The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-08
COudert is Against Cuban
Recognition.
Says That Presidents Duty
in the Matter Is Plain.
Should at Once Inform Himself of
True Status of Cubans.

WASHINGTON, April s-Fredcrick r.
Coudert, Venezuelan commissioner, diplo-
matist and friend of the president, Is
quoted as follows on the recognition OF
Cuba:
Il am free TO say that l cannot see any
good which can accrue to us from belliger.
ency allude to the first of the two reso-
lutions, which declares "a condition OF pub
lie war and recognizes Cuba as q belliger-
ent power. entitled TO all the rights in our
ports and territory.
Under previous conditions, II the prop
erty of every American citizen in the
course of tie disturbances was injured
we had the power, under international
law, TO demand satisfaction from the
Spanish government Our ships, our
commerce, all that belonged to us, were
fully protected; and this was shown when
the Spanish government fired upon two OF
our boats by mistake and instantly apollo
gized. .
"But by the resolutions Of congress we
are no longer protected in that way. Wa
recognize Spain and Cuba as belligerents,
and under international law the property
and the lives Of American citizens may
be sacrificed and we cannot interfere. An
American citizen may be seized and
thrown into prison, but we cannot pro.
tect him. Ii is open TO the Spanish gov.
ernment to seize our ships and overhaul
them for contraband of war.
"1hus we must either deliver American
lives and property over to tho mercy OF
Spain, or we must stultify ourselves and
go back on these resolutions The resou.
tions may certainly benefit Cuba, but they
are of no value to us"
Congressmen's Opinions.
Representative McCreary (Ky.), who
was chairman OF the foreign affairs com.
mittee of the house in the Fifty-second
and Fifty-third congresses, speaking as ia
the probable action of the president ON
the Cuban resolutions, said:
"Mr. Cleveland throughout his political
career has shown disposition TO investi.
gate for himself all important public ques.
tions. While have no doubt that he will
show great respect for the expression OF
thc senate and the house In favor Of the
recognition OF the Cuban insurgents as
belligerents-aftera all that was simply an
expression-it Is true by an overwhelm.
Ing majority of tho representatives of tho
people action and responsibility arc
for him. have no doubt that he has put
himself IN position to secure accurate
information as to the true condition OF
affairs He has ample means at his dis
posal for such an investigation, and that
such an investigation will be made or is
now in progress 1 entertain no sort os
doubt. Upon Its result, taken In connec.
sion with the expressed opinion of con-
gress, he will act"
Asked as to whether he believed that |
Mr.. Cleveland had sent an agent TO Cuba, |
Mr. ~ ,rearv ,laclipad m cn,np,ir bip,-
self. When shown q report to this effect, |
he said; THAT may be simply guess, as
no authority is given, and such a mission |
would OF course be secret"
Senator Gray (Dem., DELI said: II be- |
lieve that tho president will do his duty |
with tho caution and circumspection re-
Quired by the high responsibility resting |
upon him. The opinion of congress, while |
IL may stimulate him To effort, to inform |
himself as to the exact situation, cannot |
relieve him Of the responsibility that rests
upon him in discharging a duty which be- /
longs to the executive alone. 1 hope that /
no may find reasons TO Justify him In |
recognizing the belllgerency of the revo- |
luton OF Cuba"
Mr.. Dlngley, the chairman OF the house
committee on ways and means, said: /
"The president ought to inform himself of |
the exact situation OF affairs in Cuba, II
he has not already done so. Congress has
not acted on official Information. Its nc
tion has been based largely on newspaper
reports and upon the natural sympathy
which we, rs Americans, have for people
vrugRling for Independence"
Mr.. Hitt,. tho chairmon of the house
committee on foreign affairs. said: "The
presidents patriotism, about which there
Is no question, would certainly dictate to-
ouescencc In the expressed wishes OF con-
eress on the subject OF Cuba, and all
good Amerieans would look with, favor
upon an apprsvihg message from tho
chief magistrate. know from most re-
Liable sources that the members of his cab
met will certainly advise him TO pursue
such course
senator sherman, chairman Of the CON-
mittee on foreign relations: Congress
has done its duty In passing the concur
rent Cuban resolutions. The president
will have TO determine his own policy.
Congress might have passed Joint reso.