New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-19
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WASHINGTON Dec 1S-The purpose OF the
Senate, at least. tn take some decisive action at
this session OF Congress looking toward the
recognitio ion of Cuba as IN Independent Republic
and toward Intervention OF the part or THIS
country In the present conflict between Spain
and the insurgents was pretty clearly mani
tested to-day. when the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations decided without dissenting
vote to report next week the following modih-
cation OF the so-called Cameron resolutions
Resolved by the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives OF the United States Of Ameriol In
Congress assembled That the independence OF
the Republic OF Cuba be and me same is hereby
acknowledged by the United States Of America
Section THAT the United States Will use its
friendly offices with the Government of Spain
to bring to a close the war between Spain and
Cuba.
There was some difference Of opinion in the
committee as to the advisability Of making the
report before the Christmas recess. but in the
end the advocates of immediate action won
and the resolution will be laid before the Senate
on Monday. with the committees cordial and
unanimous approval There is little or no
chance however that 1t be considered be-
fore the recess begins for by resolution al
ready adopted both houses OF Congress are to
adjourn on Tuesday next to meet again TWO
weeks later on January >.
terday by the more radical friends Of the Cuban
cause to secure a reconsideration of the vote on
the recess resolution but action on the motion
to reconsider was cut off by adjournment
forced by the more conservative element in the
body The opponents Of the Cameron resolu-
ton have the power to delay action on it at
least week or two, and there is little or no
probability. therefore. that the Senate can COM
nit itself to the policy Of recognition and inter-
vention until the middle of January at the
earliest.
NOTIFICATIONS IN THE RESOLUTION.
Some notable notifications have been made
in the Cameron resolution since ii first ap-
peared in the Senate nearly a year ago. Then
though originally drawn as joint resolution
Of equal effect and validity to any other act or
Congress- it soon emasculated into a mere
expression of opinion 3y being transformed
into concurrent resolution. which required
neither the Presidents direct approval nor even
his perfunctory notice. In that empty and
irresponsible shape 1t simply asserted that in
the opinion Of Congress. the belligerent rights
Of the Cubaas should be acknowledged and
that the President should. In his own discretion
use the good offices of the United States to
secure the recognition Of Cuban independence
The House passed the resolution it came
from the Senate and the President pigeon
holed it with the same contemptuous indher-
ence he had already shown toward the concur
rent declaration the Armenian massacres
The resolution favorably considered by me
Senate committee to-day Is refreshngly expilcH
and businesslike. 1t accepts the responsibility
which Congress tried to shirk last year. and
commits the legislative branch to certain af-
frmations Of policy toward Cuba which can
not be ignored by the Administration. Instead
Of ndulging In the second clause in the gem
eralitv that the United States should" use its
frendly offices to bring about close OF the
war in Cuba the Senate committee has frankly
declared that the United States "wilr' use its
friendly offces-an assertion which the Execu-
tive must either approve by signing the resolu-
tion or nullify by vetoing it.
The Administra ton. through Secretary Olney,
has Of course urgently deprecated any action
of Congress at present. which might seek 10
alter this country's relations with spain anu
il is by no means clear that the President VIII
not return with veto resolution IKE MT.
Camerons If it should receive the decisive APP
proval of both branches of Congress IL Is
understood that the House Committee on For
eign Affairs does not look with great favor on
the Cameron declaration; yet the sentiment oi
the House at large is so partial to the CUBAN
cause that its passage on rollcall would be
practically certain.
MR.. OLNEY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
Tho Senate committees meeting was i'm
nortant. not only because it was the last formal
ste, toward the adoption Of resolution which,
~ passed by Congress and approved Dy the
President. will probably be construed by spain
az a particularly unfriendly act, II not tanta-
mount to declaration of war. but for the rea-
sor that the Secretary of State appeared in
,n,itt md cal 81 d.
,isad that the measure under consideration
no not approved. Mr. Oney was before the
committee for upward OF an hour During that
tim. be smoke frankly and fully on the Cuban
,,uotion He freely replied To all questions
sLad nv members Of the committee. but com
,ounicated no important Information other than
that found in his recent report on Cuban aHairs'
excent to say from what sources certain IN
tellgence i'm his report came.
In emphatic language Secretary Olney said
that Congress would make grave mistake III
,,ssirg any measure OF recognition just now. In
an argumentative way he explained that the
situation In Cuba had not materially changed
since the Presidents Message and his own re-
mort reached Congress Then and now. 80 far
as he could find out the so-cailed Republic oi
cuba existed only on paper III had not '"e
usual governmental marks 10 recognize '"e
republic to-day would be. the secretary u's"u'
f. recognize a myth not a substantial or even a
tangible thing. However strong might DE the
svmpathies Of Americans for people struggling
for Independence. he argued that no formai step
should be taken looking to the full recognition of
such a people as a separate government un'li IL
Vas in a position to deserve such treatment by
Congress.
THE sECRETARYS PLEA FOR DELAY
Mr. Olrey further said that 1t might become
necessary some time In the near future for the
United States TO declare that the Republic or
Cuba was Independent OF Spain IL might become
incumbent on this country TO say this in the most
emphatic terms and prepare itself Tor grave con-
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