Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-12-16

me AnArteu measures.
OF the untried measures there remain
bellSerents; recognition of the inde9end-
ence OF Cube, neutral Intervention 20 END
the war by imposing rational compromise
between the contestants, and Intervention
in favor OF one or the other party, ! speak
not be thought Of That by our cole OF
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition of Insurgents.
Recognition of the beiligerency OF the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
Vassed as possible II not inevitable step
both in regard TO the previous ten years
struggle, and during the present war. am
gress in the spring of 1886 expressed the
opinion by concurrent resolution that a
condition OF public war existed, recurring
or justifying the recognition OF the state Of
belligerency in Cuba, and during the eX-
ira session the senate voted joint resolu-
not brought 70 vote in the house of repre-
sentatives. In the presence Of these sig
nificant expressions of the sentiment of the
legislative branch, II behooves the execu-
tive TO soberly consider the conditions un-
/ der which so important a measure must
seriously considered whether the Cuban
tnsurrection possesses beyond dispute the
attributes OF statehood, which alone de-
mand the recognition of belligerency in it's
f@Eor. Possession, in short, of the es
sential qualifications Of sovereignty by the
insurgents and the conduct of the war by
them according to the received code OF
war are no less important factors toward
lgerency than are the influences and con-
sequences OF the struggle upon the internal
policy of the recognizing state.
Quotes President Grant.
The utterances OF President Grant in ms
memorable message of December Z, 1875.
are signally relevant 10 the present situa-
ton in cuba and IL may he wholesome now
to recall them. At that time a ruinous
CONNECT nad Tor seven years wasted the
neighhoring island. During all those years
an utter disregard of the laws of civilized
warfare and of the just demands Of HUI
mainly, which called forth expressions of
condemnation from the nations of chris
tendon continued undated Desolatton
and ruin pervade6 that productive region,
enormously Affecting the commerce OF all
states more than any other by reason OF
proximity and larger trade and intercourse.
words, which now as then sum up the ele-
ments OF the problem: "A recognition of
the Independents Of Cuba being. in my
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 con-
slider this question, and reached the con-
clusion that the conflict in Cuba, dreadful
not rise TO the fearful dignity of war . .
1T is possible that the acts of foreign
this very nature might be pointed to in de-
tense of such recognition. 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 rig
idly 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
every case, in view of the particular at
tending facts. Unless justified by necessity
friendly act and a gratuitous demonstra-
ton of moral support to the rebellion. IT
is necessary, and IT IS required, when the
interests and rights of another government
or Of its people are so far affected by a
pending civil confiict as to require a
definition of its rel3 .ons to the parties
which Is recognized in the sense of In
ternational law as war.
Recognition Not Justified.
"Belligerence, 100. is a fact. The mere
their occasional conflicts do not constitute
war in the sense referred to-: Applying to
the tests recognizen by publicists and writ
ers on international law, and which have
esty and power, when free from sensitive or
selfish and unworthy motives. fail to
find in the instruction tie existence OF
s ses ps sIosans and manfess to
worlo. having the forms ana cspsnIe Of !
the ordinary and 81 70 oSse statas
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 q mere re-
mishes. and place it Oh the terrible foot
ing of war, to which a recognition of bel
ligerency would aim to elevate 1t.
THE contest, moreover, is solely on
land; the Instruction has not possessed
itself of a single seaport whence II may
send forth its flag, nor has it any means OF
cept through the military lines OF Its adj
versaries. No apprehension of any of
those sudden and difficult complications
which war upon the ocean is apt to pre-
cipitate upon the, vessels, both commercial
and national, and upon consular officers of
other powers. calls for the definition of
their relations TO the parties to the contest.
Considered as question OF expediency, l
regard the accordance or belligerent rights
still TO be as unwise and premature, as re-
gard 1t to be, az present. indefensible as a
measure of right.
such recognition entails upon the coun-
try according the rights which flow from 1t
difficult and complicated duties, and re-
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 In
terruption, In vessels of the United States
to detention and TO possible seizure; IL
would give rise to countless vexatious Ques-
from responsibility for acts done by the in
surgents, and would invest Spain with the
right to exercise the supervision recognized
by our treaty of 1895 over our commerce on
traffic between the Atlantic and the gulf
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. GER
tainly to collisions perilous to the peaceful
relations of the two states. There can be
little doubt as TO what result such super
vision would before long draw this nation.
1t would be unworthy of the United States
to inaugurate the possibilities of such re-
suit, by measures of questionable right or
expediency, or by any indirection."
Whnt Recognition Would Mean.
Turning to the practical aspects of a rec
ignition OF belligerency ana reviewing its
inconveniences and positive dangers, stiii
further pertinent considerations appear
In the code of nations there is no such thing
as naked recognition of belligerency UNI
accompanied by the assumption Of interna-
tional neutrality. Such recognition will
not confer upon either party to domestic
conflict a status not heretofore actually
possessed or effect the relation of either
party TO other states. The act Of recogni-
ton usually takes the form OF solemn
proclamation of neutrality which recites
the de facto condition of beligerency as
its motive, 1t announces domestic law
of neutrality in declaring state. 1t assumes
the international obligations of a neutral
in the presence of a public state of war. 1t
warns all citizens and others within the
jurisdiction of the proclaifnant that thew