Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-05
A CUBAN RESOLUTION
Substitute Reported by the Senate Commit
tee on Foreign Relations.
1T Recommends the Recognition of
BclIfEercnt Rights to Both the
Contending Parties.

The Senate committee on foreign rela.
tions today agreed upon substitute for
the resolution heretofore reported on the
question of the recognition of Cuba, and
authorized Senator Morgan to report 1t to
the Senate.
The substitute is in the shape of a con-
current resolution. AS reported it is as fol-
lows:
Resolved by the Senate the House of
Representatives concurring), that IN the
opinion of Congress a condition of public
war exists between the government of
Spain and the government proclaimed and
for some time maintained by force of arms
by the people of Cuba; and that the United
States of America should maintain a strict
neutrality between the contending powers
and accord to each all the rights of bellig-
erents in the ports and territory of the
United States.
The committee also voted to make an eff
fort to take up the Cuban question in the
Senate as soon as the urgent deficiency bill
and the resolution for the distribution of
the appropriation bills can be disposed Of
The substitute differs from the original
resolution in that it is a direct recognition
so far as Congress can give it, of the bel
Hgerent rights of the Cubans, and does not
contemplate, as did the first measure eny
appeal to Spain 20 accord such rights. 1t
also contemplates taking the matter en-
tirely out of the hands of the President,
as he is not required to sign a concurrent
resolution.
There was an effort in the committee to
have the resolution put in such shape as to
nave whatever action should be taken by
this country executed by the President, but
the suggestion was overruled on the theory
that Congress should act independently,
leaving the executive to pursue whatever
course ne may deem proper. The commit
tee realize that there can be no formal ac-
knowledgment of Cuban rights except
through the President, but think the adop-
ton OF the resolution by both houses would
have strong moral influence
The action of the committee upon the
resolution as finally agreed upon was unan-
imous with the exception of Senator Cam
eron, who announced his adherence to his
position looking to the formal recognition
of the independen nee of Cuba.
BeIliserent Rights Expected.
Minister Palma and his colleagues were
very much gratified over the substitute le-
ported from the Senate committee on Cor
eign affairs today for the resolution for-
merly presented by the majority. Minister
Palma said that in this way some definite
action on the part of the United States can
be reached much sooner, and from his
knowledge of the sentiment in both houses
OF Congress he is satisfied that the substi-
tute will be adopted
"The granting Of beH;eerent rights" said
Minister Palma, would, of course, not pre-
vent subsequent action by the United
States government on the lines laid down
in the minority report, which asks the
President to lend his friendly offices, with
view of securing from Spain the independ-
ence of Cuba.
The granting of belligerent rights will
have much more powerful effect on the
situation than the public generally be-
heves, for it will turn even the ultra con-
serTat1ve in Cuba to the side of the revo-
lutionists; will destroy the credit of Spain,
and raise that of the Cubans.
Martinez Campos," he said in conclu-
sion, has already indicated that Cubans
must be placated u liberal of Madrid
even now advises the Spanish government
to withdraw from the costly contest. 1t
is easy to see how the sentiment will grow
ency by the United States government
II Spain does not fear the effects of recog-
milton, why does she SO strenuously oppose