Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-12-14

N1~
power granting ii aoor 10 suppor; by force
the Government 70 which II h,il really given its
Ouly real ciaiin "a existence. In my Judgment
tho United States EhCUd aiIcre 10 tho policy
and the principles WHICH have heretofore boen
its sure and safe guides II. like contests between
revOl;ed colonies and tli,lf msther country, AMI
acting only upon the oitaTesi evidence should
avoid any possibility of suspicion or iinputanon.
The ACCORDANCE OF BELLlGERENr RIGHTS.
A recognition of the Independence of Cuba
being. III my opinion, lmi.ricticablc and inde-
fcnsihlc. the question Wkicl, nvVt presents itself
is that of the recognition ct OelIgcrcnt
rights in the parties - tho contest
In former Message To Congress had occasion
tO CONSIDER ih's question Rnd reached the con-
cluslon that the couilirt M Cuba. dreadful ana
devastating a. were its mcidchts tid not Iiso
TO the fearful dignity OF war. Regarding 1t
now after this lapse oi time | am unable 10 see
that any no'aLiS success, 0r any marked or real
advance ON the part Gt the insurgents has es-
senJially changed the character OF the contest.
Ii has acquired greater ace. but not greater or
moro formidable proportions. IL Ia posi-
bic that the acts Of foreign powers
and even acts of Spain herself.
OF this very nature might be pointed 70 in do
fCnse of such recognition. But now as In ITS
past history the United States should carefully
avoid the false lights which mi,ht lead II luto
the mazes of doubtful law and questionable
V
the rule which has boeu its guide, and dong
only that which is right and honest aud of good
report Ihc question OF according or OF with
holding rights OF bClligercncy must te Judged
in every sense in visw uf th- particular attend
ing facts. Unless justified by necessity II is
Il yays and justly regarded as m un-
friendly act and a gratultuus demonstration
Of moral supp0rl to the rebellion. II IS noccs-
slry and il is required when the interests and
night Of another Government or of It's
people are far affected Oy pcnding
civil conflict as 10 require definition
of lts relations to the parties thereto But
tins conflict must be one which wall b1 rerOg-
nizcd in the sense of International law "a war
BciliCercnce, too Is q fact The mere existence
OF cOniendlng armed bodies and their occasion
al conflicts, do not constitute war N the sense
referred 10 Applying Ia the existing condition
of affairs IN Cuba the tests recognized by pub
lcisis and writer's on International law, and
which have been Observed by nations of digni-
~. honesty, and power. when free from
sensitive or selfish and unworthy motives.
fail 10 find in the InsurTection ihe existence q
such a subs s'aniial political organization. real,
pllpablc, and manifest 10 the wur'd. hlvin. thN
forms and capable OF the ordinary iuny uOns OF
government toward its own people and to other
States. with courts Tor The admiri1trnrOn ot
justice with local hahitatiOn, possessing such
organization OF force, Suoh material. sGrh oCCu-
patton OF territory. as to take the contest out of
the category OF q mere rchrliuus usrrrcctiou
or occasional skirmIshcs. aud pl cc !; 0n the
terrible footing Of wrr 10 which rrco sn.-
Ton OF bclhgcreucY wOul ANA TO ole
va:c u. Tic contest, moreover. IS solely
on l4ll. The insurrrction has npt possessed
itself OF a single seaport whence II may ,c;iG
forth its flag nor has u ans means OF comma.
uicailon with foreign powers except through
tIir military haC, Ui is a.!Vcfsarics. No apprr-
hcns.on Of auy OF those suIlcn aUi di.3,u..
complications which war upon the ocean b,
apt To- uyccIpiiute upon tie vessels both cnil.
mrItil and national and upon tho consular
officers of other powers. calls for the definition
oi th,.r relations to the part cS 60 ;Ac contcs'.
Considered as a question o! cVpcdcu,y. I rH-
gard ~ accordance ul bcllsCTcut nights still 10
h. a. uuNisc and premature 4, ! regard II 10 he
- pr,sent ndc!ensi,'iC - q measure Of right.
such recognition entails upon tue country ~.
Cor,hue tie Z. chs which iuN .com u d1.a ult
aud complicated duties. aini r,qa.rcs The exac-
ton from tie contcnlIn- lat cs OF the strict
Observance of tlrr r-l,s ..ti Obligations.
