New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-14
URGING THE PRESIDENT ON.
MORE VIGOROUS CUBAN POLICY
FAVORED BY THE CABINET.

a MORE VIGOROUS CUBAN POLICY
FAVORED BY THE CABINET.
MR. CLEVELAND. HOWEVER. TURNS DEAF EAR
TO THE APPEALS OF HIS ADVISERS. AND
SAYS THAT HIS ATTITUDE REMAINS AS
ANNOUNCED IN HIS LAST An
NuAL MESSAGE.
[BY TELEGRAPH THE rKIruNE.l
Washington Nov. 13.-The fact has come 10
light that practically unanimous Cap'"e' '"'
urged President Cleveland to take more VIZ
orous stand the Cuban question: anu au
vised the Chief Executive that analrs nave
reached the point where frmer front on the
part OF this country Is not only advisap'e p"'
necessary. high official said to-day 'na'
President Cleveland stood alone among those
at the head Of the Government in maintaining
n patient and strictly conservative Cuban pol
Icy. Among the Cabinet Ministers. Secretary
Olney is known to favor more vigorous measures
by the United States than have been taken MT
Olney Is said to be Of the opinion that the point
has been ached when this country must act
and that the safeguarding OF important trade re-
lations with Cuba. to say nothing or the pro-
lection Of American citizens in the Island. de-
than the framing OF diplomatic notes.
The Secretary OF State Is supported in his po-
stion by a majority of the Cabinet. 1t appears
that the various secretaries receiving urgent
appeals from their home communities to rep
resent to the President the expedency OF taking
steps calculated to bring the Cuban revolution
10 an end in the interest 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
men and corporations Of high standing who are
directly interested In the Cuban question. One
communication received here a few days ago
set forth tha. whereas American trade with
Cuba amounted to S12O 100000 IN 1894 1t was
now less than S4OOO0OOO
THE CABINETS ADVICE UNHEEDED.
President Cleveland. however. has so FAR
turned n deaf ear TO the advice Of his Cabinet.
An official expressed the opinion to-day that the
President was seriously opposed to any steps
looking to a war with Spain. lie said that the
President realized fully the seriousness Of the
Spanish situation that he knew that American
interests In Cuba were being injured. but that
he could not bring himself to agree with his
Cabinet In adopting course which meant GER
tain war This official was asked this pertinent
question:
"Is the President expecting that In the near
future Spain will relieve him OF his embarrass-
ment and herself take the Initiative"
The reply was II cannot speak for the Pres
dent but this would seem to be the case" The
official also asked this question:
III war Is not anticipated. why Is the Admins
tratlon concentrating In home waters a fleet
larger and more powerful than ever before
assembled. and greatly In excess of any need ex
cep, those Of war; He replied:
I'm my Judgment the authorities that
crisis in Spanish affairs is imminent and they
hs.'e made preparations for the gravest
,ngencles Tnri. course is that OF prudence un-
doubtcdy"
The speaker made the significant remark that
II was only few days before Congress con-
vencd and that before December passed he an
tIcipated something to occur Of great momen: to
the country.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT.
70 a Senator who called upon him to-day to
inquire abou, the rumors in regard to
Cuba. President Cleveland replied that the posi-
tion ~ this Government announced in
his last annual message TO Congress one Of ira
diiional sympathy with a people struggling for
autonomy and freedom. but nevertheless this
Government felt its plain duty TO fulhl honestly
every international obligation. The President,
further said that every precauton had been
taken so that II occasion should arise In Cuba the
United States could assert itself with force but
he did not think that occasion would arise
There is one important matter which Spain
will soon have to consider. That is large
number of claims ~ Americans who have suf
fered serious financial loss IS a result OF the
Cuban revolution. The State Department has
received from Americans claims against Spain
aggrceating probably S2OWOOOD THESE claims
are based On losses sustained under various
heads Among the Items are losses account
of plantations seized and held by Spanish
troops The damages demanded this
count are heavy. Then there are claims for
losses on account OF crops destroyed. In some
cases damages are asked because the owners OF
the plantations have been prevented from plant
ing new crops The money value OF these de-
mands will amount 10 something Ike SlJWW.-
900 So far as be learned. none Of the
claims have vet been pressed on the Govern
mcnt at Madrid They will be urged in due
course however and careful consideration Of
them asked.
The report Is current to'nigns that II has been
decided 10 augment the European fleet ma
torallv and that several vessels on the China
station particularly the armored cruiser Oym
MIA which * a match for the best OF Spain's
shps ha,-, been ordered to take the Suez
route and report to Admiral Selfridge. Be
sides the Olympia there are In Chinese waters
the prote.ted cruisers Boston and Detroit
These vessels with the San Francisco the Min
neapolis and the Cincinnati. now under Ad-
miral Selfridgc would form fleet OF consdera-
bIe effectiveness None are battleships but all
are excellent ships Of their class. Spain has
less than six vessels which are their superors.
GRAVE WEAKNESS SHOWN.
TUE rrv ,e INVESTIGATION REVEALING SERIOUS