The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-18
The PRESIDENT And CUBA
Cleveland Shows That He is Not Man
Of War.
A CHANGE OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT
The Next Few Weeks Events IN Cuba or
Even Few Days May Determine
thcPoIicy ofThi- Government
In Regard To the Island.

WASHINGTON. Nov. i6.-Spccial.-Ihe
published statements concerning the prob
ability Of war with Spain are serving to
excite the public mind. but are still lack
Ing the slightest confederation from either
Official or scmi-onlcial sources
When It is considered how little pre-
text tho Spanish Government can possibly
have for any demonstration Of in-feelns
towards this country. and how little could
be gained by either side as the result OK
contest. the mmors now In circulation
appear to be rldicuously absurd.
General Fiizhugh Ice. who has returned
10 Washington, has taken occasion 10
point out 10 the representative. OF The
press associations that This Government
has made extraordinary efforts TO OBJ
serve the neutrality laws. aud has done
moY. to prevent The shipment Of arms
nom this country than the Spanish au-
tnOrities have 10 prevent the ldnd-
ing OF hamilton. OF war by such vessels
as have eluded the vigilance OF the Amer-
can cruisers.
PUBLIC CREDULlTI.
A. fact the crcdulity with which the
public has accepted tbgse war-like rumois
arise. from the expectation that Nj.
Cleveland will say something In his an
nual message 10 Congress. calculated 10
arouse the ire Of Spain. and TO strain
diplomatic relations between the two
countries. There Is. however. little 10
base such a belief upon. Mr.. Cleveland
may decide TO favor the recognition oil
the Cuhans as fojgercnts. but there
seems TO be absolutely no possibility mat
he Will recommend any further acton.
Even If he should suggest the advisa-
hlilty of Intervention 10y this country IL
is extremely doubtful If Congress would
sustain him. The feeling With regard 10
cuba among members of both houses has
changed radically since last session.
SENTIMENT CHANGED.
When the resolutions IN favor OF ac-
cording the Cubans bclligerant rights
passed the two houses nearly year
azo. Republicans and Democrats alike
were looking forward TO the camp2isn
ana voted with one eye upon Cuba ana
the other upon their constituents az
home.
The public mind had been excited to
high pitch 10y stories Of Spanish au-
thorities and by passionate appeals from
Cuban emisdries and domestic aGiators.
Now, however. that the elections are
over. members of Congress are inc!in-
situation. while the public is anXiously
awaiting the development OF the ncom-
ing administrations policy. and earnest
ly hoping for better times.
Republican members of the House. who
are now i'm Washington. are declaring
with no attempt at cQuivocatiOn that the
country requires and demands peace ana
rest. and that the return of prosperity
depends absolutely upon the maintenance
D. IL. tom.
truth of this assertion is so apparent
that IL is certain to form the basis Of
very strong arguments against war OF
any Kind should 1.-The question come up
for consideration in Congress.
CLEVELAND FOR PEACE
The strongest guarantee that the ccun-
try could have that there VIII bee no
unnecessary war between this country
ana any other. while Mr.. Cleveland
remains i'm the White House is his own
good judgment and patriotism. The fact
that there is no apparent reason now
why tho United States should go TO
war with Spain makes il certain that
Fir Cleveland Will not seek TO cmhrOil
the country i'm Trouble with any foreign
power His foreign policy. while il
has been strong and fearless. has been
tempered at on times with wisdom. and
proper regard for consequence.
KNEW HIS POSITION.
The satisfactory termination of the
negotiations respecting the Venezuelan
boundary dispute shows that Mr.. Clcve-
land. when he sent his Venezuelan mes
sage 10 Congress last December. knew
that the English Government had ass
suined an untCnable position and that
this country was i'm duty bound 10 pro-
test vigorously against the course Great
Britain was pursuing.
I'm the present. instance even il Mr..
cleveland recognizes Cuban hclligeccuce
there is no more likelihood that Spain
can make his action q prcteNt for war
than there was that the English would
attempt TO test 10y force OF arms the
validity Of the Monroe doctrine as
result of the Venezuelan controversy.