St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-13
nEsSAGE TO CONGRESS.
rcontinued from page 81

1said In my message of December last:
M ia to be seriously considered wheth-
~ the Cuban instruction possesses be-
yond dispute the attributes of statehood
vhich alone can demand the recognition
M bellgerency in Its favor" The same
requirement must certainly be no less
seriously considered when the graver is
u,e Of recognizing independence is in
nuestion, for no less positive test can be
applied to the greater act than to the
lesser while, on the other hand, the in
auence and consequences Of the struggle
upon the internal policy Of the recogniz-
ing state, which form important factors
when the recognition Of belligerency is
concerned, are secondary, If not rightly
eliminable, factors when the real cues
ton is whether the community claiming
recognition is or Is not, independent be-
yond peradventure.
Nor from the standpoint Of expedlence
do think 1t would be wise or prudent
for this government to recognize at the
present time the independence of the So
called Cuban republic. Such recogni-
ton Is not necessary in order to enable
the United States to intervene and paci-
" the island. To commit this country
now to the recognition Of any particular
government in Cuba might subject us
to embarrassing conditions of interna-
tonal obligation towards the organiza-
ton so recognized. In case of interven-
ton. our conduct would be subject to the
approval or disapproval of such gov
eminent; we would be required to sub
nit to its direction and to assume to 1t
the mere relation Of friendly ally.
When 1t shall appear hereafter that
there Is within the island government
capable Of performing the duties
and discharging the functions of
separate nation, and having,
as matter Of fact, the proper forms
and attributes Of nationality, such gov
eminent can be promptly and readily
recognized, and the relations and inter-
ests 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 a ra-
tlOnal compromise between the contest
ants 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
relation Of the United States has virtu-
ally been one Of friendly Intervention
In many ways, each not of itseslf conclu-
Of al tandinor 10 he
+ potential influence toward an ultimate
pacific result, just and honorable to all
interests concerned The spirit of all
our acts hitherto has been an earnest.
unselflsh desire for peace and prosperity
4 In Cuba, untarnished by differences be-
tween us and Spain and unstained by
\ the blood of American citizens. The for
chile intervention Of the United States,
as a neutral, to stop the war, according
/. to the large dictates of humanity and
8 following many historical presidents
where neighboring states have inter-
i fered to check the hopeless sacrifices of
life by internecine conflicts beyond their
borders. is justiflable on rational
Z grounds. 1t involves, however, hostile
oonstraint upon both the parties to the
+ contest, as we'll as to enforce truce as
s TO guide the eventual settlement. The
grounds for such Intervention may be
briefly summarized as follows:
First-In the cause of humanity and
Ito put an end to the barbarities, blood
ashed, starvation and horrible mlseries
NOW existing there, and which the par
tiles to the conflict are either unable OF
unwilling to stop or mitigate. 1t is NJ
answer to say this is all in another coun-
try belonging to another nation, and Is
Wherefore, none of our business. 1t Is
Especially our duty, for it is right at oul
door.
second-We owe 1t to our citizens II
Cuba to afford them that protection
]hnd indemnity for life and property
which no government there can or will
4fford, and to that end to terminate thu
conditions that deprive them of legal
Protection.
Third-The right to intervene may be
Gstlfied by the very serious injury to
the commerce, trade and business OF our
3eople, and by the wanton destruction
n property and devastation Of the ISL
aud.
Fourth land which is of the most i'm
portance)-The present condition of af-
lkirs of Cuba Is a constant menace To
Qur peace, and entails upon this govern
hent an enormous expense. With such O
conflict waged for years in an island sc
E t1par RI xx,ith n,hinh nlnnla have
luch trade and business relations
fhen the lives and liberty of our citizens
Pre- in constant danger and their prop
Fty destroyed and themselves ruined
Rhere our trading vessels are liable tc
eizure and are seized at the very dool
warships of the foreign nation, the
expeditions of filibustering that we are
oweress altogether to prevent, and thu
Irritating questions and entanglement'
aus arisng-all these and others that
eeu not mention, with the resulting
framed relations, are a constant men
~ TO our peace and compel us to keep OF
seml-war footing with war nation
TN which we are at peace.
These elements of danger and disorde
ready pointed out have been strikingl.
frustrated by tragic event which ha.
&eeply and justly moved the American
*eople. l have already transmitted t.
ongress the report of the naval cour
inquiry on the destruction of the bat
%eshlp Maine in the harbor of Havana
euring the night of the 18th of February
ne destruction of that noble vessel ha
1heo the national heart with inexpressi
" horror. Two hundred and fifty-eigh
PlaVe sailors or marines and two officer
our navy, reposing in the fancied Sc
Surity of friendly harbor, have bee
Auried to death, grief and want brough
their homes and sorrow to the ma