Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

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tionable that no such civil organization exists
which may be recognized as an independent
government, capable OF performing ita Obliga-
tons and entitled to be treated as one Of the
powers OF the earth. A recognition ulder
such circumstances would b, Inconsistent
with facts, and would compel the power CIV
ing it soon to support by force the government
to which il had really givenlits only real claim
OF existence. In my Judgment the United
States should adhere to the policy and the
principles which have heretofore been its sure
and safe guides in the contests between re-
volted colonies and their mother country: and,
acting only upon the clearest evidence, should
avoid any cause of suspicion or imputatlon.
recognition of the independence OF Cuba
being, in my opinion, impracticable and inde-
feasible, the question which next presents it
self Is that OF the recognition OF beilgerent
rights IN the parties tc the contests
In former message to Congress had &C.
the conclusion that the conflict III Cuba, dread.
full and devastating as are its incidents, did
not rise to the fearful dignity OF war. Re-
garding it now, after this lapse OF time, am
unable to see that any notable success, or any
marked or real advance on the part OF the in
8uc2eQlS, mas GSSGLtl&ly ClldUSeu tuo CudIdC.
ter of the contest. 1t has acquired greater
age, but not greater or more formida-
BILE proportions. It is impossible that the
acts OF foreign powers, and even acts Of
Spain herself. Of this very nature, might be
pointed to in defense OF such recognition, but
now. as in its past history, the United States
should carefully avoid false lights, which
might lead it into n.azes of doubtful law and
OF questionable propriety, and adhere rigidly
AND sternly to the rule which has been it's
guide, and do oEiy that which is right and
honest, and Of good report, The question of
according or Of Withholding rights OF belliger-
ency must be judged, in every case, in
view Of the particulars attending the facts.
Unless justified by necessity, it is always and
Justly regarded as an uufriendly act and gra-
tuitous demonstration Of moral support to
rebellion. It il necessary and it is required
when the interests and rights OF another gov
eminent, or OF its people, are so far affected by
pending civil conflict to require definition
of it's relations to the parties thereto; but this
conflict must be one which will be recognized
in the sense Of international law as war. Bel
igerency too, ia fact. Tie mere existence
of contending armed bodies and their occa-
sional conflicts do not constitute war in the
sense referred to- Applying to the existing
condition OF affairs in Cuba the tests recognized
by pubicists and writer's on international law,
and which have been observed by nations
OF dignity, wealth and power, when
free from sensitive or selfish and unworthy
motives fail to find in the instruction, the
existence Of such q substantial political organ
ization, real and palpable, and manifest to the
world, having forms, and capable OF ordinary
functions ct government towards it's own
people and to. other states, with courts Of adj
ministration Of justice, with local habitation,
possessing such organization, and Offering such
material, such occupation of the territory as
to take the contest out Of the category
of q mere rebellious instruction or
occasional skirmish. and place it on the
terrible footing OF war, to which recognition
of belligerency would aim to elevate it. The
contest, moreover, is solely Of land, the insur-
rection has not possessed itself OF single sea
port, where it may send forth it's flag, nor has
it any means of communication with foreign
powers, except through military lines. It's
those sudden and difficult compli-
cations which q war upon ocean is
apt to precipitate upon the vessel both com.
mercial and national, and upon the consular
officers Of other powers, calling for definition
of their relations to the parties to the contest.
Considered Is question OF expectancy, re-
gard the accordance of belligerect rights still
to be as unwise and premature, as I regard it
to De, at present, indefensible as measure
of right. Such recognition entails
upon the country, according the
rights which fow from it, difficult and compli-
Gated duties, and requires action from the
icontending parties of the strict observance of
their rights and obligations. It oonfers the
right of search upon the high seas by vessels
of both parties, 1t would subject the carrying
Of arms end ammunition Of war, which now
, may be transported freely and without inter-
ruption in the vessels of the United States,
to detention and to possible seizure. It would
give rise to countless vexatlous questions; 1t
would release the parent government from
J roSr hilitv for done nv tho rpAnfe
and would invest Spain with the right to exercise
the supervision recognized by our treaty OF
1875, over our commerce on the high seas. q
very large part Of which, in it's traffic tween
the Atlantic and Gulf States, and between all
of them and the states upon the Pacific,
passes through waters which wash the shores
of Cuba. The exercise OF this superstition,
could scarcely fail to lead. if not to abuses,
certainly to collisions, perllous to peaceful re-
/ lations of the two states. There Can be little
! doubt to what result such supervision would
before long, draw this nation. It would be
unworthy of the United States to inaugurate
/ the possibilities of such result by measures
of questionable right or expediency or by
any indirection apart from any question OF the
/ critical right. l am satisfied, while the &C
, cordance of belligerent rights to the insur
gents in Cuba might give them hope and In
ducement to protract the struggle, it woult
i be but a delusive hope and would not remove
pie are experiencing but would draw the
Madrid law into complications which it hat
! waited long and suffered much to avoid
The recognition of independence or bellig
erency, being thus in my judgement equal
ly inadmissable, it remains to be consider
cd what course shall be adopted should tn.
conflict not soon be brought to an end by acts
of the parties themselves and should The
| evils which result therefrom, affecting al
nations and particularly the United States
continue. In such event am Of the opinion
that other nations will be compelled to assume
the responsibility which desolves upor
them, and to seriously consider tn.
only remaining measures possible, medi
tation and Intervention. Owing per
haps to the very large expanse of water separ
ating the island from the peninsular, the wan
of harmony and personal sympathy between
! the inhabitants of the colony and those sen
thither to rule them, ..andSthe want Of adapta
ton of the ancient colonial system of Europ'
to the present times, and to the ideas which
the events of the past century have developed
the contending parties appear to have within
themselves no depository of common conf
dence to suggest wisdom when passion ant
excitement have their sway, and to ASSUME