The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-30
Cameron CHAMPIONS CUBA
Historical Matter Produced by the
Pennsylvania Senator.
ACTION OF PRESIDENT GRANT
Early In 1869 lie Signed Proclamation
Recognizing the Cubans as Bel
ligerents- General Martinez
CampOs. Peace maker.

CampOs Peace maker.
Washington. Jan. ga minority re-
port was submitted by Senator Cam
eron requesting the president to in
terpose his friendly offices with the
Spanish government for the recogni-
tion of the independence of Cuba.
The report Of Senator Cameron con-
sists of twenty-four typewriter pages.
much Of which is Historical matter.
Mr.. Cameron said that early In 1869.
during the previous revolution. Il proc
lamation was actually signed by Presi-
dent Grant recognizing the Cubans as
bellige.ents. although the fact was
known to very few persons. This proc
lamation was not promulgated owing
to the opposition Of Secretary Fish,
During that war Mr.. Cameron shows
that our minister was directed to inl-
press upon fhe Spanish mind "the ad-
vancing growth If that sentiment
which claims for every part of the
American hemisphere the right of self
government and freedom from trans
Atlantic dependence" The good Of
to the cabinet at Madrid for the pur-
pose of bringing to close "thc civil
war now ravaging the island of Cuba"
The bases of settlement We're:
THE independence of Cuba to be
acknowledged by Spain.
Cuba to pay Spain an Indemnity
for her ACCOMPLISHMENTS of all her lights
in the island
3-The abolition of slavery.
An armistice pending negotiations
of settlement.
Our minlsterwas also authorized, saih
Mr.. Cameron, to state that If Spain in
sisted, our government might guaran-
tee the payment of the indemnity by
Cuba. Efforts to settle the war failed;
and Air. Cameron then traces its his
tory, quoting literally from state de-
pan tment reports down to the time
when peace again reigned over the
island. The insurgents at that time
were not conquered. but We're induced
By General Martinez Campos to lay
down their arms on conditions of peace
which he undertook to carry out.
Debt Of Justice Not Paid
Mr.. Cameron asserts that the debt Of
Justice growing out of this settlement
has not yet been paid. The highest
Spanish authorities have been obliged
to confess shat the grievances of the
Cubans are just and their aspirations
for liberty legitimate The. condition
Of Cuba. he contends, has not improved
The entire population. with the excep-
ftn,, ;.,I
der tyranny unparalleled at this day
on the globe
Coming down to recent times. Mr..
Cameron says that President Cleveland
has cleared the subject of all prelimi-
nary doubts.
a state Of war exists in Cuba. With
that, and .hat alone. we have to deal.
After the victory of Bayamo last July.
when the insurgents defeated and near
~ captured the captain general. and
gained military possession Of the whole
eastern half of the island, the fact Of
their belligerency was established; and
# further evidence was needed. it was
fully given by the subsequent victory
1t Caliseo, Dec. -, when the insurg-
ants drove the captain general back to
Havana and gained military control of
he western provinces. If the United
States still refrained from recognizing
he belligerency of the insurgents. af-
er this conclusive proof of the fact. the
'eason doubtless was that in the alb
'ence Of any legal complications, the
question became wholly political and
is true solution must lie not in recogni
t.,,, I.I1 1,,,t in, ftnt,
If independence.
In 1876. when the situation was far
rom being as serious as it Is now,
President Grant, af:er a long consid-
ration decided against the recognition
Df belligerency as an act which might
% delusive to the insurgents and
would certainly be regarded as un-
friendly to Spain. He decided upon a
middle course He proposed to the |
Spanish government a sort of intcrven-
ion which should establish the indie
lendence of cuba by Il friendly agree
nent. In doing SO he not only neces-
;arily recognized both parties to the
.onllict as on equal plane, but he also
assured Spain that If such mediation
should not be accepted. direct interven-
ion would probably be deemed a neces-
,ity on the part of the United States.
Spain preferred to promise to the in
;urgents terms so favorable as to cause
or "A time the cessation Of hostilities.
War Brcwing Twenty Years.
Since then twenty years have passed.
The insurrection. far from having
,eased. has taken the proportions of Il
war almost as destructive to our citi-
.ens as to the conterding parties. The
Of Cuba was then re-
yartled by the president of the United
States as the subject of his interven
ton. and has now become far more
Inevitable than it then was. Evidently
the government Of the United States
,an do no less than to take up the sub
ject precisely where President Grant |
left it. and to resume the friendly |
which he actually began |
with all the consequences which would |
follow its rejection.
Confident that no other action than |
his accords with our friendly rela- |
lions with Spain. our just sympathy
with the people of Cuba. and with our |
,wn dignity and consistency" Mr.. |
Cameron said. II recommend the fol- |
owing resolutions to the consideration |
)f the senate:"