The record-union., 1896-12-19
CamerOn'S Joint Resolution, Declaring
independence Of the Island
To be Favorably Reported by Senate
Foreign Affairs Committee.

It Cannot Pass the Lower Branch,
at Least Until President-Elect
Mckinley Has Been Inaugurated.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-The Cuban
situation took an unexpected turn TINS
morning when the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations decided without any
serious opposition to report Senator
Cameron's joint resolution recognizing
the independence of the Republic or
Cuba. This report will be made to the
Senate Monday, but there is no pros
pect of decisive action in either house
of Congress before the holidays. Mean
while the situation in Cuba, as 1t de-
velops during the holidays, VIII un-
doubtedly affect the final action of Con-
gress on the resolution.
Only two adverse suggestions We're
made in the committee on the Cameron
resolution. Both of these counseled de-
lay until after the holidays These suS-
gestions came, it is understood, from
Senators Hale and Sherman
A verbal change was made in the text
of the resolution, so that as finally
agreed to it reads as follows:
Resolved, That the Independence of
the Republic of Cuba be and the same
is hereby acknowledged by the United
States of America.
Section 2-That the United States
will use its friendly offices with the Gov
ernment of Spain to bring to close the
war between Spain and Cuba"
Secretary Olney, who had been re-
Quested to appear before the committee
by Senator Sherman, was present for
one hour, and laid before the committee
all of the information in possession or
the State Department. He stated TO
the committee very fully all the move
ments of the Administration.
No member of the committee is willing
to make any statement as to what Mr..
Olney said, each one looking upon his
statement as confidential matter be-
tween the Secretary and the committee.
Sufficient is known. however, to show
that Mr.. Olney laid before the commit
tee the information TscC- 3 t~oEl Con-
sul-General Lee and other sources that
has been steadfastly kept from the gen.
eral public.
Mr. Olney's argument did not appear
to have much weight with the commit
tee if it was against the passage of the
resolution, for Immediately upon his
withdrawal the resolution was laid be-
fore the committee for action. There was
not a yea and nay vote, but the resolu-
ton was agreed to without a dissenting
OF n ffar "a =
as to whether the action of the COM
mittee should be made public to-day or
withheld until Monday. One Senator
thought action of any sort should be
postponed until after the holidays, but
the will of the majority prevailed, and
there was practical unanimity in the
vote.
Senators Gray and Daniel were both
absent, but it is said that both of them
are favorable to the action taken by
the committed
Senator Cameron was instructed 10
prepare the report that viii be sub
mitted to the Senate Monday. As a
matter Of fact the report was written
and was submitted to the committee
this morning It is looked upon as an
tACtGulHSlN SIfUitS anu SOCS
into the diplomatic history of the
United States very fully to show our
policy In the matter of recognizing new
States. Some few additions and alter
ations were suggested by other mem
bers of the committee, but the report
as drawn by the Senator is practically
complete.
The House heard with surprise the
action of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee in recognizing the independ-
ence of Cuba, and If the opinion Of the
members of the Foreign Affairs Com
rnittee and some of the Democratic and
Republican leaders in the House is to
be taken as a criterion, the popular
branch of the Government viii not sus-
tain the position taken by the Senate
committee. Hit of Illinois, the Chair
man of the House Committee, is out of
the city, and is not expected TO return
until after the holiday recess. Several
other members OF the committee were
not in their seats to-day, and have
presumably left town. OF those who
remain-and of this number a United
Associated Presses reporter talked with
five-the entire quintet strongly op-
posed any action at this time. The Re-
publicans objected to any step which
would in their opinion bring about a
war with Spain, on the ground that the
Mckinley Administration ought not to
be met at the very moment OF coming
into power by so serious an interna-
tional problem.
A member of the House Foreign At
fairs Committee said the time for action
had passed; that the island was bank
rupt: that American interests in Cuba
are destroyed: that our commerce with
the island has practically disappeared
and that recognition now would be 8
mere sentiment without practical con-
sideration behind it, If" said he. I'VE
want a war with Spain for sentiment
we are at liberty to have IL. but not
with my consent"
Another member Of the committee
expressed his belief that the United
States had better attend to its own
business and not go dancing through
the congress of nations with chip on
its shoulder. spelling for fight.
prominent member Ia Republican,
of the House pointed out that a prom
ise OF better times was made TO the
American people If Mckinley should bs
elected to the Presidency. Mr.. McI<in-
ley, he added, had been elected, and
now it was purposed by the Senate tC