The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-04-14

uuues OF state, has imposed for fts own GOV.
, ernhnee IN dealing with cases like these the
u iurther condition that recognition OF indepen-
, uehce statehood is not due 10 a revolted de-
penuehcS until the danger Of its being again
Q suOJugated has entirely passed away The ex-
treme test was in fact applied IN the case Of
5 Texas UNIV -
, nor from the standpoint Of experience do I
thlnk IL would be wise or prudent for this goy-
ernment 10 recognize at the present time the
independence OF the so-ca'led Cuban republic
such recognition Is not necessary in order TO
enable the United States 70 intervene and
!. paciy the island. To commit this country
now 10 the recognition OF any particular gov
eminent In Cuba might subject us 10 en-
Darressing conditions OF international OBJ
ngationS towards the organization so recog-
nlzed. In case Of Intervention our conduct
Wouu be subject TO the approval or dsap-
proval OF such government, we would be re-
quifed to submit to its direction and to assume
70 IL the mere relation Of a friendly ally. When
1t shall appear hereafter that there is within
the island government capable OF per-
forming the duties and dscharging the
functions OF separate nation, and having
The forcibie Intervention Of the United
states as neutral. to stop the war according
TO the large dictates OF humanity and follow
ing many historical precedents where neigh
boring states have interferred to check hope
less sacrifices OF life by internecine conflicts
beyond their borders. is justifabe on rational
grounds. 1t involves however, hostile con-
straint upon both the parties TO the contest, as
well TO enforce truce as to guide the eventfu
settlement
The grounds for such Intervention may be
briefly summarized as follows:
First In the cause OF humanity and 70 put
an end to the barbarites, bloodshed, starva-
tiOn and horrible miserleS now existing there,
| and which the parties to the conflict are either
unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate. 1t is
no answer tosay this is all in another country,
belonging to another nation and is therefore
none OF our business. II Is specially our duty
for 1t Is right at our door.
| Second. We owe it 70 our citizens in Cuba to
AFFORD them that protection and indemnity for
, life and property which no government there
| can or will AFFORD, and TO that end TO termin-
ate the conditions that deprive them Of legal
protection.
Third. The right to intervene may pc justi-
fled by the very serious injury to the COM
merce, trade and business Of our people and by !
the wanton destruction Of property and devas- !
tation OF the island.
Fourth, and which is Of the utmost im-
portance. The present condition OF affairs in |
Cuba is a constant menace TO our Leace and |
entails upon this government an enormous eX- !
pense.
These elements OF danger and disorder al
ready pointed out have been strikngly Illus
trated by 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 harbor OF
Havana during the night OF the 18TH OF Febru-
ary The destruction OF that noble vessel has
filled the nation ! heart with inexpressible
ruo bup md osfthf hrot
sailors and marines and two officers OF our
navy. reposing in the fancied security OF
friendly harbOr, have been hurled TO DEATH
grief and want brought to their homes and sor-
row TO the nation.
The naval court OF inquiry, which. it is need
less 10 say commands the unqualified conf
dence OF the government. was unanimous in its
conclusion that the destruction OF the Maine"
was caused by an exterior explosion, that OF Il
submarine mine: 1t did not assume to place
responsibility. That remains to be fixed.
In any event the destruction OF the Maine;
by whatever exterior cause, is patent and
impressive proof OF state Of things in Cuba
that is intolerable. That coalition is thus
shown to be such that the panish government
can not assure safety and security to a vessel
OF the American navy in the harbor of Havana
on a mission OF peace and rightfully there.
Further referring in this connection to re-
cent diplomatic correspondence a dispatch
from our minister TO Spain, OF the 26th ultimO
the statement that the Spanish min
lister for foreign affairs assured him posi-
lively that Spain will do all that the highest 1
honor and justice require in the matter OF the I
Maine. The reply OF the 3lst ultmo. also coE-
aincd an expression OF the readiness Of Spain
10 submit to an arbitration all the differences {
which can ari in this matter which IS subse- {
luently explained by the note OF the Spanish ,
minister at Washington Of the 10th instant as
follows:
LAS TO the question OF fact which springs
rom the diversity OF views between the report I
If the American and Spanish boards, Spain
proposes that the fact be ascertained by an i'm
partial investigation by experts, whose decis-
lion Spain accepts in advance"
To this have made no reply. Il
President Grant, in 1873, after discussing the I
'hases OF the contest as 1t then appeared and I
is hopeless and apparent indefinite prOlonga- =,
ion, said: In such event, l am OF opinion /
hat other nations will be compelled to assume
he responsibility which devolves upon them, a
nd to seriously consider the only remain O
ng measures possible, mediation and inter- G.
'ention. Owing, perhaps. to The large ex- =,
,anse OF water separating the island from
he peninsula the contending a
arties appear to have within themselves G.
O depository OF common confidence to suggest o.
'isdom when passion and excitement have -
heir sway, and 10 assume the part OF peace
laker. In this view, in the earlier days OF the u
ontcst the good Offices Of the United States 81
$ mediator were rendered in good faith, II
thout any selfish purpose, in the interest OF q
umanity and in sincere friendship for both
lrteS. but were at the time declined by Spain AZ
ith the declaration nevertheless that at o II
lture time they wou Id be indispensable. No W
has been received that in the opin- f,
N Of Spain that time has been
,ached. And yet the strife contin-
/ it's injuries 10 the. interests of the n
nitcd States and OF other nations. Each
lrty seems quite capable OF working great in
~ and damage to the other, as well as all the =.
lations ana interests dependent on the exist Nj
ce of peace in the island; but they seem in S;
pable OF reaching any adjustment, and both II
I'VE thus far failed OF achieving any success ca
hereby one party shall possess and control 0'
e island to the exclusion Of the other. Un- re
II the circumstances the agency Of others, II
Lher by mediation or intervention, seems 10 nj
the only alternative which must. sooner or =,
ter, be invoked for the termination OF the =
rife" ~
In the last annual message OF my immediate
edecessor during the pending struggle, 1t 81
Is said: w
When the inability OF Spain TO deal success -,
ly with the insurfection has become mani p
Il. and IL Is demonstrated that her soyer- ~
'nty Is extinct in Cuba for all purposes OF its ic
htful existence and when a hopeless strug- in
!, for It's re-establishment has degenerated d,
o strife which means nothing more than
useless sacrifice OF human life and the
Ter destruction OF the very subject matter OF
conflict. situation will be presented in TIL