Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-04-14

tublic of Texas had become IAN indie
pendent state" 1t was so recognized by
President Van Buren, who commissioned
a charge d d'affaires March Z, 1887, after
Mexico had abandoned an attempt 10 re-
conquer the Texas territory, and when
there was at the time no bona fide contest
going on between the insurgent province
and It's 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 bel
ligerency in its favor.
The same requirement must be no less
seriously considered when the Rraver Is
sue of recognizing independence Is In
question, for no less positive test can be
applied u the greater act than TO the
lesser; while on the other hand the infiu-
enccs and consequence of the struggle
upon the internal policy Of the recogniZ-
ing state, witch form important factors
when the recognition of belligerency Is
concerned, arc necessary, II not rightly
eliminahie factors when the real question
Is wheth T the community claiming recog-
milton is or is not independent beyond
peradygnture.
Nor from the standpoint of expedience
do l think ii would be wise or prudent for
this government to recognize at the pres
ent time the independence of the so-called
Cuban republic. Such recognition is not
necessary in order TO enable the United
States to intervene and pacify the Island
To commit this country now to the rec
ognitiOn of any particular government In
Cuba might subject us to embarrassing
conditions of international obligation to-
ward the organization so recognized. In
case of Intervention our conduct would be
subject to the approval or dlslpproVal OF
such government; We would be required
to submit to its direction and TO assume
to ii the mere relation of a friendly ally.
When ii shall appear hereafter that there
is II the island Il government capable OF
performing the duties and discharging the
functions of separate nation, and having
as matter of Tact the proper forms and
attributes OF nationality of such govern
ment can be promptly and readily recog-
niZed and The relations and interests with
such nation adjusted.
There remains the alternative form 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, it is not to be forgotten
that during the last few months the rela-
ton Of the United States has virtually
been one Of friendly intervention in many
ways, each not of itself conclusive, but
all tending to the eXertion of a potential
influence toward an ultimate pacific result
Just and honorable to all interests con-
cerned. The spirit of ali our acts hith-
erto has been an earnest unseltish desire
for peace and prosperity in Cuba. untar-
nished by differences between US and
Spain and unstaned by the blood of
American citizens.
The forcible intervention of the United
States as neutral, to stop the war, ac-
cording to the large dictates of humanity,
and followed many historical precedents
where neighbCring states have interfered
to check the hopeless sacrifice of life by
internecine conflicts beyond their borders,
is justifiab!e On rational grounds. 1t in
wolves, however, hostile constraint upon
both the parties to the contest, as well to
enforce truce as to guide the eventual
settlement.
Grounds For Intervention.
The grounds for such intervention may
be briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the case of humanity and to
put an end to the barbarities, bloodshed,
starvation and horrible miseries now ex-
isting there and which the parties TO the
conflict are either unable or unwilling to
stop or mitigate. 1t is no answer to say
this is all in another country, belonging
to another nation, and is therefore none
of our business. 1t is especially our duty,
for il is right at our door.
Second-We owe it to our citizens in
indemnity for life and property which no
government there can or Will afford, and
to that end to terminate the conditions
that deprive them of legal protection.
Third-The right to intervene may be
justified by the very serious injury to the
commerce. trade and business of our
people and by the wanton destruction of
property and devastation of the island.
Fourth-And which is of the utmost i'm
portancc. The present condition of af-
fairs i'll Cuba is constant menace to our
peace. and entails upon this government
an enormous expense With such a con
fiict wagcd for years in an island so near
us ana with which our people have such
trade and business relations-when the
lives and liberty of cur citizens are in con-
stant danger and their property destroyed
and themselves rulned-where our trad
ing vessels are liable to seizure and are
seized ut oar very door by warships of a
foreign nation. the expeditions of tilibuS-
tcring that We are poWcrlCSS to prevent
altogether, and the irritating questions
and entanglemcntS thus arising-ail these
and others that | need not mention, with
the resulting strained relations, are con-
slant menace to our peace and compel us
to keep on Il semi-war footing with q ma
ton with which we are at peace.
The Maine Explosion.
These elements of danger and dishonor
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by the tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American
people. l have already transmitted to
congress the report of the naval court of
inquiry on the destruction of the battle
ship Maine, in the hafbor of Havana,
during the night of the 18th OF February.
The destruction o! that noble vessel has
filled the national heart with ineXpressible
horror Two hundred and tifty-eight
brave sailors and marines and two officers
of our navy, rIposing III the fancied Sc
curity of a fl endly harbor, have been
hurled to death, grief and want brought
to their homes ANA sorrow to the nation.
The naval court of inquiry, which, it is
needless TO say, commands the unqualified
confidence OF the government, was unani-
nous in its conclusion that the dCstruc
ton of the Maine was caused by an cX-
terror explosion, that of submarine mine.
1t did not assume to place the response
bility. That remains to be fixed.
In any event, the destruction of the
Maine by wha ever exterior cause, is a
patent and impressive proof Of II state of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that
the Spanish gpyc,nment cannot assure
safety and security u Il vessel of the
American navy in the Larbor of Havana
on u mission OF peace and rightfully
there
Further ref2rrin : in this connection to
recent diplomatic correspondence, a dis
patch from oar minister to Spain of the
&6th ultimo., contained the statement
that the Spanish minister for foreign af
fairs assured him positively that Spain
Will do all that the highest honor and
justice require i'll the matter of the Maine.
The reply above referred to of the 3lst
ultimo also contained an expression of the
readiness of spain to submit to an arbitra
ton all the differences which arise in this
matter, which j. subsequently explained
by the note of the Spanish minister ut
Washington of the 10th inst, as follows:
'As to the question OF fact which
springs from the diversity of views be-
tween the report of the American and the
Spanish boards. Spain proposes that the
fact be ascertained By an impartial in
Vestigation by experts, whose decision
Spain accepts in advance"
To this | have made no reply.
Opinion of President Grant.
President Grant, in 1915, after discuss
ing the phases of the contest as it then
appeared and its hopeless and apparent
indefinite proiongation, said: 'In such
event, am OF opinion that other nations
will be compelled to assume the response
bility which devolves upon them, and to
seriously consider the only remaining meas
ures possible, mediation and intervention.
Owing, perhaps, to the large expanSe of water
separating the island from the peninsula the
contending parties appear to have within
themselves no depository of common conf
dence, to suggest wisdom when passion and
excitement have their sway, and to assume
the part of peacemalser. In this view, in the
earlier days of the contest, the good offices of
the United States Is 4 mediator were rendered
in good faith, without any selfish purpose, i'll
the interests of humanity and in sincere