Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TCcntinued from first pareF



In the absence Of a declaration of
the measures that this government pro-
poses to take III carrying cut its prefer
Of good offices, it suggests that Spain
be left free to conduct military opera
lions and grant political reforms while
the United states fer its part shall en-.
force it's neutral obligations and cut
off the assistance which it is asserted
the insurgents receive from this coun-
try. The supposition Of an indefinite
prolongation Of the war is denied. 1t
is asserted that the western provinces
are already wen nigh reclaimed. that
the planting of cane and tobacco
therein has been resumed, and that ~
force Of arms and new and ample re-
forms very early and complete pacif-
ication is hoped for.
Discussion of the question Of internal
tional duties and responsibilities of the
United States. as Spain understands
them. is made with an apparent dispo-
sition to charge US with failure in this
regard This charge is without any
basis in fact 1t could not have been
made If Spain had been eognizant Of
the constant efforts this government
has made, at the cost of millions, to
perform it's full duty according to the
law Of nations. That it has success
fully prevented the departure of a SIN
gle expedition or armed vessel from
our shores in violation of our laws
would seem to be sufficient answer.
OF the untried measures there re-
main only: Recognition of the insur-
gents as belligerents; recognition of the
independence Of Cuba; neutral inter-
vention to end the war by imposing
rational compromise between the con-
testants, and intervention in favor Of
one or the other party. speak not of
forcible annexation for that cannot be
thought of. That, by our code of NOR
ality would be criminal aggression.
/ am not unmindfuI that the two
houses of congress in the spring of 1896
expressed the opinion by resolution that
a condition of public war existed. re-
curing or justifying the recognition Of
a state Of belligerency in Cuba, and
during the extra session the senate
. voted a joint resolution of like import,
which, however, was not brought to
vote in the house of representatives.
In the presence of these significant ex-
pressions Of the sentiment of the legis-
latiye branch, it behooves the execu-
tive TO soberly consider the conditions
under which so important a measure
must needs rest for Justification 1t is
TO be seriously considered whether the
Cuban fnsurrection possesses beyond
dispute the attributes of statehood
which alore can demand the recogni-
ton of beBigereney in its favor
QUOTES PRESIDENT GRANT.
The wise utteranees of President
Grant in his memorable message of
Dec. z, 1875, are signally relevant to the
present situation in Cuba, and it may
be wholesome now to recall them. At
that juncture General Grant uttered
these words, which now, as then, sum
up the elements of the problem:
"a recognition of the independence of
Cuba being, in my opinion, impracti-
cable and indefensble, the question
which next presents itself is that Of
the recognition Of belligerent rights in
, the parties to the contest In a former
1 message to congress l had occasion to
consider this question, and reached
the conclusion that the conflict in Cuba
dreadful and devastating as We're its
Incidents did not rise to the fearful
dignity of war. Now, as in its past
history, the United States should care
fully avoid the false lights which
might lead it into the mazes of doubt
full law and Of unquestionable proprie-
ty, and adhere rigidly and sternly to
thu rule which has been its guide, Of
doing only that which is right and hon.
est and of good report The Question
of according or of Withholding rights
of belligerencJ must be judged in every
case, in view of the particular attend
ing facts Unless justified by necessi-
ty, it is always, and justly, regarded
as an unfriendy act and gratui-
tous demonstration of moral support to
the rebellion.
II fail TO find in the instruction the
existence of such a substantial poll
teal organization, real palpable and
manifest to the world. having the forms
and capable of the ordinary functions
of government toward it's own people
and 70 other states, with courts for the
administration of justice, with local
habitation. possessing ouch organiza-
ton of force, such material, such &C.
cupation Of territory as to take the con-
test out If the category of mere re-
belious insurrection or occasional
slirmishes and place it on the terrible
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 possess
ed itself or single seaport whence IL
may send forth its flag, nor has it any
= means of communication with foreign
powers except through the military
lines of it's adversaries. Considered as
a question of expediency, 1 regard the
accordance of belligerent rights still to
be as unwise and premature as ] re-
gard it to be, at present, indefensible
as a measure of right.
DANGERS OF RECOGNITION.
"Such recognition entails upon the
country according the rights which flow
from it difficult and complicated duties
and requires the exaction from the con-
tending parties of the strict observance
OF their rights and obligations. 1t con-
fers the right of search upon the high
seas b. vessels of both parties; 1t
would subject the carrying of arms
and munitions of war which now may
be transported freely and without in
terruption in vessels of the United
States, TO detention and to possible
seizure; il would give rise to countless
vexatious questions. would release the
parent government from responsibility