The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-28
tbs PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN AT

FAIRS.
There are rumors that Mr.. Cleveland
has become convert to the vigorous for
eign policy idea, and will do considerable
eagle-screaming in his message next
week. 1t seems almost incredible that
the author of the setting up of de-
throned queen in the Sandwich Islands
and the promoter of the scheme to with
draw entirely from our compact with
regard to Samoa could identity himself
with any policy based upon vigorous
assertion of American rights and Ameri-
can ideas. Yet history records many re-
markable conversions. and it may be that
President Cleveland is going to add an
other to the list. Probably Mr..
Olney has done some missionary work
since he has been in the Secretary of
States office, and, it may be, has pro-
duced an impression upon the President.
If Mr.. Cleveland has been converted
we can easily believe that he is going to
favor very vigorous foreign policy in
deed. New converts, whether in religion
or politics, are always the most Jealous
'AiAN oAAo AAaooo hOAoy. hSiA ACOSho WAoh-
edness is SO fresh in their memory, and
their acquaintance look with so much
suspicion upon their turn-about, that they
feel obliged to keep up continual din
and go to extremes, to drown their own
recollection and remove the doubts of
their friends Rumor has it, that the
President will signify his conversion by
proclaiming tine Monroe doctrine to be
the true rule of policy for the Republic,
will recommend the recognition of the
Cuban rebels rs belligerents and perhaps
favor the direct or indirect acquisition
of Hawaii. II the rumor should turn
out to be we'll founded, we are inclined
to think the President will find himself
considerably in advance of Congress and
the country in two of his recommenda-
tions An affirmation of the Monroe
doctrine ut this time would undoubtedly
be popular. The entertainments Of Eng
land in South America have awakened a
good deal of resentment in this country
and an emphatic and clear cut statement
on the part of our government that it
will not tolerate aggressions by Euro
pean powers on the Republics to the
south Of III. would undoubtedly be received
with almost universal satisfaction. But
the recognition Of the Cuban rebels at
this time is another matter. There is
plenty Of sympathy in this country for
the insurgents and an almost unanimous
wish to see them succeed but the accord
ing of belligerent rights to them will
subject our vessels to good many moon
veniences and hardships, inasmuch as
they will be liable to search by Spanish
cruisers, and very likely involve us ulti-
mately in a war with Spain. That at
least is the opinion of Senator Morgan,
the chairman of the Senate committee
on foreign affairs. For that reason the
question of Cuban recognition should be,
and undoubtedly will be, approached
with great caution. The question of the
future Of Hawaii is also a perplexing
one. II the President has got to the
point of thinking that the island should
be annexed-and this seems incredible
he has progressed farther than the major
ity Of Americans, who are still troubled
in their minds by the many embarrassing
questions that would come with annexa-
tiou