New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-14
CUBA.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ON CUBAN
AFFAIRS.

TWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CoNGkbSS
APPREHENDED. ,
WASHINGTON June 1S-An explanation has at ias'
been made Of the recent extended Cabinet meetings.
and especially the recent and frequent long con
situations between the President anu 90.
Fish 1t is now apparent that the subject VI Nuo"
hos been under considerations and the public has
been msled into believing that all the Oaoii'o' az
tvitv was unon the Indian question. Themessage sent
a. C,.o,oss b, the President to-day, is the subject
of universal comment in all circles, and 1t seems 10
reI;eve the monotony which has overspread the city
for 40 long time 1t was communicated TO DOth
Houses early in the afternoon, and 1t was some
hours before il was discovered that the message re-
lated IN Cuba. and was of striking Importance.
When the message was read in the Senate, MI
Thurman characterized it as a message to the Gu
bans 70 Law down their arms Mr.. Carpenter and
ether Senators were preparing to follow IN
The same strain when Mr.. Trumbull objected
because il would displace the Appor-
tionment bill and recess was taken.
The House came near adjourning without being
aware that such a document had been received. 1t
was read through, the House maintaining the utmost
silence The members of the Foreign Affairs Commit
Tee maid especial attention to the message, and 1T
was evident that the President had taken Congress
completely by surprise. When the reading was con-
cluded Mr. Banks moved to lay the message
on the table, as is customary, and have 1t
printed. Other members thought it should
be referred 10 the Foreign Committee but
Gen Banks said the Committee had con-
sidered the whole question, and nothing in the
message was new to the Committee Mr.. Cox at
tempted to cast dsrespect upon the message quoting
q mart of the Constitution He ntimated that it was
improper for the President to send such message to
Congress at this time. He thought it was proper TO
+1,o md no ulyS'Sm mi
ton. The latter disclaimed such an Interpretation
but said it was usual to lay a message
on the table aud order it printed
Mr.. Cox demanded vote on the
proposition as he understood it, and he defeated
overwhelmingly. 1t was his intention TO divide the
Republicans, and produce breach against the Presi-
dent. Gen. Banks then moved that the message be
referred TO his Committee, which done. There
is a good deal Of comment on the message tonight,
and there is no mistaling the general temper which
it has engendered and tie current of feeling is
against the President in thus undertaking to dictate
the action of Congress. This is the more apparent
when it is considered that the question up in
the House tomorrow, as a special order, by an ar
rangement made last week. 1t is held that the
message might have been proper had it been sent
weeks ago but the President is censured by leading
Republicans in both Houses for attempting to force
time, being the day preceding that on which action
is to be taken.
MANY argue that both of the Foreign Committees
have considered the subject carefully for many
months and have had better facilities for knowing
the facts than the President has had. There is no
doubt that of the strongest men in both Houses
are greatly incensed, and it is not unlikely that
this feeling will find emphatic expression
at the proper time in both Houses. There
is certainly much outspoken dissatisfaction
tonight from members and Senators who are
not in the habit of jumping at conclusions or of Civ
ing expression to their feelings without cause. The
effect the message will have upon Congress cannot
now be foreshadowed. Many hold that the position
the President has assumed is impregnabe, while his
judgment of the proprieties is not commended by any
except il may be by Mr. Sumner and a few of the
other gentlemen occupying his extreme positions.
The debates upon the subject will be extremely in
tereSting in any event. and the Democrats Will
throw the weight of their influence to produce the
breach between the President and Congress which
is beginning to be feared by usually judcious
men, The following is the message:
To he Senate and House Of Representatives.: In my
annual message 10 Congress at the beginning Of its
present session. referred TO the contest which had then
for more than year existed in the Island of Cuba, be-
portion Of its inhabitants and the Government OF
Spain and 10 the feelings and sympathie Of the people
and Government the United States for the people Of
Cuba, as for all peoples struggling for liberty and
selfgoyernment, said that the contest had at
no time assumed the conditions which amount
10 war in the sense of international law, or
which would show the existence Of dc tGcto
political organization Of the insurgents sufficient TO jus
tfy a recognition Of beligerency During the six
months which have passed since the date Of the message
The condition the insurgents has not improved, and
the msucctOn itself although not subdued, exhibits no
If lint IA he
ulsr system Of hOstilties, carried by small and lily
armed bands Of men, roaming without concentration
through the woods and the sparsely populated regions
OF the island, attacking from ambush conveys and small
bands OF troops burning plantations and the estates Of
those not sympathizng with their cause.
But, II the instruction has not gained ground II is
equally true that Spain has suppressed it. Climate,
disease, and the occasional bullet have worked desruc
ton among the soldiers Of Spain; and although the
Spanish authorities have possession every seaport and
every town on the island, they have not been able 10
subdue the hostile feeling which has driven consider
able number Of the native inhabitants OF the island 10
armed resistance against SPAIN and st leads them to
endure the dangers and pyaOns Of the roaming life Of
Rguerila.
On either side the contest has been conducted, and is
SUI carried on with laineutable disregard Of human
LIE and Of the and practices which modern civil
Haton has prescribed in mitigation Of the necessary
horrors Of The torch OF Spaniard and
cuban are alike busy in carrying devastation
"ef fertile regions Murderous and revengeful DEGREES
IN led and executed by both parties Count Valna-
sA and Col BOet, the part OF Spain, have each
voc humanity and aroused the indignation Of the civil
~d world by the execution each Of Of prisoners
time; while Gen. Quesada, the Cuban chief cOOy
ana With apparent uucOnsciOusness Of aught else than
proper act has admitted the slaughter by de-
herste order day. Of upward OF $50 prisoners Of
A gurU rf.I with fakuf any from