The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-06-04

their demands. They secured the
promotion of Valmazeda at the very
moment when our Government was
receiving assurances from Spain that
the cruelties to which he owed his
Advancement should be suppressed.
They disregard all laws and all au.
| thority which is not In accordance
with their sanguinary principles and
purposes. Few or none are natives of
/ Cuba. They hail from every part of
| Spain, In search of wealth. None
remain in the land they plunder.
nor live among the people thov have
wronged: Small fortunes generally
satisfy their desires. but they often
accumulate great wealth, according to
their aspirations and capacity. They
are unaccompanied By families. and
unrestrained by social ties. They
represent the most desperate classes
of Spain.
Our consular officers in Cuba are
commercial agents only. Without di-
plomatic power and authority we can
not, of right, insist upon a recogni-
ton of our political interests in the
government of. Cuba. Our diplomatic
relations are with Spain. not with Gu
ba. Our inquiries and protests must
be communicated to Madsid, reported
to Cuba. returned to Spain, and trans-
mitted again to the United States-a
circuit of many thousand miles-and
wasting months Of time before either
party can appreciate or comprehend
the views of the other; and then the
circuit is to be repeated
How long are we required to shut
our eyes to facts which are pItents to
all the world, and endure indignities
never before practised on any nation?
Such grave events covering a period
of eighteen months, show an estab-
lished condition of affairs, iniuriously
affecting In every way the rights. the
interests, and honor Of the American
Government.
Lit is unnecessary to assume that !
this disregard of an authority aud Of
decency is in accordance with the |
wishes of the present Government; |
or that it makes professions of regard |
for the rights of the United States at |
Madrid, which it does not intend TO
observe in Cuba. On the contrary.
the character Of the military forces in
Cuba, the official declarations of off,
GERS of the United States and Of |
Spain, and the record of current
events from the beginning of the
war, prove conclusively that the Gov
ernmeat of Spain in Cuba is unable to
conquer the people of Cuba, to sup
press. the rebellion to enforce its naA
tionaliiy, to secure the observance of
its orders among the Spauiards, or
even to suDport its own officers. fo
protect the rights of foreign nations,
or to punish crimes. which the civil
zed world must condemn. 1t is no
longer civil c0mmotion that agifates
Cuba, as it has been hitherto regard
ed by the United States, nor a mere
domestic question. as it is represented
By the Spanish Government. It is a
protracted and atrocious civil war.
Our first duty is to treat it as a war,
and in accordance with the laws of
nations; to declare and maintain in
regard to the parties engaged therein
a strict neutrality record, would JUS
lify the Governmeat in recognizing
the independence of Cuba, or a de-
claration of war.
But we propose only to provide for
emergencies and specify measures pre-
eisely to the extent required, but no
further. We ask only that IN armed
contest in Cuba, the existence of
which it would be a crime to aues-
ion, the Neutrality of che United
States shall be proclaimed and en-.
'orced.
The foregoing is but a brief synop-
rs of the report, but embraces all its
salient points,