Evening star., 1896-12-07
SOME COM MENTS
What is Thought Of the Presidents
Message.
LESS PARTISAN CRITICISM THAN USUAL
The Cuban Paragraph is Particu-
larly Referred To.
VARIOUS EXPRESSIONS

The Presidents annual message to Con-
gless today was read eagerly not only by
members Of Congress. but by people gen.
orally, who received it through the medium
OF newspaper extras, soon as It had been
delivered to Congress. The main interest,
OF course. was in what the President had to
say regarding Cuba and our relations with
Spain. Briefly summarized. the President
reported that there has been practically no
progress in the pacifica,ion of Cuba, that
the Cuban insurgents had no civil govern
ment that can be recognized IS IN inde-
pendent government, and that practicall.
outside of the large towns. where Spanish
rule Is still maintained, the island is with
out government.
he says that our government has sug-
gested to Spain to grant 10 Cuba genuine
autonomy or home rule. and that the Uni
ted States should guarantee TO the insur-
gents the fulfillment of any promises in
this respect made by Spain. This sugges-
ton, though no definite response has be.n
received from Spain, is understood not 10
be unwe!come to the Spanish government.
The President suggests at the same time
mat In case such suggestion Is not acted
Upon situation may be presented in which
patience will be exhausted and our obliga-
tlons to the sovereignty of Spain will be
superseded by higher obligations which We
can hardly hesitate to recognize and dis
charge.
American interests I'm Turkey.
With relation to Turkey the message
says that everything possible has been done
to protect American interests. We can
not. 1t says, interfere with the action OF
the government Of Turkey where our pee
pie are not directly concerned. He does
not think the present aspect of affairs
in Turkey will long be permitted 10 offend
the sight of Chrlstendom.
The President reports to Congress the
satisfactory working Of .he examinations
In the consular service. and notes an i'm
provement in the charao ter of immigrat ton
He favors coast defenses as prom oters of
peace. He urges also the foreclosure Of
the governments lien on the Union Pacific
railroad If action is not taken by Con-
greSS.
Financial Suggestions.
He defends the present tariff. notwith-
standing its shortcomings, thinks 1t will
furnish sufficient revenue. and that 1t has
cheapened the necessaries of life. The peo-
pie should not be deprived, he says, of this
latter advantage
The retirement of greenbackS is urged
through the sale of bonds, or by canceIla-
ton when presented for redemption. The
Sherman notes should, he thinks, be grad
ually replaced by silver COIN Small banks
and branch banks should be established to
distribute currency.
He condemns trusts. but confesses the
inadequacy of the powers of the federal
government to deal with them.
Less Partisan Criticism Than Usual.
The message was listened to with the
greatest interest, and there was less part-
san criticism Of it than messages are
usually subjected to. The greatest interest
was with relation to the reference to the
Cuban question This was regarded as a
matter of the gravest consequence, and the
impression created was that his conserya-
tive treatment of the subject did not con-
ceal the seriousness of the situation. The
message was thought to be tempered
throughout by the thought that the busi-
ness interests must be pacilied. This was
shown no less in the reference to the avail
able surplus in the treasury than in the
temperate treatment Of the Cuban ques-
ton.
1t is regarded as evident that in his refer
ence to the possibility of the patience Of
this government being exhausted, connect
ed with the statement that the autonomy
OF Cuba has been suggested to SPAIN the
PRESIDENT discloses the fact that the Span
iSh government has been given to under
stand that the proiongation of the struggle.
would lead to interference on our par; as
has been stated in The Star heretofore
The republicans simply smile at the sus-
Sestion that the present tariff will furnish
sufficient revenue. but they think they de-
tect in his more moderate tone IN refer
ence to the general subject of The tariff
that he has some realization of the situa-
ton.
Gen. Gr0sven0r'n Views.
Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio commented brief
ly on the Cuban portion of the message as
follows: 'rhe message as to Cuba is a
perfectly frank and candid recitation of
the situation, and, perhaps. upon the state
ment of facts The suggestions of the future
action of the United States are all that the
friends Of Cuba Libre can claim. But the
people of the United States will deeply re-
gret that the issue of the complica tons
seems to be SO far away.
While we are discussing these details
murder and outrage run riot in Cuba but
while 1t Is apparent that Mr.. Cleveland
has given this subject very careful con-
sideration, and perhaps. no just criticism
can be made. yet 1t is to be deeply regre. ted
that the next administration Is to be the ad-
miniStrator de bonis non of the current ex-
ecutive department in grave matter that
SO many feel ought to have been acted upon
long ago. The whole question is in the air
on both fianks."
Representative DOckcry.
Representative Dock>ry of Miss ouri said:
''The message as to Cuba seems to con.em-
plate the Intervention of the United States
in Cuban affairs. While there is 10 specific
statement as to the time this Intervention
shall become decisive and manda tory, yet
the tone evidently looks TO speedy settle
ment of the disturbed condition of affairs
in the unhappy island. There is an indis-
unctness about the message which may
mean that Mr.. Cleveland will allow the
matter to so over to his SUCCESSOR, but 1t
may also mean that ne contemplates de-
cisive action before he goes out of office.
Il concur heartily with the Presidents 8
views on the tariff, but dissent from his
position in respect to his proposed reform
i'll the monetary system"
Representative Sulzcr.
Representative Sulzer of New York, who
has been one of the strongest supporters in
the House Of propositions to grant bellig-
erent rights to the Cubans, did not wish
to discuss the Presidents position, but said: :
II think the time has come for this gov
erHment to rec CogniZe the independence of
Cuba. This policy is demanded in the in
terests of Justice and humanity, and a ma
jority of the people Of this country desire
1: and will sanction any action Congress or
the President may take Spain has lost
sion of the island. 1 hope something will
be done shortly, and il 1t is not done am
confident that the final result will be that
the Cubans will drive the Spaniards from
the island. am willing to do all In my
power to recognize the independence cf
Cuba"
Senator COckrell.
(ool,.oy, 80 HGs.,a,,.,, ..,rt