the sultan has not been issued. I do not believe that the present somber prospect in Turkey will be long permitted to‘ofi‘end the sight of Christendom. It so mars the humane and enlightened civiliza- tion that belongs to the close of the nine- teenth century that it seems hardly possi- ble that the earnest demand of good people throughout the Christian world for its cor- rective treatment will remain unanswered. The Cuban Rebellion. The insurrection in Cuba still continues with all its perplexities. It is difficult to perceive that any progress has thus far been made toward/the pacification of the island or that the situation of affairs as depicted in my last annual message has in the least improved. If Spain still holds Havana and the seaports and all the con- siderable towns, the insurgents still roam at will over at least two-thirds of the in- land country. If the determination of Spain to put down the insurrection seems but to strengthen with the lapse of time and is evinced by her unhesitating devo- tion of largely increased military and naval forces to the task, there is much reason to believe that the insurgents have gained in point of numbers and character and re- sources and are none the less inflexible in their resolve not to succumb without prac- tically securing the great objects for which they took 11p arms. If Spain has not yet re-established her authority, neither have the insurgents yet made good their title to be regarded as an independent state. Indeed, as the contest has gone on, the pretense that civil government exists on the island, except so far as Spain is able to maintain it, has been practically aban— doned. Spain does keep on foot such a government, more or less imperfectly, in the large towns and their immediate sub- urbs. But, that exception being made, the entire country is either given over to anarchy or is subject to the military occu- pation of one or the other party. lt is re ported, indeed, on reliable authority that, at the demand of the commander in chief of the insurgent army, the putative Cuban government has now given up all attempt. to exercise its functions, lcavmg that gov- ernment cerifessedly (what there is the best reason for supposing it always to have i been, in fact) a government merely on pa- per. . Were the Spanish armies able to' meet their antagonists in thc'opcn or in pitched battle, prompt and decisive results might be locked for, and the. immense superiority of the Spanish forces in numbers, disci- pline and equipment could hardly fail to tell greatly to their advantage. But. they are called upon to face a fee that shuns general engagements; that can choose and does choose its own ground; that, from the- nature of the country, is visible or invisi- ble at pleasure, and that'fights only from ambuscade and when all the advantages of position and numbers are on its side. In a country where all that is indispensable to life in the way of food, “ clothing and shelter is so easily obtainable, especially by those born and bred on the soil, it is obvious that there is hardly a limit to the , time during which hostilities of this sort may be prolonged. Meanwhile, as in all cases of protracted civil strife, the passions of the combatants grow more and more in- flamed, and excesses on both sides become more frequent and more deplorable. Marauding Bands. They are also participated in by bands of marauders, who, now in the name of one party and now in the name of the other, as may best suit the occasion, harry the country at will and plunder its wretch- ed inhabitants for their own advantage. Such a condition of things would inevi- tably entail immense destruztion of proper- ty even if it were the policy'of both parties to prevent it as far as practicable. But, while such seemed to be the original policy of the Spanish government, it has now ap- parently abandoned it and is acting upon the same theory as the insurgents—name- ly, that the exigencies of the contest re- quire the wholesale annihilation of proper- ty that it may not prove of use and ad- vantage to the enemy. It is to the same end that in pursuance of general orders Spanish garrisons are now being withdrawn from plantations and the rural population required to con- centrate itself in the towns. The sure re- sult would seem to be that the industrial value of the island is fast diminishing, and that unless there is a speedy and radical change in existing conditions it will soon ; disappear altogether. That value consists very largely, of course, in its capacity to produce sugar—a capacity already much reduced by the interruptions to tillage which have taken place during the last two years. It is reliably asserted that, should these interruptions continue during the current year and practically extend, as is now threatened, to the entire sugar pro— ducing territory of the island,’§o much time and so much money will be required to restore the land to its normal produc~ tivencss that it is extremely doubtful if capital can be induced to even make the attempt. The spectacle of the utter ruin of an ad- joining country, by nature one of the most fertile and charming on the globe, would engage the serious attention of the govern,- ment and people of the United States in any circumstances. In point of fact, they have a concern with it which is by no means of a wholly sentimental or philan— thropic character. It lies so near to us as to be hardly separated from our territory. Our actual pecuniary interest in it is sec- ond only to that of the people and govern— ment of Spain. It is reasonably estimated that at least from $30,000,000 