The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-24
MAY RECOGNIZE CUBANs.
Britain and All American Republics
May Follow Our Example.

Britain and All American Republics
May Follow Our Example.
CHICAGO, March 23.-W. E. Curtis, in
dispatch to the Record, says: The Presi-
dent has been led to believe, for what rea-
son cannot ascertain, that Great Britain,
Switzerland Sweden and Norway, Den
mark, Mexico, Brazil. Venezuela and some
of the Central American republics will fol-
low our example in whatever we may de-
eide to do, and he feels hopeful that such
moral support will give the policy of the
United States greater force in Cuba and
more influence in Spain than If she stood
alone. Therefore. if Congress should de-
clare in favor of recognizing the republic of
Cuba or the belligerency Of the insurgents,
or if the President should intervene it is
believed that the approval of other nations
would result in Spain withdrawing entirely
from the island.
The President wants to end the war and
suffering, but he has as yet been unable to
see his way clear. The histories of all ma
tons have been searched for precedents
which would justify the recognition of in
dependence under present conditions, but
there is no precedent for recognizing a gov
eminent that has no capital, or legislature
or judiciary or commerce, and he has not
yet been convinced that he would be justi-
fed in establishing precedent Of his own.
His position on this point is sustained by
Chairman Davis, of the Senate committee
on foreign relations, Chairman Hit of the
House committee on foreign affairs and
Speaker Reed. who do not see how a peace
able and honorable solution of the problem
can be found in that direction. But 1t
would seem that the sentiment of nine
tenths of the members of the House who
have not given the subject any study is in
favor of such summary and final action.
The most popular alternative is the recog-
milton of Cuban belligerency but that
grayate the fighting, for it would enable
the insurgents to get arms and ammunition
and reinforcements and encourage their ac-
tivity.
1t is the opinion of the best international
lawyers here that the recognition of bell
ligerency need not necessarily involve us in
a with Spain, although the recognition
of independence might do so. There is a
wide difference in International etiquette.
Some of the Presidents advisers favor
foIcible intervention on the plan that was
followed by Great Britain in Egypt i'm 1879
when the country was In rebellion against
the Sultan of Turkey, and was being rap
idly destroyed. Two controllers general
were appointed by France and England to
restore peace and direct the government
with high commissioner representing the
Sultan residing in Cairo. with purely NOM
iPal power Great Britain subdued the re-
beilion at an enormous cost of lives and
money. her chief object being to protect her
commerce in the East, obtain an open gate
way TO India through the Red sea and Sc
cure the payment of the Egyptian bonds.
which are mostly held by her capitalists
If such course was pursued by the Pres
ident it would be necessary to obtain the
consent of Spain and to send an army and
fleet to Cuba to preserve order. Whether