The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-19

was held for the express purpose of
continuing the discussion of a policy on
the Cuban question to be recommended
by the committee, and Secretary Olney
was present for the purpose of giving
advice and placing before the commit
tee information in his possession bear
ing upon the question. The meeting
was strictly private. Mr.. Olney being
the only person not : member Of the
committee who was admitted to the
conference.
Members of the committee are very
reticent as to what Secretary Olney
said, or what advice he gave, but it is
very certain that he advised against
any action. and especially action like
that contemplated, as no doubt was
expressed that such action would in
volve war with Spain. One member OF
the committee said:
''Of course Spain will fight. The
Spaniards do not know any better But
there is no danger of other countries
getting in our way No other European
ration wants to fight u.s. and we would
wind up war with Spain in short or
der. The opinion was also expressed
that President Cleveland would veto
the joint resolution when It came to
him, which is taken to mean that
Secretary Olney made emphatic oppo-
sitiOn against action by congress. 1t
is believed that the main point raised
was that the in the presidents mes
sage, viz: That there was no actual
government in Cuba to recognize.
Another member of the committee
said that he believed that should the
president veto the resolu tionsit would
pass over his veto, as there We're more
than two-thirds of both senate and
house in favor Of it, Some point was
do 5,of 4bo od-
ministration did not feel like leaving
a legacy to the incoming administra-
ton of war, but it is understood that
this point was not made prominent,
but that the main opposition was that
action was inexpedient.
Secretary Olney, it is claimed by the
members of the committee who favored
action on Cuba, did not have any new
information to present, and they say
the committee knew as much about
the condition Of affairs in Cuba as was
knows by the state department. Sec
retary Olney urged that no action be
taken at present, and pointed out that
there is no real government to recog-
niZe.
The agreement to report the Cameron
resolution was reached Immediately
after Mr. Olney left the committee
room, at a quarter past IL O'Clock, and
was arrived at without division or ex-
pressed difference of opinion. The only
division was as to the time the reSO-
luton should be reported to the sem
ate. Senator Cameron moved its re-
port on Monday next. Senator Sher-
man suggested that the report should
not be put in until after the holidays.
When the question was put to the com
mittee, the Cameron motion prevailed
by a large majority.
Mr. Olney refused, after leaving the
committee room, to reveal the nature
of his communication to the committee.
"All that l can say as to our proceed
ings.'' said a member of the commit
tee, sis that we adopted the motion to
report the Cameron resolution. immedi-
ately after Mr.. Olney left"
Another member of the committee is
responsible for the statement that there
was no division on this proposition.
do you mean,'' he was asked, that
the committee was unanimous?"
Yes, it amounts to that. There was
some difference OF opinion as to the
time that the report should be made,
some of the members holding that the
question should not be opened in the
senate until after the holidays"
POSSIBILITIES INVOLVED.
The action of the committee in agree
ing to report the Cameron resolution,
recognizing the independence-of the re-
public of Cuba, has naturallyied to the
inquiry as TO how such resolution, If
finally adopted, would affect the posi-
ton of the insurgents. Inquiry of COM
petent authorities goes to show that
such recognition, from local point of
view, would be of greater value to them
morally than in the addition of any
substantial and actual privileges to
those they now possess. This moral
force probably would manifest itself
first in enabling the new republic to
float a loan in the markets of the world,
and thus obtain the sinews of war in
abundance, for with the powerful
backing given by this implied express
sion of our faith In the ability of the
insurgents to achieve and maintain
their independence, there can be little
doubt capitalists would take up such
an attractive loan. Then, the Cubans
would be represented in Washington by
a fully accredited minister and legation
in place of the unofficial representation
they are now obliged to be content with.
If the Cubans can manage to put
afloat a few warships or even priya-
| teers their flag would admit them to
| United States ports under the protec-
! ton Of the neutrality laws, though Ii
i is true our government, having in mind
| the Geneva award, could not tolerate
! the fitting out Of such privateers or
| iginally IN our ports. however, the
! plivateers could bring their prizes into
! our ports, and would no longer be kept
! from the seas by fear of denunciation
| as pirates. Furthermore, as this recog-
! milton of independence would involve
J the recognition of a state Of war neith-
! er the Spanish government nor the Gu
| bans would be permitted to equip war
! ships or military expeditions In the
! United States, and this country would
4 observe strict neutrality towards both
i parties, just as it did between China
! and Japan, in their late war;
! One i'll effect upon the United States
itself of the proposed actionANould be
| Continued ON Third Page.