Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-22
The Cuban Question.


The question Of Cuban independence is al
last fairly before Congress- and will unques.
tionably be very soon disposed Of General
Banks has been persistent in his cndcavor,
to have it considered but hitherto has been
unsuccessful The majority report Of the
committee was given recently in the New
York Herald. 1t is signed by FIVE member.
Of the committee on foreign affairs, and sets
forth % statement, Of the comparative strength
Of the forces Of the insurgents and the Span.
iards the losses Of both sides, and the afro.
cities Of Capt Gen. De Rodas and the yolun.
tecrs. 1t docs the best that can be done to
show that a state Of war exists on the Island
sufficient to warrant the concession Of belig-
crent rights totho Cubans, the point at which
the canons Of international law allow such
concessions being laid down with great care.
The report largely dwels on the justice of
the Cuban cause, and the sympathy which it
should have from an the lovers Of freedom.
The report Of the minority, drawn by
Judge Ortb and signed by four members, is
comparatively brief document 1t includes
their bill making it misdcmoanor to fit out
ships of war with the intent that they shall
be employed in the service of any European
prince or State for the purpose Of subduiug
American colonists claiming independence
This bill they say is but an enlargement of
the Monroe doctrine, and cannot give reason.
able cause of offence to any foreign powers
and shows that while we oppose unauthorized
interference on the part Of our own citizens.
with the concerns of other nations or col.
ouies we are decidedly adverse to the con.
tuuance of the colonial system for the gov
orument Of any portion of this continent. 1t
further declares says the minority, that our
government will refuse assistance to foreign
power, in maintaining supremacy against the
efforts Of American colonies to cast it of.
The signers of the report hold that the
revolutionary government of Cuba has no
existence outside the camps Of insurgents,
and submit that a revolution which has not
yet acquired single town as its capital, has
not command Of single seaport, and has not
a single vessel aaoat, is hardly in a condition
to claim that it is government entitled to
formal declaration Of neutrality, which is in
effect a declaration that it is entitled to bollie.
erent rights. The report claims that it was
simply the duty Of our government to MAIN
tain a neutral attitude between Spain and
Cuba, and that this has been done with strict
impartality except in the case Of the Span.
ish gunboat, which it had no right to detain
unless it was prepared to recognize that
state Of war existed in Cuba, which the Pres
idont was not satisfied we ought to do. They
say that the right to declare neutrality is one
thing and the duty another, and add that if
ever it becomes our duty to interfere in this
contest we ought to act fearlessly. They
think, however, that the course heretofore
pursued by our government has been dictated
by a regard for law and the best interests Of
the country, and express strong hope that
the doctrines and legislation recommended by
the majority will not be sanctioned