The Advocate and news., 1898-03-02
CURRENT DISCUSSION.
By EX-SENATOR PEFFER.

bulLS. All tnaL appears uennlle Ill the
case is the resolute determination Of the
revolutiOnists to keep up the fighting as
long as they have life and strength.
In case Of citizens abroad suffering
injury to their person or property, their
home government may interfere. There
are now some American citizens resident
In Cuba, and their lives or property are
more or less In danger while the war
continues.
Sympathy with a struggling people is
reason for intervention. France assisted
us during our revolutionary war; our
own intervention in case Of Hungary
and Greece Is a similar example. But
in all these cases, recognized methods
were followed.
There Is another ground for interven-
lion which is not clearly laid down in
the international code, yet is included
in policies and rules that are laid down.
It Is a rule well established that when
nations are at war with one another they
must conduct hostilities according to
what is termed civilized warfare"
which includes proper treatment of pris-
oners and humane government Of people
in conquered districts. In connection
with this rule, whenever an insurTec-
tion or rebellion becomes so general and
attains such proportions as to amount to
war, 1t Is to be treated as a belligerent
and must come under the rules of war.
1t was in application of this rule that
the United States treated the rebellion
In the Southern States as war. A mere
question of treason is determined in
court before a judge and jury; but an
army representing people in rebel
lion must be dealt with in the same way
that an army Of invasion would be
treated. The matter having been invest
igated by agents Of the government of the
United States, nobody now doubts
whether the rebellion in Cuba amounts
to war That much is settled. All out
side nations have the right to demand
that such war be conducted in accord
ance with modern methods.
But belligerency has not yet been ac-
corded the Cubans. Up to this time they
have been treated as insurgents which
means only bodies of men openly and
with arms defying lawful authority AS
long as that condition is permitted to
continue, the code requires that the gov
erning power must be let alone and al
lowed to quell the disturbance in its own
way.
There Is still another reason for inter-
vention, namely, the devastation Of a
fruitful portion of the earth and the
depopulation of an old, well-settled and
highly-improved island which is capable
of sustaining 100000 people. And in
connection with this reason it is patent
to all the world that the contest in Cuba
Is conducted, on both sides, by cruel and
barbarOus methods.
Outside nations, within lines of appro-
pirate action, may demand that this pro-
cess of devastation and depopulation be
stopped; and they have the right to give
notice to Spain that If, within a reason
able time, her authority over the island
Of Cuba is not re-established by sup
pressing the insurrectiOn, they will inter-
fere with force to put an end to the fight
ing
Acting on this last mentioned rule. the
President of the United States, as the
country Is led to believe, has Informed
the government of Spain that the inter
ests of our common humanity require
that the war in Cuba cease, that our
Christian civilization Is shocked at the
present barbarous methods OF handling
the situation there; that the personal
interests of many American citizens are
injured by the continuance of the pres
ent conditions; that the commerce Of the
United States and of other nations is
greatly damaged by the war going on in
the island; and that in case the insured
tion is not quelled and peaceful condi-
tions restored within period named,
the government of the United States will
accord belligerant rights to the Cubans
now in revolt, acknowledge the inde-
pendence OF the Republic of Cuba and
lend 1t such aid and assistance as shall
be necessary TO establish and maintain
itself against the WOrl6