The San Francisco call., 1896-04-13
Having Voted Their Convictions
They Patiently Wait on
the President.
HITS SIGNIFICANT OPINION.
Thinks Proclamation Will Soon Be
Issued Recognizing Cuban
Belligerency.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April IA care
full canvass of the House of Representa-
tives on Saturday showed complete ces-
sation of excitement over the Cuban situa-
ton. The sympathy of the members is
still obviously with the insurgents, but
some unexpected circumstances will be
necessary to rouse them to action again.
The general expression of opinion on both
sides of the chamber was that Congress
had done its duty by adopting by an over
whelmTng vote the resolutions declaring
that the insurgents were entitled to bel
ligerent rights. Having done this, and the
matter now being in the hands of the
President, it is deemed better to leave it
there.
While not openly expressed there was
tacit admission by many of the conspicu-
Gus leaders that the House would be acting
unfriendly to the President in adopting a
joint resolution of belligerency, which it
would be mandatory upon him to approve
or to veto.
Democrats generally, who claim to have
familiarized themselves with the subject,
assert that recognition is purely an exec
utive function. and that the House would
not be justified in going further than de-
fining it's own position. 1t was not
doubted, however, that if joint resolu-
ton should come before the House it
would pass, though by majority much
less than that which was given to the Sem
ate resolutions week ago. 1t is also be-
lieved by members who would oppose such
a measure that it could be carried through
the House over the Presidents veto
There is one gentleman. however, who
does not agree with his associates as to the
Presidents probable action. This is Mr..
Hit of Illinois, chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, whose promi-
nence in the several Cuban debates gives
to his utterances an especial significance.
Mr.. Hit regards it as likely that President
Cleveland will, within a reasonable time,
Issue proclamation recognizing the bel
ligerency of the Cubans. He does not
base this upon any information he has re-
ceived, nor did he care to predict when the
President might take such action.
The speedily approaching rainy season,
ending active campaigning for six months,
makes that time a fit limit and the last
one for waiting.
Mr. Hit referred to the enormous ma
lOTlUleS WlJH WHICH, Out uTSU resolutions
passed the House, and said that after a
month, when every member had had an
opportunity to hear from his constituents,
the resolutions again passed the House by
practically the same majority. He be-
lieves that if the President has reasons
and facts fatal to the spirit of the resolu-
tions he would have communicated them
to Congress during this month of interval
while the question has been pending. The
President, he said in conclusion, is a wise
and prudent man, and the mere fact hat
the resolutions were not joint resolutions,
thus requiring his approval, does not affect
the case. They reflected public sentiment
and the President is too sensible not to
appreciate that circumstance.
Patterson of Tennessee, who is a strong
administration man, was satisfied that
the President and Secretary of State, who
are in communication with our consular
representatives. in Cuba, have better on
portunities for knowing the facts upon
which to direct resolution of belligerency
than Congress.
Draper of Massachusetts, who is one of