The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-11

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beiliserents; recognition OF the independ-
ence OF Cuba, neutral Intervention 70 end
the war by Imposing rational compromise
/ In favor OF one or the other party. I speak
not Of forclble annexation, for that can.
morality would be criminal aggression.
Recognition OF Insurgents.
Recognition OF the belligerency OF the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as possible II not inevitable step
/ both Ia regard 10 the previous ten years
struggle. and during the present war. lam
not unmindful that the two houses OF con-
opinion BY coeurreSt i rssoiation .sat ths
condition OF public war existed. requiring
or justfying the recognition OF the state Of
ira session the senate voted a Joint resolu-
ton OF like import, which, however, was
not brought 10 vote In the house OF repre-
nincant expressions or the sentiment OF the
legislative branch. Il behooves the execu-
! tive 20 soberly consider the conditions un-
der which 50 important a measure must
needs rest for Justification. IL is 10 be
seriously considered whether the Cuban
insurreetion possesses beyond dispute the
attributes OF statehood, which alone de-
mand the recognition OF belligerency In It's
sentlal qualifications OF sovereignty BY the
insurgents and the conduct OF the war BY
them according TO the received code OF
the determination Of the problem OF bel
ligerency than are the Influences and con-
policy Of the recognizing state.
Quotes President Grnnt.
The uttcrances OF President Grant In his
memorable message OF December z, 1875
/ are signally relevant TO thu present sltua-
I ton In Cuba and IL may be wholesome now
10 recall them. AZ that time a ruinous
eohIiilyt had Tot seven years wasted the
nelghDoring Island. During all those years
an utter disregard OF the laws OF civilized
warfare and OF the just demands OF hu-
manity. which called forth expressions OF
1 condemnation az
tendon continued undated DcsOlatfon
and ruin pervaded that productive region,
enormously affecting the commerce OF all
! commercial nations, but that OF the United
states more than any other by reason OF
At that Juncture Grant uttered these
words, which now ns then sum up the ele-
ments OF the problem; "A recognition or
the independence 81 Cuba being In my
opinion, impractcable ana indefensihle, the
question which next presents itself Is
In the parties 20 the contest In former
message 10 congress / had occasion 70 con-
slider this question. and reached the con-
cluson that the conflict IN Cuba. dreadful
not rise 20 the fearful dignity OF war .
1T Is possible that the acts Of foreign
powers, and even acts o. Spain herself Of
this very nature might be pointed 20 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 u Into the mazes OF doubtful law and
OF, questionable propricty ana adhere rig
I lNlg NUN HktTNlN 10 the rule WnltN mas uttN
It's guide OF doing only that which Is
right and honest and OF good report The
question Of according or Of withholdinR
rights or belligerency must be judged In
every case. IN View OF the particular at
tending facts. Unless justified by necessity
! Il is always and Justly regarded as an un-
friendly act and a gratuitous dcmonstra-
tlOn Of moral support 10 the rebellion. IL
Is necessary, and II Il required. when the
interests and rights OF another government
or of its people are so far affected by
pending civil conflict as 20 require
definition OF It's relations 70 the parties
thereto. But this conflict must be one
which Is recognized In the sense OF In
teruational law as war
Recognition Not Justified.
"Belligerence, 100, is n feet. The mere
existence OF contendlng armed bodies and
their occasional conflicts DO not constitute
war Ia the sense referred 10. Applying 20
the existing CONDITION o. nn,airs W 1l li,
ers on International law, and which have
been observed by nations OF dignity, hon-
selfish and unworthy motives, i fall TO
find In the Instruction the existence or
such a substantial political organization,
world having the forms and capable Of
the ordinary functions OF government
toward It's own people and 70 other states,
with courts for the administration OF JUS
tlce, 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 a mere re-
belllous insurrection or occasional sklr-
mlSn0S. and place IL on the ltillhie lnbt-
lng OF war, 10 which a recognition or Dell
ligerency would aim TO elevate H.
THE contest, moreover, u solely on
land. the insurrection has not possessed
itself OF a single seaport whence II may
send forth its iiag, nor has Il any means OF
communication with foreign powers e&-
cept through the military lines OF It's ad-
yersaries. No apprehension or any OF
those sudden and difficult complications
which war upon the ocean Is apt 70 pre-
clpltate upon the vessels, both commercial
and national, and upon consular officers ot
other powers, calls for the definition OF
their relations 10 the parties TO the contest;
Considered as a question or eNpediency,
regard the accordance Of belligerent rights
still TO be as unYise and premature, as re-
gard II TO be, at present, indefenslble as
measure Of right.
such recognition entails upon tho coun-
try according the rights which flow from II
diincult and complicated duties. and re-
quires the cNaction from the contendlng
parties OF the strict observance OF their
rights and obligations. IL conters the right
OF search upon the high seas by vessels OF
both parties; il would subject the carrying
OF arms and munitions Of war which now
may be transported freely aid without In
terruption, Ia vessels Of the United states
TO detention and TO possible seizure; II
would give rise to countless veXatious ques-
lions. would release the parent government
from responsibility for acts done by the In
surgtnts. and would invest Spain with the
right to exercise the supervision recoBuize9
by our treaty Of 1876 over our commerce on
the seas, very large part OF which, Ia It's
traffic between the Atlantic and the gulf
states and between all OF them and the
states on the Pacific. passes through the
waters which wash the shores or cuba,
The exercise OF this supervision could
scarce fail TO lead, N not 70 abuses, ccr-
tainly TO collisions pcrilous 10 the peaceful
relations OF the two states. There can b.
little doubt as 10 what result such super.
vision would before long draw this natior.
III would be unworthy Of the United States
TO innugurate the possibilities or such re-
suit, by measures OF questionable right or
cxpodiency, or by any indirection"
what Recognition Would Mean.
Turning TO the practical aspects OF n rec
ignition OF belligerency and reviewing rs
Inconvenience aud positive dangers, stu
further pertinent considerations appear
Ia the code Of nations there IS no such thing
ns a naked recognition OF bclligerency un-
accompanied by the assumption Of interna-
tiouul neutrality. such recognition viii
not confer upon either party 10 domestic
conflict "A status not heretofore actually
possessed or effect the relation OF either
party 10 other states. The act OF rccogni-
ton usually takes the form Of solemn
proclamation OF neutrality which rcCites
tho de- farto condition OF beligorenCy as
its motive u announces domestic law
OF neutrality An declaring state. ID assumes
the International obligations OF a neutral