The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-11-18
Urging the President On.

UIglng tno ll0oiu0iiV o1'
A More Vigorous Cuban Poll
cy Favored By the Cabinet.
New York Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-Tbe fact
has come to light that practically
unanimous cabinet has urged President
Cleveland to take a more vigorous
stand on the Cubao question, and ad-
vised the chief executive that affairs
have reached the poiot where "a 6rmer
front on the part of this country is DOT
only advisable but necessary. A high
cfieial said to-day that President Cleve-
land stood alone among those at the
head of the government 10 maintaining
a patient aud strictly conservative Gu
ban policy. Among the cabinet minis
sers, Secretary Olney is known to favor
more vigorous measures by the Uolsed
States than have been taken. Mr..
Olney is said to be Of the opinion that
the point has been reached when this
county must act. and that the safe
guarding of important trade relations
with Caba, to say nothing of the pro-
lection of American citizeps in the
islands, demands an exhibition of vigor
more efectual tbao tie framing of dl-
plomatic notes
The secretary of state is supported
in his position by majority of the caol-
net. It appears that the various secre-
,aries are receiving urgent appeals
from their home communities to repre-
sent to the Presidees the expediency of
taking steps calculated to bring the Gu
ban revolution to an end, in the inter-
est of American trade. These appeals
have come from New England, New
York, Philadelphia. the south and the
west. Many of these appeals have
come from mea aud corporations of
high standing who are directly inter-
ested in the Cuban question. Ooe
communication received here few
days ago set forth that whereas Amer'
can trade With Cuba amounted to $l20,
1000 in 1894 it was now less than
$4,000, 600.
President Cleveland, however, has
SO far turoed deaf ear to the advice Of
his, cabinet. Au official expressed the
oniniop TODAY that the President was
seriously opposed to any steps looking
to war With Spain. He said that the
President realized fully the seriousness
Of the Spanish situation; that he knew
that American interests 10 Cuba were
beiag injured, bat, that be could
no. bring himself to agree With
his cabinet in adopting a course
which meant certain war. This official
was asked this pertinent question:
..Is the President expecting that 10
the near future Spain will relieve him
Of his embarrassment aud herself take
the initiative?
The reply Was: 81 cannot speak for
the President, but this would seem TO
be the case - The official was also
asked this question:
..If war is not anticipated. Why is
the administration concentrating in
home waters feet larger and more
powerful thao was ever before assem-
bled, and greatly in excess of any need
except those of war?" He replied:
..In my judgement the authorities
see that crisis ia Spanish affairs is
imminent. and they have made prepa-
rs.ions for the gravest contingencies.
Their course is that Of prudence, un-
doub,edly.'
The speaker made the Nsig goi6cant re.
: mark tha, it was only few days before
congress convened, aud that before De-
CEN Der passed he anticipated something
to occur Of great moment to the country.
To senator who called upon him to-
day to inquire about the war rumors 10
regard to Cuba, President Cleveland re-
piled that the positian of this govern
mept was as announced 10 his last an.
nual message to congress, one of trad
tioual sympathy with people strug-
Cling for autonomy aod freedom. but
nevertheless this government felt its
plain duty to fulfil honestly iuteroa-
,ional obligation. The President fur
ther said that every precauttion had
been taken 80 that if occasion should
arise 10 Cuba the United States could
assert itself With force, but he did not
think that occasion would arise.
There is ole important matter which
Spain will soon have to consider That
is large number Of claims of Ameri-