The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-22

recognition Of bellgerence was not warranted
by the facts. according to the test OF public
law. commented especially upon the latter
aspect Of the question. pointing out the In
convenience and positive dangers Of a recognt-
ton Of beiligerency which. while adding to the
already onerous burdens Of neutrality within
our own Jurisdiction. could not in any way
extend our influence or effective offices In the
territory Of hostilties. Nothing has since oc-
CURED to change my view in this regard. and
I recognize as fully now as then that the
issuance OF proclamation OF neutrality. by
which process the so-called recognition of bel
ligerency is published, could Of itself and UNI
attended by other action. accomplish nothing
toward the one end for which We labor-the
instant paciRcation OF Cuba and the cessation
Of the misery that affiicts the island. Turning
to the question OF recognition at this time.
the independence Of the present insurgent gov
eminent in Cuba, We find safe precedenss IN
our history from an early day. They are we'll
summed up in President Jackson's message to
congress. Dec. 81. 1896. on the subject OF the
recognition Of the independence OF Texas. He
said:
the revolutions OF France, out Of the disputes
relating to the crews OF Portugal and Spain.
out CT the separation of the American posses
sions Of both from the European governments,
and out OF the numerous and constantly oc-
curing struggles for dominion in Spanish
America SO wisely consistent with our just
principles has been the action of our govern
meEt that We have under the most critical
circumstances avoided all censure. and en-
countered 10 other evil than that produced by
transient estrangement OF good will in those
against whom we have been, by force of evil
dence, compelled to decide. 1t has thus made
known to the world that the uniform policy
and practice OF the United States is to avoid
all interference in disputes which merely re-
late to the internal government Of other ma
tions. and eventually to recognize the author
ity Of the prevailing party without reference
to our particular interests or views, or to the
merits of the original controversy.
But on this, as every other trying occasion.
fa$.. Sc ha md n a ri
principle.
"In the contest between Spain and the re-
VOTED colonies we stood aloof and waited not
only until the ability Of the new states to
protect themselves was fully established, but
until the danger of their being again subJu-
gated had entirely passed away. Then car, ana
was our course in regard to Mexico herself.
1t is true that with regard to Texas
the civil authority of Mexico has been expelled.
Its invading enemy defeated the chief of the
republic had himself been captured, and all
present power TO control the newly-organized
government CT Texas annhilated within Its
confines. But. the ether hand, there is in
appearance, at least, an immense disparity OF
physical force on the side OF Texas. The Mex
lean republic, under another executive, is Faily-
ing its forces under a new leader, and menac-
ing q fresh invasion to recover Its lost DO
minion. .
the independence of Texas may be considered
rs suspended and were there nothing peculiar
in the situation of the United States and
Texas. our ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF us llueEeiiucaSS
at such crisis could scarcely be regarded as
consistent with that prudent reserve with
which we have hitherto held ourselves botad
to treat all similar questions.
Reco-nitien of Independence.
Thereupon Andrew Jackson proceeded to con-
slider the risk that there might be imputed to
the United States motives OF se!hsh interests
in view Of the former claim OF our part 10
the territory of Texas and of the avowed pur-
rose of the Texans in seeking recognition OF
independence as an incident to the lncorpoFa-
ton of Texas in the union: concluding thus:
prudence, therefore, seems to dictate that
we should still stand aloof and maintain our
present attitude, if not until Mexico ltselt'
or one of the great foreign powers shaL recog-
nize the independence of the new government,
at least until the lapse of time or the course
OF events shall have proved beyond caHil or
dispute the ability of the people OF thai coGn-
try to maintain their separate sovereignty ana
to uphold the government constituted By them.
Neither Of the contending parties can justly
complain of this course. By pursuing IL, we
are but carrying out the long established
policy of our government, a policy which has
secured to US respect and influence Abroad ana
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 the condition of the recoE-
milton Of the independence by neutral state.
to-wit: that the revoted state shall constitute
in fact a body polite having government IN
substance as we'll as in name, composed OF the
clements OF stability and forming de facto
"f left to itself a state among the nations
reasonably capable of dischargng the duties
Of a state" has imposed foc its own gorerance
in dealing with cases like these further con-
dition that the reccg milton Of independent state
hood is not due to a revclted dependency
until the danger of its being again subjugated
by tie parent state has entirely passed awoy.
The extreme test was in fact applied In TIE
case OF Texas. The congress to whom President
jackson referred the question as one purely
"Purely Leading to War;
and therefore a proper subject for previous
understanding with that body by whom war
can alone be declared and by whom all the
provisions for sustaining its perils must be
furnished" left the matter Of the recognition
of Texas to the decision of the executive pro-
agreement when the president should be salts
fed that the Republic of Texas had become
IAN independent state" 1t was so recognized
by President Van Buren,, who commissioned
charge d affaires March Z, 1887, after Mexico
had abandoned attempt to reconquer tie
Texan territory and when there was at the
time no bona fde contest going on between
the insurgent province and its former sover-
eign. 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 belliSerency in its
favor" The same requirement must certainly
be no less seriously considered when the grav-
er issue of recognizing independence is In
question for no less positive test can be APP
piled to the greater act than to the lesser;
while on the other hand the influences and
Va SttN
policy Of the recognizing Stale, which form
important factors when the recognition CT
belligerency is concerned are secondary is
not rightly eliininable factors when the real
question is whether the community claiming
recognition is or is not Independent beyond
peradventure. Nor from me standpoint OF en-
pedience do think it would lie wise or pru-
dent for this government % recos 1iZe at the
present time the md :penl.l:e III"
SO-Called Cuban Government.
Such recognition is not necessary in order
t. enable the United States to intervene and
pacify the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition of any part secular gov
eminent in Cuba might subject to cmbar-
RAISING conditions of international Obligation
towards the organization so recognized. In
case Of Intervention our conduct would he SUBJ
oact to the approval or disapproval Of such
government: we would be required to submit
to its direction and to assume to 1t the mere
relation Of friendly ally. When It shall ap-
pear hereafter that there is within the island
a government capable OF performing the duties
AMI discharging the functions Of a separate
nation, and having, as matter of fact. the
proper forms and attributes of nationality. sucn
government can be promptly and readily rec
ognized. and the relation Of and interests OF
the United States with such nation adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms Of inter-
vention to end tie war. either as an impartial
neutral by imposing a rational compromise De-
tween the contestants or as the active ally OF