The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-23

Matter-secretary Olney's Influence Il
Against Interference.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-[Special. l-Ow
Ing TO the agitation in congress the Cuban
situation is becoming interesting again.
II the senate passes the Cameron resolution
after the holidays or something like it,
there are many who believe that Spain
will resent such action In way that may
bring on trouble between that country and
the United States. Secretary Olney has
all along opposed interference In the mat
ter by congress. He has done so not be-
cause he lacks sympathy with Cuba in her
struggle for freedom or because he is not
In favor of action when the time comes,
but because he knows how delicate the sit
uation is and how easily congress might
blunder into mischief making without in
tending to do so.
| A Grave Situation.
The Cameron resolution, which seems
most likely to be taken up and debated
and perhaps passed in the senate. recog-
nizes the independence of Cuba and ten
ders the good offices of the United States
for the purpose of restoring peace Mem
bers of the diplomatic corps doubt II Spain
basis 1t would be equivalent to saying
to the naughty dons: "You have lost We
pronounce your enemy the victor, and now
we are ready to see that there is no more
fighting" This sort of peacemaking, in
the opinion of diplomatists, would so anger
Spain that she would be likely to turn
upon the peacemaker. A gentleman who
Is as well informed as any man in Wash
ington concerning the attitude of the
Spanish government said to me today:
IF this Cameron resolution passes both
branches of congress, shall look for war
between the United States and Spain.
do not see how it can be averted Spain is
not going to accept anything of that sort
She is too proud to do so. Besides, If her
ruling dynasty lies down before the Yam
KEGS in such way, it will speedily come
TO an end. The present government in
Spain could not maintain itself in the face
of an aroused and indignant public opinion
IL 1t failed holly to resent such interference
by Uncle SAM
Though this gentlemans opinions are
entitled to weight, l think he overrates the
gravity of the situation. 1t is long step
between the passage of resolution recog-
nizing Independence and actual war be-
tween Spain and the United States. 1t
must be remembered that congress alone
has not the power to recognize the indie
pendence Of Cuba. All writer's on inter-
national law agree that the executive alone
has the power TO do that, and our supreme
court has held ON several occasions that
recognition dates only from the promulga-
tion of the act by the president
Work of Congress.
After the holiday recess Cuba will oc-
cupy large share of the attention of con-
gress AS predicted several weeks ago,
the regular appropriation bills and affairs
In the unhappy little island are likely to
be our only subjects of legislative treat
ment this winter. The debate will take
place first in the senate, where there are
two distinct parties-a Cuban party and a
conservative party. The former want to go
ahead and use the voice of congress TO help
the cause of Cuban freedom in any way
they can, irrespective of the results. If it
brings ON war between the United States
and Spain so much the BETTER think the
more extreme. Others, less radical, are
willing to express sympathy and to throw
the moral force of the American congress
with the revolutionists, while doing moth |
Ing that might involve us In war The |
peace faction say the best thing we can do is |
to mind our own business. They point out
that, after the excitement and disturbance |
OF the recent presidential campaign, bust |
ness In the United States needs chance |
to recuperate without the disturbing in |
fuence of rumors Of war; They argue that |
II trouble must come between Spain and |
this country, let 1t be forced by events, and |
that congress should not go out looking
for 1t.
AS rule those senators WHO are most |
closely connected with the business inter- |
ests of the country such as those from |
New England, New York and the middle |
states, are against action in regard to Cuba.
1t will probably be several weeks before |
the matter Is brought to head In the SEN |
ate, and 1t Is understood to be the policy |
of the house to wait and see what the sen. |
ate does. II the senate passes a resolution,
then we shall have debate In the house, |
and 1t promises to be warm one In the |
lower branch the sentiment is very strong |
for Cuba.
A Conservative View.
Secretary Olney has thrown the weight |
OF his influence and advice against inter- |
ference by congress. The administration Is |
consistent In this at least. 1t has main.
tanned all along that the Cuban revolu- |
tionists have not complied with the first |
milton of them as an independent power.
They have control of no seaport They
have no ship on the sea- They have no |
capital or organized government They
do not administer the laws. If this or any |
other nation were to recognize them as an |
Independent government, it would be diff. |
cult to ascertain with whom negotiations
were to be carried on or who was respon-
sible for injuries to American citizens.
But these arguments have little weight |
with the radical friends of Cuba. They
say the time has gone by In which we
should split hairs about the gallant strug-
gle for freedom being made at our very
doors. They say 1t Is the duty of the Unit
ed States to interfere and restore peace and |
prosperity to Cuba, and that peace and
prosperity can only be had under free
government like our own. The develop
ment of this situation In congress will not
ho inf fip<x h,,t ha