Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-03
CUBA.
Ar. Summers Views asstO the Policy Of
Recognition.

From the New York World, December %.
1t having been prominently set
forth in the Washington correspond
ence Of a New York journal on Mon
day, first, that the administration was
disposed to recognize the belligerent
rights of the Cuban insurgents; and,
second, that Secretary Fish and Sena-
tor Sumner had expressed, within
three days past, views that indicated
such a changing policy, l have been
at some pains to ascertain what now
appears to be the fact: that there is no
foundation whatever for those reports.
Mr.. Fish, in conversation with a
member Of the diplomatic corps yes
terday, gave him to understand, not
only that there had been no change of
policy by the administration, but that
the Cubans are farther from being
recognized by the Government as
belligerents than they were eight days
ago. As for Mr.. Sumner, a CORE
spondeut of the World called on him
to-day expressly to inquire whether
his views and intentions had been so
suddenly altered. Mr.. Sumner said
the report was false. Z" 1t was the
first time" said he, " that had heard
! had changed my opinion in
regard TO that matter. Nobody
would be happier to advocate
the recognition of the Cubans as bel
Iigerents than /, were they TO give
evidence that they had attained TO a
status which would warrant such
recognition. This they have not done
vet. There Is a law which governs
all nations, and tbis government
would infringe upon it ii j. should
now aecede TO the demands Of the
Cubans. 1t is not because we have
not the power to brave the conse-
quences, but that our act would estab-
fish a precedent which we would
have 70 follow in every future case"
The recognition Of the COnfederacy by
England and France, and the previous
recognition of the United States by
France during their original struggle
for liberty being suggested as foreign
precedents, MV. Sumner observed:
hRut we have protested against the
recognition of the Confederaey. Mr..
Seward has written reams Of paper on
the subject. Nor il if dropped now.
We should stultify ourselves and that
protest by recognizing Cuba as q bel
ligerent power in this stage Of her az
fairs. The recognition Of the United
STATES by France was a different mat
ter. France was then desirous Of GO
ing TO war With England. she had
grudge against that country on ac-
count Of the humiliating conditions Of
the treaty which was made at the end
of the so-called seven years war in
Canada. But we do not desire to go
to war with Spain& We have no feud
with Spain, anGsfwaF would cripple
our commerce, increase our nGbiOnal
de,Nt. and, perhaps, sacrifice thousands
of live, Mr.. Sumner at the same
fime expre-ced the opinion that Spain
is acting a very foolish part IN spend
ing her men and money IN ms strug-
Ole, inasmuch as Cuba must eventl-
ally pass out o. her power. IT IS
the old Castfiian pride, or rather stub
bOrnness, he sud, (which induces
her to continne the war OF subjugation;
not mere greed or interest. You see"
continued Mr.. Sumner, "Spain was
one of the greatest of empires under
Ferdinand and Isabel, Charles v, and
Phillip II. Her power extended ali
over Europe; in America, Germany,
the Neth6rlands, France, and even
England. That was acknowledged.
Since then it has gradually waned.
One colony or possession after anOter
has been lost. The memory Of what
she once was and her pride in this CO.
lOnial possession, make Spain tena-
cious OF it," The question being
fairly put, whether MIR. Sumner did
OF did not think that this Govern
ment ought 10 interfere in behalf OF
the insurgents, he replied: lido not
now think so. lam daily, yes, hourly,
thinking how we can honOrably aid
them. The United States Govern
ment is constantly using its interest
with the Spanish Government to bring
this war to q close, and ] have no
doubt that in very short time. per
haps within two or three months, eY-
erything will be satisfactorily settled"
Such, in effect, were MF. Summers
expressions to-day on this important