The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-14

I iNNN,f-iN<~
oncy OF the cubahs, the following pas
sage:
During the six months which have
passed since the date OF that message the
condition Of the insurgents has not I'M
proved, and the insurrection itself, al
though not subdued, exhibits no Signs OF
advance. but seems TO be confined 10 an
irregular system OF hostiitics carried on
by small and lily armed bands OF men,
roaming. without concentration, through
the woods and the sparsoly populated re-
gions OF the island. attacking from AMI
bush conveys and small bands Of troops,
/ burning plantations and the estates oil
those not sympatbizing with Their cause.
But II the Instruction had not gained
| ground II is equally true that Spain has
not suppressed It. Climate. disease, ana
the occasional bullet have worked de-
struct!on among the soldiers o. SPAIN
| ana although the Spanish authorities nave
I possession OF every seaport and every
town on the island, they have not been
! able 20 subduc the hostile feeling which
has driven a considerable number OF the
/ native inhabitants of The island 10 armed
resistance against Spain. and sim leads
them 10 endure tho dangers and the pri-
vations of a roaming life OF guerrilla war;
/ fare.
on either side a contest has been con-
/ Quoted. and Is still carried on with Ia
/ mcniabie disregard Of human life and OF
I the rules and practices which modern
! civilization has prescribed in mitigation
| Of the necessary horrors Of war. The
/ torch Of Spanish and Of Cuban is alike
busy in carrying devastation over fertile
regions: mufdcrous and revengeful de-
crecs arc issued and executed by both
parties Count Nalmascda and Colonel
Hoot. on the part OF Spain. have each
startled humanity ana aroused the indig-
nation OF the civilized world by the exc
cution. each. Of "a score of prisoners at a
time while General Quesada. the Cuban
chief coollv and with apparent uncon-
sciOcsncss Of aught else than proper
act. has admitted the slaughter. by his
own deliberate order, in one day. Of up
ward OF $50 prisoners of war.
In view Of the contradictory statements
We get every day about the condition Of
things IN Cuba. there is only too much
reason for saying that it looks as though
this had been written with the present
state Of affairs before General Grants
mind
Senator Hale then read the following
passage from the same message relative
to the conditions necessary 10 a recogni-
ton Of belligei ency:
The question of beligerency is one OF
fact, not TO be decided 10y sympathes for
or Irc.udi - against either party. The
rela ',ls between the parent State ana
the insurgents must amount. in fact. 10
war in the sense of International law.
Fighting. though fierce and prctracted,
q If.H
be- military forces acting I'm accordance
with the rules and customs Of war. flags
OF truce. cartols. exchange of prisoners,
etc. and 10 Justify recognition Of bel
Ugereucv there must be above all q de
facto political orga liZation of the insur-
gents sufficient in character and resources
to constitute it, if left 20 itself, a State
among nations, capable Of dischareing
the duties Of a State, and of meeting the
Just responsibilities il may incur as such
toward other powers in the discharge of
its rational duties.
Applying the best information which
have been enabled 10 gather. whether
from official or unofficial sources includ-
ing the very exaggerated statements
which each party gives TO all that may
prejudice the opposite or give credit 10 its
own side of the question. l am unable TO
see. in the present condition Of the con-
test in Cuba. those clements which are
requisite 10 constitute war I'm the sense Of
international law
The insurgents hold no town or city,
have no established scat Of government;
they have 10 prize courts. no organiza-
ton for the receiving and collecting OF
revenue: no seaport TO which prize may
De carried. or through which access can
be had by a foreign power 10 the limited
interior territory and mountain fast
resses which they occupy The existence
of the legislature representing any popu-
lar constituency is more than doubtful
I'm the uncertainty that hangs around
the entire instruction there is 10 paJpa-
bic evidence of an election, az any dele
gated authority. or of any government
outside the limits of the camps occupied
from day TO day by the rowing companies
Of insurgcnt troops. There IS no COM
mcrce. no trade either internal or for
egn. no manufactures.
This IS, IN the main. very jus, and very
correct. though it demands some condi-
tions that are not indispensable TO a
state Of benieercrcy Such a state may
very well exist, though the insurgents
hold no town or city ana had no seaport
10 which prizes might Doe carried The
CONDITION of beiligcrency might become
all the more apparent IL The insurgents
had such. hut it might very well evist
thou.h they had neither.
Finally, Mr. Hale read the following
passage from General Grants message.
which should particularly put as on our
guard now. lie said.
During the whole contest the remark
able exhibition has been made Of large
numbers of Cubans escaping from the
isl, nd ard avoiding the risks Of war. con-
grcpating In this country al q safe dis
lance from the scene of danger. and en-
deay0ring 10 make war from our shores.
10 urge our people into the fish. which
they avoid, and 20 embroil this govern
megf ina complications and possible hos
tnitics with Spain IL can scarce Dc |
doubted that This last result is the real !
object Of these parties, although carefully
covered under the deceptive and appar-
entity plausible demand Tor mere recog- |
milton Of bclhscrcncy.
II is stated, on what 1 have reason 10 !
regard as good authority. that Cuban |
bonds have been prepared 20 large !
amount whose payment Is made depeu- |
dent upon the recognition by the United |
States of either Cuban belhgoroncy or |
independence The object of making their |
value thus contingent upon the action of |
this Government is subject for serious |
reflection.
Let Us then. as VIC said Yesterday. as !
certain what the facts of this case are be- |
fore We do anything If the Cubans have I,
oi.,-afct fbair CAUSE Z, ono ~ "a tifoo,.-.- OK