The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-06


to the contest. Considered as a question
OF eNpediency, l regard the accordance OF
belligerent rights still TO be as unwise and
premature as ! regard it to be, at pres
ent, indefensible al measure OF right
Such recognition entails upon the country
according the rights which flow from il
difficult and complicated work and requires
the oxaction from the contending parties
OF the strict observance OF their rights
and obligations. IL confers the right OF
search upon the high seas By vessels OF
both parties; IL would subject the carry
ing OF arms and munitions OF war which
now may l"e transported freely and with
out interruption In vessels OF the United
States, TO detention and to possible seiz-
ure; IL would give rise TO countless Vexa-
tious questions. would release the parent
government from responsibility for acts
done by the insurgents and would in
vest Spain with the right TO exercise the
supervision recognized by our treaty OF
1875 over our commerce on the high seas.
very large part OF which I'm it's traffic
between the Atlantic and the gulf states
and between all OF them and the states
OF the Pacific passes through the waters
which wash the shores of Cuba. The
exercise OF this supervision could scarce
fail TO lead II not TO abuses, certainly
10 collisions perilous 20 the peaceful re-
lations OF the two states. There can be
little doubt as 10 what result such super
vision would before long draw this ma
tion, 1t would be unworthy of the United
States TO inaugurate the possibilities OF
such results by measures of questionable
right or expediency, or by any indir.c-
ton"
Turning TO the practicable aspects of n
recognition OF belli2erency and review
ing Its Inconvenience and positive dan
gers, still further pertinent considera-
hions appear. In the code of nations
there Is no such thing naked recog-
milton OF bellgerency unaccompanied by
the assumption of International neutral
ity. Such recognition without more Will
not confer upon either party to domes-
tic conflict status not Heretofore ac-
tEaily possessed or affect the relation
OF either party 20 other states. The act
of recognition usually takes the form OF
a solemn proclamation OF neutrality
which recites the de facte condition of
bellgerency as its motive. 1t announces
a domestic law of neutrality in the de-
claring state. IL assumes the interna-
tional obligations OF a neutral in the
presence of a public state OF war IL
warns all citizens and others within the
jurisdiction of the proclaimant that
they violate those rigorous obligations
at their own peril. and cannot expect 10
be shielded from the consequences. The
right OF visit and search on the seas and
seizure OF vessels and oargoes as con-
traband of war. under admiralty law,
must. under international law. be ad-
mitted as a legitimate consequence OF a
proclamation OF belligerency.
While according the equal belligerent
rights defined by public law 10 each party
in our ports. disfavors would be imposed
on both which. while nominally equal
would weigh heavily in behalf of Spain
herself. Possessing a navy and control
ling the ports of Cuba, her maritime
rights could be asserted not only for the
military investment OF the island, but
up TO the margin Of our own territorial
waters, and condition OF things would
for oh he al,a, xnrfth ~ tA.f~
own domain could not hope 20 create a
parallel. while it's creation through aid
or sympathy from within our domain
would be even more impossible than now
with the additional obligations OF inter
national neutrality We would perforce as
sumo.
The enforcement OF this enlarged and
onerous code Of neutrality would only be
influential within our own jurisdiction by
land and sea. and applicable by our own
instrumcntaities. IL could impart 10 the
United States no Jurisdiction between
| Spain and the insurgents. ii would give
the United States no right OF Intervention
to~enforce the conduct Of the strife with
| I'm the paramount authority OF Spain ac-
rording TO the International code OF war.
| For these reasons l regard the recogni-
ton of the belligerency of the Cuban in
surgents now unwise and therefore In
admissible. Should that step hereafter be
deemed wise as a measure OF right and
".
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested
and has not failed 20 receive my most
anxious and earnest considerations but
should such step be now taken when II
IS apparent that hopeful change has
supervened in the policy of Spain to-
war, Cuba? new government has
taken office In the mother country. II is
pledged IN advance to the declaration
that all the effort in the world cannot
suffice 70 maintain peace I'm Cuba by the
bayonct: that vague promises 10 reform
after subiugation afford no solution OF
the insular problem; that with n sub
Etitution OF commanders must come a
change of the past system OF warfare for
one i'm harmony with new policy,
which shall no longer aim to drive tho
Cubansfo the horrible alternative of taxi
ing 10 one thicket or succumbng in mis-
ery;".that reforms must be instituted in
accordance with the needs and circumstan-
ces OF the time. and that these reforms.
while designed TO give full autonomy TO
the colony and to create virtual entity
and self-controlled administration, snail
yet conserve and affirm the sovereignty
of Spain by n just distribution OF powers
and burdens upon basis of mutual in
terest untainted by methods OF selfish ex-
pediency.
The first acts Of the new government
lie IN the honorable paths. The policy of
cruel rapine and determination that so
long shocked che universal sentiment OF
humanity has been reversed. Under the
new military commander n broader
clemency Is proffered Measures haze al
ready been set on foot 10 relieve the hor-
rors OF starvation. The power of the
Spanish armies, II is asserted, is TO be
used not TO spread ruin and desolation.
but TO protect the resumption OF peace
full agricultural pursuits and productive
industries. That past methods are futile
TO force "A peace by sublugation Is freely
admitted, and that ruin without con-
ciliation must inevitably fail TO win for
Spain the fidelity of a contented PEN
dency
DEGREES in application of the foreshad-
owed reforms have already been promul-
gated. The full text OF these decrees has
not been received. but. as furnished in "A
tolegraphic summary from our min
lister, are: All civic and electoral
rights OF peninsular Spaniards are.
In virtue Of existing constitutional
authority. forthwith extended to colonial
Spaniards. scheme OF autonomy has
been proclaimed by decree TO become ef-
fectivc upon ratification by the cortes.
1t creates "a Cuban parliament. which,