The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-11


this conflict must be one which is recog
nlzed in the sense or international law as
war.
"Belligerence, too, is fact. The mere
existence of contending armed bolies AMI
their occasional conflicts 90 not constitute
var IN tbs sense referred to. Applying 10
the existing condition of affairs in Cuba
the tests recognized b. publicjSts and
writer's on international law. ami which
have been observed by nations of dignity,
honesty and power when free from senSi-
tive or selfish and Unworthy motives.
fail to find in the insurrection the exist
ence of such a substantial political organ
lzation, real, palpable and manifest to the
world, having the forms and capable Of
the ordinary functions of government to-
wards its own people and to other states
with courts for the administration of JUS
tice with local habitatiOn. possessing
such organization of force. such material.
such occupation of territory TO take
the contest out of the category OF mere
rebelllous inSurreCtion or occasional skir-
mishes and place it on the terrible foot
ing of war, to which a recognition OF bel
hserency would aim to elevate it.
The contest, moreover, is solely on
land; the insurrection has not possessed it
self Of a single seaport whence it may send
forth its flag, nor has it any means Of
communication with foreign powers except
ries No apprehension of any of those sud
den and difficult complications which war
upon the ocean IS apt to prcCipitate upon
the vessels, both commercial and national
and upon the consular officers OF other
powers, calls fer the definition of the rela-
tions to the parties to the contest. Con
sidered as question of expedjency. | re
gard the accordance of belligerent rights
still to be as unwise and premature. as l
regard it to be, at present, indefensible as
a measure of right.
Such recognition entails upon the COun-
try, 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 conferS
the right of search upon the high seas by
vessels OF both parties; it would subject
the carrying Of arms and munitions Of war.
which now may be transported freely and
without interruption in vessels of the
United States, to detention ana to possible
seizure; il would give rise to countless
yeXatiouS questions, would release the
parent government from responsibility for
acts done by the insurgents and would in
vest Spain with the right TO exercise the
supervision recognized by our treaty Of
1895 over our commerce on the seas, very
large part of which in its traffic between
the Atlantic and the Gulf states and be
Pacific, passes through the waters which
wash the shores of Cuba. The exercise of
this supervision could scarce fail TO lead,
If not to abuses, certainly 10 collisions
perilous to the peaceful relations of the
two states
There can be little doubt as to what re
suit such supervision would before long
draw this nation. 1t would be unworthy
Of the United States to inauEurate the pos
sibilities Of such result, by measures of
questionable right or eXpediency, or by any
indrection.
More Humane Methods in Cuba:
The first acts Of the new government lie
in these honorable paths. The policy Of
cruel rapine and determination that so
long shocked the universal sentiment of
humanity has been reversed Under the
new military commander a broad clemency
is preferred Measures have already been
set on foot to relieve the horrors of star
walton. The power of the Spanish armies
it is asserted, is to be used not to spread
ruin and desoation, but to protect the
resumption of peaceful agriCultl raj pUr-
suits and productive industries. That
past methods are futile to force a peace by
subiugaton is freely admitted and run
without Cancellation must inevitably fail
to win for Spain the fidelity Of a cotented
dependency.
DEGREES in application of the foreshad-
owed reforms have already been prOmul-
gated The full text of these DEGREES has
not been received but as furnished in a
telegraphic summary from our minister
are:
"All civil and electoral rights of PENN
sular Spaniards, are, in virtue of existing
constitutional authority. forthwith extend
ed to colonial Spaniards. 4 scheme Of
autonomy has been proclaimed by decree
to become effective upon ratification by
the COrteS. u creates Cuban Parliament
which, with the insular executive can con
slider and vote upon all subjects affecting
local order and interests possessing un-
limited powers save as to matters of state
war and the navy, as To which the gov
ernor general acts by his own authority
as the delegate of the Coutral government.
This parliament requires the oath Of the
governor general to preserve faithfully the
liberties and privileges of the colony. and
to it the colonial secretaries are RESPONSE
BILE. it has the right to propose to the
central government, through the governor
general notifications of the national char
ter and to invite new projects Of law or
executive measures in the interest Of the
colony. Besides its local powers. 1t is
competent, first. to regulate electoral reg
istratiOn and procedure and prescribe the
QualitiCa tiOnS Of electors and the manner
of exercising suffrage; second, to organize
courts of justice with native judges from
members of the local bar: third to frame
the insular budget both as to expendi-
lures and revenues, without limitation Of
any kind and to set apart the revenues to
meet the Cuban share of the national bud
get, which latter will be voted by the ma
tlcnai COrtes with the assistance OF the
Cuban senators and deputies; fourth, to
initiate or take part in the negotiations
of the national government for commercial
treaties which may affect Cuban il erests;
n "a .s,f
ties which the national government may
have concluded without the participation
Of the Cuban government: sixth. to frame
the colonial tariff. acting in accord with
the peninSular government in scheduling
articles of mutual commerce between the
mother country and the colonies. Before
introducing or voting upon q bill. the
Cuban government or the chambers viii
lay the project before the central govern
ment and hear its opinion thereon, all the
correspondence in such regard being made
public. Finally, all conflicts OF jurSdic-
ton arising between the different
municipal, provincial and insUar as
semblies, CT between the latter AMI
the insular executive power. and
he referahle to the central government for
decision, shall be submitted to the courts
Confidence in Spain's Sincerity.
That the government of Sagafsta has en-
tered upon a course from which recession
with honor is impossible can hardly be
questioned; that in the few weeks it has
existed 1t has made earnest Of the sin
cerity of its professions iS undeniable. ]
shall not impugn its sincerity nor shOul3
impatience be suffered 70 embarrass it in
the task it has undertaken. II is honest
ly due to Spain. and 10 our friendly rela-
tlons with Spain. that she should be given