The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-11-22
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

keep their heads level on the Cuban ques-
ton. The New York Herald has inter.
viewed about everybody on the interna.
tional law phase of the present imbroglio,
and there is about as much confusion in
the minds of the parties interviewed as
there is in the dispatches that come TO us
purporting to give the facts in the case
For instance, Mr.. Roger A. Pryor gives
us, or assumes to do SO, enough of the
fundamental principles Of international
law to settle all possible difficulties in
the case dozen times over, while Mr..
Caleb Gushing is thoroughly pronounced
in his opinion, that ga war with Spain
is impossible, for cruel as has been the
conduct of the Spaniards in Cuba, we
ourselves have provoked it by repeated
filibuster invasions of that island"
AS to international law, it is one of
those flexible institutions which belligerant
nations can twist into almost any shape
they please, to suit any particular occasion
or emergency that may arise. 1t is not,
after all, what elementary writers may
say, or great publicists insist upon as
national duty, but what NAV be
settled by treaty stipulations as the bind
ing obligations and duties to be observed
between two organized peoples in alliance
and amity with each other. 1t is true,
when matters of difference between two
nations are submitted for arbitrament to a
third power, certain principles of interna-
tional right and equity are taken into con-
sideration by the high court of reference !;
but either party may break away from the
negotiations at any time, either before or
after award given, taking its chances of an
ultimate reference to the sword, if war is
what it covets, instead of the conditions
imposed by judgment of the court.
This view of the matter-which is that
practically entertained by the leading gov
ernments Of the world to-day-will dispose
of most of the propositions Of Mr..
Pryor in his exact calculation of the
principles of international law, as laid
down by him.
As to the proposition of Mr.. Gushing,
covering the alleged facts In the case, there
is still greater room for divergence Of
opinion, as well as for specific differences Of
fact. His statment Of the case is one that
demands most materially change in aver
ment. Instead of our government having
repeatedly provoked the cruel conduct of
the Spaniards in Cuba by our filibuster
invasions, the repeated atrocities of
these Sponiards, and The bloody and
de&potic government maintained By them
IN Cuba, hare provoked the inrasions
themselves, and the wonder is that
they have not been ten to
one in number, in spite of all the vigi-
lance Of the government effectualy to sup.
press them. A government which shoots
women, and even children, on mere sus-
picion Of disloyalty--and those, too, of the
highest rank and influence in the land
without SO much as the slimest formalities
OF drum-head court, and commits other
and repeated atrocities, as shocking to hui
mainly as those Of Algeria and Tunis in
the worst period Of their lawlessness and
piracy, is not one to demand considera-
alton at the hands of civilized peoples.
On the contrary, resistance to such gov
eminent. on the part of its subjects, is not
only obedience to God, but the recognition
Of such rights of humanity as none but the
most craven and cowardly natures would
think Of surrendering for moment.
The Cuban government, with its afro
cious exercise of arbitrary power, and its
barbarous practices extending through
more than quarter of a century of out
rage and wrong, is alone responsible for
the filibustering operations of the past, and
the American government has the only
true ground of complaint--that of being
obliged to keep incessant watch and
guard over more than three thousand
miles of sea-coast, to prevent the depart
nre of such filibustering expeditions as are
provoked by the atrocities of
the Cuban government. This is the true
international law view of the case.
which should be taken by Mr.. Pryor,
while the chief qravamen of Mr., |
Cushing's complaint--if he is seriously
prepared to make one-tumbles into
reverse allegation as we have put il.
1t has cost us not less than twenty mil
lions of dollars already to keep this watch
and guard over the atrocious government
,f Cuba, while that island has been con-
slant menace to our commerce, if not
source of irritation in dealing
With diplomatic matters abroad.
The time has come to get rid of this
commercial menace and diplomatic eve.
ore. The Spaniards should be taught to
understand that they live in the nineteenth
century of the Christian era, and that ma
ions, as well as individuals and commu.
Mites, must conform their action to the
avs OF common humanity, If not COM
non religion. Savagesm is giving place
civilization, and barbarity to Justice. in '
il lands. Cuba is not to be an exception.