Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-12-11

Ot the untrted measures tnerc remain
only; Recognition of the Insurgents as
belligerents; recognition of the independ.
ence of Cuba, neutral intervention to end
between the contestants, and intervention
In favor OF one or the other party. speak
not be thought Of. That BY " our % code Of
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition OF insurgents.
Recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
both In regard to the previous ten years
struggle, and during the present war. am
Rp in e spFnF the o S e
condition of public war existed, requiring
belligerency in Cuba, and during the ex-
ira session the senate voted joint resolu
not brought to vote in the house Of repre-
sentatives. In the presence of these sig
Initicant expressions Of the sentiment of the
tive to soberly consider the conditions un-
der which SO important a measure must
seriously considered whether the Cubun
insurrection possesses beyond dispute the
mand the recognition OF belligerency in its
iayor; posiss.ession, In short, Of the es.
insurgents and the conduct of the war by
war are no less important factors toward
ligerency than are the Influences and con-
sequences of the struggle upon the Internal
policy OF the recognizing state.
Quotes President Grant.
The utterances of President Grant In his
tion in Cuba and 1t may he wholesome now
conflict had for seven years wasted the
neighboring island. During all those years
warfare and of the lust demands of hui
manity which called forth expressions of
condemnation from the nations of chris
and ruin pervaded that productive region,
enormously affecting the commerce of all
commercial nations, but that of the United
proximity and larger trade and intercourse.
At that ,juncture Grant uttered these
ments of the problem: "a recognition of
the independenGe Of Cuba being, in my
question which next presents itself is
that of the recognition OF belligerent rights
IN oshe the % parties to the contest ont In former
ciusien that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful
not rise to the fearful dignity of war
1T is possible that the acts OF foreign
this Very an" might be- pPpned Pph to IN de
fense Of such recognition. But now, as in
its past history, the United States, should
lead 1t into the mazes of doubtful law and
OF, questionable propriety and adhere, rig
luly SleTuly 10 tne Tule WHICH mas Deen
it's, guide of doing only that which is
right and honest and of good report. The
question Of according or Of withhhodtng
tending facts. Unless Justified by necessity
II is always and justly regarded as an un-
friendly act and a gratuitous demonstra-
| tion of moral support to the rebellion. 1t
Is necessary; and It Is required, when the
or Gf Its e9pe are so far oeeted by
| IaaY Nf raln tla tiau
tSereto. But It this te'e1 conflict 10 must @ Be ons
which is recognized in the sense OF in
| ternational law as war
Recognition Not Justified.
"Belligerence, 100. is a o fs Ct The. The mere IRE
| their occasional conflicts do not constitute
war in the sense referred to-. Applying to
the tests recognized by publicists and writ
| ers on international law, and which have
been observed by nations of dignity, hon
| esty and power, when free from sensitive or
fit'ii find in the the InsTrrection the Existence Of
Iesh Tes pspsbe and mSnfest to tne
world, having the forms and capable Of
| the ordinary functions of government
toward its own people and to other states,
with courts for the administration of jus
tlce, with a local habitation, possessing
| such organization of force, such material,
such occupation of territory as to take the
| contest out Of the category OF a mere re-
mishes, and place 1t on the terrible foot
| ing Of war, to which a recognition of bel
ligerency would aim to elevate 1t.
1.-The contest, moreover, is solely on
land; the insurrection has not possessed
! itself of a single seaport whence 1t may
communication With foreign powers ex-
cept through the military lines of its ad.
ysepsariesa No agpFehems9n of any 0s
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 as a question OF expediency. l
regard the accordance of belligerent rights
| still to be as unwise and premature, as re-
gard II to be; at present. indefenslble as
such recognition entails upon the coun-
try according the rights which flow from 1t
Quires the eXaction from the contending
parties of the strict observance OF their
rights and obligations. 1t confers the right
| of search upon the high seas by vessels of
| both parties; il would subject the carrying
| OF arms and munitions of war. which now
terruption, in vessels of the United States
| to detention and to possible seizure; 1t
would give rise to countless vexatious ques-
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
trs between the Atlantic NJ and the gulf
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 doubt as to what result such super
vision would before long draw this nation.
1t would be unworthy of the United States
TO inaugurate the possibilities of such re-
suit, by measures of questionable right or
eXpediency, or by any indirection."
What Recognition Would Menn.
Turning to the practical aspects of a rec
| ognition Of belligerency and reviewing its
| Inconvenience and positive dangers still
| further pertinent considerations appear
| In the code of nations there is no such thing
| as a naked recognition of belligerency un-
| accompanied by the assumption of interna-
tional neutrality. Such recognition will
| not confer upon either party to domestic
conflict a status not heretofore actually
possessed or effect the relation of either
| party TO other states. The act of recogni-
tion usually takes the form of u solemn
proclamation OF neutrality which recites
the de facto condition OF belligerency as
its motive. 1t announces domestic law
| of neutrality in declaring state. 1t assumes
| the international obligations of a neutral
| in the presence of public state of war 1t
| warns all citizens and others within the
| jurisdiction of the proclaimant that they
| Violate those righteous obligations at their
| nj nd .n fn ha asbi oil 11a,l