Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-22
rLLE CIR1N nrESrlnN


Two propositions are before the
United States senate in relation tC
Cuba. one of these declares it to be the
opinion of congress that condition of
public war exists in that island and
that the United States should maintain
ing powers. according TO each all the
rights of belligcrcnts in the ports and
territory of the United States. The
other proposition is that the president
shall interposc his friendly offices with
the Spanish government for the rccog-
milton of the independence of Cuba.
The debate in the senate on Thursday
did not indicate which of the PROPOSE
tions Is the more likely to be adopted,
but 1t showed that there is very
earnest and general sentiment in favor
of some action by congress that will be
helpful to the cause of Cuban inde-
pendence. All the utteranccs were un-
qualiticdly condemnatory of tile policy
of Spain in that island and urged the
duty of this government to exert its in
tiuence to put a stop to the conflict
there. In this there was voiced the
practically unanimous sentiment of the
country.
That the Cuban question is of grave
Importance is recognized by everybody.
and it being admitted that some action
on the part of this government is de-
mandcd the matter of determining what
that action should be is perpleXing
There is Il great deal of force in the
accord belligerency to the insurgents
would be q mistake both for them and
for us, and his objections to that course
are sound. 1t is to be borne in mind as
stated by one of the highest authorities
on international law. that the recogni-
ton of belligerent rights is not solely to
the advantage of the insurgents. They
gain the great advantage of Il recog
nized status. On the other hand, the
parent government is relieved from re-
sponsibility for acts done in the insur-
gent territory, its blockade of its own
ports is respected, and it acquires a
right to exert, against neutral COM
merce. all the powers of a party to Il
maritime war. Thus recognition of
the insurgents as belligerents would
give Spanish ships the right to stop.
search and capture our merchant YES
sells trading with the insurgents. and
the rules and risks respecting the carry
and military persons. would come into
force. 1t would affect the trade rela-
tions between this country and Cuba to
our disadvantage.
Some senators urge that our govern
mcnt should go further than according
belligerent rights to the insurgents and
recognize their independence. 1t would
be altogether useless for the president
to intcrpose his friendly offices with
Spain with view to securing Cuban
independence, because tho Spanish gov
ernment would not for moment en-
tertain any such suggestion. Fully un-
derstanding that such would be the
case, whatever action is taken should
be direct and Straightforward. Could
we justify ourselves IN recognizing
Cuban independence? Have the Cuban
insurgents established such pro
visiOnal government and so we'll
demonstrated their ability to maintain
it as to have valid claim to recogni-
ton? Our action in this matter must
not be controlled by sentiment alto
gether. We have to consider our duty
and our responsibilities as one of the
family of nations and take no course
that we cannot justify to the intelligent
and candid Judgment of the world.