The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-04-15
Recognition Inexpedfent.

for this government to recognize at the
present time the independence of the so
called Cuban republic. Such recognition
is not necessary in order to enable the
United States to intervene and pacify the
island. To commit this country now to
the recognition of any particular govern
ment in Cuba might subject us to en-
barrassing conditions Of interest obiga-
tion toward the organization so recog-
niZed. In case of intervention, our con-
duct will be subject to the approval or
disapproval of such government. We
would be required to submit to it's direc-
tfon and to assume to it the mere rela-
tion of a friendly ally. When it shall
appear hereafter that there is within
the island a government capable of per-
forming the duties and diScharging the
functions of a nation, and having, as
matter of fact, the proper forms and at
tributes of nationality, such government
can be promptly and readily recognized
and the relations and interests of the
United States with such nation adjusted.
Possible Alternative.
There remain the alternative forms of
intervention to end the war, each as an
impartial neutrality, by imposing a ra-
tional compromise between the contest
ants the active ally of the one party
or the other. As to the first. it is not to
be forgotten that during the last
few months the attitude of the
United States has virtually been one
of friendly Intervention in many ways
each not of itself conclusive but all tend
ing to the exertion of potential inf1u-
ence toward an ultimate pacific result,
just and honorable to all interests con-
cerned. The spirit of all our acts hither-
to has been an earnest, unselfish desire
for peace and prosperity in Cuba, unfair
nished by differences between the United
States and Spain and unstained by the
blood O.. American citizens. The forcible
Intervention of the United States as a neu-
traI to StOD the according to the
large dictates of humanity and following
the historical precedents wherein the
United States has interfered to check the
hopeless sacrifice of life by internecine
conflicts beyond their borders, is justifi-
able on national grounds. 1t involves,
however, hostile constraint upon both par
ties to the contest, as well as to enforce
a truce as to end the eventual settle
ment. The grounds for such Intervention
may be briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the cause of humanity and to
put end to the barbarities, bloodshed,
starvation and horrible miseries now ex-
listing there and which the parties to the
conflict are either unable or unwilling to
stop or mitigate. It is no answer to say
this is all in another country, belonging
to another nation, and is therefore none
of our business. 1t is explicitly our duty,
for 1t is right at our door.
Second-We owe II to our citizens in
Cuba to afford them that protection and
luueHlIlly lOl lllO dilu plOpSlly "HlCl IO
government there can or will afford and
to that end terminate the conditions that
deprive them of legal protection.
Third-The right to intervene may be
justified by the very serious injury to the
commerce, trade and business of our peo-
pie and by the wanton destruction of prop
erty and devastation of the island.
Fourth-And which is of foremost i'm
portance, the condition of affairs in Cuba
is "a constant menace to our peace, and
entails upon this government enormous ex-
pense. With such a conflict waged for
years In anisland so near us and with which
our people have such trade and business
relations-when the lives and liberty of
our citizens are in constant danger, their
property destroyed and themselves ruined
when our trading vessels are liable to seiz-
ure and are seized at our very door by war
ships of foreign nation, the expeditions
of filibustering that we are powerless to
prevent altogether, and the irritating ques-s
tfons and entangiemerts thus arising--aii
these and others are constant menace to
our peace and tend to keep US on a war
footing with that nation with which we are
at peace.
The Maine Incident.
These elements of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American
people; have already transmitted to con-
STSSS IN6 TSs)OTl VI Tie IitNdl COuEl VI
quiry on the destruction of the battle-ship
Maine in the harbor of Havana during the
night of the 18th of February. The de-
struction of that noble vessel has filled
the national heart with inexpressible hor-
ror; 25S brave sailors and marines and
officers of our navy, reposing in the fam
cied security of friendly harbor have
been hurled to death. Grief and want are
brought to their homes and sorrow to the
nation.
The naval court of inquiry. which, 1t is
needless to say, commands the unqualified
confidence of the government, was unan-
imouS in its conclusion that the deStruc-
ton of the Maine was caused by an ex-
terror explosion, and also by a submarine
mine. 1t did not assume to place the re-
sponsibility. That remains to be fixed. In
any event. the destruction of the Maine.
by whatever exterior cause is a patent and
impressive proof of a state of things in
Cuba that is intolerable. That condition
is thus shown to be such that the Spanish
government cannot assure safety and Sc
curity to a vessel of the American navy
in the harbor of Havana on mission of
peace, and rightfully reference in this con-
nection is made to recent diplomatic cor
respondence.
A dispatch from our minister to Spain
of the 26th ultfmo contained that the
Spanish minister for foreign affairs as
sured him positively that Spain will do all
that the highest honor and Justice re-
quire In the matter of the Maine.
The reply also referred to of the 31st
ultimo also contained an expression. of
the readiness of Spain to submit to arbi-
tration all the differences which can arise
in this matter, which is subsequently ex-
planned by the note of the Spanish minis
ter at Washington of the 10th inst, as
follows:
g To hn Of 70 yuhf
springs from the diversified views between
representatives of the American and the
Spanish boards, Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained by an impartial in
vestigation by experts, which decision
Spain accepts in advance. To this have
made no reply
Another Precedent.
President Grant, in 1875, in discussing the
purposes of the Cuban contest as 1t then
appeared, and the hopeless and apparent
indefinite prolongation of such event, said:
Il am of the opinion that other nations
will be compelled to assume the RESPONSE
bility which devolves upon them, and to
seriously consider the only remaining
measures possible-mediation and inter-
Vention. Owing, perhaps, to the large ex-
panse of water separating the island from
the peninsula, the contending parties ap-
pear to have within themselves no depos-
itory of common confidence to suggest
wisdom when passion and excitement
have their sway, and thus assume the
part of peacemaker.
In this view in the early days of the con-
test the good offices of the United States
as the mediator were rendered in good
faith without any selfish purpose in the
interest of humanity and sincere friend
ship for both parties, but were at the time
declined by Spain with the declaration,
nevertheless, that at a future time they
would be Indispensable. No intimation has
been received that in the opinion of Spain
that that time has been reached: yet the
strife continues with all its dread horrors
and its injuries to the United States and
other nations. Each party seems quite