Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-16

In VI -
position of force on contestants and
the intervention in favor of II party
or other, leaving annexation u OF the
question as a criminal aggression
He says he then held the recognition
of belligerency or independence could
not be justified in the light OF prece-
dents in our history, nor could either
bring relief TO the situation. He says
events since then have not caused him
to change his mind. He quotes from
President Jackson's message on the
recognition of the independence
of Texas, laying down the law that
a revolving government must establish
itself so firmly as not to appear 10 be In
danger of being re-conquored by the
former sovereign.
jackson did not believe Texas had
reached a condition of stability and it
was not until March, 1897, that indie
pendence was recognized by Van
Buren, sending a representative of the
United States, and after Mexico had
abandoned an attempt to reconquer
the Texans territory and when there
was at that time no bona tide contest
going on between the insurgent prov
ince and the former sovereign.
| said i'm my message of December
last: at is to be seriously considered
whether the Cuban insurrection pos
sesses beyond dispute the attributes OF
statehood which alone can demand rec
ognition of belligerency in its favor.
The same requirement must certain
ly be no less seriously considered when
the graver issue of recognizing indie
pendence is i'm question, for no less pos
tive a test can be applied to the great
er act than to the lesser, while on the
other hand the influences and conse
duences of the struggle form impor-
tant factors when the recognition OF
! belligerency is concerned, are second
airy, if not rightly, eliminated factors
when the real question is whether a
community claiming recognition is or
is not independent beyond ~peradven-
turc.
Nor, from the standpoint OF expert
encc. do | think it would be wise or
prudent for this government to recog-
nize at present 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.
q COMMIT IlliS NOhllNl
ognition Of any particular government
in Cuba might subject us to embar-
RAISING conditions Of international oo-
legation towards the organization so
recognized. In case of intervention
our conduct would be subject 10 APP
prevail or disapproval by such govern
mcnt, and we would be required 10
submit to its direction and to assume
to il a mere relation of Il friendly ally
When it shall appear hereafter that
there is within the island a government
capable of performing the duties oil
discharging the functions of a separate
nation, and having as n matter OF Iac'
the proper forms and attributes or
nationality, such government can pe
promptly and readily recognized ano
the relations and interests of the Unit
ed States with such nation adjusted
Forciblc Intervention.
The president said there remained
Intervention to end war as a neutral
or as the active ally Of one or the Other
party. AS to former, he pointed ou'
we have been practically exercising
friendly Intervention for some months
although the acts were tending TOWARD
the cXertion Of a potential influence TO
ward an ultimate peace with a resul
lust and honorable TO all concerned
An earnest desire has been for peace
and prosperity for Cuba, ~untarnishet
by differences between us and spain
unstaincd by the blood Of American
citizens.
The president then points out tina
forcible Intervention as Il neutral Il
stop war on the dictates of humanlt,
has many historical ~precedents and l
i%ustifiable on a rational ground. i
involves a hostile constraint on bot
parties to the contest as well as enfor
ces a truce, as a guide to an eventual
settlement. The grounds for interven
ton are summarized as follows: Firs
the cause of humanity; second the pro
lection of our citizens in Cuba; thir'
the serious injury to OF on
people.
Fourth, and which is of the most i'm
portance, the present condition or al
fairs i'm Cuba. The constant menac
10 our peace entails on this governmen
an enormous expense. With contllc
waged for four years in the island nea
us, with which our people have sue
trade relations-when the lives and tn
liberty of our citizens are in constan
danger. their property destroyed
themselves ruined, where our tradln
vessels are liable to seizure n ar
seized at our very door by the warshiT
; of a foreign nation, the expeditions {
tilibustcring that we are powerlesS
prevent altogether, and the irritatln
questions aud cntanglements thus arl'
ing-all these and others | need nc
mention, with the resulting straine
relations and constant menace TO on
people. keep them on a constant sem
!, war footing with Il nation with whlc
: we are at peace.
+ speaks of the Maine.
: The president then says: These 81
I ments Of danger aud disorder are stril
y ingly illustrated 10y the tragic evet
I which has deeply moved the America
= people, lie says this event was I'll
+ destruction of the Maine, the report
I The naval court Of inquiry on which
e has already sent to congress, says
The destruction of that nob NesS
: has filled the national heart with Il
o eNpressible horror"
; The message says the report OF u
e Maine court says the vessel was d
stroyed by a mine and leaves the r
sponsibility to be fixed, but holds,
any event, that the 'the destruction
= the Maine, by whatever exterior caus
is patent and impressive proof that q
l. state of things in Cuba is intolerable
/ since Spain cannot assure the safety
a vessel of the American navy in h
e waters on II friendly mission eve
Concerning the differences between Il
Is I've shall throw away no advantas
n On the other hand | am anxious nc
~tilities shall cease, but it must be I
d all time. If Spain agrees and evacu