The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-04
DARK FOR CUBA.
President Cleveland and Cabinet
Oppose Recognition.
DO Not Favor Any Declaration
of independence.
PERSONAL SYMPATHY.
Spain Had Nothing to Flare Up
Over.
Can the Executive Defeat the
RecOgnitiOn2
PERSONAL SYMPATHY.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The Presi-
dent and his Cabinet are undoubtedly
opposed to the present recognition of
belligerency of the Cuban insurgents
and to any declaration concerning
their independence as EN- bOGied in re-
cent Congressional resolutions. The
following is not an official statement,
but it is known from careful inquiry
that it accurately represents the ad-
ministration's views in the matter.
While the President and members of
the Cabinet personally feel the SYM
pathy common to all Americans with
those Cubans who are contending for
self-government. they feel that in
their official action they should not de-
part from the well-settled principles
which were followed by former Presi-
dents and Secretaries of State during
prior instructions in Cuba These
were clearly set forth by General
Grant in his message of 1875. in which
he dealt with the question of the rec
ignition of Cuban independence and
also with that of the recognition of
belligerency.
Both independence and belligerency
are facts, and their recognition by
other powers. as the term implies. is
merely formal acknowledgment of a
state of things which, rightly or
wrongly, has come about.
When a people, united under some
known and defined form of govern
ment, which administers its functions
by the usual methods, come to occupy
and control a known territory over
which it is competent to administer
justice and within which it affords
protection to citizens and strangers,
new state exists. Refusal of recogni-
ton would not change the fact, any
more than premature recognition"
could create it. The former would be
merely slight to the new govern
ment, just as the latter is merely an
affront to the old one, The question
necessarily is always what govern
ment is actually in control of the
country.
Recognition of bel1igerency depends
upon the same facts, and is only
modified form of recognizing indie
pendence, though the latter implies
more perfect accomplishments.
The difference between mere Insur-
rection and war, though in both
armed bodies are in onf1ict, is that in
is engaged, while in the latter there
must necessarily be two. If an armed
conflict be carried on by a ''substan-
tia1 political org anization, real, pal
pable and manifest to the world,
having the forms and capable of the
Oh bO-
wards its own people and to other
States" having a local habitation.''
where it may be dealt with by other
nations, then there is q war, and re-
fusal to recognize belligerency would
be wi1lful. In the absence of these
features there is nothing Ito take the
contest out of the category of a mere
rebellious insurrection, or occasional
skirmishes, and place it on the terrible
footing of war"
The pretension of recognizing what
does not exist sis always, and justly,
regarded as an unfriendly act, and a
gratuitous demonstration of moral
support to the rebellion"
1t is understood that, judged by
these tests, the administration does
not think the present state of affairs
in Cuba justifies any change in the at
titude of the Government. Its func-
tion is to act and not to express feel
ing. The only action now proper is to
con tinue to hold responsible for in
juries to American citizens the only
government which, so far as appears,
has and maintains authority in Cuba
until some other government sue
ceeds. at least temporarily, in sup !
plantipp it