The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-13

ct understand that there is a treaty
with Spain which prohibits in this
country the organization of military
companies for the purpose Of aiding
revolt in any of the Spanish possess
ions, but this treaty in no sense pre-
cludes our government from recogniz-
ing the fact that a state of hostilities
exist in Cuba.
BY the Chinese restriction act, pass
ed a few years ago, congress annulled
a stipulation in the treaty with China
regarding immigration to this country,
and the federal supreme court sustain
ed this act. Hence the law is well set
tied that congress has power to annul
or modify an international treaty.
am willing to cOncede that such leglS-
lation is not defensible, except in eX-
traordinary cases, but every nation has
the undOubted right to self-preserva-
ton so long as it is endeavOring to up
hold and perpetuate good government.
But where a province adjacent to the
United States is striving to throw off
the yoke of oppression and establish
republican form of government this
government has the right, and it is It's
duty to see that fair treatment is ac-
corded to such province And 1 say IN
all candOr that believe the time IS at
hand when the chief executive or the
United States should accord to the Gu
bans full belHgerent rights. know
that this is an important step, ana
should always be taken win due sense
tions of humanity and free government
are involved this the greatest OF repuD-
lies should not hesitate to assert It's
iudgment. When emergencies present
themselves responsibilities must be ia
ken Mr.. Lincoln drove the French IN
vaders from Mexico near the close or
our civil war. 1T required courage, un-
der the cirCunS tanceSs but MI Lincoln
was equal to the occasion, and he was
sustained by his eOunrymen-
Mr.. Speaker, I am not unmindful OF
the fact that by international law there
are certain tests to be applied by a for
eign government in determining when
belligerency should be extended to q
reV0ltine state. / understand the cnleI
test is W neither a state of actual War, as
distinguished from a mere lnsurrec-
tion, exists Another test requires that
the revolving state must have mace
some effort to set up a government, IOf
there should be some tangible organ
lied civil authority or some government
in process of formation to supersede
the former government If the reVO4u-
tiOn should succeed In the case OF
Cuba there can be no question but
there exists today military cOnlllcl
within its borders. Civil government
is suspended, or set at naught, except
in a few places. The Spanish authorl-
ties are and have been for many
months. treating the military opera
tiOns of Cuba as 1Orclble reNOlt
against the parental sway
These evidences, coming to us IN the
most authentic manner settle the queS-
rIOn that OuOA IS prosecuting d COAAtC9@
by military force Tor lndependeLce'
and that Spain is resisting such con
test with all the military force at her
command. Every gentleman on TINS
floor must be satisfied that there is
public war in Cuba. 1t is Waged by the
Cubans on the same principle that our
patriot fathers made war against Brit
fsh authority in 1916 1t cannot Oe eA-
Dected nor has it evar been required.
that there should be q fully equipped
civil government In operation DeIOre
belligerency should be accorded. Ii is
sufficient if there is an honest effort
being made to organize a new govern
raent The Cubans are making this ef-
fort The evidence on this point IS
In considering the war between Spain
and her colonies in 1925. Mr.. Clay, then
secretary of state, said.
No statesman can have contem-
plated the colonial relations of Europe
and continental America without fore
seeing that the time must come when
they would cease. That time might
have been retarded or accelerated,
but come it must, in the great march
of human events.
The former relations between Spain
and most of her American colonies
did cease about that time, but Cuba
still remained under parental control.
From 1868 to 1873 she made q heroic
contest for freedom. but was finally
reconciled by promised reformation
These promises have been broken, or
at least have not been kept in good
faith and Cuba has again asserted her
right to a separation. She has caught
the spirit of the age and is going to be
free. Her cause can hardly be retard-
ed much longer.
1T has been said that Cubans are
not prepared for self-gOvernment- This
/ charge was made against the Ameri-
can colonies. Tt has been made against
! every people who were struggling to
free themselves from the expressions
| of old governments. New response
bilities develop latent powers Expert
| ence has demonstrated that seIf-gOV-
I ernment produces Independent thought
and the ability to meet additional OBJ
I legations I am convinced that when
! Cubs. becomes free she will be able to
/ establish and maintain a far better
/ government than Spain has ever given
/ her.
The tendency of the times for ma
] tions as well as individuals is toward
| greater freedom. All people are seek
! ing better conditions This onward
/ march cannot be checked. NOpolecn
/ once declared that the highest quality
! of a great general is to see things as
/ they are and not to make pictures in
/ his own mind We see today this bat
/ tie being waged everywhere. As Amer
/ every people who are engaged in this
I struggle. We can give substantial aid
/ and sympathy by adopting these reso-
/ lutiOns."
PETER ON PACIFIC ROADS.
! The Senator Preparing Materials for a
Speech on the Subject