Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-22


He added that the measure is proposed
under q thorough conviction that it is in
strict accord with the law OF nations. In
reality, it created the law so far as its
action went and its legality was recog-
nized by no European power and Spain
protested vigorously.
From that day to this, continues the
report, the American people have always,
and unanimously, supported and approv-
ed the Monroe doctrine. They needed no
reasoning to prove that it was vital to
their safety.
Graphically, then, the report depicts
the dangers that threatened the United
States during the civil war from the in
terventon of England and France and
through the action of Louis Napoleon in
sending an army to Mexico, after which
it says:
mo serious question was again raised
with any European power in regard to
the insurrection or independence of their
American possessions, until in 1859 re-
bellion broke out in Cuba, and the in
surgents after organizing a government
ard declaring their independence claimed
recognition from the United States.
1.-THE government of the United States
has always regarded Cuba as within the
sphere of its most active and serious in
terest.
This right of intervention in matters
relating to the external relations of Gu
ba, asserted and exercised seventy years
ago has been asserted and exercised at
every crisis in which the island has been
involved.
"When the Cuban insurgents in 1869 ap-
pealed to the United States for recogni-
ton President Grant admitted the JUS
tice of the claim, and directed the minis
ter of the United States at Madrid to
interpose our good offices with the Span
ish government in order to obtain by a
friendly arrangement the independence
of the island. The story of that inter-
Veption is familiar to every member of
the senate and was made the basis of its
resolution last session, requesting the
president once more to interpoSe his
friendly offices with the Spanish govern
ment for the recognition of the independ-
ence of Cuba
The resolution then adopted by con-
gross was perfectly understood to carry
with it the consequences which neces-
sarily would follow the rejection by Spain
of friendly offices. On this point the
situation needs no further comment. The
action taken by congress in the last ses-
sion was taken on great consideration
and on just principles, on a right of in
tervention exercised tWenty-seVen years
ago and after a patient delay unexampled
in history.
The interval of nine months which have
elapsed since that action of congress has
proved the necessity of carrying it OH to
completion.
IGpOIl lHeT SOeS OH TO argue lnGl
the Cuban insurgents have a better
status for recognition than had any of
the revolted people named in the long
chapter of precedents whose independ-
ence has become fact.
The only question that properly re-
mains for congress to consider is the
mode which should be adopted for the
step which congress is pledged next to
take.
The government of the United States
entertains none but the friendliest feel
ings towards Spain It's most anxious
wish is to avoid even the appearance of
an unfriendliness which is wholly for
eign to it's thought. For more than 100
years the two governments have sue
ceeded in avoiding collision, and there
is 10 friendly office which Spain could
ask -rhich the United States, within the
liniIs of their established principles and
policy would not be glad to extend. In
the present instance they are actuated
by an earnest wish to avoid the danger
of seeming to provoke a conflict.
The practice of Europe in regard to in
tervention, as in the instance cited, has
been almost invariably harsh and OPP
pressive. The practice of the United
States has been almost invariably mild
and forbearing. Among the precedents
which have been so numerously cited,
there can be no doubt as to the choice.
The most modera tie is the best. Among
those, the attitude taken by President
Monroe in 1922 is the only attitude which
can properly be regarded as obligatory
for similar situation today. The course
pursued by the United States in the rec
ognition of Colombia is the only course
which congress can consistently adopt.
We recommend, therefore, the joint res
olution, with amendments be read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, BY the senate and house of
representatives of the United States of
America in congress assembled, That the
independence of the republic of Cuba be
and the same is hereby acknowledged
by the United States of America. Be it
further
Resolved, That the United States will
use it's friendly offices with the govern
ment of Spain to bring to close the
war between Spain and the republic of
Cuba