Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-12-18
CnLuMnrAN sT4TEs

w.
Gentigo, for the seizure aud retention Of which
the government Of the United states of Columbia
of the claim This decision has settled question
which has been pending for several years. and
wnicm ss while It continued Open might more or
publics.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
A reciprocity treaty with the King of the Ha-
waiian Islands was concluded some months since,
but as 1t contained stipulation that 1t shall be of
islatlon for the purpose, copies of the instrument
are herewith submitted fn order that II such
nGala pc the pleasure Congress, the necessary
| -, QUESTIONS WITH SPAIN.
1 In March last an arrangement was pade through
Mr. Gushing, our Minister in Madrid, with the
spanish n G1yernment for the payment by the lat
coin for the purpose of the relief Of the families
or persons Of the ships Gre ' and certain passen-
been.paid in three ihstallments at two months
each: II is due to the Spanish Government that
should state that the payments were fully and
speedily anticipated by that Government, and
that the whole amount was paid within but few
days more than two months from the date Of the
justment have directed distribution of the
amount among the parties entitled thereto, in-
| cluding the ships crew and such passengers as
were American citizens. Payments are made ac-
| cordingly on the application of the parties.
TIE CUBAN QUESTION.
AS evidence of and approaching some of the
runous conflicts which have been raging for seven
years In the neighbcrlng islands of Cuba, the same
disregard of the laws of civilized warfare of the
just demands of humanity, which have heretofore
tho nations Of Christendom have continued to
blacken the sad scene. Deso,ation, ruin and pill
lage are prevailing in rich 1elds once the most
fertile and productive regions Of the earth, and
the incendarles touch, burning plantations, valu-
able factories and buildings, Is the agent marking
parties. the prOtracted continuance of the strife
seriously affects the interests of all commercial ma
tons. but those of the United States more than
Others by reason of Its close proximity its larger
trade and intercourse with Cuba, and the friendly
and intimate personal social relations which have
grown up between its citizens and those of the is
land. Moreover, the property OF our citizens in
Cuba is large, and Is rendered insecure and de-
pressed In value and in capacity of productien by
the continuance Of strife and the unnatural mode
of its conduct. The same Is true, differing only
in degree with respect to the interests and people
of other nations and the absence of reasonable
assurance of the near termination of the conflict,
must of necessity soon compel the States thus suf-
ferng to consider what the interest of their own
people and their duty towards themselves may
demand; have had hopes she would De enabled
to the property and interests Of our citizens, and
allow legitimate scope to the trade and commerce
and natural productions Of the island. Because
OF this hope, and from an extreme reluctance to
interfere in the Affairs of another and friendly
natiop,, especially of one whose sympathy and
friendship in the struggling infancy Of our own ex-
istence, must ever be remembered with gratitude,
apu Our e con is too re
cent for us not to consider the difficulties which
| surround q government distracted by dynastic
rebellion at homo at the same time that 1t has TO
cope with separate insurrection In distant col
ony: but whatever causes may have produced the
1t exists with all its attendant evils, operating d
rectly upon this country and its people. Thus far
and the time has marked no Improvement in the
situation. The armed band of either sdts occupy
difference from time to time, of more lives sacii-
feed, more property destroyed, and wider extents
OF fertile ana productive aeds and more e. pro
incendiary's TORCH. In contesd OF this nature,
where a considerable body Of people who have
attempted to free themselves OF the control of the
superior government, have reached such poiut
In occupation of territory, in power, and in gen.
eral organization TO constitute, in fact, body
polite, having government in substance as well
as in name, possessed of the elements of ability
and equipped with the machinery for the admins.
tration OF an internal policy and the execution OF
Its laws, and prepared and able to administer jus
tice at home as well as its dealing with other
powers, it is within the province of those other
powers to recognize Its existence a new and in
dependent nation. In such cases other nations
simply deal with an actually existing condtt on
of things: and recognize as one of the powers OF
the earth that body polite, which, posse
a fact. To establish the condition of things es-
sentia to recognition of this fact, there must be
a people occupying known territory, united I'M
der some known and defined form of govern
ment, acknowledged by those subject to 1t,
through which the functions of government are
administered by the usual methods, competent to
mete out justice to citizens and strangers to af-
for remedies for public and for private wrongs
and able to assume the corelative international
OBJ igations, and capable of performing the cores
QUESTION of the rights of sovereignty. A power
should exist complete in Its rganizaton ready to
take and able to maintain its place among the ma
tions of the earth. While conscious that the In
surrection in Cuba has shown a strength and en-
durence which make 1t at least doubtful whether
seems questionable subject that no such civil or
| ganization exists which may be recognized an
its obIigatons and entitled to be treated as one Of
| the powers OF the EARTH
A recognition under such circumstances would
be inconsistent with facts, and would compel the
power which gives 10 soon to support by force the
| government to which 1t had really given Its own
this the United States should adhere the policy
and principles which have heretofore been its
sure and safe guides in Ike contests between re-
| acting only upen the clearcst evidence. should
avoid any possibility Of suspicion or imputaton
| The recognition of the independence OF Cuba
being, In my opinion. impracticabe and indefen.
sible, the question which next presents itself Ii
| the parties to the contest. In my former mess
| age to Congress had occasion TO consider this
conflict in Cuba. dreadful and devastating as arr
its Incidents did not rise to the fearful dignity o.
war. Regarding it now, after this lapse OF time,
am unable TO see that any notable success, or AM
gents has ;. esssnsiaiiy s Changed 1 is character
be proportions. possibly the acts Of foreign pow
ers and even the acts of Spain herself. Of this
| very nature might be pointed to In defence o
such recognition; but now, In Its past history
the United States should carefully avoid the false
lights which might lead 1t into the mazes of doubt
| ful law, and of questionable ropriety, and ad
| here rigidiy and stern!y to the rule which ha,
been Its guide. And doing only that which IL
| right, and honest, and of good report, thu
| question os according or OF withholding tn,
rights of belligereneY must be judged II
| every way In view Of the particular attending
| facts Unless justified by necessity. 1t Is always
| and justly regarded an unfriendly act and q
| gratuitous demonstration Of moral support e
| the rebellion. IL is necessary and IL Is required
| when the interests and rights Of another govern
mel Z, or OF its people, are so far affected by
| pending civil conflict as to require definition o
is relations to the parties thereto. But this con
| fict must be one which will be recognized In the
sense OF International law as bellgcrency, not SC
| as to effect the mere existence OF contendtni
| armed bodies, and their occasional conflicts, doei
| not constitute war In the sense referred TO. Ap
plying to the existing condition of affairs ir
1 Cuba the tests recognized by publishers ant
| writers on international law, and which have
been observed by nations of honesty and power
| when free from sensitive selfish, or unworthy
| motives, fail to and in the insurrectlon the ex
| istence of such substantial organization real
palpable, and manifest to the world, having th,
| forms, and capable of the ordinary functions o.
government. toward it's own people and othe
States, with charts for the administrations of JUS
| tlce, and local babitation, possessing suth al
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