Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-11
Then. and not until then. we're they recog-

sSuSh Woo ooL C0OtSc IA icSAid 10 -AlSAASS-
herself. - It 10 true that with regard
to Texas the civil authority of Mexico has
been expelled. its Invading army. defeated.
the Chief Of the Republic himself captured,
and all present power to control the newly
organized government OF Texas annfhiliat
ed within its confines. But, on the other
hand. there Is, in appearance at least, an
immense disparity of physical force on the
side Of Texas. The Mexican republic, un-
der another executive is rallying It's forces
under new leader. and menacing a fresh
invasion to recover its lost dominion.
Upon the issue of this threatened inya-
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 acknowl-
edeement Of Its Independence at such q
crisis could scarcely be regarded as con-
sistent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held ourselves
bound to treat all similar questions"
The Case of Texas.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to
consider the risk that there might be i'm
puted to the United States motives of
selfish interest In view Of the former claim
on our part to the territory of Texas, and
OF the avowed purpose of the Texans in
seeking recognition Of independence 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 Mexi-
CO 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 gov
eminent constituted by them
Neither of the contending parties can
justly complain of this course. BY pursu-
ing it we are but carrying out the long-es-
tablished policy of our government, a pol
icy which has secured to us respect and in
fiuence abroad and inspired confidence 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 condition of
the recognition of independence by a rleu-
trail state Ito wit, that the revolted state
sfail constitute in fact body polite, hav-
ing a government in substance as well as
in name. possessed of the elements. of sta
OiheJ, anu loI ming ue IdCCO, left to IT.
self, state among the nations, reasonably
capable of discharging the duties of a
state'), has imposed for its own govern
ance in dealing with cases like these the
further condition that recognition of indie
pendent statehood Is not due to a reyolted
dependency until the danger of its being
again subjugated by the parent state has
entirely passed away.
This extreme test uas IN
in the case of Texas. The Coaeress to
whom President jackson referred the CUES
ton as one probably leading to war and
therefore a proper subject for "a previous
understanding with that body by whom war
can alone be declared, and by whom oil
the provisions for sustaining it's perils
must be furnished left the matter of tne
recognition of Texas to the discretion of
the executive, providing merely forathe
sending of a diplomatic agent when the
President should be satisfied that the re-
public of Texas had become IAN indie
pendent state" It was so recognized by
President Van Buren,, who commissioned a
charge daffaires March I, 1887, after Mex
leo had abandoned an attempt to recona1er
the Texan territory and when there was
at the time no bona fide contest going on
between the insurgent province and its
former sovereign.
said in my message of December last:
1t is to be seriously considered whether
the Cuban instruction possesses beyond
dispute the attributes of statehood which,
alone can demand the recognition of beilig-
erency In its favor" The same require.
ment must certainly be no less seriously
considered when the graver issue OF recog-
nizing independence is in question for no
Two fasf ~.
greater act than to the lesser; while, on
the other hand the, influences and conse-
quences of the struggle upon the Internal
policy of the recognizing state, which form
important factors when the recognition of
beliigerency is concerned, are secondary. If
rot rightly elfminable factors when the
real question is whether the community
claiming recognition is or is not indepen-
dent beyond peradventure.
No Cuban Independence.
Nor from the standpoint Of expedience
do I think it would be wise or prudent for
this government to recognize at the present
time the independence Of the so-called Gu
ban republic Such recognition is not nee
essary in order to enable the United States
to intervene and pacify the island To
&C mmit this country now to the recognition
might subject us to embarrassing condi-
tions OF International obligation toward
the organization SO recognized In case Of
Intervention our conduct would be subject
to the approval Or disapproyal Of such
government; we would be required to sub
init to its direction and to assume to it
the mere relation of a friendly ally.
When 1t shall appear hereafter that
there is within the island government
capable Of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions Of a separate ma
ton, and having, as matter of fact, the
proper 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 the
other.
As to the first. 1t Is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the rela-
ton Of the United. States has virtually
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