Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-04

Washington. March 3.-The Presl-
dent and his cabinet undoubtedly are
strongly opposed to the present recog-
milton of the belligerency OF the Cuban
insurgents and any declaration con-
cerning their independence as embodied
in recent Congressional resolutions.
The following is not an Official g,aJe-
ment. but it is known from careful in
quiry that il accurately presents the
administration S views OF the affair:
While the President and the mem
bers OF the cabinet personally feel the
sympathy common to all Americans
with those Cubans who are conJending
for self government. they feel that in
their official action they should not de-
part from the well Sc lied principles
which were followed by former Presi-
dents and Secretaries Of State during
prior Instructions in Cuba.
These were clearly set forth by Gen.
Grant in his message OF 1873. in which
ne dealt with the question of the recog-
milton OF Cuban independence and also
with the recognition of belliger-
ency. Both independence and bellig-
erency are facts and their recognition
by other powers as the term implies,
is merely formal acknowledgement of
a state of things which rightly or
wrongly has come about.
When people united under some
known and defined form OF government
which administers it's functions by the
usual methods. come TO occupy and con-
rOl q known territory over which it is
competent to administer justice and
within which it affords protection TO
citizens and strangers. a new state eX-
lists Refusal Cf recognition would
not change the fact any more than pre-
mature recognition" could create it.
The former would he merely slight 10
the new government, just as the latter
is merely an eifront 10 the old one.
The question necessarily is what gov
eminent is actually in control of a
country.
Recognition of belligerncy depends
upon the same facts and is only mod
ifed form of recognizing Independence,
though the latter implies more perfect
accomplishment. The difference be-
tween mere insurTection and war. al
though i'm both armed bodies are in con-
tlict. is that i'm the former only one SOW
ereign power is engaged, while in the
latter there mus necessarily be two.
IL am armed conflict be carried on by a
substantial political organization. real,
palpable and manifest to the world,
having the form and capable of ordin-
airy functions of government towards
its own people and 10 other States,
having a local habitation, where it may
be dealt with - other nations, then
there is war, and refusal TO recognize
the belligeuency would be wilful.
I'm tn absence of these features there
is nothing 10 take the contest out of tha
category of q mere rebellion, iusurrec-
ton. or occasional sRirmishes and place
it ON the terrible footing of war Tne
pretense of recognizing what does not
exist is always and justly regarded as
an unfriendly act and a gratuitOus dem
onstration of moral support to the re-
belli0n.
IL is understood that judged by these
tests. tine administration does not think
the present stage of affairs i'm Cuba jus
tfies any change i'm the attitude of the
government. It's function is to- act and
not express feeling. "The only action
now proper is TO continue to hold re-
snonsible for iniuri s TO American citi-
Z-ns the only government which. so far
as appears. has and maintains author
ity in Cuba, until some other govern
ment succeeds. at least temporarily, in
suDplanting it,"