Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-18
THE CUBAN QUESTION
A Notable Precedent for the Presi-
dents Consideration.
HUNGARY AND K0%UTH RECALLED
Daniel Webster's Vigorous and
Patriotic Reply to Austria.
A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

The hope grows in political circles that
in dealing with the Cuban question the
President in his message to Congress may
| rise not only to the popular desire felt in
| this country, but to the fullest measure of
| the American opportunity. The case is one,
| IT. Is thought, that should appeal strongly
| to his sympathies no less than to his sense
| Of official responsibility. A neighbor-a
| very near neighbours in sore distress. Her
| grievances are well known. She is being
| plundered by a power for which she feels
| an aversion. Her aspirations are equally
we'll known. Cuba, it is pointed out. is not
| only struggling to be free, but also to con-
| meet herself in the most Intimate way,
| when free. with the institutions of this
| country. Her people, with this declaration
of purpose on their lips, have turned here
| and are praying for succor. Should not, it
is asked, succor be accorded them? If not
| why not?
| A Noted Precedent.
| So much has been said about precedent
| about overshadowng obligations due to
| Spain as a friendly power-about jingoism
| and all that-frends of Cuba and those who
| believe that the United States owes posi-
| tive duty in the premises have gone some
| what into those subjects, and have found
| what they consider not only the fullest war
| rant for friendly action On the part of this
| country. but that warrant coming from the
| deliveranCes of some of the most illustrious
and best beloved men in American annals.
| There is one case considered to be especially
| in point, and as the great name of Daniel
| Webster gives 1t force and respect, it is re-
| ferred to with source of reverence and
satisfaction in liberty's behalf at this time.
| Sympathy for Hungary.
This is the case of the sympathy felt by the
| United States for Hungary, and of the cor
| respondence that grew out of Its manifesto
| tion
| President Zachary Taylor was inaugl-
rated March 4. 1919. and John NJ. Clayton
| of Delaware took charge of the State De-
| partment. The United States was at peace
| with Austria. An American minister was
| at the Austrian capital and an Austrian
| minister was on duty here in Washington
| The Hungarians. under the hard conditions
| OF Austrian power and control, had re-
| Gently revolted and were making it warm
| for their oppressors. Their aim was to set
| up government of their own and fashion
| it after that of the United States Kossuth
| was in the splendor of his remarkable
career. The sympathies of the American
people were profoundly touched. The feel
Ing was that Hungary ought to be Free
| and the popular desire here was to help her
in her struggle. President Taylor was
easily reached on patriotic score. He had
| a soldiers heart and education, he had
| fought for the flag, and he dearly loved
| everything the flag represented. His Sec
| retary of State was in perfect touch with
him. and they decided upon an investiga-
ton of Hungary's situation. If she in
| a condition emitting her to recognition as
| belligerent. the President was in favor of
| according her that recognition. He was
| actuated solely by patriotic sentiment
Hungary was far away. She was no nearer
| proper. But her people were demanding
| liberty. and President Taylor was deter
| mined that if there was warrant for its
| open and official manifestation they should
| benefit by the feeling prevailing in the
| United States.
| A Secret Envoy Sent.
! 1t was necessary. of course, to proceed
| with caution and upon reliable information
Austria was a friendly nation. To this end
a secret envoy, A. Dudley Mann, was dis
| patched to Hungary to investigate mat
| ters, and particularly to find out the
| strength of the revolt, It's representative
| character as respected the unrest and pro-
| test of the whole Hungarian people, what
| progress had been made, and what was
| likely to be made in the near future. Upon
| this Information must be based whatever
might be done by the United States in aid
| of the Hungarian cause.
| Mr.. Mann was appointed and sailed on
| his mission in June, 1919, when the admins
tration was only three months old. His
| course abroad did not justify his selection
for so important duty. The matter be-
| came public, and 1t was charged that prom
| inent Austrian officials had seen his in
| structions. Congress called for the facts,
which were promptly sent in, and the Aus
| trian government, through its minister in
| Washington, Mr.. Hulseman, formally
| complained to the State Department. The
| basis of the complaint the allegation
| that the HunSarians as subjects of Austria
| were in unauthorized rebellion against au-
| thority, and that in proposing to succor
| them the United States had been guilty of
| an unfriendly act toward a friendly power
The note of the Austrian government was
pretty pointed and the case took on an
aspect of much seriousness.
President TayIOr's Death.
To add to the complication, President
Taylor died just about the time the Aus
| TRAN protest was handed to Secretary Clay
! ton. This left the matter to be disposed of
| by the new administration, with the new
| head Of the government, Mr.. Fillmore, and
| the new head of the State Department, Mr.
| Webster, strangers in q large measure to
| the controversy, and without personal or
| official responsibility in what had been done
| by this government up to that time. But
/ trey were both Americans putting their
| own country before all other countries and
they were not disposed to slight or to undo
| a thing worthy in itself simply because
| they had not inaugurated l.. The United
| States had been arraigned by foreign
power, and they considered it their duty
| ~ ucleHu lle United SldteS.
| Mr.. Webster took the liveiest interest in
| the matter. Austria's note was delivered
| in September, 1850 Shortly after that Mr.
| Webster left Washington for his home at
| Marshfield, but before going had the case
written up by State Department officials
| and the rough draft of reply made. These
| papers he took with him. He then submit
| TED the question to Edward Everett and
| solicited his views, which were given at
| length in writing, and out of all was evoly-
| ed the reply to Austria. So careful was
! Mr.. Webster in preparing his letter that it
| was not until December that Mr.. Hulseman
| received it.
| MIR. Webster's Vigorous Reply.
| The document created a profound sensa-
| ton, and was vigorously applauded by the
| great majority of the people. 1t took high
and uEselfish and patriotic ground 1t ex-
planned in MI. Websters best style the foun-
dation of this government, the principles of
| this government and this governments con-
| ception of its place among nations, and its
| duties to nations. The Austrians. in word,