Evening star., 1896-12-14
Action by Congress on This Subject
Uncertain.
ACTUAL INFORMATION Is LACKING
What Senators and Representatives
Say About It!
W HAT QUESADA SAYS

ACTON Dy congress with relation to the
Cuban question seems to depend entirely
upon sentiment which, though strong, is
disorganized and not in condition to be ef-
fective. The report that Maceo was be-
trayed and murdered, under the pretense CT
conference, is very generally credited in
Congress, and the belief that such an cut
rage has been committed excites the
strongest emotions among members Of both
houses. If the story is confirmed it will
be difficult for the conservative forces to
control Congress. At present the foreign
committees stand as check upon Con-
gress. Both committees are divided or the
subject, but 1t is evident that the leaders
desire to hold off as long as possible, either
with the purpose of leaving the matter to
be dealt with by the new administration af-
ter the 9Th of March, or else to avoid C re-
sponsibility which they are not yet sure
they could sustain. Several Representa-
tives ard Senators have prepared resolu-
tions, in addition to those which have al
ready been offered and 1t is evident that
large majority are intent upon this coun-
try's interfering to put an end to the war
and to insure Cuban independence. The
fact that such course on the part of this
government would provoke war with Spain
does not seem to rodify this sentiment.
The True Situation Unknown.
the radical Cuban sympathizers is the ig-
ncrance in which they are kept as to the
true situation in the Island of Cuba. Very
few members of either house Of Congress
have been informed as to the nature of
General Lees report to the president.
Those who have been given a general un-
derstanding as to the disclosures made in
this report are such Gs are not liable to he
controlled b. sentiment. but II Is believed
rel
would be impossible to restrain Congress
further. The situation in Cuba is described
as something horrible. beyond anything
that press dispatches have indicated 1t IS
a condition which 1t would seem Impossible
to exist in an sge of civilization. The con-
f1icting reports ard the fact that the truth
cannot be learned leaves the Cuban SYM
pathizers in doubt lest they make a mis-
take by acting on false information. A
large number of members have prepared
speeches On the subject advocating the In
depend.uce of Cuba and these will be de-
livered as opportunity offers, but this will
not necessarily lead to action. Resolutions
offered have to peAs the cold scrutiny of the
committees. where at present cOnserva tism
controls. 1t Is represented in committee
that the Americans having" property inter-
ests in Cuba, while they are anxious that
their property should be protected from de-
struction or be secured by indemnity are
opposed to the island passing into the
handsd of the insurgents. The idea that
seems to prevail in committee Is that MOTH
ing should be done until more definite In
formation can be had. Unless the public
sentiment becomes too strong to be resist
cd SO long, the matter Is expected to be
held Up until after the holidays with the
expec tation that by that time the facts
about Maceo's DEATH If he is dead. will be
known, and it will also be shown how IL
affects the spirit of the revolution. The
sympathiZers with Cuba Will be pacilied as
far as possible with the assurance that If
the situation then warrants it aggressive
action will be taken Immediately after the
holidays.
On the Senate Side.
On the Senate side Of the Capitol there
was no ac ton today, although Senator Call
introduced resolutions and Mr. Morgan
one on Cuban subjects. Mr.. Call wanted
the foreign relations committee to inves-
tigate the reported death of Maceo, but al
though he introduced his resolution he was
not certain how it could be done, except
hat the State Department order Vice Con-
sui Springer to report full particulars at
once. His other resolutions relared to the
alleged American citizens in the penal
colony at Ceuta. Mr.. Call, although he
was anxious for some action, said it was
best to find out If the stories about Maceo's
death were true before anything was done.
If they are true he was anxious for this
government to denounce Spains course and
declare her an outcast among nations This
feeling of doubt az to the proper course to
ali the Senators. Even Senator Chandler,
who wants the independence of Cuba recog-
niZed at once, said that while he doubted
the first stories of Maceos death, the
rumors that he had been trapped and killed
made him believe the assertion that the
general was dead. He declared however,
that the only course for Congress to take
was to pass a resolution declaring the
independence of the Cubans.
What MIR. Chandler Said.
II hold that all such resolutions have
to be signed by the President" he said.
II do not care what he will do with it. 1t
is our duty to pass such a resolution and
throw the responsibility of acting upon
the President. l think such a resolution
will be finally adopted by Congress. The
move for a holiday recess is but another
move for delay. / think we ought to stay
here until something Is done"
Mr.. Chandler said that he thought the
foreign relations committee at their meet
Ing on Wednesday would report Senator
Camerons resolution to recognize the in
dependence of the island.
Mr.. Aldrich's Belief.
Senator Aldrich, on the other hand. said
that he did not believe the Senate would
do anything at present In regard to Cuba.
He said there was nothing authentic as
to Maceo's death, or how 1t occurred. Ger
tainIy the Senate could and would not act
on mere rumors, and 1t would not act until
1t had hing to act on.
Senator Morgan evidently thinks this way
also, because his resolution called for the
information and correspondence referred to
in Secretary Olney's report on Cuba. He
also wants the correspondence in the Com
petitor case.
As to InvestigatiOn.
Senator Call was asked by Star reporter
what method could be adopted by the Sem
ate committee on foreign affairs to ascer-
tain the truth or falsity Of the stories about
Maceo's assassination.
That is for the committee to decide" he
said. The investigation might be made
through the State Department. We have a
United States consul at Havana who ought
to be able to learn something. All I want
lie an investigation made. II these reports
are confirmed they win be such as to shock
the civilized world. and go farther to show
the truth of previous reports on other mat
ters than anything else. The alleged as
sassination is so horrible as to be- almost
Impossible Of belief. 1t lie hard to believe
that anywhere in this world man would
be induced to a cowardly death under prom
ise Of safe conduct"
Senator Hawley said: THE most remark