New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-22

independence by right of revolution. There Is no
other authoritative Of the law for the Judi
cial courts OF Europe were bound to follow the po-
hcal decisions: and the opinions of private persons.
whether Jurists or politicians. being without sane
ton. could not be accepted law.
From this body Of precedent, 1t is clear that
Europe has Invariably asserted and practsed the
right to interfere both collectively and separately
amicably and forcbly. I'm every instance, except
that of Poland where a European people has re-
sorted TO insurrection to obtain independence"
The right Itself has been based on various
grounds: "Impediments commerce. burden
some measures of protection and repression' re
quests" of or both parties ito nterpcse'';
'cfusion Of blood and evils of all kinds; hui
mainly and "the repose Of Europe Greek Treaty
of 1921 "a warm desire TO arrest. with the short
est possible delay. the disorder and the efusion of
blood protocol of November 4. 1880, in the
of Belgium; Ibis safety the political equi-
librium the frontiers Of his empire" Russian
circular Of April o. 1si9 I'm the case of Hungary;
ITO safeguard the interest and honor" and to
maintain the political influence" of the interven-
ing power French declarations Of 1890 in regard
TO the States OF the Church, Finally in the latest
and most considerable, because absolutely unani-
nous act Of all Europe. simply the desire TO reg
ulate' preamble the Treaty of Berlin. in 1878.
covering the recognition of Serva, Rumana. Mon
tenegro and Bulgaria..
The report then continues with description OF
the experiences of Asia and America. I'm regard
TO Asia probably all authorities agree that the
entire fabric OF European supremacy whether in
Asiatic Turkey. Persia, Afghanistan. India. Siam
China. rests the right of intervention it
is remarked. after which follows long consdera-
ton of American events belonging to the subject
the committee is considering.
America. both North and South" it is said 'has
always aimed to moderate European Intervention
and TO restrict its exercise. On this point have
the evidence of George Canning in a celebrated
speech the Foreign Enlistment act in 1923 we
have spent much time. said Canning. in teaching
other Powers the nature of a strict neutrality. and
generally speaking. found them most reluctant
scholars. If l wished for guide in a sys-
TEN of neutrality should take that laid down by
America in the days of the Presidency Of Wash
ington. and the Secretaryship of Jefferson In
fact the British Government did take that guide.
The American Neutrality act of 1874. revised and
re-enacted in the act of April 70 lsls, served as
the model for the British Foreign Enlistment act
in 1919 The cause of that act of 1919 was stated
bv Canning in the speech just cited: When peace
was concluded between this country and Spain IN
1914 article was introduced into the treaty py
which this country bound itself not to furnish any
succors TO what were then denominated the re-
VOTED colonies of Spain. In process OF time. as
those colonies became more powerful. question
arose of a very difficult nature TO be decided on
due consideration of their de 1ure relation 10 SPAN
on the one side and their de facto independence
of her on the other. The law of nations was en-
tirely silent with respect to a course WHICH, uhuci
n circumstance so peculiar the. transition of
colonies from their allegiance TO the parent States
ought TO be pursued. IT difficult TO know how
far either the statute law or the common law was
applicable to colonies situated 1t became neces-
sary therefore, the of 1878 TO treat the colo
MES as actually Independent of Spain. APP
parently Canning did not consider that the revolt
of the American colonies in 1916 offered precedent
for a circumstance so peculiar as the transition
of colonies from their allegiance. He regarded the
situation as so peculiar that ii needed TO be met
bv measures in regard to which the law of ma
lions was entirely silent lie seemed to regard the
Foreign Enlistment act as recognition OF inde-
pendenCe.
The Government Of the United States not
so much perplexod in regard 10 the steps by which
colonies achieved Independence; but in the actual
condition Of Europe where the Holy Alliance held
entire control and interviewed everywhere against
claims based the right Of insuri ection. the
President had the strongest reasons for moving
slowly, and If possible, only in concert with Eng
land.
DISTURBANCES IN THE SPANISH COLONIES
THE disturbances In the Spanish colonies In
America had begun as a consequence or the over
throw of the Bourbon dynasty by Napoleon ana the
esta blishment Of Joseph Bonaparte as King or
Snain in $685. but the movements for independence
took serious form at much later time. In MeNico
the first National Congress met at Chiipahcihso i'll
lSl3 and formally declared the independence OF
Mexico the 6th or NONeInler Oh tldt Ntd'' IL
was practically suppressed by the execution of
Morelos December 22 1885, and did not revive until
Iturbide in January 1921. joined Guerrero In the
so-called plan Of Iguala lturbde made his TIL
umpha entry into the City OF Mexico September 20
1871 Venezuela first declared independence on july
II 1911 but the Spanish forces continued the war
until General Bolivar drove them from the interior
I'm 1871 and General Paez captured Puerto CaDelo
i'm 1873 Chill began her revolution In lslo put dlu
not declare Independence until January l. 1913 ana
then only by proclamation or the Executive au-
thority the actual circumstances of the war not
permitting the convocation OF "A national congress
Ruenos Ayres also began her revolution in 1910. but
did not declare independence and claim recognition
until october %. 1876
..The question of intervention began In 1911 Inc
Spanish Government appealed TO the European
Powers for aid. The Car openly took sides with
spain and when n September, 1877. the Spanish
Government asked permission to build several ships
OF war In the Russian dockyards. the Car sug-
gested that Spain should buy five ships or the line
and three frigates belonging to the Russian Navy
This was done and the ships were sent TO the scat
of war AT the same time in October 1877. the
Russian Government instructed its Ambassador In
London to press on the British Government the
great importance Of European Intervention. Great
Britain declared energeically that she would have
M mart In trying to force back the subjects OF
Spain under the domination Of an oppressive Gov
eminent In fact Lord Castereagh had already
assured President Monroe that II Great Britain IN
teryened at all II would be on system or perfect
liberalty to the Spanish Provinces and the Presi-
dent decided as early April. 1913. to discourage
European mediation. and TO take the ground that
Their. could be no rational interference except on
the basis Of the Independence OF the South Ameri-
cans In August he made FORMAL proposal 10 the
tri,isb and French Governments for concerted
and contemporary recognition of Buenos Ayres.
whose de facto independence made that country
the natural object OF first step toward the es-
tablishrnent of general policy. In December he
informed both Governments that he had patiently
waited without interfering in the policy OF the
allies but as they had not agreed upon anything,
IL ha inlGrnndouca OF RuaQ0S