The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-19
REARED BY THE ACTION OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
CUBA.
REPUBLIC is RECOGNIZED
UNDER THE RESOLUTION THAT
WILL BE FAVORABLY REPORT
ED ON MONDAY.
oLNEY STRONGLY URGED DELAY.
Spain, If the Resolution Runs the
Legislative Gauntlet, VIII Re-
gard 1t as a Casus BeIli.

w NAIo6ING1ON, Dec. lo.-Ine meet"
ing OF the senate committee on foreign
relations today was important in two
respects. It resulted in an agreement
to report the Cameron resolution for
the recognition of Cuban independence,
and it developed, through the state
ment of Secretary Olney, the admins
tration's policy in regard to the insur-
rection in Cuba. The secretary occu-
pied the greater part of the meeting
answering questions and suggestions
made by members of the committee.
He and Senator Morgan engaged In
several spirited colloquies. Mr.. Olney
made two points against the Cameron
resolution as follows:
That the Cuban insurgents have es-
tablished no government.
That the right to recognize a new
state rests with the president, inde-
pendent of congressional action.
He contended in elaboration of the
first poi1S that the pretended govern
ment of the island was without ha ablta-
ton.
Suppose you recognize the inde-
pendence of the island'' he asked
what are you going to do with it?''
II, for one" replied Senator Morgan,
while advocating this recognition,
Wdut IL ullUoTSkOOO IildC dIll opposed
to annexation"
How, then, would you maintain its
Independence" asked the secretary,
| himself becoming interlocutor. How
would you, for instance, prevent Span
ish domination over the island? ?"
Il would" replied the Alabama SEN
ator, establish, if need be, protec-
torate. 1 would follow much the same
policy that we are pursuing with re-
rn I'd n Ia
army of occupation to the island, if
necessary, as we did in the case of
Mexico
The secretary made the impression
upon some of the members of the COM
| mittee, by the way he pursued this
line Of inquiry, that, while he was dis
| posed to hold out strongly for the
presidents prerogative, he was not
nearly so strongly opposed to Cuban
independence as he had been a year
ago, and that he would be entirely
reconciled to it, if satisfied as to the
future course to be pursued. He Gid
not dissent strongly from point made
that his own report showed sufficiet
cause for action and he admitted that
a state Of affairs which permits the
killing of American citizens and the
destruction Of American property was
deplorable. They are, however" he
added, "the incidents of war
mot of war properly conducted, but
of anarchy was the response.
The secretary set at rest the story
! which has been very industriously cir
culated that Consul General Lee has
! provided the state department with an
! elaborate report on the condition of
| affairs in Cuba. -
| 'It is not true" he said Gen Lee
has made no general written report at
all. He has made reports on several
! special cases.. but not on the situation
as a whole"
| It also developed during the exami-
/ nation that the government had made
/ no demand in the case of the Compel
/ itor. and in other cases of a similar
| character, beyond requests for infor-
nation. While the committee will re-
! port the resolution as agreed upon
Monday, it is not expected that the
! question will be pressed until after the
/ holidays. The disposition Of the COM
mittee will be to press the resolution
| to a speedy determination as soon as
possible after the question is once taken
up for debate.
The effect of the determination 60
| report the Cameron resolution in caus-
/ ing an agitation and possible uprising
| in Spain is felt by officials to present
the most serious feature Of the situation
at the present time. The government
authorities at Madrid urdoub tedly have
( been informed by the Spanish minister
here Of the action taken today. There
/ is, however, no reason to expect any
expression of official displeasure, as
the Spanish authorities will be fully
advised of the long legislative proceed
! ure through which the resolutions must
| pass before becoming effective, but the
| mere determination to report such reso-
lutions, it is feared, will cause intense
public feeling throughout Spain, and
it is by no means certain that the gov
! ernment can keep this feeling within
/ bounds. 1t is felt to .endanger such
outbreaks as occurred year ago,
when less radical resolutions were I'M
der consideration
Owing to the legislative difficulties in
the way of the resolutions becoming
/ effective, the Spanish government it
! self will make no move at present.
| There is known to exist a strong op-
positionsin the senate to the adoption
i of the resolutions. Under the senate
rules, tt1esdebate can be protracted ir1-
definitely, While no disposition to OBJ
struct has manifested itself, yet it is
said to be possible as one of the means
of preventing action. After action by
the senate, there must be the debate
in the house, with possible changes in
the resolutions before they have to run
the gauntlet of the presidential veto
If the ultimate result should be the
adoption of the resolutions as the policy
of the United States then officials say
war would be inevitable. Until the
matter advances to this stage, no Off
cial action by Spain is expected, but
1t Is said that SPAIN almost certainly
will accept the resolutions as q casus
belli Immediately they become the
policy of the United States govern
ment.
The committee after listening to the
advice aud suggestions of Mr.. Olney
voted to report the Cameron resolution
so modified as to make it still more
emphatic. The title was changed to
read Joint Resolution Acknowledging
the Independence of the Republic OF
Cuba" the words "the republic Of
being inserted. Instead of declaring
that the United States should" use
its friendly offices, it makes it read
the United States ''wilp' do so. The
resolution as agreed upon is as fol
lows:
Received, by the senate and house Of rep.
rcsentatives of the United States OF America
in congress assembled. That the independence
OF the republic Of Cuba be and tie same L
hereby acknowledged by the United States
| of America.
THAT the United States will it's friendly
! offices with the government OF Spain 20 bring
to a close the war between Spain and Cuba.
oLNEY'S ADVICE.
Secretary -Glney appeared before tht
co4llmftaee and was closeted with them
far. ,sssyYsff3eJa 11js tiines~ The committee