The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-08

years 10 the neighboring island of Cuba.
The same disregard of the laws OF civil
ICED warfare and of the just demands OF
humanity which have heretofore called
forth expressions OF condemnation from
the nations of Christendom have contln-
ued to blacken the sad scene. Dssolatlon.
ruin and pillage are prevailing in the
rich fields of one of the most fertile and
productive regions ofthe earth. The in
cendiary firing of plantations and valuable
factories and buildings is the agent mark
ing the alternate advance or retreat OF
contending parties. The protracted con-
tinuauce of the strife seriously affects the
interests of all commercial nations, but
those of the United States more than
others, by reason of its close proximity,
its larger trade and intercourse with Cuba
and the frequent intimate personal and
social relations which have grown up be-
tween its citizens and those of the island. !
Moreover the prosperity OF our citizens 10 |
Cuba is large and is rendered III
secure and deprecated in value
and in capacity of production by
the continuance of the strife and the
unnatural mode OF its conduct. The same
is true, differing only in degree. with re-
| spect to the interests and people OF other
nations and the absence of any reasonable
assurance of near termination OF the
conflict must of necessity soon compcl
the states thus suffering to consider what
the interests OF their oHn people and
their duty toward themselves may demand.
have hoped Spain would be enabled to
establish peace in her colony, to afford &C.
curity to the property and the interests OF
our citizens and allow legitimate scope to
trade and commerce and the national pro-
ductions of the Island. Because Of this
hope and from an extreme reluctance to
interfere in the affairs of another and
friendly nation, especially of one whose
sympathy and friendship in the strug
: Cling infancy of our own existence
must ever be remembered with gratitude,
[ have patiently and anxiously waited
i the progress of events. Our own civil
. conflict is too recent for US not to consider
the difficulties which surround govern
J ment distracted by dynastiu rebellion al
! home at the same time that it has to copt
Ii with separate instruction In a dlstan
colony. But whatever causes may have
produced the situation which so grievou5
! y affects our interests, it exists, with al
|
. this country and its people. Thus far al
! the resorts of Spain have proved abortiv
y and time has marked no improvement il
II the situation. The armed bands of eithe
y side now occupy nearly the same groun(
d as In the past, with the difference iron
B. time to time OF more lives sacrificed. NOR
K properly destroyed, extents OF fertile an
Is produce fields and more valuable propert
&c constantly wantonly sacrificed to the In
% cendiary torch.
=. In contests of this nature, where cor
-. siderable body of people who have a
" tempted to free themselves OF the contr'
- of the superior government have reache
N such point in the occupation ofterritor!
" in DO wer, and in general organization, I
~ to constitute in fact body polite havlr
~ q government in substance as well as
~ name possessed of the elements of stab
%, ity and equipped with machinery for ii
y" administration of internal policy and Il
,oS execution of its laws and prepared ar
'oJ able to administer Justice at home as WI
. " as in its dealings with other powers, 1t
Duo within the province of those other powe
Ia to recognize its existence as new al
o independent nation. In such cases 9th
VI cations simply deal with an ,tually ext
moo ing condition of things and recognize
90 90 one of the powers of the earth that DO
AZ polite which, possessing necessary init
- ests, has in fact, become q new pow
'.ou . In q word the creation of a new state il
~ fact. To establish the condition OF thlr
al essential to the recognition OF tact the
~. must be people occupying known {
!, = ritory united under some known and
"a ined form OF government acknOwledg
Ivy. ~ oy those subject thereto. In which
..oI functions of government are administer
III oy the usual methods competent to IN
l .a out Justice to citizens and strangers,
'ue afford remedies for public and for priv
u asi wrongs and able to assume the correlat
e,a' International obligations and capable
'peu performing the corresponding internati
o. un al duties resulting from its acquisition
ou'u the rights of sovereignty. A po
- of should exist complete 10 its organic \,
: oi ready to take and abb to maintain
~. ny nlace among the nations of the ear
1s'on While conscious that the insurrectlol
e., Cuba has shown strength and endure
~ which make it at least doubtful whet
,at - it will be in the power OF Spain
.roaa su6due. it seems question that no 6
80, civil organic .tlon exists which may
''1'' recognized as an independent governu
capable of performing Its obligations
entitled to be treate as one of the po'
made of the earth. A recognition under 6
er In circumstances would be inconsistent '
1T Tor the facts and would compel the DC
nlted giving it soon to support by force the
U IN eminent to which it had really giveI
the only real claim of existence. In my
the ment the United States should adher
rs OF the policy and the privileges which
nave heretofore been its sure and safe guild
two like contests between revolted colo
anlsh aud their mother country. anu &C
It the only upon she cl3arest evidence, sh
ntlcl avoid any possibility OF suspicion or il
u the tatiou.
: = i lew A recognition of the independent
n ua.e Cuba being in my opinion impractit
= n. ~ and indefensible the question which
= .ne presents itself is that of recognitio
y Sm belllgerent rights In the parties to the
-; tests.
arc as In q former message to Congress
q are occasion to consider this question
ion of reached the conclusion that the col
in Cuba, dreadful and devastating a
- its incidenta did not riaa tn the fn