The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-26
Our Recognition OF the Cubans.

O"h
When Congress met in December last,
several resolutions relating to the condi-
tion Of affairs in Cuba were introduced
into the Senate by Senators from different
sections and Of different politics. All of
them declared that a state Of war existed
on the island; promised to each of the
combating forces absolute neutrality on
the part OF the United States and accorded
to'each belligerent equal rights in our ports.
Some of them went the length Of recog-
MIXING the independence Of Cuba and ad.
hitting it into the family of nations. 1t
seemed that public opinion. which had
spoken so loudly during the recess in favor
of the oppressed Cubans, who for two years
had been fighting for their liberty and
had successfully opposed an army OF two
hundred thousand soldiers employed in the
attempt at keeping them in subsection, had
had its effect, and that their right to in
dependence would soon be acquired, or at
least recognized by this country.
at n critical moment, however, Mr..
OLNEY, then Secretary of State, appeared
on the stage, and, speaking for his chief,
announced the doctrine hat the opinion of
Senators upon sue a question as the one
presented to them would be the opinion Of
several very respectable gentlemen, but
that it could have nc possible influence
upon Boss CLEVELAND, who set up the ex-
traordinary pretension that he was the only
authority which could recognize a state of
war anywhere or the birth of a nation: in
deed, that any action in that direction
would be an impairment interference with
his assumed prerogative.
1t might almost AVE been said: ".46td-
ait Deus ct dissiputi STUNT" 1t is . marvel
that these preposterous pretensions, which
it would he so easy to refute il the &C.
casion required it, should have produced any
effect. But they did, and for four months
the resolutions slumhered almost without
interruption upon the Senate table.
When, however, they were called up a few
days 6 they passed by a large majority,
and they now 20 to the House. 1t is sug-
gested that they will be opposed, and il not
rejected absolutely, indefinitely postponed,
the principal alleged ground therefor being
that they would give offence to Spain and
also give to that country a right of search
which might offend our nationality and
interfere with our
AS " luc LTSt ODJeCtlou, IL has Deen SHOWN
clearly enough hat Spain can take no UNI
bragg at our doing in her case what she did
in ours, and what every other nation in
Europe did. As to the second, it is IA mere
bugbear. In the first place, to search a YES.
sci, the vessel must previously be caught.
Look at the map. Cuba is distant about one
hundred miles from Cape Sable. How many
vessels have sailed from the coast of Florida
during the past three years, loaded with
supplies of every sort for the insurgents on
the island? How many of them have been
intercepted or captured! If SPANS cruisers
have not been able to overhaul the class of
vessels which have been plying between the
two proximate coasts, what Likelihood is
there of their being able to overtake vessels
of our merchant marine proper?
Is the Fright of search" understood to
mean that Spanish cruisers would be au.
thorized to bring to. any vessel sailing
under the American flag, upon any part of
the high seas, and subject her to search,
with the privilege of removing from her
any articles c~ontraband OF war2 Would
any Spanish cruiser have the temerity to
stop and search the st. Paul or the Paris on
the high seas, bound from New York for
Southampton
II two continental nations of Europe
were at war, and the quality of beIligerents
had been recognized by England, an Eng
lish vessel bound for a port of one of the
belligerents might be stopped and searched
by a cruiser of the other belligerent and arti-
cles contraband Of war taken from her; but
suppose an English ship whose cargo con-
sisted entirely Of powder was on a voyage
from Liverpool to a port in Norway, or to
Quebec, would a cruiser of either of the
Continental belligerents be authorized to
stop and search her and take from her her
cargo! The question itself. A
neutral vessel, to be liable to be stopped
and searched on the high seas, must be on
a voyaRe to- a belligerent. Therefore, only
vessels sailing from the United States to
a port in Cuba could be subjected to search,
and the number of these vessels is incon-
siderable. But what object would Spain
have in searching vessels bound to her
ports2 To find WHAT Articles contraband
of warS These arc among the things she
needs. Would she be 80 insane as to deny
them admission into her W ports3
Would she blockade her portsi II she did,
whence would she obtain her supplics2
The war would soon come to an end by the
starvation of her troops.
1t must be observed that the questions as
to what are articles contraband of war, and
the right OF search, as between Spain and
the United States are not controlled by
what may be conflicting opinions upon in.
ternational law. They are determined by
the treaty between the two countries passed
in 1898. 1t IL not stipulated in that treaty
that there shall be no commercial inter.
course between the people of the United
States and people with whom Spain may
be at war. Therefore, If a port of Cuba was
in possession OF the insurgents, vessels sail.
ing under the United States flag would be
authorized to frequent 1t. On their way
there they might be visited. and such por.
ton of their cargo (but none other) as is de.
scribed in the treaty as being contraband of
war, taken from them.
1t would be impracticabIe to execute the