Holbrook argus., 1901-12-07
Qnffied
'''.'-'- Measures.

OF the untried measures there re-
mains only: Recognition of the in
surgents as belligerents; recognition OF
the independence of Cuba; neutral in
PREVENTION to end the war by imposing
a rational compromise between the
contestants and Intervention in favor
of one or the other party. 1 speak not
of forcible annexation, for that cannot
be thought of. That by our code OF
morality would be criminal asEfes-
sion
Recognition of the belligerency OF the
Cuban insurgents has often been can
vassed as a possible, if not inevitable.
step, both in regard to the prbvious
ten-year struggle and during the pres
ent war. 1 am not unmindful that the
two houses of Congress in the sprin<
of 1896 expressed the opinion by COD
current resolution that condi tIon of
public war existed requiring or juati-
flying the recognition of a state OF bel
ligerency in Cuba. and during the extra
session the Senate voted a joint roso-
luton of like import, which, h1VcEer.
was not brought to vote in the House
In the presence of these sisnificant cX-
pressions of the sentiment of the leels
lative branch, it behooves the Exec-
utive to soberly consider the co1diuous
under which so important a rneasure
must needs rest for Justification 1t Is
~
Cuban insurrection possesses beyond
dispute the attributes of Statehood
which alone can demand the recogni-
ton of belligerency iH-u : favor. Pos
session, short OF tine ess-s-rrtitsi- 1s.iiE
cations of sovereignty. by the insurg-
ents and the conduct of the war b.
them according to the recognized code
of war are no less important factors
| toward the determination of the prob
! lem of belligercncy than are the in
| fuences and consequences CT the strug-
| gle upon the internal policy OF tha
| recognizing State.
The wise utterances of President
! Grant in his memorable message or
| Dec. Z, 1875, are signally relevant 10 the
present situation in Cuba, and 1t may
I be wholesome now to recall them At
! that time a rulnous confiict H-S tor
| seven years wasted the neighbofing
| island During all those years an utter
| disregard of the laws of civilized war
| fare and of the just demands of human
| ity which called forth expressions or
condemnation from the nations OF
| Christendom, continued unabated- Des-
| olation and ruin pervaded that product
i've region, enormously affecting the
commerce of all commercial nations.
but that of the United States more than
any other by reason of proximity ana
larger trade and intercourse. At that
juncture General Grant uttered these
words, which now, as then, sum up the
elements of the problem:
"a recognition of the independents
of Cuba being. in my opinion. impracti-
cable and indefensible. the question
which next presents itself is that OF the
| recognition of belligeTent rights in the
parties to the contest. In former
| message to Congress had occasion 10
consider this question, and reac he'd the
conclusion that the conflict IN Cuna.
| dreadful and devastating as were its IN
cidents, did not rise to the fearful Dig
nifty of war.
at is possible that the acts OF foreign
powers and even acts of Spain herself
of this very nature might be POINTED 10
in defense of such recognition Bus
| now. as in it's past history. the United
States should carefully avoid the false
lights which might lead II INTO me
| naZes Of doubtful law and OF ancS-
tionable propriety, and adhere jTlgiciy
and sternly to the rule. which has been
its guide, of doing only that which Is
right Aand honest and of good report
TITO I:ae~tinn of accord ng or Of wiz
holding rights of belligerency must be
judged in every case, in view OF the
particular attending facts. Unless JUS
titled by necessity it is always. and
justly, regarded as an unfriendly act
and gratuitous demonstration of NOR
al support to the rebellion. 1t is neces-
sary and it is required, when the inter-
ests and rights of another Government
or of its people are SO far affected by
pending civil conflict as to require de-
finition of its relations to the parties
thereto. But this conflict must be one
which will be recognized in the sense OF
international law as war
"Belligerence. too, is fact. The mere
existence of contending armed bodies
and their occasional conflicts do not
/ constitute war in the sense referred to-
Applying to the existing condition or
affairs in Cuba the tests recognized by
| publicists and writers on international
law, and which have been observed by
nations of dignity, honesty and power
when free from sensitive or selfish and
| unworthy motives, / fail to find In the
instruction the existence of such a
substantial political organization. real.
palpable and manifest to the world
having the forms and capable of tlse or
binary functions of ordinars1r Govern
ment toward its own peoDie and to 9TH
er states. with courts~for the &orIinIs-
tration of justice: with local 1ab'ta=
ton, possessi1ig such o-Eaniza ton OF
territory as to take the contest out OF
thescateeory OF mers-rebellious insur-
rectson. or occasional skirmishes. anc
place.if on ther Terrible footing OF war.
to WHICH, q recognition of belligerency'
would aim to elevate it.
1.-The contest. moreover is solely on
land; the instruction has not possessed
itself of a single seaport whence 1t may
send forth it's flag. nor has il any means
I of communication with foreisn powers
: except through the military lines of>lts
: adversaries. No apprehension oftany
: of these sudden and difficult Tnniica-
! Etiens Which a War upun the >ooeaH !. ar