Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1897-12-11
LINES OF POSSIBLE ACTION.
EOrcible Annexation Can Not BE
,Eliau.Ilt Of.


Thought Of.
OF untried measures there remain only:
Recognition of the insurgents as bellig-
erents; recognition of the independence of
Cuba neutral intervention to end the war
by imposing a rational compromise be-
tween the contestants. and Intervention
in favor of one or the other party
I speak not of forcibe annexation, for
our code of morality. would be criminal
aggression. Recognition of the belIiger-
eDcy Of the Cuban insurgents has often
been canvassed as a possible. if not in
eVltable. step, both in regard to the prev
ious 10-year struggle and during the pres
ent war.
I am not unmindful that two houses Of
congress in the spring of 1896 expressed
the opinion by concurrent resolution. that
a condition of public war existed. requir-
ing or justifying the recognition of a
the extra session the senate voted a joint
resolution of like import which. however,
was not brought to vote in the house.
In the presence of these significant ex-
pressions of the sentiment of the legis-
latve branch. it behooves the executive
to soberly consider the conditions under
which so important measure must needs
rest for justification.
1t is to be seriously considered whether
the Cuban insurrectiOn possesses beyond
dispute, the attributes of statehood which
alone can demand the recognition of bel
ligerency in its favor. Possession, short
of the essential qualifications of sover-
eighty. by the insurgents. and the conduct
of the war by them. according to the
recognized code of war. are no less i'm
portant factors toward the determina-
ton of the problem Of belligerency than
are the Influences and consequences of the
struggle upon the internal policy of rec
ognizing the state.
The wise utterances of President Grant.
in his memorable message of December
situation in Cuba and it may be whole
some now to recall them. At that time
a ruinous conflict had for seven years
wasted the neighborng island. During
all those years an utter disregard of the
laws of civilized warfare and of the Just
demands Of humanity. which called forth
expressions of conGemnations from the
nations of Christendom, continued un-
abated. Desolation and ruin pervaded
that productive region. enormously af-
fecting the commerce Of all commercial
more than any other by reason of prox-
unity and larger trade and intercourse.
Al that iuncture 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 impracticable
and ndefensible, 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 / had occasion to consider this ques-
conflict in Cuba. decadent and devastat-
ing as were its incidents. did not rise to
the fearful 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
defense of such recognition. But now,
as in its past history: the United States
which might lead it into the mazes of
doubtful law and of questionable propr-
ETY.. and adhere rigidly. and sternly to the
only that which is right and honest and
of good report.
JnSurrecticn Not War.
The question of according or Of with
holding rights Of belligerency. must be
itnIa +inular a. attendng facts. Tnless justified
bv necessity it is always and justly re-
garied as an nnfriendly act and a sratu-
itous demonstration of moral support to
the rebellion. 1t is necessary and it is re
cuired when the interests and rights Of
another government, or of it's, people, are
so far affected by a civil conflict as to
parties thereto. But this conflict must
be one which will be recognized in the
sense Of international law as war. Be1lig
erence. too. is a fact. The mere existence
of contending armed bodies and their oc-
casional conflicts do not constitute war in
the sense referred to.
Applying to the existing condition OF af-
fairs in Cuba the tests recognized by pub
licists and writers on international law,
V hich have been observed by nations of
dignity, honesty and pnwer when free
W
motives. J. fail to find in the insurrecrion
the existence of such a substantial politi-
cal organization real, palpah!e and mani
capable of ordinary functions OF
ordinary government toward its
own people, and to other. states, with
courts for the administration of justice,
with a local habtation possess ing such
organization of force, such material, -sucr.
occupation of territory. as to take he CON
test out of the category of mere repel-
mishes and place it on the terrible foot
ing of war to which recognition Of bei
)iS;erency would aim to elevate FL. L. ,a,a
The contest. moreover, is solely on land;
the insurrecton has not possessed Itself
of a single seaport, whence il may send
forth its flag, nor has it any means OF
communica ton with foreign powers eX-
cept through the military lines of IT'S ad-
versaries. No apprehension Of any Of
these sudden and difficult complications,
which a war upon the ocean is apt to pre-,
cip:tate upon the vessels, both commercial
and national. and upon the consular ON
GERS Of other nations, calls tor the ue!-
milton OF their relations is parties TO the
consiasred de as question Of expqsediency Hqs
rights still to be as unwise AMI premature
as L regard it 10 be. at present. indefen-
sible as a measure Of right. Such recog-
n.tion entails upon the country according
Il the rights which flow from its difficult
and complicated duties, and requires the
e&action from the contending parties OF
the strict observance of their rights and
Obligations: 1t confers the riyatt Of search
ties. 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 possible seizure; It would
give rise to countless vexatious questions;
would rend the present, government from
gents, and would invest Spain with the
right to exercise the supervision recognize