Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-12-08

Ju0m W Lu0 IoCOSulHSu SOuO VI
war are no less important factors toward
the determination of the problem of bel
igerency than are the influences and con-
sequences of the struggle upon the IN
ternal policy of the recognizing state.
The utterances of President Grant in
his memorable message on December Z
1875, are signally relevant to the present
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 neighboring 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 con-
demnation from the nations of Chris
tendon, continued undated. Desola-
ton and ruin pervaded that productive
region, enormously affecting the COM
merce of all commercial nations, but that
of the United States more than any other
by reason of proximity ard larger trade
and intercourse. At that juncture Grant
uttered these words which now as then
sum up the elements of the problem:
Recognition Is ImpracticabIe.
"a recognition of the independence of
Cuba being in my opinion, impracticable
and indefensible, the question which next
presents itself is that of the recognition
Of belligerent rights in the parties to the
contest. In former message to congress
L mac occasion TO CONSIDER LQlS QUESTION,
and reached the conclusion that the con-
f1ict in Cuba, dreadful and devastating as
were it's 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 recog
milton. But now, as in it's past history,
the United States should carefully avoid
the false lights which might lead it into
the mazes Of doubtful law and of ques
tiOnable prOpriety, and adhere rlg1dly 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 ques-
ton Of according or Of Withholding rights
Of belligerency must be judged in every
case, in view of the particular attending
facts.
UNLESS justified by necessity, it is al
ways, and justly, regarded as an unfriend-
ly act and a gratuitous demonstration OF
moral support to the rebellion. 1t is nee
essary, and it is required, when the inter-
ests and rights of another government or
of it's people are so far affected by a pend
ing civil conflict as to require definition
of it's relations to the parties thereto. But
this conflict must be one which is recog-
nized in the sense or international law as
war.
"Belligerence, too, is fact. The mere
| existence of contending armed bodies and
their occasional conflicts do not constitute
war in the sense referred to. Applying to
the existing condition of affairs in Cuba
the tests recognized by publicists and
writer's on international law, and which
have been observed by nations of dignity,
! honesty and power when free from sensi-
tive or selfish and unworthy motives, l
! fail to find in the instruction the exist
! ence of such a substantial political organ
| ization, real, palpable and manifest to the
! world having the forms and capable OF
| H. 0-5t f,I,oa Snl1C ~ a.
| wards it's own people and to other states
! with courts for the administration of JUS
| tice with a local habitation, possessing
| such organization of force, such material,
such occupation of territory as to take
! the contest out of the category of mere
! rebellious instruction or occasional Skin
| mishes and place it on the terrible foot
! ing of war, to which a recognition of bel
! ligerency would aim to elevate it.
1.-The contest, moreover, is solely on
/ land; the insurrection has not possessed it
/ self Of a sin gle seaport whence 1t may SEND
| forth its flag, nor has it any means OF
| communication with foreign powers except
1 through the military lines Of its adveraa-
ries. No apprehension of any of those sud
/ den and difficult complications which war
/ upon the ocean IS apt to preclpltate upon
/ the vessels, both commercial and national
and upon the consular officers of other
! powers, calls for the definition of the rela-
! lions to the parties to the contest. Con-
| sdered as a question Of eXpediency, I 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 cCnferS
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 and to possible
seizure; it would give rise to countless
vexatous 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 OUT treaty of
1885 over our commerce on the seas, very
large pant of which, in its traffic between
the Atlantic and the Gulf states and be-
tween all of them and the states on the
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 to collisions
perilous to the peaceful relations of the
| two states
There can be little doubt as to- what re-
draw this nation. 1t would be unworthy
of the United States to inaugurate the pos
eibilities of such result, by measures OF
questionable right or expediencY, OF by any
indirection.
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 81
long shocked the universal sentiment 01
humanity has been reversed. Under the
new military commander broad clemency
is preferred. Measures have already beer
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 desolation, but to protect the
resumption of peaceful agricultural pur-
suits and productive industries Tina
past methods are futile to force peace By
subjugation is freely admitted and ruiz
without Cancellation must Inevitably fai
to win for Spain the fidelity of a cotentee
dependency.
DEGREES in application Of the foreshad
owed reforms have already BEEN promul
gated The full text of these DEGREES ha
not been received, but as furnished in
telegraphic summary from OUR ministe
are: