Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-07

sional conflicts, do not Constitute war. in the
sense referred to- Applying TO the existing con-
oltion OF affairs in Cuba, the tests recognized
by Publicists and writer's on international law,
and which have been observed by nations Of di e
nlty, honesty and power, where free from sensi-
ind in the Instruction the existence of such a
substantial political organization and palpable
and manifest to the world, having the
functions of government toward its own peo-
PIE and to other states, with courts for the ad-
mlnlstration of justice, with a local habita-
ton, possessing such organic alton of force, such
material, such occupation of territory as to take
the contest out of the category of a mere re-
belilous resurrection or occasional skirmishes,
and place IL on the terrible footing of war, to
which recognition of belligerency would al N
to elevate 1t. The contest, moreover, is solely
on land; the Instruction has not possessed itself
OF single seaport whence it may send forth
MS nag, DOR has it any means of communion
ton with foreign powers except through the mil
1tary lines of its adversaries. No apprehen-
cult complications which a war upon the ocean
Is apt ID precipitate upon the vessels, both COM
mercial and national, and npon the Consular
officers OF other powers calls for the definition
OF their relations to the parties to the contest.
considered as question of expediency, re-
gerd tie accordance of belgerent rights still
10 be as unwlse aud preventative, as l regard
IL TO be- at present indefensible a measure of
right. Such recognition entails upon the coun-
Try according the rights which flow from it
difficult and complicated duties and req uires
the exaction from the coRtending 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 sub.
Ject the carrying of arms and munitions of war
which now may be transported freely and with
out interruption In the vessels of the United
States to detention and to possible seizure, it
wouid give rise TO countless vexatious ques-
tons, would release the parent govern
ment from responsibility for acts done
Spain with the right TO exercise the supervi-
sion recognized by our Treaty of 1875 over
our commerce on the high seas, a very large
part of which in its traffic between the At
lantlc and the Gulf states and between all of
Them and the states on the Pacific, passes
through the waters which wash the shores OF
CUBA. The exercise of this supervision could
scarce fail TO lead. if not TO abuses, certainly
TO collisions perilous to the peaceful rela-
IONS oil the two states. There can be little
/ doubt 10 what result such supervision would
before long draw this nation. IL would be
unworthy of the United States TO inaugurate
the possibilities of such result. by measures
any indiTection.
Apart from any question of theoretical
right, am satisfied that while the accord
ance of bellgerent rights to the insurgents
In Cuba might give them hope. and an in
ducement TO protract the struggle; il would
be but deluSive hope and would not re-
move the evils which this government and
It's people are experiencing, but would draw
the United States into complications which
IL has waited long and already suffered
much 10 avoid. The recognition OF indepen-
judgment equally inadmissible, IL remains
10 consider what course shall be adopted
should the conflict not soon be brought to an
end, by acts Of the parties themselves, and
should the evils which result therefrom,
affecting all nations, and particularly the
United states, continue, in such event /
am of opinion that other nations will be
compelled to assume the responsibility which
deYolves upon them and to seriously consider
the only remaining measures possible, media
ton and intervention. Owing perhaps to the
NJ uuofA at;Y1 hi alo
from the Pennsular, the want OF harmony and
personal sympathy between the inhabitants of
the colony and those sent thither to rule them;
and want OF adaptation of the American colo
NAL system Of Europe TO the present times, and
to the ideas which the events of the past CEN
fury have developed; the contending parties
appear TO have within themselves no deyQsi~
tory OF common confidence, ts suggest Yis10ni
when passion and excitement have their sgav
and to assume the part of peace-maker In
this this, VIEW in the earlier days OF the contest the
were rendered in good faith, without
any selfish purpose, in the interest OF
humanity 0tR .r. and in sincere friendship for
time declined by Spain with the declaration
nevertheless, that at future time they
been received that in the opinion of Spain
that time has been reached. And yet the
strife continues, with all its dread horrors
and all It's injuries to the interests of the
United States and of other nations. Each
party seems quite capable of working great
injury and damage to the other as well rs In
all the relations and interests dependent on
the existence of peace in the island: but they
seem incapable OF reaching any adjustment
and both have thus far failed of achieving
any success, whereby one party shall possess
and control the island to the exclusion of the
other. Under these circumstances, the agency
OF others, either by mediation or by interyen-
ton, seems TO be the only alternative. which
must sooner or later be invoked for
the termination of the strife AT the same
time, while thus impressed, 90 not al this
time recommend the adoption of any meas
ure OF intervention. ] shall be ready at all
Times, and as the equal friend OF both par
ties, to respond to suggestion that the good
ofhces or the United States Will be acceptable
10 aid In bringing about peace honorable
10 both. 1t is due 10 Spain so far as this
government is concerned, that the agency of
a third power, to which I have adverted
snail be adopted only as last expedient.
Had IL been the desire of the United States
TO interfere i'll the affairs of Cuba, repeated
opportunities for SO doing have been pre-
sented within the last few years, but we have
remained passive and have performed our
whole duty, and all International obliga-
tons to Spain with friendship, fairness and
ndellty, and with a. spirit of patience and
forbearance which negatives every possible
suggestion of desire to interfere or TO add To
the difficulties with which she has been sur
rounded. The government OF Spain has re-
Gently submitted to our minister at Madrid
certain proposals, which il is hoped NAV be
found TO be the basis If not the actual SUBJ
mission OF terms TO meet the requirements
OF the particular griefs CT which this govern
ment has felt itself entitled to Complain.
These proposals have not yet reached me in
their full text. On their arrival they will be-
taken into careful examination, and NAV /
hope, lead 10 satisfactory adjustment of the
questions TO which they refer, and remove
the possibility of future occurrences such as
rave given rise 10 our just complaints. 1t
Is understood also that renewed efforts are
being made TO introduce reforms in
the internal administration of the island.
Persuaded, however. that a proper regard for
the interests OF the United States and of its
citizens entitle IL to relief from the strain to
which 1t has been subjected by the Difficult
ties of the questions, and the wrongs and
losses which arise rom the contest in Cuba.
and that the interests of humanity itself de-
mand the cessation of the strife before the
whole island shall be laid waste, and larger
sacrifices of life be made, i shall feel IL NV
duty, should my hopes of satisfactory al.
Justment and of the early restoration of
peace and the removal of future causes of
complaint be unhappily Disappointed, to
make further communication to Congress
at some period not far remote and during the
present session, recommending what NAV
then seem to me to be necessary.
The Free Zone, SO called, several wears
since established by the Mexican govern
ment in certain of the states of the repuhlic
adjacent to our frontier, continues In full