The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-17
Cubans Entitled to Recognition.


1t is well known that the revolution
lists nave organized a de fscto govern
ment. They have adopted constitution,
they have assumed q national name; they
possess national flag, and they have
dispatched q delegate pleuipotentiary to
treat with..the government of the United
States. 1t is true that they possess no
navy and no seaport. but In this respect
they ere pot much worse of than were
tho 13 Americn colonies when their inde-
pendence was recognized by France. They
are quite as we'll off ss were their Span
ish- American kinsmen when the inde-
pendeuce of the Peruvian and Colon bian
Repu blics were recognized by the United
States, for at that time the mothe coup-
try retained control OF all the principal
seaports on the Spanish Main aud on the
seacoast Of Peru. They are better of
then were the Greeks when England,
France and Russia interposed to assure
their deliverance from the Ottoman yoke.
From another point Of view the claim of
the Cubans to be recognized as belliger-
ents 10 evon moro Irresistible. How can
we refuse to say that a state Of war
lists In cuba when Spain herself avows
the fact by Assem- bling under her colors
on the island upward Of 200, 900 soldiers?
How can any one describe as local and
transient disturbance an upheavel,
which for nearly two years Spain has
striven in vain to suppress, although she
has taxed to the utmost her resources in
mon and money? spain is forced at this
moment to maintain in Cuba an army
twice as large as the Ottoman Sultan and
1928 for the subjugstion OF Greece. and
four times as large % the ANGLO German
force which Great Britain was able to
launch against her revoltsd American
colonies during our revolutionary war.
IL 1t is not war which exists In Gu ba, why
In the name OF common sense has Spain
sent thither nearly the whole OF her
available navy, and land force that will
presently mum Der almost quarter of a
million of troops. Indubitably war II 10,
and, as We have shown 1t to be rig htcous
one, -Gutnns are entitled TO a rgrur-
milton of its existence at the hands OF
foreign powers, and cspecIslly of the Amt.
rican Republic. IL Is Id le to say that the
Cubaps, II they were wise, would not IN
sist on being recognized as pelligcrents. |
True enough 1t is that such q recoguit
on the part OF the United States might
subject Us to some inconvenience. The
parent government would be thebery re-
licved from responsibility for acts done
In the insurgent territory; its blockade OF |
Cuban ports would have to be respected; |
and Spain would scquire right to ex.
ercise against neutral commerce all the |
powers Of q party TO a maritime war. or |
trivial moment to ne. however, would be |
tho Inconvenience resulting from the |
tight to search, compared to the damage
wrought by Q prolongatlon Of the strug-
gle, the destruction OF live,. and prop
,rty, tho annibilstion OF agricultural ard
mining industries, and the im poverlsh.
pent OF the islands commerce with this
,ouutry. Alresty our interchange OF
products with Cuba has been cut down Ia
fraction OF what IL was at the begin.
ling Of the wsr, and investments of Ame-
ican capital are seriously Threatened
from "Mbat Shall Be Done About
Iubs" by Mayo W. Hszeltiue, in North
American Review for December.