The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-05
THE CUBAN MATTER.

STABILITY of our possession of Cuba has
been only too apparent to every Ameri-
can citizen from the very formation
of our Government The strong feel
ing that we ought and must have a
country so necessary to our CONNER
cial expansion and to the control of our
own coasts and the Gulf of Mexico has
been constant temptation to get hold
of it in some irregular way. 1t has also
exposed to the suspicion of foreign
powers any action that we might take
i'll regard TO events happening on the
island. We have never been as free to
act with reference to it as disinterested
Nation might. Thus, had Cuba been
on the European coast, instead of our
own, we might have properly recognized
the belligerency of the people struggling
for freedom months ago There is no
doubt in the minds of any American
that they have been subjected to intoler
able robbery and oppression, and that
they should be freed from the CALLING
yoke.
Compare our slow deliberation in this
matter with the indecent haste of the
European Governments to recognize the
belligerency of the rebels. The war in
Cuba has now been in progress over a
year, and the insurgents have been so
successful that they have much the
larger part of the whole island under
their control, and the Spanish troops are
cooped up in a few strongly-fortifed
places. Yet we have only taken the
first steps toward recognizing their
belligerency. May 10, 1861, within a
month after the rebels fred on Fort
Sumter, and before the Government
could fairly begin the work of their sup
preston, the Queen of England issued
proclamation virtually recognizing the
Southern Confederacy, and really ex-
tending belligerent rights to the rebels.
In spite of the earnest protests of our
Minister, the Emperor of France fol-
lowed her example by a proclamation
dated June II. The Queen of Spain
did the same June II. and the King of
Portugal July %. The only friend we
had in Europe was the Gar of Russia,
who steadfastly refused to recognize the
rebels in any way.
Last week, after an earnest debate,
during which an overwhelming feeling
of sympathy with the struggling Cubans
was developed, the Senate adopted the
following moderate resolutions:
ResolUed By the Senate (he House of Rep
resenfattU's cOncurring), That, in the opinion
Of Congress, a condition of public war exists
between the Government of Spain and the
Government proclaimed and for some time
nan fofp al h,,t 81 H. ia
of Cuba; and that the United States of
America should maintain n strict neutrality
between the contending powers, according
to each all the rights OF be ligerents in the
ports and territory of the United States.
Rcsolred further, That the friendly Offices
of the United States should be offered by
the President to the Spanish Government
for the recognition of the independence of
Cuba.
The House took still more conserva-
tive view of the National duty. The
Foreign Affairs Committee felt that any
expression in favor of the independence
of the island would be undiplomatic,
and therefore the following were pre-
pared as a substitute, and adopted by
the significant vote of 263 to IL:
Resolred by the House of Representatives
the Senate c0ncurring) That In the opinion
of Congress- "A state Of public war exists in
Cuba, the parties to which are entitled to
belligerent rights, and the United States
should observe o strict neutrality between
the belligerents.
Rcsolred, That Congress deplores The de-
sruciion Of life and property caused by the
war now raging in that island, and believing
that the only permanent solution of the con-
test equally in the interest of Spain, the
people of Cuba, and other nations, would be
in the establishment of a Government by
the choice of the people of Cuba, it is the
sense of Congress that the Government of
the United States should use its good Offices
and friendly influence TO that end.
Resolced, That the United States has not
interviewed in struggles between European
Governments and their colonies on this CON-
tnent; but from the very close relations
between the people of the United States and
those of Cuba in consequence of its prox-
unity and the extent 5f the commerce be-
tween the two peoples, the present war is
eniaiIing such losses upon the people of the
United States that Congress is of the opinion
that the Government Of the United States
should be prepared To protect the legitimate
interests of Amerieanssby intervention, if
necessary. D O.