The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-19
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs Orders a Favorable Report
on Cameron'S Resolution ACknoWl.
edsins the independence Of Cuba.
Action Agreed to Without a Dis
Sentins Yote-.. Various Opinions
Expressed by Well-KnoHn States
men.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-The senate
committee ON foreign relations met at
1890 o'clock. Secretary Olney appeared
shortly after that hour and gave the
committee. orally, such information as
to Cuban affairs aTcle had.
All members were present but Mr..
Gray. of Delaware. and Mr.. Daniels,
of Virginia. Secretary Olney, who
was invited by Senator Sherman to
come before the committee, today ap-
peared at the capitol before several
members of the committee arrived. AT
1915 y. m. Secretary Olnev left the
committee room and returned to the
state department.
The committee has ordered a favor
able report on Cameron's resolution
recognizing the independence of the
republic of Cuba.
The vote by which the Cuban resolu-
ton was passed was practically unani-
nous.
The text of the resolution is as fol-
lows:
Joint resolution acknowledging the in
dependence of Cuba.
Resolved, BY the senate and house Of
representatives of the United States of
America, in congress assembled, that the
independence of the republic of Cuba be,
and the same is hereby ACKNOWLEDGED by
the United States of America.
Sec. THAT the United States will use
its friendly offices with the government
of Spain to bring to Il close the war be-
tween Spain and Cuba.
Secretary Olney who had been re-
quested to appear before the committee
by Senator Sherman. was present for
one hour, and laid before the committee
all the information in the possession of
the state department. He stated to the
committee very fully the policy of the
administration and the reasons that
actuated it in its present attitude to-
wards the insurrection in Cuba. No
member of the committee is willing to
make any statement as to what Mr..
Olney said, each one looking upon his
statement as a confidential matter
between the secretary and the commit
tee. Sufficient is known. however, to
show that Mr.. Olney laid before the
committee the information received
from Consul General Lee and other
sources that has been steadfastly kept
from the general public.
NO DISSENTING VOTE.
Mr.. Olney's argument did not appear
to have much weight with the comit-
tee, II it was against the passage of
the resolution, for Immediately upon
his withdrawal, the resolution was laid
before the committee for action. There
was no yea and yea vote but the reso-
luton was agreed to without dissent
ing vote. The only point of difference
was as to whether the action of the
committee should be made public to-
day or withheld until Monday. One
senator thought action of any sort
should be postponed until after the holi-
days, but the will of the majority pre-
vailed and there was practically un-
animity In the vote. Senators Gray and
Daniel We're both absent but it is said
both of them are favorable to the ac-
tion taken by the committee.
The report was written and was sub
mitted to the committee this morning.
1t Is looked upon as an exceedingly
strong document and goes into the di-
plomatic history of the United States
very fully to show our policy in the
matter of recognizing new states. Some
few additions and alterations were
suggested by other members of the
committee, but the report, as drawn
by the senator, is practically complete
There Is an impression among some
of the members of the committee that
the president will veto the resolution,
1t being joint In it's character and re-
quiring the executive approval or uis-
approval. If Mr. Cleveland should
enter his veto, 1t Is claimed that con-
gress would be able to pass the resolu-
tion by the necessary two-thirds vote
The action of the committee was soon
noised about the capitol and speedily
became the sole topic of conversation
In committee rooms and corridors.
whether or not the passage of such q
resolution meant war was the question
uppermost, but the consensus of Opin-
ion is that it does not, unless Spain
sees fit to force it. The ground was
taken in committee that this govern
ment possessed the inherent right to
recognize any new state, and If the
power previously exercising dominion
over such territory protested. upon
such power rested the burden of COM
mencing hOstilities.
FRYE LOOKS FOR WAR.
Senator Frye is of the opinion that If
the masses of the people of Spain con-
troll the executive officers of that gov
ernment war will certainly follow the
passage of the resolution.
Senator Mills hopes that speedy ac-
tion will be taken. and Senator Morgan
is of the same mind. Senator Hale, of
Maine, deprecates the action of the
committee and says those in the SEN
ate opposed to the lingo spirit mani
tested in the resolution will contest
the passage of the resolutions to the
end, and prevent their adoption by ev-
cry means possible.
No effort will be made to call the
resolution up in the senate until after
the holidays, but 1t Is very evident
that Immediately upon the assembling
Of the senate in January the body will
be plunged into debate that gives
promise of possessing an accOmpani-
ment of numerous exciting episodes.