to $50,000,- 000 of American capital is invested in plantations and in railroad, mining and other business enterprises on the island. The volume of trade between the United States and Cuba, which in 1889 amounted to about $64,000,000, rose in 1893 to about $103,000,000, and in 1894, the year before the present insurrection broke out, amount. ed to nearly $96,000,000. Besides this large pecuniary stake in the fortunes of Cuba the United States finds itself inex- tricably involved in the present contest in other ways both vexatious and costly. As to Cuban Americans. Many Cubans reside in this country and indirectly promote the insurrection through the press, by public meetings, by the purchase and shipment of arms, by the raising of funds and by other means which the spirit of our institutions and the tenor of our laws do not permit to be made the subject of criminal prosecutions. Some of them, though Cubans at heart and in all their feelings and interests, have taken out papers as naturalized citizens of the United States, a proceeding resorted to with a view to possible protection by this government and not unnaturally regarded with much indignation by the country of their origin. The insurgents are undoubtedly encour— aged and supported by the widespread sym- pathy the people of this country always and instinctively feel for every struggle for better and freer government, and which, in the case of the more adventurous and restless elements of our population, leads in only too many instances to active and personal participation in the contest. The result is that this government is constant- ly called upon to protect American citizens, to claim damages for injuries to persons and property, now estimated at many mil- lions of dollars, and to ask explanations and apologies for the acts of Spanish offi- cials, whose zeal for the repression of re- bellion sometimes blinds them to the im- munities belonging to the unoffending cit- izens of a friendly power. It follows from the same causes that the United States is compelled to actively police a long line of seacoast against unlawful expeditions, the escape of which the utmost vigilance will not always suffice to prevent. These inevitable entanglements of the United States with the rebellion in Cuba, the large American property interests affected and considerations of philanthropy and humanity in general have led to a ve- hement demand in various quarters for some sort of positive intervention on the part of the United States. It was at first proposed that belligerent rights should be accorded to the insurgents—~a proposition no longer urged, because untimely, and in practical operation clearly perilous and in- jurious to our own interests. It has since been and is now sometimes contended that the independence of the insurgents should be recognized. But. imperfect and re‘ stricted as the Spanish government of the island may be, no other exists there, unless the will of the military officer in temporary command Of a particular district can be dignified as a species of government. It is now also suggested that the United States should buy the'island, a suggestion possi- bly worthy of consideration if there were any evidence of a desire or willingness on the part of Spain to entertain such a pro- posal. It is urged finally that, all other methods failing. the existing internecine strife in Cuba should be terminated by our intervention, even at the cost of a war between the United States and Spain—a war which its advocates confidently proph- esy could be neither large in its propor- tions nor doubtful in its issue. "Right and Not Might.” The correctness of this forecast need be neither affirmed n‘or denied. The United States has nevertheless a character to main— tain as a nation, which plainly dictates that right and not might should be the rule of its conduct. Further, though the United States is not a nation to which peace is a necessity, it is in truth the most pacific of powers and desires nothin so much as to live in amity with all the wofild Its own ample and diversified domains lat- l I isfy all possible longings for territory, pre- . elude all dreams of conquest and prevent ! any casting of covetous eyes upon neigh- ‘ boring regions, however attractive. That our conduct toward Spain and her domin- ions has constituted no exception to this national disposition is made manifest by the course of our government not only I thus far during the present insurrection, ’ but during the ten years that followed the rising-at Yara in l868. NO other great power, 'it may safely be said; under cir- . cumstances of similar perplexity, would have manifested the same restraint and the same patient endurance. It may also be said that this persistent attitude of the United States toward Spain in connection with Cuba unquestionably evinces no slight respect and regard for Spain on the part of the American people. _ They in 'truth do not forget her connection with the discovery of the western hemisphere, nor do they underestimate the great qualities of the Spanish people nor fail to fully rec- ognize their splendid patriotism and their chivalrous ‘devotion to” the national'honor. They view with wonder and admiration the cheerful resolution with which vast bodies of men are sent across thousands of miles of ocean and an enormous debt ac- cumulated that the costly possession of the “Gem of the Antilles” may still hold its place in the Spanish crown. And yet neither the government nor the people of the United States have shut their eyes to the course of events in Cuba or have failed to realize the existence