New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07
upon the internal policy Of the recognizing

/
The wise utterances Of President Grant IN ms
memorable Message Of December Z. 1879 are sig
naly relevant to the present situation IN Cuoa'
and 1t may be wholesome to recalI 'hen''
At that time ruinous conflict had for seven
years wasted the neishboring island. During
all those years an utter disregard OF the laws
! Of civilized warfare and Of the just demands Oh
! humanity which called forth expressions or con-
domination from the nations Of Christensen con-
tinued undated Desolation and ruin pervaded
that productive region. enormously affecting the
commerce Of all commercial nations. but that
| Of the United States more than any other py
rea3on OF a proximity and larger trade inter
course At that juncture General Grant uttered
these words. which now. as then, sum up the eie-
ments Of the problem
GENERAL GRANTS WISE WORDS
! "A recognition OF the independence Of Cuba
being. in my opinion. impracticable and inde-
/ feasible. the question which next presents IT,
self is that of the recognition Of belligereht
rights In the parties to the contest In for
mer Message to Congress had occasion to con-
slider this question, and reached the conclusion
that the conflict in Cuba. dreadful and devastat-
ing were its Incidents did not rise to the fear
| full dignity Of war; 1t Is possible that the
acts Of foreign Powers, and even acts Of Spain
herself of this very nature. might be pointed to
/ In defence Of such recognition. But now, as In
its past history, the United States should care
/ fully avoid the false lights which might lead it
/ into the mazes Of doubtful law and of question
able propriety and adhere rigidly and sternly
! to the rule which has been its guide, Of doing
| only that which Is right and honest and OF good
report. The question Of according or Of with
/ holding rights of belllgerency must be Judged
In every case In view Of the particular attend
ing facts Unless justified by necessity, 1t Is al
ways and Justly, regarded as an unfriendly act
and gratuitous demonstration OF moral sup
port to the rebellion 1t is necessary. and 1t Is
required. when the interests and rights OF an
( other Government or OF its people so far az
fected by pending civil conflict as to require
definition OF It's relations to the parties thereto
But this conflict must be one which will be rec
ognized in the sense Of international law as war
"Belligerency too. Is fact. The mere exist
ence OF the contending armed bodies and their
! occasional conflicts do not constitute war in the
sense referred to. Applying to the existing con-
dtion Of affairs In Cuba the tests recognized
by publicists and writers on international law.
and which have been observed by nations OF
dignity honesty and power. when free from
sensitive or selfish and unworthy motives. fall
/ to find in the insurrection the existence OF such
substantial political organization real. pal
pable and manifest to the world. having the
forms and capable Of the ordinary functions or
government toward it's own people and to other
States, with courts for the administration OF
justice. with local habitation. possessing such
organization Of force. such material, such occu-
INtion OF territory as to take the contest out OF
the category OF a mere rebell.ous insurrection or
occasional skirmishe,. and place 1t on the ter
rible footing OF war. to which a recognition OF
belligerency would aim to elevate It.
The contest moreover Is solely on land; the
instruction has not possessed itself or single
seaport whence II may send forth Its flag nor
has II any means OF communication with foreign
/ powers except through the military lines OF It's
/ adversaries. No apprehension OF any OF those
sudden and difficult complications which war
upon the ocean Is apt to precipitate upon the
vessels. both commercial and National and upon
the consular officers % other powers calls Tor the
definition OF their relations to the parties TO the
contest Considered as question or expectancy
I regard the accordance OF belligerent rights
s,u 70 be as unwise and premature as regard
Z, N he at present indefensIble as a measure OF
| right
| "Such recognition entails upon the country ac-
cord,ng IN. rights which now from It difficult
! and complicated duties. and requires the exac-
ton from the contend!rg parties or the strict
! Observance Of their rights and obligations IL
| confers the right Of search upon the high seas
! nv vessels Of both parties; II would SUBJECT the
! carving Of arms and munitions or war winch
now may be transported freely and WITHOUT IN
,erruption in vessels OF the United states 10
detention and TO possible seizure II wouIu give
rise TO countless vexatlous questions "ouid re-
| lease tho parent government from responsibility
! for acts done by the insurgents ana "ou'u III
vest Spain with the right TO exercise 'ne s"Pe''
vision recognized by our treaty OF 100 over our
| ...,.,oo. m tho high seas very large part
| y, which IN its traffic between the Atlantc ana
~. Culf States and between all OF them ana
tho State. Of the Pacific. passes through the
uaters which wash the shores OF Cupa' Inc
| .xercise Of this supervision could scarce iaH ~
! ,sS,d OF not TO abuses. certainly 10 eo"iSioi''
nsr,,ous TO the peaceful relations or 'He TWO
| states There can be little doubt 70 what reSu''
.,,ch sunerv,sion would before long draw TINS
80, =, wou,d be unworthy OF the United
CO.. % ,naugurate the possibilities OF sue"
,,,, nv measures OF questionable right OF eA'
rsd,ency or by any indlrection
INCONVENIENCE OF RECOGNITION
,.,,ro ~ the practicable aspects OF recog-
,,,,or NJ bell,gerency and reviewing l'S '".o
ysr,ences and positive dangers sum i'' '
,or,,nent considerations appear. LII INC 'o"e -
r,,,ons there IL no such thihs DIS ,'"H.u
na .,,,n, =, helirerency unaccompanied BY the
osn,. ., international neutrality. Such
,.,. ,,,bout more will not confer upon
.r,v 70 a domestic conflict status not
.,o,ofore actually possessed or affect the re-
,a,,o, -, either party to other States The act
Of , recognition usually takes the form OF SOL
ann proclamation OF neutrality. which rec'tes
~. de facto conditions OF behigerency as ''S
roo,,ve It announces a domestic law OF heu-
tra-,ty in the declaring state IL assumes .ne
international obligations OF neutral IN 'ne
nresonce Of a public state Of war. 1t warns
-, ,,,,ors and others within the jurisdiction
~. III he violate those rig