Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-12-11

witch IN Its Judgment leads 70 peace
In tho absence OF declaration of the
measures that this Government proposes
TO take In carrying out its proffer OF good |
ofices. ~ suggests that Spain be left free
20 conduct military operations and grant
political reforms. while the United States.
Tor iss part shall enforce Its neutral obii-
cations and cut OF the assistance which, IL
is asserted the Insurgents receive from this
country.
Discussion OF the question OF the inter-
national duties and responsibilities OF tho
United States "a Spain understands them.
IL presented. with the apparent disposition
TO charge US with failure In this regard
This charge IL without any basis in fact.
IL could not have been made ~ Spain had
been cognizAnt OF the constant efforts tbs
Govcrnment has made. at the cost OF mil
lions and BY the employment OF the admin
istrative machinery OF the nation at COM
mand, 10 perform its fun duty.
Cuban BelliEerency.
OF the untrfed measures. there remain
only recognition % the Insurgents rs bel
Hgerents recognition OF the Independence
% Cuba. neutral intervention 70 end the
war by imposing a rational compromise
between the contestants and intervention
in favor OF one or the other party. speak
not OF fOrcihle annexation. Tor that cannot
De thought OF. That. by our code OF NOR
atty would be criminal aggression. Rec
ognition OF the heliiCcrency OF the Cuban
Insurgents has often been eanvassed as
Il possible a not inevitable step. am not
uDmin6fGl that the two houses Of Congress
Il in the spring OF 1895 expressed the opinion,
H by concurrent resolution. chat condition
OF public war existed. requiring or justify
ing the recognition OF n state OF beihSer-
. cncy in Cuba
Ia the presence OF these significant ex-
. pressions OF tn, sentiment OF the legisla-
/ tive branch a. bchOoves the Executive 20
sooerly consider the conditions under
which 50 important a measure must needs
rest for justification. II is 20 be-seriously
considered whether the Cuban insurrection
passes beyond dispute the attributes 81
Statehood. which alone can demand the
recognition Of beiligerency in its favor
Results of Recognition.
Turning 70 the practical aspects of a
recognition Of heliicerency and viewing its
Inconvenience ana positive dangers. stu
f further pertinent considerations appear
The act % recognition usually takes the
form OF = solemn proclamation OF neutral
ity. which rccites the de facto condition o.
I heiligercncy as its motive Il announces 8
domestic law % neutrality in the declaring
State. IL assumes the international obi
cations OF q neutral In the presenS
% public state OF war,
warns all citizens and others With
ia the Jurisdiction o. the proclsimant tina
they Violate these rigorous obligations q
their own peril and cannot expect 20 b
shielded from the consequences. Jhc.rtgh
3. OF visit and search on the seas and seizur
ID q vessels and cargoeS rs contraband or wa
e and good prizes under Admiralty law mus
= legitimate consequence Of a proclamatio
= o. So-l-serencr-
= The enforcement OF this enlarged and or
erous code OF neutrality would only be IN
nuentiAl within our own jurisdiction D
n land and sea and applicable bv our ~
II fnstrumentalities It could impart 10 "a
i United States no jurisdiction hctwce
r Spain and the insurgents. IL would gi'
- the United states no right ot interventio
. ] 20 enforce the conduct OF the strife With
] 10. M, - ~
10 ing TO the International code % war.
OF Recognition UnwIse.
"a FOR these reasons. I regard the rccogr
~. ton OF the beiiigerency o; the CNhan tDsu
a gents as now unwise and therefore ma
- nlsslbie. should that step hereafter
=. deemed wise as measure az right a.
duty. tho Executive viii take 10.
"a Intervention upon humanitarian groun
- has been frequently suggested and has p
- failed 70 receive my most anxious and eaI
- est consideration. Bat should such -
~. be now taken. when 10 Is apparent thai
. hopeful change has superVened IN the =
~, few 90 spain toward Cubas
Under the new military commander
"a broad cicncncy Is pronered. Measu
- have already been set on foot 20 relieve
- horrors OF starvation. The power %
a. spanish armies. IL Is asserted, Is 10 be US
-, not 20 spread ruin and desolatton. but
"a protect the resumption OF peacelui aSrie
- lural pursuits and productive industrle.
40 spain 10 Have More Time.
ing II il honestly due 10 Spain and 20
e. friendly relations with spain that
on should be given reas0 enable chance % r,
has / lie her exuectatiOns She has recalled
an commander whose brutal orders indian
ing the American mind and shocked the civil
ent world. She has II odifed the horrible or
test Of concentration. and has undertaken 10 G
the TOR the helpless and permit those who
Tor sire TO resume the cultivation % their IL
= 20 70 do So and assures them 81 the protect
ted OF the spanish Government in their ]
lich ful occupations. She has just released
Connection pris nners. heretofore senteu
10 death. and who have been the sub
a., Of repeated diplomatic corresponds
- during both this and the preceding
- rninistrations. Not a single American
- izrn Il now in arrest or conlncmen;
:. Cuba 81 whom this Government has
80 i knowledge.
- The near future Will demonstrate whe
- the Indispensable condition OF a right
80. - peace lust ALIKE TO the Cubans an
80 Spain as well. equitable 20 al our intel
-. 80 intimately involved In the weifar
-. Cuba il likely 20 be attained. IL not
- exigeucy 81 further and other action b,
49, United states will remain 20 be "a
49, { When that time comes that action 81
- determined ia the line OF indisputable
-. and duty II will be faced. without mi
7. Ing or hesstancy, In the light Of the Oh
/. ton this Government owes TO itself, q
people who have conided 10 IL the pr
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