The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-14

tractcd, does not slone copsttut, war. There must
be military forces acting in accordance WIN tho
chance Of prisoners' &C. Sc Aud TO Justify a ro
cognition OF belligerency there must be, above a,
dc yacto political organzttion OF tue insurs,ens'
sufficient In character and resources 10 eVns,i!u'e
II left 10 iteelf State among nations, capable OF
dischurging the duties Of State md OF meeting the
Just responsibilities Il may iaenr as tueh toward
duties. Applying :he best information which
have been able TO gather, whether from
aygcratcd statements which each party gives to AL
that may prejudice The opposite OF 5se csed 70 US
present condition of the contest in Cusa those ele-
mebtS which arc requisite tocons.itute war
IN rnz sESsE or INTERNATIONAL LAW.
The Insurgents hold no town or city, have no
established seat OF government thoy have no prize
courts no organization for the receiving or collecting
OF revenue no seaport TO which prize may he car
ried through which access can be had by foreign
power to the limited interior territory and mountain
Businesses W hich they occupy.
The existence Of q Legislature representing sny
popular eon,iitaency Is more tnan doubtful. In the
ton there Ia probable evidence Of election OF
any delegated authority or Of any government out
side the limits OF the camps occupied from day 10
day by tho moving companies oil insurgeut troops.
There Is no commerce, no trade, either internal or
forei IN, no manufactures The late Comm dsr-ln.
Chief OF the Insurgents having recently come TO the
United states, publicly declared that " all com.
mercia intercourse or trade with the exterior world
has been utterly cut off," and he further added,
To-day we have not ten thousand arms In Cuba"
IT'S wellestablishcd principle OF public law that
recognition by foreign State Of belligerent rights Of
Insurgents under circumst such now exist
10 Cuba, II not justified BY necessity, Is gratuitous
demonstration OF
MORAL SUPPORT TO TIE Rebellion.
Such necessity may y.t hereafter Hrise Sp. u has
IL II be war between Spain and Cuba, and be re-
eoguized, Il Is our duty TO provide for the conse.
quences which may ensue in tie embarrassment OF
our commerce and interference with revenue.
II bellisereney be recognized, the commercial ma.
and to seizure by the commissioned cruisers OF both
parties. They become subject 70 the adjudication
Of prize courts.
OUR LARGE coAsTwrs. TRADE
between the Atlantic and tho Gulf States. and Re.
tween both and the Isthrnus OF Panama aud the
Statos OF South America, engaging the larger part Of
our commercial marine, ps.scs OF geeessity almost
with Spain Of IDS, as well by TIE laws OF ma.
tions. our vessels will be liable 10 visits tho high
contraoand, which now Is lawful, becomes liable TO
the risks OF seizure and condemnation.
The parent Government becomes relieved from
responsibility for acts done In the insurgent tertt
tory. and acquires tho right 10 exercise toward
neutral commerce all the powers Of party to q
else OF those powers msy lead is a question which
desire to commend TO the serious consideration
ton, have deemed 1t my duty TO invite the stten.
tion OF the war making poyeIs OF the country TO
all the relations and bearings OF tho question In
connection With tho
- DECLARATION OF NEUTRALITY,
and granting OF belligereut rights. There IL not
dc Jdeto government In the island OF Cuba sufficient
TO execute laws 20 maintain just relations with other
nations. Spain has not been able TO suppress the
opposition TO Spanish rule on the island, nor to
award speedy justice to other nations citizens Of
other nations when their rights have been Invaded.
There are serious complications growing out OF the
seizure OF American vessels UPON the high seas,
ExscUTNG AMERICAN cirIzkss
without proper trials, and eonfacating and en-.
barsong the property OF American citizens So'emn
protests have been made against every hiraciiOn OF
the ihts Of individual citizens OF the United States
or the rights OF nag upon the lgh seas, aud all
prorer steps have been taken and are pressed for
the proper reparation OF every indcnity complained
Of The question OF bellegerency, however, which
Is to be decided upon definite principles, and ac-
cording TO gscertap9d facts, is entirely dleien
from and uuconnceted with the OF er questions OF
the manner 10 which the strife IN carried beth
sides, and tho treatment Of our citizens entitled 10
our protection.
These questions concern our own dignity and re.
sponsbility, and they have been made, Us l have
said, the subject OF repeated communications
With spain, aud Of protests and demands tor 10.
dress onour part. Ii Is hoped that these will not be
disreyarded; but should they be these Ques.
tons will be made the subjee,of a further commyn
cation to Congress.
(signed) U. s. GRANT.
Executive MANSION, June 10. 1871.