of conceded griev- ances, which have led to the present revolt from the authority of Spain—grievances rccogni’zed by the queen regent and by the cortes, voiced by the most patriotic and en— lightened of Spanish statesmen without regard to party and demonstrated by re- forms proposed by the cxecutive and ap- proved by the legislative branch of the o temper and disposition of the' Spanish government to remedy these grievances, fortified by indications of influential pub- . lic opinion in Spain, that this government I has hoped to discover the most promising and effective means of composing the pres- ent strife with honor and advantage to l Spain and with the achievement of all the reasonable objects of the insurrection. The Autonomy of Cuba. It would seem that if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy—a measure of home rule which, while preserving the sov— : ereignty of Spain, would satisfy all ration- ; a1 requirements of her Spanish subjects— I . ‘ there should I;e no just reason why the l pacification of the island might not he \ effected on that. basis. Such a result would 1 appear to be in the true interest of all con— l corner . It would at once stop the conflict ,' which is now consuming the resources of I the island and making it worthless for whichever party may ullimately prevail. i It would keep intact the possessions of l Spain without touching her honor, which 1 will be consulted rather than impugned by the adequate redress of admitted griev- ances. It would put the prosperity of the island and the fortunes of its inhabitants within their own control without severing the natural and ancient tics which bind them to the mother country and would yet enable them to test their capacity for self government under the most favorable con- ditions. It has been objected on the one side that Spain should not promise auton- omy until her insurgent subjects lay down their a‘ ms; on the other side, that promised autonomy, however liberal, is insufficient because without assurance of the promise being fulfilled. But the reasonableness of a requirement by Spain of unconditional surrender on the part of the insurgent Cubans before their autonomy is conceded is not alto- gether apparent. It ignores important features of the situation—the stability two years’ duration has given to the insurrec- tion: the feasibility of its indefinite pro- longation in the nature of things and as shown by past experience; the utter and imminent ruin of the island unless the present strife is speedily composed; above all, the rank abuses which all parties in Spain, all branches of her government and all her leading public men concede to exist and profess a desire to remove. Facing such circumstances. to withhold the proffer of needed reforms until the parties demand- ing them put themselves at mercy by. throwing down their arms has the appear- ance of neglecting the. gravest of perils and inviting suspicion as to the sincerity of any professed willingness to grant reforms. The objection on behalf of the insurgents —that promised reforms cannot be relied upon —- must, of course, be considered, though we have no right to assume and no reason for assuming that anything Spain undertakes to do for the relief of Cuba will not be done according to both the spirit and the letter of the undertaking. A Gentle Hint'to Spain. Nevertheless, realizing that suspicions and precautions on the part of the weaker of two combatants are always natural and not always unjustifiable—being sincerely desirous in the interest of both as well as on its own account that the Cuban problem should be solved with theleast possible de- lay—it was intimated by this government to the government of Spain some months ago that, if a satisfactory measure of home rule were tendered the Cuban insurgents and would be accepted by them upon a guarantee of its execution, the United States would endeavor to find a way not objectionable to Spain of furnishing such guarantee. While no definite response to this intimation has yet been received from the Spanish government, it is believed to be not altogether unwelcome, while, as al- ready suggested, no reason is perceived why it should not be approved by the in- surgents. Neither party can fail to see the importance of early action, and both must realize that to prolong the present state .of things for even a short period will add enormously to the time and labor and ex- penditure necessary to bring about the in- dustrial recuperation of the island. It is therefore ferven'tly'hoped on all grounds that earne§t efforts for healing the breach between Spain and the insurgent Cubans upon the lines above indicated, may be at once inaugurated and pushed to an imme- diate and successful issue. The friendly offices of the United States, either in the manner above outlined or in any other way consistent with our constitution and laws, will always be at the disposal of either party. Whatever circumstances may arise, our policy and our interests would constrain us to object to the acquisition of the island or an interference with its control by any other power. It should be added that it cannot be reasonably assumed that the hitherto ex- pectant attitude of the United States will be indefinitely maintained. anxious to accord all due respect to the sovereignty of Spain, we cannot view the pending conflict in all its features and properly apprehend our inevitably close re- lations to it and its possible results with- out considering that by the course of events we may be drawn into such an unuspal f..