Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-23
Senator Sherman Favors Some Action
by This Government,
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY
Spanish Authorities Waking Up to
the Change Of Sentiment.
ENGLAND'S POSSIBLE COURSE

The accession of Senator Sherman to the
raj ks of those who favor action of some
kind by this government in Cuba's interests
Is notable in every way. In the first place.
Mr.. Sherman, by virtue Of a great person
ality, lends weight to any cause he es-
pouses, and in this cause in particular he
ought to prove tower of strength. He is
member of the foreign relations commit
tee Of the Senate, and at the head Of the
minority representation as the committee
row stands organized If the committee is
reorganized next winter he will be the new
chairman. So that in either event-wheth-
er the committee remains as 1t now is, or Is
reorganized to allow for republican control
the Ohio Senator will cut an important
figure in all matters relating to foreign
affairs that the Senate may be asked to
consider.
A Congregational Inquiry Proposed.
Mr.. Sherman is quoted by Chicago pa
per. which had asked for his views. as
favoring committee of inquiry on the part
Of this government into the condition of
affairs in Cuba. The proposition is regard
ed in political circles as most friendly to
Cuba. Would not such a step on the part
Of Congress be a rebuke in itself to Spain?
1t would assert both the interest of this
country in the welfare of the island and
the right to inquire into the subject This,
the Cuban sympathfzers assert, Is all that
they desire-is ali that will he necessary to
irsure official revelations, or rather revela-
tiers under official agencies, that will settle
the case in Cuba's behalf If Congress will
press that button the Cubans will do the
charge of oppression they have brought
against Spain. and to present upon the
whole a case that will entitle them to the
active sympathies of the people Of the Unit
G.6 a ic
ctsely to the Cuban taste. If followed out.
the Cubans believe 1t will speedily lead to
their independence.
Against Annexation.
And it is to Cuban independence that Mr..
Sherman desires his program to lead. ~
is opposed to annexation. He takes sr
on that subject somewhat similar to
already announced by Senator Call in 4 ne
Star. Mr.. Sherman points out that in the
would do all for the island that the people
is the throwing OFF . The spanish yoke.
and when that has been accomplished
Cuba can then set about regulating her
own affairs according to her own condi-
tfons.
Spanish Authorities Anxious.
1t is rumored that the Spanish authori-
ties at Madrid are waking up to the
change in this country. The Presidents
proclamation respecting the enforcement
of the neutrality laws was for time very
assuring, and led the Spaniards to feel
that reports of sympathy with Cuba ever
here had been exaggerated. They have dis
covered their error. The Presidents
pathy of the people is another thing. The
President represents the law, and Is
charged with enforcing the law. His proc
lamation was called for and entirely
P1fi hoa ut oho6 ha hoo rfQ
of the people of the United States. Cuba
still has thousands of friends. and some in
very high places, all the same. So Spain,
1t is reported, will secretly nudge England
and call her attention to her West Indian
interests. Wouldn't it be we'll for you to
look alive about now?" she will ask. DO
you comprehend matters? 1t is Cuba now.
1t will be your little possessions over there
next. This movement is far-reaching in
its designs If not checked now 1t will
spread, and such yoke throwing rs never
was seen before will be executed through
out the whole of the West India Islands.
Those Yankees are slyly playing to gobble
them all up. Put in word now for me
in your own way and it will come back to
you after many days. There is really more
at stake than Cuba, and l call your atten-
ton to 1t. =.
EnEland's Possible Attitude.
If there is truth in this rumor. the ap-
pointment of a special committee by Con-
gress to inquire into the Cuban situation
might lead to some movement by England
in Spain's behalf. That would make things
decidedly interesting. England values her
West India possessions very highly, and
treats them well in the way Of their govern
ment But would she relish having re-
public set up next door to them-a Cuban
republic? Would she be likely to hold them
in their present quiet and uncomplaining
condition very long after that? May she
not produce a sort of Monroe doctrine Of
her own, and announce that she will not
view with complacency the setting up Of a
republican form of govern ment so close to
her interests in the West Indies? And If
she should, what would Mr.. Bayard be In
structed to say? What could he find 1t In
his diplomatic heart to say?