The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-11

least. an immense disparity of physical
force on the side of Texas. The Mexi-
can Republic, under another executive
is raiiying its forces under a new leader
and menacing fresh Invasion to recover
| its lost Dominion
Upon the issue OF this threatened inva-
sion the independence of Texas may be
| considered as suspended; and were there
nothing peculiar in the relative situation
of the United States and Texas, our ac-
| acknowledgement of it's independence at
such a crisis could scarcely be regarded
as consistent with that prudent reserve
with which we have hitherto held our
selves bound to treat all similar ques-
tions.'' fEt
! What jackson Did.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded
to consider the risk that there might be
imputed to the United States motives of
selfish interest in view of the former
claim on our part TO the territory of Tex
as and of the avowed purpose OF the Tex
ans in seeking recognition of independ-
ence as an incident to the Incorporation
of Texas IN the Union; concluding thus:
Prudence therefore. seems to dictate
that we should still stand aloof and main
tain our present attitude. If not until
Mexico itself, or one of the great foreign
powers shall recognize the independence
of the new government at least until the
| lapse of time or the course of events shall
have proved beyond cavil or dispute the
ability of the people of, that country to
maintain their separate sovereignty and to
uphold the government constituted by
them. Neither of the contending parties
pursuing it, We are but carrying out the
long established policy of our Government,
a policy which has secured to US respect
and influence abroad and inspired conf
dence at home"
These are the words of the resolute and
patriotic Jackson They are evidence
that the United States. in addition TO the
test imposed by public law as the con-
dition of the recognition of independence
by a neutral state Ito wit, that the re-
volted state snail constitute in fact a
body polite. having a government in sub
stance as well as i'm name, possessed of
the elements OF stability" and forming.
de facto. IF left TO itself. state among
the nations. reasonably capable of dis
charging the duties of state"), has i'm
posed for its own governance in dealing
with cases like these the further condi-
tion that recognition of independent state
hood is not due to a revolted dependency
until the danger Of its being again subju-
gated by the parent state has entirely
passed away. This extreme test was in
fact applied in the case OF Texas. The
Congress to whom President jackson re-
ferred the question as one probably lead
ing to war, and therefore proper sub
ject for "a previous understanding with
that body by whom war can alone be de-
clared. and by whom all the provisions for
sustaining it's perils must be furnished. -
| left the matter of the recognition Of Tex
as to the discretion Of the Executive, pro-
viding merely for the sending of a diplo-
matte agent when the President should
I be satisfied that the Republic OF Texas
| had become 'an indepndent state. II
was so recognized by President Van
Buren, who commissioned charge daft
faires March :. 1881, after Mexico had
abandoned an attempt to reconquer the
Texan territory, and when there was at
the time no bona fide contest going on be-
tween the insurgent province and its for
mer sovereign.
| said in my message Of December last
1T is to be seriously considered whether
he Cuban insurrection possesses beyond
dispute the attributes Of statehood which
alone can demand the recognition OF bel
liEerency in its favor The same re-
quirement must certainly be no less Sc
riously considered when the graver issue
of recognizing independence is in uues-
ton for no less positive test can be ap-
piled TO the greater act than to the
lesser; while on the other hand the influ-
ences and consequences of the struggle
upon the internal policy of the recogniz-
ing state which form important factors
when the recognition of belligerency is
concerned, are secondary. if not rightly
eliminable factors when the real question
is whether the community claiming re-
cognition is or is not independent beyond
peradventure-
Nor from the standpoint of expedience
do ! think il would be wise or prudent
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 10 en-
barrassing conditions of international
obligation towards the organization so
recognized. In case OF intervention our
conduct would be subject to the approval
or disapproval of such government; we
tion and to assume to it the mere relation
of a friendly ally. When ii shall appear
hereafter that there is within the island
a government capable of performing the
duties and discharging the functions of a
separate nation, and having as a matter
of fact the yroper forms and attributes
of nationality, such government can be
promptly and readily recognized, and the
relations and interests of the United
States with such nation adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms of
intervention to end the war, either as an
impartial neutral by imposing a rational
compromise between the contestants, or
as the active ally of the one party or Ve