The morning times., 1895-12-19

A
of a country, and says that the occasion
such case when the struggle compromises
| the rights and interests OF the foreign gov
| ernment.
IN this case the question arises, does
| the protection OF American interests de-
niand the recognition of Cuban belligerency?
'.Mr. Cleveland In his message undoubtedly
had this In mind when he called attention
to the prejudice of American interests and
commerce in Cuba. In other words, he
states the existence of the facts which
| may demand recognition Of Cuban belliger-
ency as means Of protection to our COM
| merce with Cuba and the property of our
citizens there.
SPAIN is RESPONSIBLE.
How much more powerful is his state
ment when we consider that Spain Is now
responsible for all damage done by the in
surgents, that Spain has poor credit In
the financial world, and that the delay in
payment OF the Mora claim is a striking
indication OF what American claimants can
expect from her; that American planters
cannot grind their cane crop or attempt
TO do il, because Of the order OF the
insurgents; that Spain Is rowerless to pro-
tect the grinding, and that by a pro-
vision of the constitution of the insurgents
as well as for their own interests, pro-
lection absolute is guaranteed to the citi-
zens OF country according beiligerency.
Under the third class OF cases there are
no selfish reasons for the recognition Of
belligerency by this country.
Hall says: As soon as O considerable
population is arrayed In arms, with the
professed object of attaining political ends,
Il resembles state too nearly for II TO be
possible to treat individuals belonging to
such population as criminals il would De
N n for IN D,
prisonersi it would be still more inhuman
for foreign nations TO capture and hang
tire crews OF war ships as pirates; humanity
requires that the members Of such "a COM
muDity be treated as beliigerents.'
The movement in Cuba has been called
brigandagc. President Cleveland calls 1t AN
iDsirre2tioD, strugg. t. FOR larger autonomy
and greater fredom.' The Cubans have
formed n republic, adopted n constitution
and solemnly declared the struggle TO be IL
war for independence.
'.Buntschli says that brigaDds neither
aspire to defend the existing political in
stitutions, nor do they seek TO create new
ones. When the object of the struggle is
for political ends the question of bellig-
erency Immediately arises. Vattel thus
states 1t: When party Is formed in a state
which no longer obeys the sovereign and
is possessed OF sufficient strength to op-
pose him this is called civil war;
LET US examine The facts in reference
to this proposition. Spain has sent an army
to Cuba larger than that ever sent by any
country TO suppress a colony In revolt.
She has increased her navy to guard every
approach to the island; she has sent her
most famous generals, nearly forty In num-
ber, to conduct operations; but despite all
this tagain 10 use Mr.. Cleveland's $ la nguage),
this insurrection is more active than the
last preceding revolt which continued from
70. .a..t.N
lations on the coast and he points out the
futile eudeavors of Spain thus far made
to restore peace and order
DEMAND RECOGNITION.
''Confessedly there are enough thousands
In arms fighting for political ends against
Spain in Cuba TO render the vast forces
pitted against them futile in their cndeav-
ors to restore tranquility.
I'm the name of humanity, interna-
tional law demands the recognition of
these men as belligercnts. Buntschli |
giories in the fact tEat international law |
i'll such case as this opposes itself TO |
and triumphs over penal laws. II says, |
These thousands shall not tie considered |
as criminals, traitors on land and pirates |
at sea; TO be garotted shot or hanged mt 4
the sweet will of each military commander |
They shall have the rights and privileges |
OF civilized warfare. The lives of non-conl- |
batants and prisoners of wa must be spared. |
Indeed, the doctrine OF the recognition
Of belligereDcy has converted civil wars 1
formerly replete with horrors into the
conflict OF one civilized nation with another.
In the interest of humanity, International |
law has prescribed this methcd OF staying |
the unnecessary effusion of blood.
ut says that the granting OF belliger-
ency is humanitarian necessity, Justi-
fled by the facts. 1t is no violation of neu-
trality. But there are ruder measures
which may be employed for the same pur-
pose; peaceful, and, If necessary, armed
to stay the effusion OF blood
Is also within the power of a foreign gov
ernment.
The questions. therefore. before this
country are, firstly. do our own interests
iemand the recognition of Cuban hellger-
.ncy, and, secondly, does humanity de-
nand it TO be accorded TO check what p resi-
lent Cleveland calls the cruelties which
specially characterize This sanguinary
md fiercely conducted war At the proper
ime we shall at length argue upon these
to those who have this matter
iDder consideration"
Arrests for Threats.