The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-12-10


definition of its relations TO the parties
thereto. But this conflict must be one
which is recognized in the sense OF in
ternational law as war.
Recognition Not Justified.
'Relligerence, too. is . fact; The mere
WSir occasional conflicts 40 not constltu t
Ae existing condition OF analfs IN ma G wr,f
Sfs on International law, and which have
tesp observed by nations OF dignity; hon.
sX end power when free n from se faii 70
md Ia the tnsurrection the existence Of
Uich q spbstantial political organization.
wed aySina tn: sn Sorm %aH and capable q
the ordinary functions of government
toward its own people and to other states,
with courts for the administration OF lu JUS,
such organization of force. such material,
such occupation of territory as to take the
contest out Of the category Oh mer st re-
imishes, and place 1t on the terrible foot
ing of war, to which recognition or bel
%ogd am to eevais Is Solely
land; the Instruction has not possessed
itself of a single seaport whence 1t may
communication with foreign powers ex-
cept through the military. lines of its ad.
yersaries.. No apprehension of any OF
which war upon the ocean is apt to pre-
cipitate upon the vessels, both commercial
and national, and upon consular officers of
other powers, calls for the definition of
their relations to the parties to the contest;
Considered Rs a question of expediency, /
reKard tn the Of 6sgerent rights
gard 1t to be, at present, indefensible as q
measure Of right.
''Such recognition entails upon the couns
try according the rights which flow from 1t
difficult andN complicated duties, and re-
quires the exaction from the contending
parties of the strict observance Of their
rights and obligations. It confers the right
Of search upon the high seas by vessels Of
both parties; 1t would subject the carrying
may be transported freely and without in
terruption, In vessels of the United States
to detention and to possible seizure; 1t
tions, would release the parent government
from responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents, and would invest Spain with the
by our treaty Of 1895 over our commerce on
the seas. a very large part of which, in its
traffic between the Atlantic and the gulf
states and between all Of them and the
states on the Pacific, passes through the
waters which wash the shores of Cuba:
The exercise Of this. supervision could
scarce fail to lead, If not to abuses, GER
tainly to collisions perilous to the peaceful
relations of the two states. There can be
little little, doubt as to what result such super
1t would be unworthy of the United States
to inaugurate the possibilities of such re-
Z,
oxpediency, or by any indirection."
What Recognition Would Mean.
Turning to the practical aspects of a rec
ignition OF belligerency and reviewing its
Inconvenience and positive dangers, still
further pertinent CONSIDERATIONS appear pear
IS s, 2 naked recognition Of belligerency mn-
tional neutrality. Such recognition will
not confer upon either party to domestic
conflict O status not heretofore actually
possessed or effect the relation of either
ton usually takes the form of solemn
proclamation Of neutrality which recites
the de facto condition or beiiigereancy as
of neutrality in declaring state. 1t assumes
the international obligations of q neutral
warns all citizens and others within the
jurisdiction of the proclaimant that they
violate those righteous obligations at their
own peril and cannot expect to be shielded
from the consequences. The right of visit
and search on the seas and seizure of YES
sells and cargoes and contraband OF war
under International law be admitted as a
Of beliigerency. While according the equal
belligerent rights defined by public law to
each party in our ports disfayors would be
imposed on both, which while nominally
equal would weigh heavily in behalf Of
Spain herself. Possessing a navy and con-
trolling the ports of Cuba her maritime
rights could be asserted not only for the
military investment OF the Island put up to
and a condition Of things would exist for
which the Cubans within their own domain
could not hope to create az parallel; While Tn
within our domain would be ever more Inn
possible than now, with the additional OBJ
legations of international neutrality wa
would perforce assume.
Regarded, mt Present, as Unwfse.
The enforcement of this enlarged and on
erous code OF neutrality would only be
influential within our own jurisdiction by
land and sea, and applicaa55iie , by our own tSn
United States no jurisdiction, between
Spain and the insurgents It would give the
United States no right OF inte tr;S t, 70
s ssor Pa ans aurirurity OF spain accora
thes 20 reasons regard the of
the belligerency of the Cuban insurgents
as now unwise, and therefore inadmissable.
as a measure of right and duty. the execY:
tive will take 1T.
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds
has been frequently suggested, and has not
failed to receive my most anxious and
earnest consideration. But should such
step be now taken, when it Is apparent
that a hopeful change has supervened in
the policy of Spain toward Cuba? new
government has taken office in the mother
country, It's pledged IN advance to the
declaration that all the efforts of the world
cannot suffice to. maintain peace in Cuba
by the bayonet that vague promises of re-
form after subjugation afford no solution
of the insular problem; that with a sub
stitution of commanders must come a
change of the past system Of warfare for
pne in harmony with a new policy which
shall no longer aim to drive the Cubans to
the horrible alternative of taking to the
thicket or succumbing in misery" that re-
forms must be instituted in accordance
with the needs and circumstances of the
time, and that these reforms while de-
signed to give full autonomy to the colony
and to create virtual entity and self-con-
trolled administration, shall yet conserve
ana aii1rm the sovereignty of Spain by a
just distribution of powers and burdens
upon a basis of mutual interest untainted
py methods OF selfish expediency.
Lies I'm Honorable Paths.
The first acts Of the new government la
In these honorable paths The policy OF
cruel rapine and determination that 40
long shocked the universal Sentiment Of
humanity has been reversed Under the
new military commander q broad clemency
Is pronered. Measures have already beef,
set on foot to relieve the horrors of starya-
tion. The power of the Spanish armies. IL
is asserted, is to be used not to spread ruin
and desolat1on, but to protect the resump-
ton or peaceful agricultural pursuits and
productive industries. That past methods
are futile to force peace by subjugation Is
freely admitted, and that ruin without con-
Citation must inevitably fail to win for
spain the fidelity OF a contented depend
ency. DEGREES In application of the fore
shadowed reforms have already been pro-