The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-05

tending the gentlenan's time for nine
minutes?
There was no objection
Mr. Washington-Win my friend now
allow me to ask him a question:
NE Turner OF Georgia. prefer not to
yield Nj. Speaker, | beg to return my
thanks for the great courtesy SHOWN me,
and tor the privilege of continuing for a
rev minutes the remarks which [ was
e~ndeaVoring to submit.
1t viii be remembered that during the
entire ten years OF the former struggle
OF the Cuban people recognition of their
belligerent rights was denied by the Presi-
lent OF the United States, who from
year to year communicate to Congress
the reasons which actuated his conduct.
the instruction in CUBA
attempts TO suppress it, SO far futile,
have been probably at a sacrifice of
an incalculable amount OF property
And yet he refused recognition of the
~bell.gerent character of the Cubans.
AT another time he said, in speaking of
according rights of belligerency:-
Unless justified by necessity, it is al
ways and justly regarded as an unfriend-
~ act and a gratuitous demonstration of
moral support to the rebellion"
On another occasion. in his message to
Congress. President Grant tersely ~
nopsized the conditions and element
which are requisite to constitute war in
the sense of international law. He said
The question of belligerency is one of
fact not to be decided by ~synrpathies or
prejudices for or against either party. The
relations between the parent State and
the insurgents must amount in fact to
war in the sense of international war.
Fighting, though fierce and protracted.
does not alone constitute war; there must
With the customs toms Of 1 war. a ia so Of truce nee
~cartels. exchange of prisoners, etc, and
to justify a recognition of belligerency
ljtieal organization Of the insurgents
sufficient in character and resources to
constitute it, If left. to itself, a State
the duties Of a State and Of meeting
the just responsibilities it may incuI
as such toward other powers"
And he added the following statement
of Cuban affairs. which seems to be a
perfect statement of the present situa-
ton so far as we know it,
The insurgents hold no town or city;
have no established seat of government;
they have. no prize courts; nor organfza-
ton for the receiving and collecting the
revenue; no seaport to which a prize
may be carried. or through which access
can be had by a foreign force to the
limited territory and mountain Businesses
legislature representing any popular con-
stftuency Is more than doubtful. In the
uncertainty which hangs around the en-
evidence of an election, of any delegated
authority, or of any government outside
the limits Of the camps occupied from
insurgent troops. There IS no commerce.,
no trade, internal or foreign, etc.
These views were repeated from year
to year in the annual messages. If YOU
have no respect for Grant; II you think
that he knew nothing of war. then bear
in mind that he was stating the law ac-
cording. to the standard authorities.
Who is the President of Cuba? He Is
said to be a naturalized citizen of the
United States, and is enjoying his honors
very safely in this country. His cabinet
is also said to be in this country. Where
is the capital? Where is the Cuban legis-
lature? Where are their battlefelds?
Mr.. Speaker, it is unnecessary for me
to extend these remarks further | will
conclude by the simple statement that
If I could | would have offered resolu-
tons which I had prepared for the occa-
sion. to vindicate the claims of humanity
and to extend our good Offices in every
practical way in accordance with the
presidents. And l would defer for the
present offensive interference until we
have better information. Mr.. Speaker,
| trust that | am not deficient in the
spirit of freedom. 1 know how much
it costs, and | believe that that liberty
applauSe.)