II cnn!ers the right OF search upon
the hugh s'iS by vessels OF both parties. but
would subject The c0rryin. Of a~Es aal ammu-
'.itiou OF war. which now may be transported
i,t s. aud w.tloe. il'e.rIp'i III tire Nc,.c.s
al TIE tii;.d Ntrtc- - ,!r;cn:I % a;.ito o,o
s.l.T. IN .., ... $3.50 r.'sa''r.t
io,.s oua,. .o,, s.. a,.,.. ,..'e :.e ,.:, Sow H-
,ert fr,,J r.,..t... ,.'.., !ur .H-t 80 's ....
u.urlents aId u,d invest spun @i.h t.e
Il .lt TO exercise tnc supc.t i7.,h t'.sen@r ny
lur treaty of liaj over or cc.E" - on 'l'
nigh seas, very largo part OF E~ch Is rs
traffic between the AilAnhc a-u '.i.
States, aui between AT O. ll'.n Hiid IN MAS
mon the Pacific. passes through The waters
u birh va N tie shores of Cuba. lnr cN'IISf
,f this sueqosItion could scarce inl - lrai,
Il not to abuses, certainly to c9!i.s'Oai peril
ous To the peaceful relations o. tAe TWO Nt"'es'
There can be hide doubt 10 what result such
would before long draw this na;ol.
In ,rorld he unworthy of the United States to
naucuratc the possibilities OF such result
by measures Ci Questionable night, or
expedlepcy. or by any indirectiou Apart
from any question OF theoretical right, l
am satisfied tnlt while the accordance oi Oel'
ligercnt rights 10 the insurgents IN tuba mght
give them hope aud nducement 10 protfact
th. struggle II would be out a delusiye hope,
and would not remove the evils which this
Government ami iis people axe experiencing,
but would draw the United States lnto COM
t,licatious which it has waited long and already
suffered much 10 ayuld.
MEDIATION AND INTERVENTION TUX LAST
RESORT
The recognition of independence or OF bel
ligcrcpcy being thus III my judgment equally
j, romans 10 consider what course
shall he adopted should tho cCni,ict not s0on be
brought to an end bY acts OF the parties
themselves, ana should the evils which
resalt theretr0m affecting all nations.
and particularly the United States,
continue. In such event | am of opinion that
other nations will DC compelled 10 assume tha
responsibility which dcvolves upon them, and
to seriously consider the only remaining meas
ures possible Mediation and interI sntions
Owing, perhaps. - the large eSpouse of water
separating the island from the peninsula, the
want of harmony and personal sympathy be-
tween the inhabitants OF the colony and
those sent tllthcr 10 rule them, aud the
want of adaptation of the ancient colo
nial system of Europe TO the present
times, and to the ideas which the events of the
past century have developed. the contending
parties appear 10 have within themselves no
depository OI common confidence 10 suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement have
taken their sway, and 10 assume tho part OF
peace makers. In this view, in the early days
of the contest, the good Offices of tno United
States as a mediator were rendered in good
faith, without any selfish purpose, and
IN the interest Cf humanity, aud in SIN
cere friendship for both parties ; but were at
the time declined by Spain, with tho dcclara-
ton, nevertheless, that at u future time they
would be Indispensable no intImatlon has
been received that IN the opinion Of Spain that
time has been reached ana yet the strife con-
tnues, with Ill It's dread horrors and al its in
juries 10 the interests Of the United States and
OF other nations. Zach party seems quite capa-
ble of WOT.dug great injury and damage 10 the
o her. as well as TO all the relations and inter-
ests attendant upon the existence of peace IN
the island. Bu; they seem incapable of reach
ing any adjustment, and beth have thus far
failed of achieving any success whereby one
party shall posses, aud control tho island to
tine exclusion of the other. Under these crcum-
stances the agency of others. either by media
tion or Intervention, seems to be the only alter
native which must sooner or later be iuvoked
for the termination Of tic strife. At the same
time, while thus impressed. | do not at this
time recommend the adoption OF any measure.
shall be ready at all times. and as the equal
friend of both parties, to respond TO a suggestion
that the good offices of the United States will bo
acceptable To aid in bringing about q peace hon.
orable to both. 1t is due 10 Spain, 50 far as
this Government is ccncnrnnL tnat tho a.ancv