— limit to our patient waiting for Spain to end the contest, either alone and in her own way or with our friendly co-operation. Spanish government. It isin the assumed- While we are, and unprecedented condition as will fix a . A Fatal Duel. PARIS, Dee. 7.—Sergeant Pradals of the Seventeenth line regiment, who was wounded in a duel on Friday by Ferdi- nand de Lesseps, quartermaster of the Thirteenth chasseurs, is dying. Dead In a Coal Mine. HUNTINGTON, W. Va, Dec. 7.—Jonee Fowler, a wealthy timber and coal dealeI of Logan county, was found dead in a coal mine on Big Ugly creek yesterday. It is believed that he was murdered. Closed the College. RHINEBECK, N. Y., Dec. 7.—St. Ste phen’s college at Annandale was closed yesterday by order of the board of health, a student named Silman having contract- ed diphthciii. . ' Thinks He Is President. NEW YORK, Dec. 7.—Charles Gorman, aged 18 years, insists that he is president of the United States and upon complaint of his mother has been adjudged insane. From Sire to Son. As a family medicine, Bacon’s Celery King for the nerves passes from sire to son as a legacy. If you have kidney, liver or blood disorder get a free sample package of this remedy. If you have in- digestion, constipation, headache, rheu- matism, this specific will cure you. Ed- ward P. Weed, Norwalk, or George C. Stillson, South Norwalk, the leading druggists, are sole agents, and are distrib- uting samples free. Large packages 50c and 25c. __ The annual meeting of the Knights of Columbus will be held next Monday evening. Baby’s Best Frie11d_}lotlwr._lveact Dr, Hand‘s Colic Cure. HARTFORD, CONN., Oct. 26 ’95-—The Hand Medicine Co.—“By request of. my wife the undersigned writes you ‘that baby’s best friend is her mother,’ and next best is Dr. Hand’s Colic Cure. Used same for past months. lt is impossible to wrife our appreciation of your prepa~ ration‘and do most cheerfully request all mothers to use same for their little ones. Our baby is now teething. W. Lincoln Barnard.” Sold by all druggists, 25c. \ There will be an important meeting of Grace church vestry in the Guild room, Friday evening. 1)" Every JIlofhez; Knew Her Lt'tle Ones Would be Saved. BRIDGEPORT, Comm, May 3, ’95.—Dr. Hand—Dear. Sirz—“I have used Dr. Hand’s Teething Lotion and found it all it is represented. I have had no trouble at all with baby during his teething; 1t has helped him so much, he teases to have it used on his gums. If every mother would use it they would save the little ones a great deal of suffering. Yours respectfully, Mrs. Harry Browne, 614 State street.” Dr. Hand’s Teething Lotion sold by all druggists, 25c. R. B. Kane of Bridgeport has been elected captain of the New York Uni- versity foot ball team for next year. Relief in Six Hours. Distressing Kidney and Bladder dis- eases relieved in siz hours by the “New GREAT SOUTH AMERICAN KIDNEY CURE.” This new remedy is a great sur- prise on account of its exceeding prompt, ness in relieving pain in the bladder kidneys, back and every part of the urin- ary passages in male or female. It re- lieves retention of water and pain in pass- ing‘ it almost immediately. If you want quick relief and cure this is your remedy. Sold by E. P. Weed, Druggist. Nuwalk, Conn. . John Carroll, an expert bicycle rider and undertaker, was calling on Old friends in town yesterday. John is lo- cated in New, York. but Norwalk still has great attractions for him. The Best for Children. “I believe Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy is the best for children I ever used. For croup it is unequalled. It is a splendid seller with us.—T. M. ECKLES, Ph. G., Manager \Vampum Pharmacy, Wampum, Pa.” When used as soon as the first symptoms appear, that is as soon as the child becomes hoarse or even after the croupy cough has appeared, it will prevent the attack. The mothers of croupy children should bear this in mind and always keep the remedy at hand. It is also the best remedy in the world for colds and Whooping cough. For sale at 25 and 50 cents per bottle by E. P. Weed, Druggist. ‘ Libation artist Johnson at the Nor- walk Hotel resigned Saturday night and succeeds Libation artist Johnson at the Mahackemo Hotel, who resigned some days since. - Gun=Shot Wounds. Major E. A. Garlington was shot through the arm at the battle of “Wounded Knee,” December 29, 1890, the last fight between the Indians and our troops. _ It is not often that-a regular army officer certifies to the value of a proprietary remedy, but this is what Major Gatlington says about SALVA-cm: “ WASHINGTON, D. C.,' April 21, 1895. “I have used SALVA-CEA for soreness or rheumatic pains in the muscles of my arm, which is dis- abled from a gun-shot wound involv- ing the elbow joint ;relief was quick and complete. E. A. GARLINGTON, Major and Inspector General, U. S. A." Not many peeple suffer from gun-shot wounds, to be sure, but lots of us do suffer from piles, local skin irrita- tion, chafings,_colds and nasal catarrh, and SALVA-CEA is just as efficacious in all of these as in gun-shot wounds. Two sizes 25 and 5° cents per box. At rugg'lsts. or by mail. For deep-rented air: and rheumatfxm of flu joint: use .52: via-cm, “ Extra Strong." Sold in tin: at 75 cent: cult. Tn; anmn Co., 274 Canal-Street, N. Y. . law is ime To Send in Your Advertisements (A x or all llad'e THE (EVENING ‘ GAZETTE i IS THE RIGHT HEDIIIII THIIIIIIGH WHIIIH T0 IIEIIIIH THE HEHDIHG PUBLIG. The Only Eight-Page One-Cent Paper in the Norwal ks. leedalWMml IlEPEHIlS 0H THE POGKETS OF THE PEOPLE .41 WHO. READ IT. ADVERTISEMENTS II THE mums GAZETTE me new av moss mm HAVE mom in - ONLYICENT., 0 OFFICE OPEN EVENING-s. .9
Norwalk Chronicler