The National tribune., 1897-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

|
mainly, which called forth expressions OF
condennati ton from the nations of Christen-
dom, continued undated. Desolation and
ruin pervaded that productive region, enor-
| mouSly affecting the commerce OF all com
mercial nations, but that OF the United
States more than any other by reason OF
proximity and larger trade and intercourse.
| At that iuncture Gen. 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 indefensbIe, 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 Congress
! | had occasion to consider this question,
and reached the conclusion that the conflict
in Cuba. dreadful and devastating as were
its incidents, did not rise TO the fearful
dignity OF war. 1t ~ possible
acts of Spain herself, of this very nature
might he pointed to in defense of such
| recognition. But now, as in its past his
| tory, the United States should carefully
| avoid the false lights which might lead it
F.! into the mazes of doubtful law and of
| questionable propriety, and adhere rigidly
| and sternly TO the rule, which has been it's
guide, of doing only that which is right and
| honest and of good report. The question
| of according or of Withholding rights OF
| bclligerency must be judged, in every case,
| in view OF the particular attending facts.
| Unless justified by necessity, it is always,
| and justly, regarded an unfrlendIy act
| and a gratutous demonstration OF moral
| support to the rebellion. 1t is necessary,
| and it is required. when the interests and
| rights OF another Government OF it's
people are so far affected by pending civil
conflict as to require definition OF it's re-
| iationS to the parties thereto. But this
conflict must be one which will be recog-
niZed in the sense Of international law as
| war"
| President Grants argument that it was
| necessary to have fixed political govern
ment to conduct war and be belligerent
| in a legal sense is quoted as well as the
mbarassments he foresaw.
Mr.. M'KINLEY's VIEW.
The President closes the discussion
thus:
Turning to the practical aspects of a
recognition of bellgerency and reviewing
its inconvenience and positive dangers,
still further pertinent considerations ap-
pear. In the code of nations there is no
such thing as a naked recognition of bel
lgerency unaccOmpanied by thea ssump-
ton of International neutrality. Such rec
ogntion without more will not confer
upon either party to a domestic conflict a
status not therefore actually possessed or
/
States.
The act of recognition usually takes the
form OF a solemn proclamation OF neutral
ity which recites the de facto condition OF
belligerency as its motive. 1t announces
domestic law OF neutrality in the declar-
ing State. 1t assumes the International
obligations of neutral in the presence OF
| d public state OF war. 1t warns all citizens
and others within the jurisdiction OF the
procIaimant that they violate those rigor-
Gus obligations at their own peril and
cannot expect to be shielded from the con-
sequences. The right OF visit and search
on the seas and seizure OF vessels and
cargoeS and cOntraband OF war and good
prize under admiralty law must under IN
ternational law be admitted as a legitimate
consequence Of proclamation OF belliger-
ency. While according the equal belliger-
cnt rights defined BY public law to each
party in our ports diSfavorS would be I'M
| posed on both, which while nominaily
equal would weigh heavily in behalf OF
Spain herself.
Possessing a navy and controlling the
ports of Cuba her maritime rights could
be asserted not only for the military IN
veStment of the island but up to the mar
gin OF our own territorial waters, and a
condition of things would exist tor which
| the CubanS within their own domain could
not hope to create a parallel; while Its
| creation through aid or sympathy from
within our domain would be even more I'M
possible than now, with the additional
| obligations of International neutrality we
would perforce assume.
The enforcement of this enlarged and on
erouS code OF neutrality would only be IN
| fuential within our own jurisdiction by land
and sea and applicable by our own InStru-
| mentalities. 1t could impart to the United
States no jurisdiction between Spain and
the insurgents. 1t would give the United
States no right of intervention to enforce
the conduct of the strife within the para
mount authority of Spain according to the
international code of war.
NOT TIME FOR RECOGNITION.
For these reasons / regard the recogni-
ton of the beiligerency Of the Cuban III
surgentS as now unwiSe and therefore IN
admissible. Should that step hereafter be
deemd wise as a measure OF right and duty
the Executive viii take it.
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds
has been frequently suggested and has not
failed to receive my most anxious and
earnest consideration. But should such a
step be now taken when it is apparent that
a hopeful change has supervened IN the
policy Of Spain toward Cuba? a new gov
eminent has taken office in the mother
country 1t is pledged in advance to the
declaration that all the effort in the world
cannot suffice to maintain peace in Cuba
by the bayonet; that vague promises OF re
form after SuDluGdtlOn dllOIu no Solution
OF the inSular problem; that with a SubStl-
tuition of commanders must come a change
OF the past system of warfare for one in
harmony with a new policy which shall no
longer aim 10 drive the CubanS TO the "hOr-
rible alternative of taking to the thlcket or
succumbing in misery" that reforms must
be instituted in accordance with the needs
| and circumstances of the time, and that
| these reforms, while designed to give full
| autonomy to the colony and to create "a viz
| tuaI entity and Sclf-cOntrOiled adminiStra-
| ton shall yet conserve and affirm the SOW
| ereignty OF Spain by a just distribution OF
| powers and burdens upon basis OF mu-
| tual interest untainted by methods OF self
| ish expediency.
| The President vouches for the reversal OF
the repressive and barbarous policy of Wey-
! Ter and Canovas, and summarizes the new
plan for autnomy in a commendatory
spirit.
sAGAsTAs COURSE.
That the Government of Sagasta has
entered upon a course from which recess
| sion with honor is impossible can hardly
| be questioned; that in the few weeks it
| has existed it has made earnest of the
sincerity of its professions is undeniable
! | shall not impugn its sincerity, nor should
| impotence be suffered to embarraSS it in
the task it has undertaken.
1t is honestly. due to Spain and to our
| friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given reasonable chance to
| realize her expectations and to prove the