Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-12-30

IVY pESVSCc0bOkp duu WuICn AVE HAoAC SAsAu
two years had poured men and treasure
into Cuba in the fruitless effort 70 sup
press. the revolt, fell to Others: Between
envoy. and his arrival in. Spain, the
statesman who has shaped the policy Of
his country. fell by the hand Of an as
late premier still held price did received
the cabinet gave place within q few days
thereafter to new administration under
the leadership of Sag9sta. iH
spain'sReply.
the 23d day Of October It Is IN the dire
ciates the friendly proposals OF this gJy-
eminent. 1t admits that our country is
deeply. affected by the war N CUBA !. a nd
clares that the present Spanish gov'Fn-
ment is bound by every consideration to
q change Of policy that should satisfy the
reasonable time. To this end Spain has
decided to put into effect the politica re-
forms heretofore advocated BY the Tres
sideration in the path which IN Its :pdg.
pIeparatons win continue it is said put ut
accompanied by political action ie!!daiing
t. s Of crH Ibis wh # Is
will result in investing Cuba with ! dis
tinct personality; the island to BE- GOV;
erned by an rha executive amd by spa
the control of the foreign REALTORS, the
army and navy. and the judicial Ha admins asnnt
tration To accomplish this sa the all, sssGim
cor:"s with the aid Of Cuban senator's
nna a anS preps to soys sg
debt. In the absence of q declaration Of
the measures that this government pro
pfs goos q o Se sagsests that spain be
and and grant political refor;as, While the
neutral Obligations and GU! OF the as
s s,ns r,esiye from this country: The
of the war is denied. 1t is ASSERTED that
nigh reclaimed; thst the plating Of
sumed, ard that by force of arms and
new and ample reforms very Early and
complies paclfication is hoped for:
conditions under the new adm 2, s:ration
Of Cuban affairs is predic:si anc there
wthal the disturbances. and al! occasion
the United states. Discussion otthls ?ues-
ton of the International inties and re-
sponsibilities Of the United States as
failure in this regard: Tins charge is
without any basis in fact IL could not
have Oeen mace IL Spain DeSh So6@
infant Of the constant efforts this govern;
ment has made at the cost # millions and
by by, the employment Of the administrative
perform its Fl fu ieS uty a to the law
Of nations. That it has successfully pre-
vented the departure of a sngle military
or armed laws would
this aspect Of the Spanish note it is not
| necessary to speak further now. FIRM IN
the conviction of a wholly perform I'd OBJ
been made in diplomatic course
| Rational COmpromise.
Throughout all these hor:ors and dan
gers to our own peace this government
| has never broken, even in any way AFRO
gated its sovereign prerog:.t!ves Of resery-
icy and course according to its own high
| sense Of right and in consequence with
the dearest interests and convictions !, OF
our own people should the prolongatton
of the strife SO demand.
OF the untrioi measures there remain
only: Recognition Of tn. insurgents as
ence of Cuba, natural intervention to end
the war by imposing a rational compro-
mise between the contestants and inter
1 speak not of forcble annexation. for
that cannot be thought of. That by our
code of morality would be criminal ag-
Recognition. of this bsiligeerency, Of
canvassed as, the possible, II not in
vious ten years struggle and during the
present war. I am not unmindful that
the two houses of congress In the spring
tent resolution that condition of public
recognition of tie state Of b4lligerency in
senate Voted jont s Of like Inc
port which, however. was not brought to
q vote in the house Of the representa- ives.
stons Of the legislative branch 1t behooves
the executive to soberly consider the con-
ditions under which such an important
measure must needs rest FOG justification.
1t Is to be seriously conE.dered whether
the Cuban insihrection possesses beyond
dispute the attributes OF statehood which
alone can demand the RECOGNITION l., Of bel
of the essential qualifications. OF sover--
| eighty by the insurgents and the conduct
of the war by them according ing to TIE re- e.
served code of war are no less important
factors toward the determination Of the
problem of bellgerency than are the in
f1uences and consequences of the struggle
| upon the International policy OF the rec
The utterances of President Grant in his
memorable message Of Dec: !. 1878. are
in Cuba and 1t may be wholesome now to
fict had for seven years wasted the neigh
| boring island. During all those years an
utter disregard Of the laws Of civilized
warfare and Of the just demands of hui
mainly, which called forth expressions OF
| condemnation from the nations of Chris
! tendon continued 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 by reason Of
proximity and larger trade and inter-
| course. At that juncture Grant uttered
| these words, which now, as then, sum up
| the elements Of the problem:
Recognition Impracticable.
A recognition of the independence Of
Cuba being, in my opinion. impractica5le
and indefensible. the question which next
| presents itself Is that of the recognition
| Of belligerent rights in the parties to the
| contest. In "a former message to con-
gress I had occasion to consider this
question. and reached the conclusion that
| the conflict in Cuba, dreadful and devas-
| tating as were it's incidents. did not rise
| to the fearful dignity of war. 1t is pos
| sible that the act Of foreign powers. and
even acts of Spain herself, Of this very
nature might be pointed to In defense
of such recognition: But now. as in past
history, the United Sta ties should care
fully avoid the false riEhts which might
| lead it into the masses 6: doubtful! law
| and of questionable propriety and adj
here rigidly ana sternly to tie rule which
! which is right and honest and Of good
| report. The question Of according or of
withholding rights of beliigerency must
II ~