The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-06
AGAINST RECOGNITION.
Argument of Senators Who Oppose
Acknowledging Independence.

senator's who think that 1t is inexpedent
| at this time to acknowledge the indepen-
dence of Cuba:
The recognition of the independence of
new government is the recognition of a
tact, 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
recognized as having a separate and inde-
pendent 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 alliances and
treaties with other nations as it might see
| fir.
From the days of President Jackson to
the present time every President of the
United States who has had occasion to con-
slider 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 Confederacy may be said to
have had a completely organized form of
governments President, Congress, States
! with separate autonomy, civil law admin
| istered by courts, yet this government pro-
| tested with the utmost vigor against the
right of other nations to recognize it as a
separate and independent nation, and sue
cessfully.
mo one will pretend to say that the status
of the republic of Cuba has ever approached
anything like a condition of perfection in
| the way of government that the Southern
| Confederacy attained. 1t has no seaports;
no United States consul or consular agent
has ever come in public contact with a sim
gle member of this government; it has not
as matter of fact controlled the Island of
| Cuba; it does not possess authority in
single city of any Importance; it has no
seaport nor a ship; it lacks the possession
of almost every element that is necessary
to constitute an independent state; it lacks
the vital essential of an Independent state,
that of independence.
General jackson refused to recognize the
independence of Texas so long as there was
a doubt of such reconquest by Mexico al
though the Mexican forces had entirely
withdrawn from it's territory.
''Then there is the argument of expedi-
ency. Why is it necessary in order to in
tervene in Cuba and bring peace and order
and good government to the island to let
the present so-called republic be immediate
ly recognized? If the United States racog-
nizes the independence of that republic, it
confers upon it all the rights of inde-
pendent nation so far as we are concerned
and requires all who have operations in
Cuba to subject ourselves to the wishes and
control of the republic and of those who
control it. 1t might be that when all the
facts were understood and a form of gov
ernment adopted by the Cuban Republic
were inspected, the nature of it's laws under
stood, the extent of it's dominion ascer-
tained, the government of the United States
would see it to be proper and just to rec
ognize it's 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 not
such a government as is capable of bring
ing stability and power to the Island of
Cuba and that there ought to be set up am
other 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
s'If the United States is to intervene for
the pacification of Cuba, it sh"''ld be free
handed; it should not 'tself fast
To a form of govern which
afterwards may prove impedi-
ment to those reforms which ought
to be effected in the island The
United States ought TO be free to insist
upon such a government as will be of prac-
tical advantage to the United States, not
by way of annexation, but in those mat
ters of commercial advantage WHICH from
the location of the island and the relations
of this country to it, we ought to expect. If
we recognize the independence of this gov
ernment now it is free to grant US those
privileges or to deny them to us. If it de-
nies them when we think we are entitled
1x,Ixy hon hxrf nc
sertion of force which certainly would be
embarrassing Looking at it from the stand
point of our own interests and not from the
standpoint of the interests of those
who are supporting the Cuban Re-
public, every argument and every cOnsid-
Grafton favors a course which will leave
this government free to deal with the future
of the island as its interests may dictate
when the time comes. OF course there will
be independence in the island. The retention
of the Spanish sovereignty there is not TO
be thought of. All that the people of the
United States should consider is that it
should go into the subject from the best
vantage ground and without being handi-
capped and embarrassed by a recognition
which is premature and may prove embar-
RAISING.
LAS matter of constitutional law the
right of recognition of a. foreign govern
ment pertains to the active power, who
must receive ministers and other foreign
agents, who can make treaties and who can
nominate representatives of this government
at foreign ports. The executive has 1t in
his power, at any time when the facts JUS
tify it and the interests of the United States
require it, to recognize the independence of
the Cuban republic any other nation
which may set itself up and establish itself
securely. To acknowledge now the inde-
pendence of Cuba would. a matter of
fact, ALLEVIATE from as the sympathy of ey-
cry European power The diplomats of
the governments of Europe are we'll ac-
quainted with the principles of international
law and know, as a matter of public law
that the facts do not justify at present such
recognition 1t is not enough to say that
we don't care for the opinion of their gov
ernments. We should care for their opinion
when 1t convicts us of violating the rules OF
international conduct.
cit is not pleasant to be put in a position
where Americans cannot justify public acts
of their government. and yet, if this recogni-
tion takes place, there is not a lawyer In
the country who has any knowledge of in
ternational law who can defend il. Why do
1T? What Is TO be accomplished by 1t?
Whom will IL serve2 II will not assist in
the work OF Intervention nor in the pacifica-