New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-21
DON'T CARE TO BE BELLIGERENTS
WHY THE CUBAN INSURGENTS ARE BETTER orf
THAN IF THE COLONY WERE DECLARED TO
RE N 4 STATE or WAR.

WHY THE CUBAN INSURGENTS ARE BETTER orf
THAN IF THE COLONY WERE DECLARED TO
BE IN \ STATE or WAR
Washington. Aug 9-"The insurgents do not
want to be recognized as belligerents. SAID a
prominent Cuban in this city. discussing the report
that Commissioners had been sent to the Govern
ments OF the United States and OF other countries
10 ask that the rebels in cuba be granted the rights
and privileges accorded to bel.gerents under inter-
national law. He continued:
They have nothing to gain and much to lose by
such a course As long Spain insists that the
,roube in cuba is merely an instruction. the quel-
ng OF which Is mater for her alone me me 10Y 10Y,
the sale by It's citizens OF ships and munitions OF
war to the insurgents. provided the parties 90 NOT
pose OF aiding IN the attack upon Spanish authority
in Cuba. Bur the minute the Insurgents are res2g-
nzei begerents. then that lmpohderape tn'ns
known as interna uona law becomes a factor IN
their relations with the citizens OF the Dnited
States and they will lose all the advantages now
POSSESSED by them
This subject, was discussed at length BY Secrs-
ter, to the United states. in 1874 and the rights
forth with much dis,inctness by me torn s,t
Admiral Polo complained bitterly OF the laxity WIZ,
which United States officials acted against alleged
the United States before the Geneva Board OF
ages by Spain. because Of these expeditions Mr..
Fish responded that the repeated references by
course OF the discussion at Geneva Induce the I'M
dersigned to say at the outset that these DIS
recognized state OF war and that II Spain is pre-
pared TO concede that there is state OF war In
Cuba with belligercnt rights In each party to the
conflict. and shall accede TO the three rules set
forth In the treaty OF Washington. then the United
states may be prepared to concede 10 spain, what
they claimed at Geneva Of Great Britain"
The advantages possessed by the insurgents under
the existing condition OF affairs, and which they do
not care 10 renquish are set forth in the same
letter from Mr. Fish Admiral Polo when he said:
Spain has never been willing to cOncede that a
of the United States toward Spain. therefore. 10
be measured by those OF one nation toward another
In case instruction exists which does not rise
10 the dignity OF recognized war. friendly gov
eminent violates duty OF good neighbOrhOod in
allowing the free sale OF and munitions or
to all persons TO the insurgents well TO the
regularly constituted authorities. and such arms and
munitions. BY which ever party purchased. may be
carried on It's vessels the high seas without la
It's vessels may freely unarmed passengers
even though known 10 b. insurgents, without there
By rendering the Government which permits II liable
10 a charge OF violating Its international! duties
The situation to-day Is exactly that OF 1874, ex-
cept that Mr.. Fish's position has been strengthened
by the decision OF Judge Ross. OF the Southern
District Of California. in the famous ltata cases
Certainly the Cuban insurgents have no reason TO
ask belgerent rights. Let Spain look 10 that
Havana. Aug pa dispatch from Santiago de
Cuba sayg.
The rebels have cut the telegraph wires and de-
stroyed the railroad near Algodonal. and troops
have been from Alto Songo 20 protect the men
who making repairs and prevent them from
being fired upon by the Insurgents.
Colonel Tajadas column. which has arrived At