The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12


belligerency is concerned, are secondary
if not rightly eliminable factors. when
the real question rs whether the COM
munity claiming recognition is or is not
independent beyond peradventure
Nor from the standpoint of expedence
dol think it would be wise or prudent
for this government to recognize at the
present time THE independence of the So
called Cuban republic. Such recognition
is not necessary in order to enable the
United States to intervene and pacfy
the island. To commit this country now
TO the recognition of any particular gov
eminent in Cuba. might subject us to
embarrassing conditions of International
obligation towards the anhation so
recognized. In case of Intervention, our
conduct would be subject to the approval
ar disanproval of such government; we
would he required to submit to it's di-
raction and to assume to it the mere
relation of a friendly ally. When it shall
anneor hereafter that there is within
the island a government capable of per
forming the duties and discharging the
functions of a separate nation. and hav-
inc as a matter of fact the proper forms
and attributes of nationality such gov
eminent can be promptly and readily
recognized, and the relations and inter
csts of the United States with such ma
ton adjusted.
There remain the alternative forms
Of intervention TO end the war, either as
an impartial neutral by imposing ra-
tional compromise between the contes-
tants. or as the active ally of the one
party or the other
AS TO the first, it is not to he forgot
ten that during the last few months, the
relation of the United States has virtual
Iy been one of friendly Intervention in
many ways. each not of itself conclusive,
hut all tending to the cXertion of a po-
tontial influence toward an ultimate pa
cific result just and honorable to all in
terests concerned. The spirit of all our
acts hitherto has been an earnest, unset
fish desire for peace and prosperity in
Cuba, untarnished by differences be-
tween us and Spain and unstained by
the blood of American citizens.
The forcible intervention of the Uni
ted States as a neutral. to stop the war,
according to the large dictates of human
ity and following many historical prece.
cedents where neighboring States have
interferred to check the hopeless sacr:-
fees of life by internecine conflicts be.
yond their borders is justifablc on ra-
tional grounds. IT involves hos
tile constraint upon both the
parties to the contest. as well to enforce
truce as to guide the eventual settle
ment.
GROUNDS FOR INTERVENTION.
The grounds for such Intervention may
be briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the cause of humanity and
TO put an end to the barbarities, blood
shed, starvation and horrible miseries
now existing here, and which the parties
10 the conflict are 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 there
fore none of our business 1t is special
ly our duty for it is right at our door
Second-We owe it to our citizens i'm
Cuba 10 afford them that protection and
indemnity for life and property which
no government there can or will afford,
and to that end to terminate the condi-
tons that deprive them of legal protec-
ton.
Third-'The right to intervene may be
JuStllieu ny the very serious INJURY 10 me
commerce. trade and business of our
people and by the wanton destruction of
and devastation of the island.
Fourth-And which is of the utmost
importance. The present condition of
affairs in Cuba is a constant menace to
our neace and entails upon this govern
ment an enormous expense With such
a conflict waged for years in an island
so near us and with which our people
have such trade and business relations
when the lives and liberty of our citizens
are in constant danger and their proper
t. destroyed and themselves ruined
where our trading vessels are liable TO
seizure and are seized at our very door,
by war shins of n foreign nation, the
expeditions of filibustering that we are
powerless to prevent altogether and the
irritating questions and entanglements
thus arising-all these and others that
need not mention, with the resulting
strained relations are a constant menace
to our peace and compel us TO keep on n
semi-war footing with a nation with
which we are at peace.
These elements of danger and disorder
already pointed out have been strikingly
illustrated by a tragic event which has
deeply and justly moved the American
people | have already transmitted to
Congress the report of the Naval Court