The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-06

Views of Senators Who Are Unwilling
TO Acknowledge Independence.

Views of Senators Who Are Unwilling
TO Acknowledge Independence.
Washington. April C.--The following
is substantially the views OF prominent
senators who think IL is inexpedlent at
this time TO acknowledge the indepen-
dence of Cuba: 1.-THE recognition OF the
Independence OF a new government is
the recognition OF fact, not an express
sion of sympathy. AS General Grant
said, the question is one not TO be de-
cided by sympathy for or prejudice
against either party. When a nation
is recognized as having a separate and
independent existence, the recognizing
nation might assume toward the new
power all the duties and relations that
II bears to any friendly power on the
face OF the earth. IL admits it's right
10 govern itself and 10 make such allan
ces ard treaties with other nations az
IL might see 1T. From the days OF
President Jackson 20 the present time
every president OF the United States
who has had occasion to consider the
subject has taken this view OF the law
governing the recognition OF nav
power. During the war OF the rebellion
the southern confederacy raay be said
TO have had n completely organized
form OF governments president con-
gress. states with separate autonomy.
civil law administered by courts-yet
this government protested with the Ut
most vigor against the right OF other
nations 90 recognize II as separate and
independent nation. and successfully.
mo one will pretend 10 say that the
status OF the republic OF Cuba has ever
approached anything like a condition
OF perfection In the way OF government
that the southern confcderacy attained
II hns no sea ports: no United States
consul or consular agent has ever come
In public contact with a single member
OF this government. IL has not as a
matter of fact controlled the island OF
Cuba. Ii does not possess authority
In single city Of any Importance. 1t
has no seaport, nor a ship: IL lacks the
possession OF almost every element that
is necessary TO constitute an ndepen-
dent state. IT lacks the vital essen
tial of an independent state-that is
independence. General Jackson refused
TO recognize the independence Of Texas
so long as there was a doubt OF recon-
quest by Mexico. although the Mex
lean forces had entirely withdrawn from
its territory.
"Of course there will be independence
IN the island. The retention OF the
Spanish sovereignty there is not to be
thought OF. All OF the people OF the
United States should consider is that II
should go into the subject from the best
vantage ground and without being
Handicapped and embarrassed by recog-
milton, which is premature and may
prove embarrassing. AS matter OF
constitutional law the right OF recogni-
ton of a foreign government pertains
to the executive power. who must re-
ceive ministers and other foreign agents
who can make treaties and who can
nominate representatives OF the govern
ment at foreign ports. The executive
has il in his power at any time when the
factsSustify it and the interests OF the
United States requires IL to recognize
the independence of the Cuban republic.
or any other nation which may set itself
up and establish itself securely. To
acknowledge now the independence Of
Cuba would, as matter of fact, ALLEVIATE
from us the sympathy OF every Eu-
rorcan power. The diplomats of the
governments of Europe are well ac-
quainted with the principles of internal
tional law, and know as matter OF
public law that the facts do not justify
at present such recognition. IT is not
enough to say that We do not care for
their opinion when ii convicts us OF vio-
lating the rules of international con-
duct"