The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-13
Congress Will Carefully Consider
Cubans' Right to Recognition.
NEWS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR
Continue to Be of an Uncer-
tain Character.


TO secure recognition for the Cuban revo-
lutionists that tho question will be- thor.
oughly and carefully investigated and
that report will be made upon IL to the
house at the earliest day consistent with
such an investigation.
A subcommittee OF the foreign affairs
committee has been designated by Chair
man Hit to take jurisdiction Of the Cuban
matter, with these members: Adams
(Pa.). chairman; Draper (Mass.); Hit
Ulls.). Some impatence has been voiced
In the house because a resolution To recog-
nizo the revolutionists has not been
brought forward aud passed Immediately,
and patriotic and sentimental reasons
have been urged IN support OF this feeling.
The friends OF Cuba free" feel certain
that there Is a great majority In congress
on their side; that whenever n resolution
might be brought up it could be passed
with an enthusiastic demonstration,
Which would materially encourage the
struggling rcvolutionists, and that outside
OF the capital there prevails great pop.
ular sentiment on the side OF the revolu-
tion.
The foreign affairs committee recog.
nizes fully the existence OF this sentiment,
but the subcommittee does not feel Jusu'
fed in acting without the usual delibera-
tion. nor is IL MT all certain that they will
deem it expedient Tor this government to
recognize Caba at once.
House 20 Bs Posted on Cuban Affairs.
The house has passed resolution call
ing upon the state department for all the
information 1t hns on the Cuban question,
aud the secretary Of state has Informed
Chairnan Hit that the evidence will be
given him as soon as possible. Recently
President Palma of the Culs,n janta left
great mass OF documents with the Sec
retary OF state and beside these there is
on flo in the department much corre-
spondence with Spain incidental To the
present uprising. Clerks are compiling
these papers into form for the use Of the
house, and In the opinion OF members OF
the subcommittee no action should be
recommended 20 the house until these pa
pers have been considered.
II. In the meantime, the insurgents
manage TO capture Habana. their victory
would be such unmistakable evidence OF
the status Of the revolution that the com
mittee would not hesitate TO ask the house
10 recognize the state Of belligerency with
,ut delay Members OF the sub committee
so NOT hesitate 10 say this
But there Is n disposition among them
TO question tho accuracy OF newspaper re-
ports OF military movements in Cuba, for
they doubt whether the correspondents are
In n position-to keep accurately posted, or
whethsr true reports are possible under
the conditions prevailing In Cuba.
Apart from the sentimental reasons,
there is commercial phase Of the ques-
ton OF which the foreign affairs members
are not allowed 10 remain In ignorance.
Recognition of belligerency would confer
upon Spain the right 10 search American
shipping for contrab,nd OF war, and the
shipping interests are not pleased with
this Then there arc sugar investments
. tn HGtfba heid-by citizens of the United
States amounting TO k0,0O0,OOO, which
have suffered enormous damage at tho
hands OF the rebels in their raids.
so long as the revolution has no recog-
nized standing. Spain Is responsible for
these losses, and the owners of plantationA
hope 10 be able to secure reparation from
her at some future day. When this gov
ernmcnt formally takes notice of the fact
that n state OF war exists in Cuba our
citizens will have no ground upon which
70 base their claims.
These considerations tend to retard rec
ognition. Whether they will defeat the
movement for recognition remains to be
seep.
From Spain.
Minister de LONE Yesterday received n
cablegram from the Spanish minister OF
foreign affairs, stating that rs u conse-
auence of the recent engagements the
main body OF the insurgents have divided
fnto several bands and cannot retreat.
Followed by the loyal forces Maceo has
taken TO the north aud Gomez to the south
of the province of Pinar del Rio.
The commander-in-chief in telegram
from Habana. says that the columns OF
Colonel Galvis and General Aldecea, hav-
ing knowledge of the location OF Gomez,
after nights march of 10 miles. reached
the rear guard Of Maximo Gomczs forces,
which were effectng aquick retreat, and
succeeded in engaging the enemy, who
must have suffered greater losses than
those left dead on the field. judging by the
number OF dead horses left after their re-
treat Maxine Gomez is closely followed
and so is Maceo.
In the remainder of the island there Is
nothing new except occasional destruc-
ton OF railroads aud other outrages by
local bands of small Importance proving
that the insurrcction is only active where
the lenders arc The fact hat the two
principal chiefs arc In Pinnr del Rio
makes easier the success in the eastern
part Of the island.
The Spanish minister emphatically de-
clares that the kilograms relating TO the
capture OF San Cristobal, Bahia Honda
and other towns and the landing OF Ca
Jlxeto Garcia are false.
Hsbana's Report.
A dispatch from Habana says that with
the exception OF an engagement yesterday
between Spanish troops and band Of 800
insurgents at Managua, only 12 miles
southeast Of Habana, there Is nothing very
important or authentic To chronicle of the
movements Of the insurgents.
The attack on Managua still remained