The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1896-03-06
NO CUBAN RECOGNITION
PRESIDENT AND CABINET STRONGLY
OPPOSED 70 IT.
CUBAS JOY PREMATURE
According ~ tn. Position ~ the rresE
dent, ~ Set Forth in = mi-Or'cisi
statement. spain Had Nothing
- Flare Up Over-tan the
Executive Defeat the
Recognition ~ C"hsr
CUBA'S JOY PREMATURE.

WASmiNaruN. March 1.-The Presi-
dent and his Cabinet are undoubtedly
opposed TO the present recognition of
belligercncy Of the Cuban insurgents
and TO any declaration concerning
their independence as embodied ia re-
cent congressional resolutions The
following is not an official statement,
but it is known from careful inquiry
that il accurately represents the ST.
ministration's views in the matter
While the President and members Of
the Cabinet personally feel the sym
pathy common TO ali Americans with
these Cubaus who are contending for
self-government they feel that in
their Official action they should not de-
part from the well-settled principles
which were followed by former Presi-
dents and secretaries OF State during
prior Instructions in Cuba. These
were clearly set forth by General
Grant in his message of 1879, in which
he dealt with the question OF the rec
ognition OF cuban independence and
also with that of the recognition of
belligerency
Both independence and belligerency
are facts, and their recognition by
other powers, as the term implies, is
merely formal acknowledgment OF y
STATE of things which rightly or
wrongly. has come about.
When a people. united under some
known and defined form OF govern
ment which administers its functions
by the usual methods. come 10 occupy
aud control a known territory over
which il is competent to administer
justice and within which it affords
protection 10 citizens and strangers, a
new state exists Refusal OF recogni-
ton would not change the fact any
more than premature recognition"
could create il. The former would be
merely a slight 10 The new govern
ment just as the latter is merely an
af'ront To the old one. The question
necessarily is always what govern
ment is actually in control Of the
country.
Recognition of belligerency depends
upon the same facts. and Is only a
modified form nf recognizing inde-
pendence. though the latter implies
more perfect accomplishments.
The difference hotween mere insur-
rection and war. though in both
armed bodies are in conflict. is that in
the former only one SOY, reign power
is engaged, while ia the latter there
must necessarily be two. II an armed
conflict bc carried on by a 'substan-
iial political org pauization. real, pal
pa blr and manifest to the world,
having the forms aud capable of the
ordinary functions Of government to-
wards its own people and to other
states, having local habitation.
where il may be dealt with bv other
nations, then there is war. and re-
fusal to recognize belligerency would
be wiliful In the absence of these
features there is nothing ito take the
contest out Of the category Of mere
rt bellious insurrection, or Occa asional
! skirmishes, and place it on the terrible
/ footing OF war.
The pretcnsion of recognizing what
does not exist lis always, and justly,
regarded as an unfriendly act. and q
/ Rrdtuitous demonstration of moral
support 10 the rebellion.
II is understood that, Judged 10y
| these tests, the administration does
not think the present state ot affairs
In Cuba juStities any change ia the at
| tiCude of the Government. Its func-
! tion is To act and not TO express leei-
| ing. The only action now proper is ia
| con tinue 10 hold responsible for in
! jurisS TO American citizens the only
| government which, 30 tar as appears,
| has and maintains authority in Cuha
until some other government sue
| eeeds. at least temporarily, in sup
! planting it.