The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-05-07
An English View of Cuban Annexa'
tiOn.


The London Times, of the 18th ult., con-
tains a column editorial on the recent ac-
tion of the house Of representatives of the
United States in relation to the prospec-
tive recognition of Cuban independence,
from which we make the following extract ;
The house of representatives at Wash
ington has closed its session with a cbar>
acterlstic act 1t has passed prospective
resolution for the recognition OF Cuban IN
dependence by majority SO large that
one report describes 1t as carried unani-
mousy. More than month ago a similar
resolution was adopted by the late house of
representatives, and strangely coupled with
profession of sympathy with the revolu
ton III Spain In both cases the vote
could have none hut a moral effect, since
the constitutional responsibility rests with
the president, who has already received a
memorial on the subject OF the Cuban in
SurgentS. The house Of representatives,
assures president Grant Of its support in
the event OF his seeing fit to recognize any
| de tdct0 government in Cuba based on re-
| publican principles.
The belief of the American pconle that
Cuba must, sooner or later fall into their
hands, has long been ali but openly avowed
Not only the intrinsic value of the island,
but the consciousness that 1t might be
worth infinitely more to Ameri than to
| Spain, irreslstlbly recommends the idea Of
annexation Far be it from us TO
represent this action, however premature,
as moral enormlty, or as an Intentional
insult to Spain. Even if it were an inten-
tlonal insult, it might we'll have been pros
voked by certain high handed proceed ngs
of the Spanish feet, which concern cur
selves as we'll as the United States. What
is too selt-evldent to tie denied is, that it is
utterly and fagranty inconsistent with the
ground upon which the Alabama claims
have always been supported by the Ameri-
can dlpIoulatists. The complaint against
| Great Britain is, that we conceded bellig
erent rights 10 the confederate states with
undue haste, though not till after belliser-
ent rights mad been assumed by the United
State government through a proclamation
of blockade With Il far weaker justltica-
ton, the American house OF commons now
urges the president TO take far stronger
course. So far as the facts are known,
| there Is no comparison between the posi-
ton OF the Cuban insurgents and that of
the coniederates in the first year Of the
war. The utmost that is alleged on behalf
of the former, In the address TO president
Grant, is, that two-thirds of the island is
under their control, and majority Of the
| population In their favor. In respect oil
capacity of seit-a overnaent, they are i'm
neasurably behinc! the southern whites,
and nothing but the internal embalrass,
ments of Spain has enabled them to hold
their own against Gen. Dulce. Yet it is
| nat mi tn
neiilgerents, but to recognize them as al
independent state, without waiting the
Issue of the contest. Again, we say, this
may be right, but if it be right, how frivu>
iUnS are all the charges against the British
Governments III respect to its attitude to-
ward the southern coniederacy Let us
| Imagine similar resolution having been
carried In our own house of commons, and
communicated to Mr.. Seward There is a
| difference, indeed, in constitutional power
| tetween the house OF commons and the
house of representatives, and the possib c
session OF Cuba ha, long tGen familiar to
! the American mind but all other differ,
ences tell on the opposite side. 1t will
great y surprise us if Mr.. Motley does not
repudlate this &c post .tacto PRECEDENT, and
give up its defense in di>palr We freely
| admit, on our part, that president Giant is
10 no degree responsible for 1t, and is per
fectly tree to open negotiations on Mr..
! 7eward's basis, as if 1t did not exist. We
only commend to the attention of those
who forgetting what passed when Hungary
revolted, draw uniavorahle contrasts be-
tween American aud English observance of
neutrality. In the diplomatic intercourse
OF great nations tu quOqHe arguments are
wholly out of place Ii England has done
a wrong to the United States, subse
quent wrong done by TIE United States tc
Spain cannot he set off against it. The
real morai Of the ca>e Is, hat so long Il,
governments act houoraDiy by each other
too much weight should not be given K
| nianlfestatlons of feeling in similar assem,
| biieS.