The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-23
WILL CUBA BE RECOGNIZED.
The Administration Are In as Much Doubt
As Anybody Else.
MUST WAIT TILL MIST CLEARS AWAY.
Senator Wolcott's Speech Against the
Monroe Doctrine Criticized Because
IT Is Sensible-The Virginia
Contests.

Contests.
WASHINGTON. d. C.. Jan. 22.-spe-
cial.-The public mystifcation as to what
is TO be done in regard TO cuba con-
tinues. The same state OF uncertainty
pertains 10 public men, 1t may be said
also with perfect truth thaL the adminia-
tratiOn is in as much doubt about what
IS or ought 10 be done as the public and
the public men.
This Is the exact situation. despite the
ruinors OF messages, English complica-
tiOns, etc.
The only evidence Of the situation as
IL exactly exists. as received - the ad-
ministratiOn, Is as conflicting and as un-
worthy OF credence as are the dispatches
sent to newspapers from that unhappy
island. Even COnsul-tcneral Williams
in Havana, who is panstaking, eff
cient. and patriotic official, has been as
yet unable 10 advise this Government Of
the exact situation or the probabilities
of Cuban success. The stories that there
is q plan on foot for Cuban purchase
Of the island from Spain. the United
States to assume a protecuOrate until a
settlement OF the debt is made, are un-
worthy OF serious consideration.
The administration, IL can be acceeted
as fact, has no present plans IL can
only wait until the mist clears away
and see wherein lies the safe, humane,
and patriotic policy for this Government
TO assume.
The administration mas direct informa-
tion from Ambassador Bayard thar the
flying squadron is not for American
waters. 10 also has assurances that
English purchase of Cuba is an impOs-
sihiiity. Added to this is the perfect
knowledge that neither the Spanish Em-
bassy here or the Cuban Junta in New
York is i'm possession OF any reliable in
formation
1t is only known that one day the
insurgents are at one point and the next
forty miles distant. That the Spanish
Government Is still in possession of every
port and fort on the island. and with
this knowledge. or lack Of il. talk of
Cuban recognition is talk, and nothing
moro
SENATOR WOLCOTTs SPEECH.
Senator WOlcott ma le a great and a
rsnsible speech I'm the Senate to-day
against the Monroe doctrine resolution.
And because 10 was sensible ii Is being
vigorously condemned and criticised by
that horde OF statesmen who believe they
prove their craftsmanship by senseless
display OF animOsiiy towards England
regardless OF consequences and the well
fare OF the nation WOlcOtt Is being con-
demned boy those Republicans whose po-
litical capital for years consisted Of the
bloody shirt and the feeling they were
able TO arouse in .the North against the
South until the vigorous waving Of the
and forced them 20 seek a substitute
lie Is condemned also by Democrats
who owe their positions IN Congress as
much to their demagOgic utferances and
practices as to their ability and will be
condemned by that easily excited and
unthinking portion OF the country popu-
laton which thinks a fight the nOblest
enterprise in which humanity may enc
gage and place brag and buster on
pane little lower than O. fight.
And yet WOc0tt merely told the SEN
ate and the country tho truth. and his
sentiments viii De applauded 10y reason
Wolcott IS one Of the most attractive
ard interesting speakers i'm the Senate.
He Is young, rich, and cultured, with
fine presence and voice. lie ls popular
and courageous. and these various quali-
ties had the effect of drawing one of the
10 the Senate chamber that has assem-
bled there this session. The floor was
crowded and the galleries throneed The
scene was an impressive one. and added
10 the impressiyeness OF the speakers
words.
SHOULD BE BROTHERS
Tie trend of Wolcotts remarks was
that so far from quarreling with Great
Britain America should cultivate the
closest relations with that country
Americans are English in their literature,
their language. their thoughts, manners,
and sentiments They share with Eng
Iishmcn in the glorious inheritance which
has been left them hy the great English
men-p0ets. statesmen, warriors, ana PM
OsOphers OF succeeding generations. lie
told them this with wealth of eloquence
and force which Will make the speech a
memorable one
And vet he told his hearers nothing
new. All possessed the same information,
but had forgotten 10 i'm the senseiess cia- I
nor about war; which has been hcara /
n the country ever since the President /
ssuod his ill-timed and badly-Judged /
message.
Mr. Wolcott should not be understood /
rs objecting to the Monroe doctrine, or as /
advocating supine sublectiOn 90 England |
TO ADVANCE CIVILIZATION.
But 10 is the spirit of the Monroe doc
rine tempered 10y sense or justice anu /
a degree of common sense which ne |
would have upheld and an alliance WIN |
Great Britain, not for the purpose oi /
conquest. but for the advancement or /
civilization throughout the Wofld ana tle /
advancement also OF the best interests /
If the country which Senator Nalcott ana [
hose who think with him would form.
Ii ie a pity that Senator Walcott snouid /
ot be able to take the same selsly pre-
-iew OF the money question that Dee takes
f the absurd resolution which has been
TO the Senate. However, as the
senator from Colorado, heretofore lle
most puissant champion oil the irte-sil-
Ter camp. has succeeded In seriously or
ending Am his companions by speaking |
ven of England II may he Anticipated
haf his future efforts for silver VIII Zoe
ess enthusiastic than formerly.
VIRGINIA CONTESTS.
The Elections Committee, of which
Mccall is chairman. by
,hich the Virginia contests viii be heard, |
IN dates for the hearings to-day. The !
ase Of Thorp against Swanson VIII be
card on February rth Cornett against
Manson February 6th. liOge against I
,tey February 18th. and Nost against
.ucker February 18th. The committee
oes not expect 10 give more than one
az TO each case.
The fact that Mr.. Oteys case viii Dee
card ON Lincon's birthday Is regarded
y him as q bad omen for Democrat
% far however. this committee has
lOWn disposition TO treat the con-
.stees very fairly, and the hope is en-
.rtaincd that none of the Virginia mem-
ars will be unscated. The House is not
king near a. much interest In the |
ection contests "a il was expected TO DO,
ld while IT may be assumed that il Will |
sceDt and adopt the reports made ny |
le several committees, IL is not demand
g any victims.
POST-OFFICES.
The President to-day nominated the
blowing postmasters.
q. H. Wicker, at farmvlle. Va, W. |
Pritchard. at Chapel Hill y. c., and |
+. ID. Caster, al Fayetteville, y. G. Mr. |
aster succeeds a cOiored Republican at
fayetteville. Efforts 10 have this man
moved were made by the North Caro-
la delegation in the last Congress, but |
le HOSt-OfflCe Department held that the !