The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-20
The Cuban Question.

British Parliament embracing alleged correspondence be-
tween the Unei States. Spain, France aud England IN
regard 10 the annexation OF Cuba" tripartile con-
vention the subject has been proposed 10 tue
United States by the British and French governments
aud the proposition upon full discussion, has been de-
clined Repeated intimalions have been given 10 ihe
United States ia published dispatches from the BRUSH
and French governments, that those powers could
not see with Indifference, without deep Sensioiy'
the transfer of Cuba by Spain to any great commercial
nation OF course the United States These no.
orous facts raise aud present the whole question OF the
right of Great Britain and France to interfere IN any ar
upon the subject of Cuba between the United
States and Spain 1t is difficult to upon VIVA, princl-
Plies OF public law OF sound public policy such right
OF interiors be maintained by France and Eng
land or admitted by the United States.
Any negotiation between Spain and the United States
in regard 10 Cuba would SEEM upon general principles.
TO be matter belonging entirely and exclusively to the
two negotiating powers Cuba is a remote colony Of
Spain. II is remote from England AID France II is not
contiguous any continental possessions OF those pow
II does not form any part OF The European sy stem
is part of this continent and it lies in commanding
position at the very doors OF the United States Here
the strongest imaginable geographical for the abs
the adjustment of the whole question by the only par
ties in inerest-ourseves and Spain. Interposition by
France or England in the matter would be much like in
terposon by the United States in the egoa,ion look
ing TO the rerocesson of Gibraltar to Spain by England
France and England have, in geographical point of
view, certainly right to interfere Spanish
American negotiation as TO Cuba, than the United
States would have to interfere in negotiation be-
tween France and England in regard TO Algeria, or
between Russia and England in regard to Circassia,
or between Austria and Turkey in regard 10 Mol
dayia or Montenegro. The proposition of interfer-
ence by the United States in any Of these would be
booted at by all the European governments and regarded
absudity both by the government and people Of the
United States rule of non-inteerence so obvious as
this, in order to work justly should certainly work both
ways. Engand and France should either recognise the
United States as parties in their Asiac and African pro-
ceedngs else should show good before attempt
ing TO make themselves parties in any proceedings be-
tween and Spain in regard to Cuba. ..
Such being the general aspec. OF the question, predi
Gated upon its three simplest eementsthe independence
OF Span the independence Of the United S,aes and the
geographical position of Cuba Spanish possession
what the spsealiss in the which be claimed
as authorizing the interference of France and England
in the matter between Spain and the United States
NJ. Guizors idea of "a balance OF power" this
tnent be regulated at London and Paris, found
favor anywhere-n fact, had any in itand
may be set down exploded and out of the ques-
ton Then the OF the Spanish bondholdes,
as they are called These are British capitalists who
wen, into the money market and loaned money specu
laon to the Spanish government taking ts bonds
I'd paln in pa Ri
some years ago. threw out the idea that the refusal OF
Spain to repay these men their money would present
case for the interference OF the British government;
and he is,imated vaguely that Cuba might be seized
or hypo,hecaed as collateral security. The seizure
OF Cuba by England for such purpose would take
for granted, fret, that the British government had
sumed the debt owed by Spain to British capitalists.
which she has not DONE and has not shown any purpose
do In the next place, such seizure would take for
granted that the failure of Spain to pay debt due
oeu. and with preteuce Of espass by the Spanish
government, to British capitalist, is beih be-
tween England and Span-the government OF England
being party to the original transaction in which the
debt incurred. In view OF public law, such failure
OF Spain pay her debt to British subec, incurred
is bsi at all; and therefore the seizure OF
Cuba by England on that preienee would be a mere
&C, OF lawless force demanding and ustying the
active opposition OF every government having any
interest, territorial commercial TO resist such dis
position OF the island As TO the hypothecation Of
the island by Spain collateral security, nothing OF
the kind appears the Spanish bonds is pretended
to have formed part OF the money lending Transaction
No subsequent treaty between Spain and England is
shown making any such arrangement. There is such
hypo,hecaion them express or implied But even il there
were, the right OF Spain 10 make any such disposition o
Cuba against the interest and remonsanee OF the United
States be admitted for by public law, under.
stood in Europe, continuity and commanding geographical
relation, like that between Cuba and the United States
regarded universally giving rights commensurate,
with the interests which they involve between the con,g
uous powers This being So the United States have
right and interest in regard to the disposition OF Cub,
to which European power but Spain can pretend
Plainly then, upon the view have taken, this cas-,
OF the bond boders is not special fact iusying ehe
England or France in the attempt to make Cuba ex
cep,lon TO the general rule OF nonintererence on heI
part in negotiations the subject between gov
eminent and Spain. No other such special fact OF usth
cation is alleged
We have thus far considered the question OF British
and French interference IN the Cuban question without
reference to the policy which !, known as the Mosros
doctrine Yet that policy plsoy bears upon the Cuban
question in relation to any such foreign interference
The positions OF the administration respecting the Mon
doctnne-in both its aspects, as against forsgn in