The San Francisco call., 1896-04-13

the RepubllCan members or the Foreign
Affairs Committee and who has been con-
tinually deprecating any suggestion of in
reference in Cuban affairs, does not be-
lieve that the President will issue such
proclamation.
William A. Smith OF Michigan, anot her
Republican member of the committee, re-
marked, as did every other Representative
who was spoken with, that he had no
knowledge as to the Presidents intention.
Smith believes, however, that Congress
should pass Joint resolution if the Presi-
dent does not act.
McCreary of Kentucky. Money of Missis-
sippi and Dinsmore of Arkansas compose
a trio of Democratic members of the
Foreign Affairs Com mittee, and each in
turn was questioned as to what the Presi-
dent might do or what action the House
would take if the President failed to act
They replied that they had no Information
upon which to base an answer and that
they, therefore, could not tell what might
happen in either case.
81 do not think Congress will take any
further action on this subject" said Senator
Hale of Maine, who was one Of the most
determined opponents to the passage of
has done all it consistently can do in the
matter, and it now rests With the President
TO act as he may deem proper OF course,
no one can prevent the introduction in the
Senate of any or all sorts of resolutions,
but they would only express the individual
opinion OF the Senator who introduced
them, and if pushed to vote, they could
not possibly pass
t.fTho f,,t,
largely, II not entirely, upon the events
that trsnsplre in Cuba, said Senator Gray
OF Delaware, one OF the recognized friends
OF the President on the floor of the Senate,
land, he continued, 'the action of the
President, whatever it may be, will in a
like manner depend upon the trend of
events on that island. If there should be
some great success attending the efforts OF
the insurgents or any other condition of
affairs demanding the attention of Con-
gress, believe Congress would deal with
1t in the proper manner"
Others, who declined to be quoted, spoke
freely in private upon this subject, and
the consensus of opinion gathered from
Senators representing both sides of this
subject was that Congress must wait
reasonable time in order TO give the Presi-
dent the necessary opportunity to act be-
fore even considering any future plans.
The prevailing opinion, though, of the
Senate just now is best given in the Ian
guage of a Senator who, while favorable
to Cuba and its recognition as a belligerent
power, is not classed among the extrem-
lists. 81 have" said this Senator yester-
day afternoon, discussed this subject
with many Senators, both Democrats and
Republicans, and l find a general belief
among them that Mr.. Cleveland will guide
his conduct on this important subject by
the solemn expression of opinion passed
by the two houses after SO full and free
debate as was granted on the Cuban ques-
ton. We believe that he will be so guided
and that he will in a diplomatic note con-
vey TO Spain the wishes of Congress and
tender his friendly offices. If he does this
he will doubtless tell Congress what he
has done, and let US know the reply that
Spain makes.
IF, on the other hand, the President
does not take prompt steps to tender his
good offices in accordance with the wishes
of the representatives of the people in
Congress; if, after reasonable time has
elapsed, there are no evidences of his hay-
ing carried out the wishes of Congress,
then we will again take the matter up in
both houses and push to vote the Joint
resolution of Senator Morgan or some
other, and, if we can get a vote in the Sem
ate, send the joint resolution to the Presi-
dent. This will require him to act, and if
he were to veto it l am confident it would
pass over his veto.
1.-THE only element of danger in the
whole thing is the ability of the small
minority under the rules of the Senate to
talk to death any measure to which they
are opposed Mr. Hale and the few men
under mis- leadership in this matter appear
to be very determined, and would doubt
less debate the subject SO long as it
was physically possible for them to do so.
But if the fight Is TO come it will be wei
coined by the friends of Cuba in Con-
gress'