The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-16

GRANTS CUBAN POLICY.
Interesting Data i'm a Diary Kept by
Hamilton Fish

hamlltOn FISH,
Albany, n. Y, March 15.-Speaker Fish
taked to-day in regard to Senator Sher-
@nan's recent declaration concerning a con-
/ fict of opinion over Cuban affairs between
president Grant and the then Secretary of
Bate. On the authority of his fathers
private papers the speaker said that Pres
E dent Grant had at one time, under the
circumstances of pending negotiations at
Madrid, been inclined to recognize the bel
.lgerency of Cuba, but on June l3, 1870, the
&pini0n of the President and the cabinet
as unanimous that there were no facts
"a justify a declaration of belhgerency.
#nd the satisfaction of the President with
#he Cuban policy of his admins tration
Fl #ld It's effect on the country and the re-
lDncan party found expression few
eeks later in thanks to the Secretary of
. .ftaie for whatever share in it may have
#leen due to his wisdom and judgment.
during his eight years service in the
ate department, Mr.. Fish kept, chiefly
reference record for his own eyes, a
ary containing minutes of important
81 ansacuOns, of his conversation with the
PRESIDENT, members of the cabinet, sem
ofs and other leading public men in re-
ara 10 the more prominent questions with
MCh he had to deal. From May 81, to
me l3 1870, the date of President Grants
Fl }ecldl message to congress on Cuban bel
sereney, the entries in the diary are
~
a epafatlon, discussion in the cabinet and
ne mai completion of that special mes
age Some of these entries have a
a ocular interest in the light of recent
'ents Under date of Feb. 10, 1870, there
suggestion of a rift in the unity of
e republican party in defense of that
llcy respecting foreign affairs, which
oAcy the President had announced in his
lHudi message of the previous December.
ne entry. is as follows: Called this
GLnllg (by appointmenD to see Senator
ylA sherman on subject of unit of coin
g. After conVersing on that question, l
lefred to his resolution introduced in
Y senate, and his speech in favor of
5oshzng the belligerency of Cuba, and
Aeu IL he had recently examined the
a gdlN with Spain of 1895. He said he had
oeen aware of the existence of such
Itaty | referred to its provisions and
'l-e pIObabIe consequences Of the eXer-
9y Spain of the right of visit Cor of
aictl though our people would not sub
10 H. and the consequences would soon
elop IN war; said that fighting was not
-sefeney; there is fighting, but no bel
eIeney in Cuba; there is no government
g. one lnsurrectionary party; no present
saiHzauon, etc.
tie admitted that he had not exam
the subject closely, but said there
good deal of excitement in the coun-
advised him in connection with
passing of his resolution of belliger-
E 10 prepare bills for the increase OF
pubic debt and to meet the increase
yIoprlation which will be necessary for
army, navy, ETC."
N June u there is this entry: Stay at
ana prepare a message on the Gu
l 9eAIgerency question, to be submitted
the Presidents consideration, in case
dsfees to send one. He has not yet
SeiAed from his fishing excursion"
y tdker Fish said that the original draft
lIg message with its many erasures ana
@ sslI @lIheations is all in Mr.. Fsh's own
14u. The message sent to congress, ana
Htlel as executive document No. SO, Is
nuallm as in that draft. down to the
HoWihg paragraph, near the end: There
'GGs deIacto government in the island
una sufficient to execute law ana
91AtdlA Just relations with other ma
r s Spain has not been able to sup
~ 'Ae opposition to Spanish rule on the
G1' nor 10 award speedy justice to
NJ nations, or citizens of other ma
3ded 4" eH III
Seuator Cameron in the recent minority
9'l or the Senate committee on for
Ss ~ teiations alluded to a rumor of a bel
ACY proclamation having been sign
~ resident Grant 1t is true that in
sumner of 1862 and while the proffer
beIiauon suggested to the President
ill., 1ui y Forbes, as coming from Gen
M was pending at Madrid, the state
{ment had, on the request of the
sft sft'silt' prepared and sent to him a
on Tl proclamation of belligerency.
81 bob ny 10, 1870, in a conversation in
ent L'lf- t1sh had expressed to the Pres
- rs desire TO retire from the Office
ne mad accepted on the understand
'al nc was to hold it until the Pres
- Gu'4 perfect other plans in regard
%,esidIlI fish was strongly urged by the
70 remain through hiSterm and