Evening journal., 1898-04-12


dunn, but from General Woodford's ex-
planatory reports Of preliminary discus
sions preceding the final conference it Is
understood that the Spanish goyernment
stands ready 70 give the insular congress
full powers 10 settle the terms Of peace
with the insurgents, whether by direct me-
gotiation or indirectly by means of legis-
latlon does not appear.
With this last overture in the direction
Of immediate peace and its disappointing
reception by Spain, the executive was
brought TO the end Of his effort
In my annual message Of December last
said:
"Of the untried measures there remain
only Recognition of the insurgents as
belligerents; recognition of the indepond-
once Of Cuba; neutral Intervention to end
the war by imposing q rational compro-
misc between the contestants, and inter-
vention in favor Of one or the other party.
I speak not Of foroible annexation, for
that cannot be thought Of That by our
code Of morality, would be criminal ag-
gression.
Thereupon reviewed these alternatives,
in the light of President Grants measured
words. uttered in 1875 when after seyon
years Of sanguinary, destructive and cruel
sion that the recognition of Independence
Of Cuba was impracticable and indefensi-
BILE, and that the recognition Of belliger-
ence was not warranted by the facts ao-
cording to the tests Of public law. 1 com
mented especially upon the latter aspece
Of the question, pointing out the inoon-
veniences and positive dangers Of a recog
milton of belligeronce which while adding
to the already onerous burdens of neutral
ity within our own jurisdiction, could not
in any way extend our influence or effect
i've Offices in the territory of hostllties.
Nothing has since occurred to change my
view in this regard, and l recognize as
fully now as then that the issuance of
proclamation Of neutrality, by which
process the SO called recognition of bollig-
erenoe Is published, could of itself and un-
attended by other action accomplish moth
ing toward the one end for which we la
bor--the instant pacifcation of Cuba and
the cessation Of the misery that affliots the
island
Turning to the question of recognizing
at this time the independence of the pres
ent insurgent government in Cuba we
find safe preoedents in our history from
an early day. They are well summed up
in President Jaokson's message to con-
gress Dec. 81, 1886 on the subject of the
recognition of the Independence of Texas.
lie said:
'In all the contests that have arisen out
of the revolutions Of France, out of the
disputes relating to the crowns of Portu-
gal and Spain, out of the separation of
the American possessions of both from the
European governments and out of the
numerous and constantly occurring strug-
oil fnp Hfrttf frtf in nfcb A
wisely consistent with our Just principles
has been the action of our government
that we have under the most critical cir
oumstances avoided all censure and en-
countered no other evil than that produced
by transient estrangement Of good will
J In those against whom we have boen by
/ force of evidence compelled to decide
'lt has thus been made known to the
world that the uniform policy and practice
of the United States is to avoid all interfer-
ence in disputes which merely relate to
| the informal government of other nations
and eventually to recognize the authority
of the prevailing party without reference
to our particular interests and views or to
1 tho merits Of the original controversy.
"But on this, as on every other trying
occasion, safety is to be found In a rigid
adherence to principle
''In the contest between Spain and the
revolted colonies we stood aloof and wait
ed not only until the ability of the new
states to protect themselves was fully es-
tablished, but until the danger of their be-
ing again subiugated had entirely passed
away. Then and not until then were they
recognized Such was our course in re-
gard 60 Mexico herself. *F+
st is true that with regard to Texas
- I'll u. L.
pelled, its invading army defeated, the
chief Of the republic himself captured and
all present power to control the newly or
ganized government of Texas annihilated
within its confines. But, on the other
hand, thore is, I'm appearance at least, an
, immense disparity of physical force on the
side Of Texas. The Mexican republic un-
der another executive is rallying its
forces under new leader and menacing a
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 its independence at such
a 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" 4"
Thoreupon Andrew jackson proceeded
to consider the risi. that there might be
imputed to the United States Hsotives 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, II not until
Mexico itself or one Of the great foreign
powers shall recognize the independents,
Of the new government at least until th,
lapse Of time or the course of events shall
have proved beyond cavil or dispute tn,
ability Of the people of that country e
maintain their separate sovereignty anC
Co uphold the government constituted by
them. Neither of the contending parties
can justly complain of this course. b!
pursuing it we are but carrying out th,
long established policy Of our government
o policy which has secured to us respec
and influence abroad and inspired conf