Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-06-14
CUBA.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Barbaritfes Of Both Parties Con-
demned-Ihe Struggle Not am Inter.
national War.

- - .
national War.
The following is the message of President
Grant upon Cuban affairs, sent TO both Houses
of Congress yesterday:
To the Senate aud House Of Representatives.
In my annual message TO Congress at the be-
contest which had then for more than a year
existed in the island of Cuba, between a portion
of its inhabitants and the government of Spain,
and to the feelings and sympathies of the people
and government of the United States for the
people of Cuba, as for all people struggling for
liberty and self-gOvernment, and said that "the
contest has at no time assumed the conditions
which amount 20 war in the sense of interna-
tional law, or which would show the existence
of de fdcto political organization of the insur-
gspFttSS Sufficient to justify recognition Of bell-
During the six months which have passed
since the date of that message, the condition OF
the insurgents has not improved, and the insar-
rectcn itself, although not subdued, exhibits no
signs of advance, but seems TO be confined to an
irregular system of hostilities carried on by
small and lily armed bands OF men. roaming
without concentration through the woods and
the sparsely populated regions of the island, at
tacking from ambush conveys and small bands
OF troops, burning plantations and estates of
those not sympathising with their cause. But
If the insurrection has Eot gained ground, it Is
equally true that Spain has not suppressed il.
Climate, disease and the occasional bullet have
worked destruction among the soldiers of Spain,
and although the Spanish authorities have pes
session of every sea port and every town on the
island, they have not been able 10 subdue the
hostile feeling which has driven a considerabl
number OF the native inhabitants of the island
to armed resistance against Spain, and still
leave them to endure the dangers and priya-
tions of roaming life of guerilla warfare.
On either side the contest has been conducted
and is still carried on with lamentable disre-
gard of human life and of the usages and prac-
tices which modern civilization has prescribed
in mitigation of the necessary horrors OF war.
The torch Of Spaniard and Cuban is alike busy
in carrying devastation over fertile regions;
murderous andrevengeful DEGREES are issued and
executed by both parties. Count Calmaseda and
Colonel Baez, on the part ofSpain, have startled
humanity and aroused the Indignation of the
civilized world by the execution each of score
of prisoners at time, while General Quesada,
0SSsn ene SOOy % ane t m,sn apparent un
has admitted the slaughter, by his own deliber-
ate order. in one day of upwards of six hundred
and fifty prsoners-of-war. summary trial,
with few II any escapes from convection, fol-
lowed by immediate execution, is the fate of
those arrested on either side suspicion OF inf
deity to the cause of the party making the ar
rest.
Whatever may be the sympathies of the peo-
pie or OF the government Of the United States
for the cause or objects for which part of the
people OF Cuba are understood to have put
themselves in armed resistance to the govern
ment of Spain, there can be no just sympathy in
conh'ct carried ON by both parties alike in
such barbarous violation of the rules of civil
lied nations, and with such continued OUTRAGE
upon the plainest principles Of humanity.
We cannot discriminate in our ccnsure of their
Spaniards and the Cubans Each Commit the
same atrocities, and outrage alike the estab-
lshed rules OF war.
been destroyed or enlarged, the lives of seve-
raj have been sacrificed, and the liberty of
others have been restrained.
In every case that has come to the knowledge
OF the government an early and earnest demand
for reparatien and indemnity has been made,
and most emphatic remonstrance has been
presented against the manner in which the
strife is conducted, and againt the reckless dis
regard of human life, the wanton destruction OF
material wealth, and the cruel disregard Of the
established rules Of civilized warfare. have
Of
resentatives, upon their request, an account Of
the steps which had taken in hope Of bringing
this sad conflict to an end, and Of securing 70
independent self-government. The efforts thus
made failed, but not without an assurance from
Spain that the good ofices Of this government
might still avail for the objects to which they
During the whole contest the remarkable ex-
hibition has been made Of large numbers OF
risks Of war; congregating in this country at q
safe distance from the scene Of danger, and en-
deavoring TO make war from our shores to urge
to to embroil this government in compIicstions. ona
and, possibly, hostilities with Spain. IL can
scarce be doubted that this last result Is the
real object Of these parties: although carefully
plausible demand for mere recognition Of bef-
ligerency.
1t is stated, on what have reason 10 regard
as good authority, that Cuban bends have been
prepared to q large amount, whose payment is
made dependent upon the recognition by the
United States OF either Cuban belligerency or
Independence. The object Of making their
Of this government is q subject for serious re-
Election.
In determining the course to be adopted on
the demand thus made for q recognition Of bel
ligerency, the liberal and peaceful principles
adopted by the Father Of his Country and the
eminent statesmen Of his day, and followed by
succeeding Chief Magistrates and the men Of
us now charged with the direction and control
of the public safety.
From 1sse TO isis the dominant thought OF our