The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-08
Ainccllms, Advice,
rs TO Recognition
Of independence

CD HE following are substantially the
views of prominent senators who
think it is ineXpedient at this time
to acknowledge the Independence
of Cuba: THE recognition of the
independence of a new government is the
recognition of a fact, not an expression
of sympathy. AS General Grant said,
The question is one not to be decided
by sympathy for, or prejudice against
either party When a nation is recog
nized'as having a separate and independ-
ent existence, the recognizing nation
might assume toward the new power all
the duties and relations that it bears to
any other friendly power on the face of
the earth. 1t admits its right to govern
itself and its rights to make such ali-
ances and treaties with other nations as
it might see ilt
From the days of President jackson
to the present time every president of
the United States, who has had occasion
to consider the subject, has taken this
view of the public law governing the
recognition of a new power. During the
war of the rebellion the southern con-
federacy may be said to have had a COM
pletely organized form of government
"A president. congress. states with sepa-
rate autonomy civil law administered by
courts-yet this government protested
with the utmost Vigor against the right
of other nations to recognize it as q sepa-
rate and Independent nation, and sue
oessfully. No one will pretend to say
that the status of the republic of Cuba
has ever approached anything like con-
dition of perfection in the way of govern
ment that the southern confederacy at
| taned, 1t has no seaports, no United
States consul or consular agent has ever
come in public contact with a single
member of this government; 1t has not,
as matter of fact, controlled the island
of Cuba; II does not possess authority in
single city of any Importance; IT has
no seaport nor a ship; 1t lacks the pos
session of almost every element that is
| necessary 10 constitute an Independent
state; it lacks the vital essential of an
independent state, that of independence.
Then there is the argument of eXpe-
| dienCy. Why is ii necessary in order to
| intervene in Cuba and bring peace and
order and good government to the island
| to let the present so-called republic be
| Immediately recognized? If the United
! States recognizes the independence of
! that republic, it confers upon it all the
| rights of an Independent nation so far
! as we are concerned and requires all who
| have operations in Cuba to subject our
! selves to the wishes and control Of the
| republic and of those who control it. II
| might be that when all the facts were
| understood and the form of government
| adopted by the Cuban republic inspect
! ed, the nature of its laws understood
| the extent of its dominion ascertained. the
| government of the United States would
say 1t to be proper ana just to recognize
its stability and independence on the
! other hand it might be possible that the
! government now alleged to exist under
the name of the republic of Cuba is no,
| such government as is capable ot
bringing stability and power TO the island
! of Cuba and that there ought to be sci
| up another form of government that
would have the consent of the people OF
| Cuba who would guarantee to the United
States the tranquility and security which
| we are seeking.
o
"If the United States is to intervene fol
| the pacihcation of Cuba, II should b,
| free-handed; 1t should not tie itself fas
to form Of government which after
wards may prove an impeachment to those
reforms which ought TO be effected I'm tn,
island. The United States ought to b,
free to insist upon such a government az
will be Of practical advantage to tn,