New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-08

unable to SEQ that any nOtaDie s1cccSS vi ai'J
marked or real advance the part of the insurgents
has essentially changed the character of the contest
1t has acquired greater age, but not greater or moro
formidable proportions. Ii is possible 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 in it, past history
the United States should carefully avoid the iaise
lights which might lead il into the nazes OF doubt
full law and questionable proprety, ana adhere
rgidly and sternly TO the rule which mas p9e, US
guide, and doing only that when IL rlght anu hon
est and of good report. The question of according
or of withholding rights of belllgerency must DO
Judged in every case in view 81 the Il
always and Justly regarded az an untrendly ac',
and gratuitous demonstration OF moral support 10
the rebellion. 1t is necessary, and 1t Is REQUIRED,
when the interest ana right OF another HoNcIiheht
or of its people are so far affected by apehdhE
civil conflict as to require definition OF
its relations 10 the parties thereto bu this con on
fliot must he one which viii DE recognized III the
sense of international law as war. Bellgclchce 700
is fact. The existence of contending armed
bodies and their occasional conflicts do not constr
tute in the sense referred TO, Applying 10 tue
existing condition of affairs IN Cuba the tests recog
nized by publcsts and writer's on lnteIna,lohal
law and which have been observed by
nations Of dignity, honesty, and power when
free from sensitive selfish and Unworthy motives,
fail to find in the Instruction the existence OF snch
o subSt antal political CrgauzatiOn real, palpable,
and manifest to the world. having tic forms and ca
pable of the ordinary functions of government
toward its own people ana 10 oter St t M ona
habiiatiOn possessing such organization OF force,
such material. such occupation oil territory as 10
take the contest out of the category oi mere rebel
hous instruction occasional sklTmishes,
and place is the terrible footing OF
war to which recognition of belhgcrency would
aim to elevate il. The contest, moreover, is solely
On land. Tie instruction has not possessed Itself
of single seaport whence it may send forth ITS nag
Nor has II aOy means OF communication WIN foreign
powers except through the military INES OF lis adj
YcTsaricS. No apprehension OF any OF those sudden
and difficult complications which q war upon the
ocean is so apt precPitate upon the vessels both
commercial and national, and upon the consular
oiicoIs of other powers calls for the definition Of
their relations to the parties to the contest Consd-
cred rs a question of eXpediency l regard the ac-
c0rdanco If the beligerent rights still TO be as uli-
wise and premature as regard 1t to DO at present
InGcfensibie.
POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
As measure Of right such recognition entails
upon the country, according to the rights which
flow from it, difficult and complicated duties and
reouires tho oxacton from the cOntendng parties of
the strict observance of their rights and obligations.
1t confers the right of search upon the high seas by
vessels Of both parties; it would subject the carry
ing of arms and munitions of war, which now
may he transported freely and without interruption
in the vessels Of the United States to detention and
to possible seizure it would give rise to countless
vexaiOus questions, would release the parent Gov
eminent from responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents and would invest Spain with the right to
exercise the supervision recognized by our Treaty
| of 1895 over our commerce on the high
| seas a very large part of which i'll its
traffic between the Atlantic and Gulf
States and between all Of them and the States upon
! the Pacific, passes through the waters which wash
the shores of Cuba. The exercise of this SUPPOSE
| tion could scarce fail to lead. if not TO abuses GER
tainy to collisions perilous to the peaceful relations
] fbo two at he flr ID
result such supervision would before long draw this
nation Ii would be unworthy Of the United states
| 10 InauguTate the possibilities of such result by
measures Of questionable right, or expcdency, or by
any ndirection.
| Apart from any question of theoretic right, am
satisfied that while the accordance of beilgcrent
rights TO the insurgents in Cuba might give them n
| hope and inducement to protract the struggle, 1t
would be but delusivc hope, and would not remove
the evils which this Government and It's people are
experiencing but would draw the United states into
complications which it has waited long and already
'snficred much TO avoid The recognition of ndepcn-
dence of helIgercncy being thus in my judgment,
equally inadmi,sbe, it remains TO consider what
course shall be adopted should the conflict not soon
be drought to an end by acts Of the parties themselves
and should the evils which result thercfIOm affect
| ing all nations AMI particularly the United States,
| continue. In Such event am OF tho OPINION that
|
| spOnsihiMy which deNulves upon thcDl, ana 10
seriously consider the only remaining measures pos
| sible--nediatlOn and Intervention. OWihS perhaps
t. the large CXpaIse OF water separating the lsidHd
! from the peninsula the want q harmony and per
sona sympathy between tire inhabitants o! the col
| Ony and those sent thither TO rule them, ana me
| want Of adaptation Of the ancient colonial system
| of Europe to the present times, ana 20 the ideas
! which the eyonts OF the past century have Vel
! cped the conlending parties appear To have within
! themselves no depository OF common cohH"eico 10
| sigrcst wisdom, when passion ana e%tlteneu: nave
taken them away aud 10 assume the part Of peace
maker. In ths view, IN the curly days OF the con-
| tost Tho good Offices of the United States as a
mediator rendered III good iaI,h. without any
! selfish p1rIOse, IN The interest Of humanity ana ~
sincere friendship for both part! -, bn were at the
! ne time declined by Spain, with the declardti0n
nevertheless, that at future time they would De IN
dispensablc. No intmatiOn has been received that
in the opinion OF SPAN, tat tne llas pte reached
and vet the strife continues with ali its dread nor
roIs aud all ts injuries 10 the interests OF The thited
States and Of other nations. Each party seems quite
| capable of working great injury and dam
| age to the other, ~ well AS 10 all the
relations and interests attendant upon the eA-
| istence of peace IN the island. But they seem
| incapable of reaching any adjustment, and both
| nave thus far failed Of achieving any success
| whereby one party shall possess ana control me
| island 10 the exclusion Of the other lnGer these
circumstances the agency of others, either by lncG
alton intervention, seems to be the only atcrha-
tive which must or later be Invoked Tor The
termination of the strife. AT the same time while
TINS impressed, | do not at this tlInc recon,
| mend the adoption OF any measure; l snail
/ be ready AT all times, and as the equal friend OF
| both parties, TO respond TO suggestion mat
tire good Offices OF the United States will be accept
able TO aid in bringing about peace, honorable to
| both 1t is due to Spain far as this Government
! il concerned. that the agency OF third rover To
! which / have adverted, shall be adopted only as a
last expedcnt Had 1t been the desire of the United
states TO interfere in the affairs of Cuba. repeated
opportunities for doing have been presented with
IN the last few years but we have remained passive
| add have performed our whole duty and all inter
national obligations to SPAN with friendship, far
| ness. and fidelity. aud with spirit of patience ana
f0TeaIance which negatives every possible sugges-
tinn IL dcsLre inInrere add 10 tht dIlIculieh