New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-14

and the right of independent elfgovernment The eff
forts made failed, but not without
from Spain that the good offices OF this Government
might still avail for the objects TO which they had been
During the whole contest the remarkable exhibition
has been made Of large numbers of Cubans escaping from
the island and avoiding the risks OF wai conregatng
in this country, at safe distance from the OF
danger and endeavOring TO make war from own
shores, 10 urge people into the fight which they
avoid and 10 embrol this Government lin complications
and possible hSstes With Spain 1t can scarce be
parties although carefully covered under the deceptive
and apparently plausible demand for recognition
1t stated on what have reason to regard as good
authority, that Cuban bonds have been prepared TO
large amount whose payment ia made dependent upon
the recognition by the United States of either Cuban
their value thus entirely contingent upon the action OF
this Government is subject for serious reflection In
thus made for recognition Of sereD ne the liberal
and peaceful principles adopted by the Father OF his
by succeeding Chief Magistrates and the men of their
day, may furnish safe guide to those OF charged
1889 TO 1915 the dominant thought OF statesmen
was TO keep the United States out of the wars
which were devastating Europe The discussion OF meas
ures OF neutrality begins with the State papers of Mr.
jefferson, when he Secretary OF State. He shows
tona duty; that the misguided individual citizens
not be tolerated in making according to their
that the agents OF foreign governments recognized
unrecognized cannot be permitted to abuse hospital
military naval forces within territory Washington
inaugurated the policy of neutrality and of absolute
resulted in 1884, in the first municipal enactment for the
Observance of neutrality The duty OF opposition to f
ngon encountered the efforts of Genet and the French
ms John Adams me projects OF anG sa
seQuent Presidents, had to deal with the question Of
and since the days of John Quincy adams It has been
one of the constant cares of the Government in the
the feeble South American Republics from leaving our
shores
In no country are men wanting for any enterprise that
a a II.
days OF national existence the whole Continent OF
America outside of the United States and all its islands,
in colonial dependence upon European Powers The
onsy the American Continental col
onie resulted in the establishment of states. Like
ourselves of European origin, and interested III eXcud
ing European politics and the question Of dynasty aud
of balances power from further influence in the New
World, the American policy of neutrality, important
before became dOuby SO from the fact that it became
applicable the republics well TO the mother
great International question at what time and under
what circumstances to recognize power entitled
10 place among the family OF nations well as the pre-
Government toward the nsurrectionary party pending
the contest Mr.. Monroe cOncisely expressed the rule
which has controlled the action of this Government
with reference to revolving country pending its strug
assumed such steady and form
to make the the provinces probable tie rights to which they
entitled by the laws Of nations equal parties civil
extended to them"
The strict adherence to this rule of public policy has
been Of the highest h0nors Of American statesman
ship and has secured to the Government the confidence
of the feeble powers Of this continent, and which inclined
them to rely upon its friendship in the absence Of all
gus of conquest and TO look 70 the United States for
example and moral protection IL has given to this Gov
ernment position of prominence and Of influence which
il should not abdeae, but which imposes upon 1t the
delicate duties OF right and of honor regarding
American questions, whether those questions affect
emancpated colonies colonies still subject to Euro
The question of begerency is one of fact, not to he
decided by sympathies for or prejudice against either
party The relations between the present state of the
international law. Fighting though fierce and pro
traced, does not alone constitute war. There must he
military forces, acting in accordance with the rules and
customs of war; flags of truce cartes exchange OF prs
Oners &c. &c. And to justify recognition OF bellger-
orSSization Of the insurgents sufficient In character and
resources constitute, If left TO ITSELF state among
of meeting the just responsibilities IT may incur as
such toward other Powers in the discharge OF ,, ns
have been able 10 gather, whether from official or UNI
ments which each party gives all that may prejudice
their opponents or give credit to its own side OF the ues
Contest i'm Cuba those elements which are requisite TO
constitute i'll the sense of International law Inc
Insurgents hold no town or city, have established seat
of government they have 10 prize courts, no Orgaza-
ton for the receiving or collecting OF revenue no sea
port TO which prize may be carried, through which
access be had by foreign Power To the limited ute-
territory and mountain fOrtresSes which they occupy
The existence of Legislature representing any popular
constituency than doubtful. In the uncertainty
that hangs around the entire lsuTectOn tIefe II no
probable evidence of election Of any delegated author
ity, Of any government outside the limits OF the
camps occupied from day to day by the moving cOnpa
MES insurgcnt troops. There II no commerce, no
trade either internal foreign, Manufactures The
late connandeIn-ch of the insurgents having re-
Gently to the United states, pqbcy declared tnaI
"a commercial intercourse or trade with the exterior
world has been utterly cut Of ana ne further adqea
To-day have not ten thousand arms III cuba III Is
a welestabshed principle OF public law that recOgn-
ton by foreign state of bcgerent rights OF insurgents
under circumstances such now exist III Cuba, II not
justified by necessity, is gTatuOus demonstration OF
moral support to the rebellion such necessity may
yet hereafter arise but IT has not yet aseh nor Is us
probability clear 10 De seen.
II it between spain and Cuba, and the latter be
recognized duty provide for the consequences
which may i'll the embarrassment OF our commerce
and interference with our revenue DeIIstrehSy pe
recognized the cOnnercal marine OF tne Cteu otdes
becomes liable 10 search aud TO seizure by the commits
stoned cruisers Of both parties They become subject 70
the adjudication OF prize courts our atge cOas
trade between the Atlantic and the Gulf states and be-
both and the Istlmus OF Panama and the states
of South America, engaging the larger part Oh our com
mercia marine, passes OF necessity almost III slg OF the
Island of Cuba. Under the treaty with spain OF ll6 a.
well by the laws OF nations our vessels VIII De Indie
TO visits the high seas In the case OF belgeIehcy
the carrying of cOntraband which now Is lawful be-
comes liable 10 the Ticks Oh seizure anu
The parent Government becomes relieved frOu RESPONSE
bity for done III the insurgent territory, ana ac
quTes the right to exercise toward neutral commerce
all the powers Of party to maritime war TO what
consequence the exercise OF those powers may ead
question which desire 10 commend to the serious con
sideratiOn OF Congress. 49,,
il my duty to invite the attention Of the warnklng
powers the country to all the relations ana bearings
OF the question III connection Win the % W
neutrality and granting OF Dengerents rights there ai
moi de fdctO Government III tine Island Of Cuba sum
cent to execute laws to maintain Just relations WIN
other nations. Spain has not been ape 10 suppos ,
opposition TO Spanish rule on the Ilahu nor 10 d"au
speedy Justice To other nations OF cltzeIs Oh Uhe ma
tons when their rights have been invaded lhele are
serious complications growing out OF the seizure vi
American vessels upon the high seas executing AheI
can citizens without proper trial, and cOnnscathg or
solemn protests have been made against every
infracton Of the rights of individual citizens Oh
fine limited States the rights OF our nag
upon the high seas, ana all proper steps have
been taken and pressed for the proper reparaQ o
ency however which is be decided upon definite prI
cpes and according 10 ascertained facls, Is entirely
different from and uncOnnected with the other questions
OF the manner in which the strife Is carried on on both
sides and the treatment OF citizens entitled 10 our