Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-12
TAKING A GLANCE ABROAD
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Holds Session.
TO REAFFlRM THE MONROE DOCTRINE
subcommittee Appointed to Consider
the Question Brought out by the
Venezuelan, Armenian and
Cuban Affairs.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE senate com
mittee on foreign relations was in session fol
two hours today discussing the Cuban Arue
nian and Venezuelan ques lens, with Incidental
reference to the Monroe doctrine There was
a full attendance of members and the discus
sion took wide range on all the subjects
under discussion. There was no final com
mittee action On any Of the bills or joint
resolutions bearing upon any of the subjects
in hand, but all were referred to subcom-
mittees for special investigation and report
at future meeting. During the meeting the
committee was supplied with copies of the
Associated press dispatches bearing upon the
British cabinet meeting. They were read
with much interest and commented upon al
some length, especially in view of the fact
that they throw new light upon questions
which were then under discussion.
The COMMITTEES took positive action upon
only one Of the subjects before it. 1t decided
upon a positive affirmation Of the Monroe doc
trlne by congress, and subcommittee was
appointed to draft resolution declaring the
sense of congress on this question.
The discussion on this point was conducted
upon the basis of Senator Lodges resolution
which seemed to meet the approval of ma
jority of the members. Senator Turpie took
exception to soma Of the phTaseology OF this
resolution, but there is little question that
the measure as reported will adhere closely
to Mr.. Lodges resolution. The subcommittee
Is expected to report to the next full meeting
of the committee, or 1t is possible that the
committee may be polled without a formal
meeting.
The committee was almost unanimous in
advocacy of a declaration on the Monroe
doctrine. Senator Gray is understood to
ad IN
declaration. The opinions advanced were
almost all to the effect that the Venezuelan
affair had served to emphasize the wisdom
Of this doctrine and to show that the time
was ripe for an official declaration OF 1t
by the law-making power of the land. The
Associated press dispatches indicating Eng
lands purpose OF dealing independently win
Venezuela was commented upon, especially
in this connection, and some OF the senators
expressed their apprehension that the re-
port might be only too we'll grounded. Com
ment was made upon the portion of the
presidents message leaving the door open
as the committeeman expressed 1t, for this
line of attack on England's part, but 1t
appears to be the sense OF the committee
that IL England should succeed In patching
up the matter with the South American re-
public that circumstance should not be al
lowed to stand in the way Of general dec
aration, which should serve at least in
future emergencies.
Senators Sherman, Lodge and Morgan were
appointed to consider the Cuban question
and the discussion in the committee indicated
that whatever may be done, IL anything is
done, will be on the lines Of the recognition
Of the belligerency of the insurgents. 1t
was apparent that very friendly feeling
toward the insurgents pervaded the com
mittee, but the opinion seemed to be against
immediate action. The opinion was expressed
by the most pronounced friends of the insur-
gents that precipitate action might do them
more harm than good. There are also many
other circumstances to be taken into con-
siderat!on and the question ,presents so
many phasas that considerable time will be
necessary for the proper investigation of the
question. No immediate report, therefore, is
expected.
The Armenian question was taken up and
also referred to a subcommittee. The opinion
was general that the administration should
be supported in every effort 1t might make
looking to the protection of Americans in
Turkish territory, and the United States
should make its influence felt in that quarter.
How best to proceed to do this is the prob
lem which confronted the committee and
it is to this phase of the matter that the
committee is supposed to give its particular
attention.