Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-03-20
GEN. GRANT AND CUBA
Y -- 30 \ y W. n,p
Why He Did Not Recognize the
Cubans as Be'igerents- !.
DlAay Of SECRETARY FISH
Had Ii Not Been for the Secretary.
Grant Would Have Sent i'm
BelIigerency Message.


debate on the Cuban question in the |
United States senate many illusions
were made both by Senator Sherman
and Senator Hill as to the attitude of
President Grant and the then secretary
of state, Hamilton Fish. Senator Sher-
man declared there was conflict of
opinion over Cuban affairs between the
president and his secretary of state.
The speaker of the New York assem-
bly,, Hamilton Fish. son of the late sec
rotary, is in possession of information
upon this subject contained in the dia-
ries kept by his father that is of great
Importance in the controversy.
On the authority of these diaries 1t
is shown that President Grant had at
one time, under the circumstances of
pending negotiation at Madrid, been in
clined to recognize the belligerency of
Cuba, but on June 10, 1870, the opinion
of the president and the cabinet was
unanimous that there were no facts to
justify the declaration of belligerency,
and that the satisfaction of the presi-
dent with the Cuban policy of his adj
ministration and sits effects upon the
country and the republican party found
expression few weeks later in thanks
to the secretary of state for whatever
share in 1t may have been due to his
wisdom and judgment.
During his eight years service in the
state department Mr.. Fish kept, chiefly
as a reference, record for his own
eyes, a diary in his own handwriting
containing a statement of his important
transactions with President Grant, the
members of the cabinet, senators and
other leading men in regard to more
prominent foreign questions with which
he had to deal.
From May 81 to June 10, 1870, the date
of President Grants special message to
congress on Cuban belligerency, the en-
tries i'm the diary are many and very
full in regard to the origin, preparation,
discussions in the cabinet and final COM
pletion of the special message. Some
of these entries have peculiar interest
in the light of recent events, and were
shown today to the correspondent of the
Associated Press.
Under date of February 10. 1870, there
is a suggestion of rift in the unity of
the republican party in defense of that
policy respecting foreign affairs, which
policy the president had announced in
cember. The entry is as follows:
Called this morning (by appoint
ment to see Senator Sherman on the
subject of the unit of coinage. After
conversing on that question l referred
to his resolution introduced in the SEN
ate and his speech In favor of recognize
| ing the belligerency of Cuba, and asked
| IL he had recently examined the treaty
with Spain of 1895. He said he had not,
and was not aware of the existence OF
such treaty. / referred to its provisions
and to the probable consequence of, the
| exercise by Spain of the right of visit
| or of search, thought our people
| would not submit to 1t. and that the
| consequences would soon develop in
| war; said that fighting was not bellig-
erency; there is fighting but not bellig-
| erency in Cuba there is no government
| of the insurrectionary party; no politi-
| cal organization. etc. lie admitted he
| had not examined the subject closely,
but said there Is a good deal of excite
ment in the country on the subject. Ad-
| vised him In connection with the pass
| age Of his resolution of belligerency to
prepare bills for the increase of the
public debt and to meet the Increased
| appropriation which will be necessary
| Tor tne army, navy, CIV.
An evident solicitude among republi-
cans lest the party, in the presence OF
the approaching autumn election
should be divided on the Cuban ques.
ton by reason of representations to thc
country in regard to the presidents rea
attitude, is indicated ON June 10 by this
entry:
"Judge orth and General Butler called
| 70 tha nj :
message by the president on the ques
ton of Cuban belligerency. Ortiz says
| the vote will be close. Banks will max,
| the closing speech. but there are SONS
90 or 80 members who may be decided
by his speech. but would not go agains
| the presidents views"
On June ~ there is this entry.
stay at home and prepare messag
on the Cuban bellgerency question, t.
be submitted for the presidents consid
Grafton in case he agrees TO send one
He has not yet returned from his fish
ing excursion"
OF the discussion in the cabinet OF
the 18TH the day on which the specia
; message was sent to congress, the diar.
says:
1T was generally admitted that IL wa
is to be resorted to, 1t would be by di
rect declaration and not by embarrass
ing Spain by a declaration of belliger
ency; agrees unanimously that no con
dition of facts exists to justify belliger
ency. Finally the president amends h
sentences by referring in general term
| to seizures on the high seas, embargoe
| of property and personal outragi
Robson adds the concluding sentence!
| claiming the question of belligerency
| distinct from those questions OF wrong
which are being pressed for indemnif
' cation, and If not satisfied they will b
made the subject of future message
And thus 1t is agreed that the messas
shall be sent in"
Speaker Fish said that the origins
draft of the message, with Its man
erasures and interlineations, Is all
d Mr.. Fish's own hand. The message ser
to congress and printed as ex doce N
/ 90 is verbatim as in that draft down
following paragraphs or near the en-
There is no de facto government
the island of Cuba sufficient to execu
law and maintain just relations vii
other nations. Spain has not been alb
to suppress the opposition to Spani:
rule in the island, nor to award speed
: Justice to other nations. or citizens
: other nations. when their rights ha'
been invaded"
Those sentences were written and !
serted by the president, the next ty
= were written In the cabinet and on {
l ,rostdantso ouooaetinr added nv the Sc