The New York herald., 1873-11-23
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
PRESIDENT GRANT ON THE STU
ALTON.
ChrOnicle-Spafn Must Fight OF Make
ReParation.

WASHINGTON, Oct %, 1873.
'eWhen the government makes every prepara-
ton for aggressive defensive policy, fits out
It's navy and does everything to make the army
effective, up TO the limit OF calling for troops you
can put whatever construction you please on such
activity. II l were to Judge OF such movements
as civilian l should say they were warlike.
/ do not remember OF anything OF the kind hav-
ing been done in this country which was not the
preface to peace satisfaction Tor our offended
honor. So far, believe, our history sustains me
in this assertion. II my message to Congress does
not convey this idea, 1t will be because forget the
words in which to express it.n
This was the language OF President Grant in con-
versation with Senator, whose influence as well
as his vote ill be important when the present re-
lations with Spain come before Congress for con-
sideratlon.
The Daily Chronicle OF tomorrow will publish
the following as indicating the sentiment OF the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and their
vote will settle this controversy
Judcially considered it will not probably be
reended that public war exists in Cuba. The
Spanish authorities stoutly insist that war does
not exist on the Island.
The patriots have sought recognition OF
tncis independence by other nations, which
has not yet been conceded by any first class Power.
And yet the historical TACT OF such war cannot be
denied, and It's proportions have been and be-
leved TO be quite serious requiring large stand
ing army and navy and active cam
paigns to prevent the overthrow OF
the Spanish authorities 1t is said that
the number of troops already sent to Cuba from
Spain within the past few years this account
approaches 900 men that the average strength
OF this army Is at least 10000 and yet the patiots,
as they call themselves, who confront this large
force In the 1ed, are called by Spain 'insurgents -
and their resistance to the Spanish authorities
Spain denominates an ''insurrection.m On the
contrary, the patriots call them themselves ',the
Republic OF Cuba" and the contest going
on between these armed forces on the
island they call ''war" Spain on the
side denies stoutiy the existence of war,
and the opposing forces are anxious to secure
recognition, at least, OF their bellgerency. This
recognition would enable the socalled patriots to
demand humane treatment of prisoners OF war as
tracts with other peoples Tor aid and support.
In the absence of such recognition Spain
may regard them merely as criminals, and when
captured, punish them as such; but she loses the
right, on the other hand to claim the rights OF n
belligerant vessel, one OF the most important OF
which is the right to prohibit the Importation OF
contraband OF war; and 10 search merchant ships OF
neutrals TO prevent violation OF her helligerent
rights they had no right whatever to molest ship
on the high seas belonging TO another nationality,
even II known to be freighted with arms and mu-
nitions OF war; for this, in time OF peace would be
lawful cargo, whether destined Tor q port in Cuba
or elsewhere. On their arrival within the jurisdc-
ton OF Spain they would become amenabe
to her laws, civil and criminal, and
not before SPANS error in the case OF the Vir-
ginius consisted in her claim of the right arrest
citizens OF other countries. and to punish them as
criminals Tor intending, as she alleges, the viola.
tion OF the criminal code after their arrival in the
country.
Such proposition can never be conceded by
the government Of the United States.