The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-08

all occasion for any changed attitude
on the part of the United States. Dis
cussion of the question OF interna-
tional duties and responsibilities OF the
United states as Spain understands
them is presented with an apparent
disposition to charge us with fall
ure in this regard. This charge IL
without any basis I'm fact. 1t could
not have been made III Spain had been
cognizant of the constant efforts this
government has made at the cost of
millions and by the employment of
the administrative machinery of the
nation at command to perform its
full duty according to the law of the
rations. That it has successfully pre-
vented the departure of single mill
itary expedition or armed vessel from
our shores in violation of our laws
would seem to be sufficient answer.
But of this aspect of the Spanish note
IL Is not necessary to speak further
now. Firm I'm the conviction of
wholly performed obligation, due re-
sponse to this charge has been made
in diplomatic course.
Throughout these horrors and dan
gers TO our own peace this government
has never in any way abrogated its
sovereign prerogative of reserving to
itself the determination of its policy
and course according to its own high
sense of right and in consonanse with
the dearest interests and convictions
of our own people should the prolonga-
tion of the strife so demand.
THE DUTY OF THE UNITED
STATES.
OF the untried measures there re-
main only: Recognition of the insur-
gents as belligerents: recognition of
the independence OF Cuba: natural in
tervention to end the war by propos-
ing a rational compromise between the
contestants. 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
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition OF the beiiigerency of the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as a possible If not inevitable
step both in regard to the previous 10
years struggle and during the pres
ent war. / am not unmindful that the
two Houses of Congress i'm the spring
of 1896 expressed the opinion by con-
current resolution that n condition of
public war existed requiring or Justify
ing the recognition of a state of bel
ligenrency I'm Cuba, and during the ex-
ira session the Senate voted n joint
resolution of like import. which, how
ever, was not brought to a vote in the
House of Representatives. In the pres
ence of these significant expressions of
the sentiment of the legislative branch
1t behooves the executive 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 insur-
rection possess beyond dispute the at
tributes of statehood which alone can
ri. Il tI... IA
ehcy In its favor. Possession in short,
of the essential qualifications of SOW
ereignty by the insurgents and the
conduct of the war by them according
to the received code of war are no less
important factors toward the deter
mination of the problem of belligeren-
cy than are the influences and conse-
quences of the struggle upon the inter-
nal policy of the recognizing state.
The wise utterances of President
Grant In his memorable message OF
December T. 1875, are signaly rslevent
to the present situation in Cuba and
1t may be wholesome now to recall
them. At that time n ruinous conflict
had for seven years wasted the neigh
| boring island. During all those years
an utter disregard of the laws of civil
lied warfare and of the just demands
| of humanity, which called for the ex-
| pressions of condemnation from the
nations of Christendom. continued un-
| abated. DISSOLUTION and ruin pervaded
| that productive region, enormously ef-
| fecting the commerce of all CONNER
cial nations. but that of the United
States more than any other by reason
| of proximity and larger trade and in
tercourse At that juncture Gen.
| Grant uttered these words, which now
| as then, sum up the elements of the
| problems: "A recognition of the in
dependence of Cuba being. in mysopin-
ion, impracticable and indefensible
the question which next presents itself
Is that of the recognition of belligerent
rights to the parties to the contest
In farmer message to Congress
had occasion to consider this question
and reached the conclusion that the
conflict i'm Cuba, dreadful and devas-
tating as were its Incidents, did not
rise to the fearful dignity of war
1t Is possible that the acts OF
| foreign powers. and even Spain her.
self, of this very nature. might be
| pointed to In defense of such recogni-
tion. But now, as in its past history
the United States should carefully
avoid the false lights which might lead
1t into the mazes of doubtful law and
of questionable propriety, and adhere
| iiSidiy anu SttTHly W the WHICH
has been its guide, of doing only that
which Is right and honest and of good
report. The question Of according ol
of Withholding rights of belligenrency
must be judged in every case. in view
Of the particular attending facts. I'm,
less justified by necessity, 1t is always
and justly, regarded as an unfriendly
act and gratuitous demonstration OF
moral support to the rebellion. 1t II
necessary. and 1t is required. when tn,
interests and rights of another gov.
ernment or of its peope are so far af-
fected by pending civil conflict as tC
require a definition OF its relations tC
the parties thereto. But this conflict
must be one which will be recognized
in the sense of international law a.
| war"
Belligerence. too. is a fact. The mere
existence of contending armed bodies
and their occasional conflicts, do no
constitute war in the sense referred to
Applying to the existing conditions o.
affairs In Cuba the tests recognized 10y
publicists and writer's on internationa
law. and which have been observed b,
nations of dignity, honesty and power
when free from sensitive or selfish ant
unworthy motive; / fail to find in tn,
insurrection the existence of such
al.GA - t.I t....l