The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-12
HOW FAR MAY WE Coz

HOW FAR MAY WE Coz
The recent Irish agitator convention in
Chicago, and the mass meetings held in
the same city in the interest of Cuban in
dependence quicken inquiry into the
question, How far do these meetings
and expressions by them antagonistic to
friendly powers invade the neutrality
laws?"
1t is probable that the Irish convention
was distinct offender, but that the
sympathy meeting for Cuba was inof-
fensive. The neutrality laws OF the
United States practically conform to those
of all the great civilized nations. They
are embodied, in the main, in the Acts of
1894 and 1918.
By these Acts, says Instructor Davis
of the Military Academy at West Point
in his admirable work on international
law, 1t is misdemeanor for a citizen of
the United States to accept or exercise
war against any friendly State; or to en-
list or procure another to enlist, or hire
to go beyond our jurisdiction to enlist. in
foreign service against friendly State;
or to increase or augment the force of any
armed vessel that it may serve Power
at war with a friendly State; or to begin,
set on foot. or provide or prepare the
means for any military expedition or
enterprise against the territory of any
foreign State with which the United
States is at peace.
This. then, ia the law in a nutshell
Now, the Irish convention considered
ways and means to raise money to arm
men in large bodies to make possible
war upon territory of England, nation
with which we are at peace. It ap-
pointed men to promote the formation
OF independent military organizations in
the United States, that may be called
upon TO make war upon territory under
the jurisdiction of England. More than
that, it acted upon reports of military
existence; il passed resolutions that pro-
vide for setting on foot and preparing
the means for military expeditions and
enterprises against territory" under the
jurisdiction Of England.
Clearly then the Irish agitator convoca-
ton in Chicago violated the neutrality
laws, and ought to have been disciplined
and its leaders called to account. Had
England much concern for these con-
ventions that country would have been
we'll fortified in demand for the pun
ishment of the promoters and active
agents.
But The other night two immense mass
meetings were held in Chicago and ad-
dressed in person and by letter by dis
tinguished citizens, the purpose being to
express sympathy with the Cuban revo-
lutionists and to petition the Government
OF the United States to recognize the bel
=
meetings denounced the policy of Spain
as cruel and unjustifiable, and the claims
OF the insurgents as just, and recognized
the right of that people to make and OK
ecute the laws under which they must
live, and in other respects to be self-gov-
erning. the meetings did not, so far as is
discoverable from the elaborate reports
telegrsphed, attempt ito provide means
for or 10 set on foot any military eXpedi-
lion against territory" under the jurisdic-
ton Of Spain. They did not propose to
equip a hostile ship or to outfit fiilibus-
tering parties, nor to raise money to aid
the rebels, or supply them with arms and
munitions of war. food or other supplies.
These meetings appear to have been
very carefully steered, yet they were
assuredly effective agencies for good for
the Cubans. They will tend to quicken
the sympathy felt for the insurgents, and
will operate in a sense to hasten recogni-
ton of their belligerency. But this last
is matter of home policy. and Spain
cannot possibly with reason object, nor
yet to the expressions of sympathy by
our people for the Cubans. These appear
to be within the limits of free speech,
with which even the neutrality laws may
not interfere.
But the advices are that Spanish Min
listers over the water, and Spanish oom-
manders in Cuba are angered at the un-
concealed sympathy of the people of the
United States for the Cuban insurgents,
aud some OF the loudest OF the officers in
Cuba have gone so far as to permit their
tongues to harness their wits and
threaten retaliation with gun and bali.