The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-05-01
CUBAN BELLIGRRENCY.
What Recognition by This Country
Would Mean

We pointed out sometime ago that
if this country shonld recognize the
Cuban rcvolutionists as belligercnts,
Spain could no longer treat them as
pirates if captured at sea and as
brigands if captured On land. One
of our contemporaries, the Milwau-
kec Sentinel, contradicts this asscr.
ton and maintains that "upon the
character of the warfare carried on by
Spain our recognition would have no
legal effect whatever. Spain would
still be free to conduct the war in her
own way, treating her captives at
her own discretion rs brigands, pi,
rates, or prisoners of war; exchanging
them; lodging them and feeding thcm
properly, or sending them to dirty
prisons and giving them food not fit
for pigs"
So far as Spanish subjects are con-
cerncd, our recognition of insurgents
as belligerents would have, of course,
no illegal effect upon Spain. But
thc moral constraint which it would
exercise would be of the most salutarv
character. No civilized country
could afford TO treat its rebellioms
subjects as brigands or IS pirates after
their acquisition of the statutes ci
bclligerency had been acknowledged
by an independent State. When the
Confederates, for instance, were rec.
lognized belligerepts by England,
France, and Spain We practically ac-
quiesced in their acquisition of that
status. Had we done otherwise. We
shouldhaye eNtinguished every spark
of sympathy for the Union cause III
Europe and an irterposition ofFrancc
and England on behalf of the rebel
government would have been incvi
table. 1t is of the utmost moment to
Spain. that mere recognition of bel
l!serency shall not be followed by
recognition of independence, and
aug sgas aas kE fjEsc' She Would ,.IIl.;,, have
the strongest possible motives to
give the revolutionists, after VIC had
pronounced them belligerents, the |
treatment prescribed for prisoners
ny the usages of modern warfare.
10 such a change in her methods of
dealing with the insurgents she would
be morally cocrecd.
30 far as the citizens of other countries
're concerned, their relations to Spain
you'd be legally altered after the rcyolu
tonlStS has acquired the status of bcllr,-
rncy. Ii is known that American cit-
iruS are now serving under Gen. Max
mo Gomez and under Gen. Antonio
M'ceo. If they We're capturel under
eiSting circumstances. they would m,
shot, and our government
Wuld have no right to protest. Bat
sam ut her pc woaiu deaf thus ,,uu-
mri!y with An licln citizens. after tlr.
'c ,uh;HaS nld been recognized as btlli- ,
"r"ntS. Were American citizens now
iplilr1u III vessel flying The Cuban hag.
hey would Dc hanged aS pirates. and Qua.
overnmcnt would have no right 70 rr-
lonStl1te. But let the rrvolu,ionis,s |.
ace be acknowledged as beligcrents. and
ICY become entitled IL Issue lcitrr, of
argue: if, subsequently, Spain should Il
snture To treat rs pirates. American !
tl|enS captured ina privatc"r. She would !
We Our governments u casts bell. The
ews of the Confederate priyatecrs ;hr
inter and the Aiabama, were mad" up $,
r@cly OF British subjects: had we dared II
ll;tllG one oi them ;lS II pirate. after the IL
had been acknowledged nS :,
!iigercntS, Great Britain would have Y,
cli!pd war against us. ft
We repeat that a' as regards lhns, I
nerlcan citizens who choose To take un
tive part in promoting the insurgents.
situation would h. rcVolrtunYrl hy :,
'ecEli;ltl"li Oh the lnWt of our govern bI
INT thai the Insurgents are b2lliyercnts. J(
IL even with respect 10 Spanish subjects
iId tn" present methods oi warfare be-
ltinucd without provoking the wrath
l Indignation OF mankind We $.oulJ ro
n he urged III the name of civilization ne
take the further Stcn q! recognizing cN
las Independence, which plD!ubly ~
Md bc followed 10y intervention ON her rs
York sun. in
Marvellous Results. cot
l,t