Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-07
slaves as property in any other country or be


Chill has made reparation in the case OF
the whale ship GOOD Return" seized with
out SUFFICIENT cause upwards of forty years
ago. Though she had hitherto denied her &C
countability, the denial was never acqui-
esced in by this government, and the justice
of the claim has been SO earnestly commended
fOrfhat II has been gratifying that she should
have at last acknowledged IL.
The arbitrator In the case OF the United
States steamer "Montijo,'' for the seizure
and detention of which the government OF
the United States of Columbia was held ac-
Countable, has decided in favor of the claim
This decision has settled gu" Stion which
had been pending for several years, and
which, while 1t continued open, might more
or less disturb the good understanding which
II is desirable should be maintained between
the two republics.
A reciprocity treaty with the King of the
Hawaiian Islands was concluded some
months since. AS it contains a stipulation
that III snail not take effect until Congress-
shall enact the proper legislation for that
purpose, copies OF the instrument are here
with submitted in order that, If such should
De the pleasure of Congress. the necessary
legislation upon the subject may be adopted.
In March last an arrangement was made
through Mr.. Gushing, our Minister in Mad
payment by the latter to the United States
OF the sum OF eighty thousand dollars IN coin
for the purpose of the relief of the families or
persons OF the ships company and certain
passengers of the ''Nl, MUS" This sum
was to have been paid in three instalments
at two months each. II is due to the Spanish
ments were fully and spontaneously anticl-
pated by that government and that the whole
amount was paid within but few days
mole than two months from the date of the
agreement, copy of which is herewith
transmitted. In pursuance of the terms
OF the adjustment 1 have directed
the distribution of the amount among the
parties entitled thereto, Including the ship'S
company and such of the passengers as were
American citizens. Payments are made ac-
cCidolngly on the application of the parties
The past year has furnished no evidence of
an approaching termination OF the ruiuOus
cOnhIct which has been raging for seven
years in the neighbOring Island of Cuba The
same dlsre gard of the laws of civilized war
lare and OF the just demands OF humanity
which have heretofore called forth express
siOns of condemnation from the nations of
christendOm, have continued TO blacken the
sad scene. DesolatiOn, ruin and pillage are
peryadtng the ricn fields of one OF the most
fertile and productive regions of the earth
and the incendiaries torch, firing planta,
lions and valuable factories and buildings il
the agent marking the alternate advance or
retreat of cOntepdiDg parties.
The PROF. cacted continuance of this strife ser-
ouSly affects the interes' OF all commercial
nations, but those OF the United States more
IMAM others, by reason OF close proximity, its
larger trade and intercourse with Cuba and
the frequent and intimate personal and social
re atoms which have grown up between its citi-
Zens and those of the Island. Moreover, the
property OF our citizens in Cuba is large, aud
Is rendered insecure and deprecated in yalne,
and In capacity OF production By the coatinu-
arce OF the strife and The unnatural m ode of its
conduct. The same IL true differing ONLY in
degree, with respect to the interests and poo
pie OF other nations, and the ab3ence of any
reasonable assurance OF near termination Of
the conflict, must OF necessity loon compel the
ST ties thus suffering to consider what the inter
ests of their own people and II cir dutv toward
themselves may demand.
have hoped that Spain would be enabled TO
establish peace in her colony, 20 afford security
to the property and the interes', OF our citizens
aud allow legitimate scope to trade and COM
merce and the natural productions of the islard
because OF this hope, and from an extreme -e-
iuctance TO Interfere in the most remote man
ner IN the affairs of another and a friendly
nation, esq ecially OF one whose sympathy and
frienGshlp in the struggling infancy of our own
existence must ever be RENE bered with prati-
tude, have patiently and an 'ously waited the
progress of events.
Oar own csvil oDflict is too recent for NJ net
to consider the difficulties which surround a
govern ent distracted by dynastic rebellion
al home, a. ire same time that, il has to coma
with separate instruction in a distant colony.
But " hatever causes may have produc- q the
situation which so grlevously affects our inter
ests, lC exists, with all its attendant evils one
rating directly upon this country and its n mic
Thus far all the efforts of Spain have provsd
abortIve, aid time has marked DO Improvement
IN the situation. The armed bands of either
SIDE now occupy nearly the same ground "a IN
the pas, with the difference, from TINA To fine
OF moe lives sacrificed, more property DESTROY
ed, and wider eXteDts of fertile and product va
fields and more and more of valuable propertv
constantly wantonly sacrificed to the incen-
diary's torch.
In contests OF this nature, where a consider
able body OF people who have Attempted to
free themselves OF the control OF the suuerior
government have reached such point in oc
cupsuon OF territory, In power and in general
polite, having government in substances as
well as in name, possessed of the elements OF
s STA ana EQUIPPED with the machinery for
execution OF it's laws, prepared and able TO
administer Justice at home, as well "a in its
oeahngs win other powers, it is within the
province OF those other powers to recognize its
existence as new and Independent nation In
SUCH cases other nations simply deal with An
actUsliy existing condition OF things, and
recognize as one OF the powers of the earth
that body polite which, possessing the neces-
sary elements, has in fact become new poyer
III IA wore, the creation OF new state is fact
TO establish the condition of things essential
to the recognition of this fact. there must be a
people occupying known territory, united
ment, acknowledged by those subject thereto.
IN which the functions of Government are adj,
mlnistered by usual methods, competent IN
mete out justice to citizens and strangers to
ancrd remedies for public and for private
wrongs, ana able to assume the correlatiye in
teTnat'oDal obligations and capable of perform-
ing the corresponding international duties re-
sultlng from its acquisition of the rights of SOW
erelgnty. A power should exist complete in its
organization ready to take and able TO main
tain Its place among the nations Of the earthIe
III
cuba has shown strength and endurance
which make it at least doubtful whether ii be
In the power of Spain to subdue it, il seams
unquestionabe that no such civil organiZ ltion
exists which may be recognized as an indepen-
dent government, capable of performing its in
ternatiOnal obligations entitled to be treated "a
one OF the powers of the earth. A recopnition
under such circumstances would be inconsist-
ent with the facts, AID would compel the power
granting 1t soon to support by force the govern
ment to which 1t had really given its only claim
OF existence.
In my Judgment the United States should ad-
here to the policy and the principles which
have heretofore been its sure and safe guides
IN like contests between revOlted colonies and
their mother country, and acting only upo th
clearest evidence, should avoid any possibility
or suspicion or of imputation. recognition
OF the independence OF Cuba being in nv Opin-
ION impracticsbl and indefensible, the uues-
ton which next presents itself is that of the re-
cognition OF beligerent rights in the parties to
In a former message to Congress had occa-
sion to consider this question, and reached the
conclusion that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful
and Devastating as were its incidents, did not
rise TO the fearful dignity OF war. Regarding
II now after this lapse of time, am unable to
see that any notable success, or any marked or
nm IA faft ho,