The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-30
CONGRESS SHOULD ACT.
American Interests Suffer Be.
cause Of the Strife on the
Island.
MORE THAN AN INsURRECTIoN
The Fact That War Is Being Waged
Is Too PalT lie to Be Longer
Ignored

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 29-The
Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate took final action on the Cuban
question to-day. AS predicted in these
dispatches would be the case, the commit
tee found itself unable to report resolu-
tlons favoring belligerent rights, but it
took such action as may soon lead to prac-
tically the same thing. Immediately after
the Senate met Morgan reported TO the
Senate the following resolutions:
Resolved, By the Senate 1.-THE House OF Repre-
seutatives concurring) that the present deplor-
able war in the island Of Cuba has reached
magnitude that concerns all civilized nations
to the extent thstit should be conducted, if
unhappily il is longer to continue, on those
principles of law and warfare that are ac-
knoWledged to be obligatory on civilized
nations when engaged in open hostillties, in
cluding the treatment of captives who are
enlisted in either army; due respect TO cartels
for exchange for prisoners and for other mill
tary purposes; truces and flags of truces; the
provision CT proper hospitals and hospital sup
plies and services to the sick and wounded of
either army. Be it further
ResoEued, That this representation of the
views and opinions of Congress be sent to the
President and that if he coneurs therein that
he viii in a friendly spirit use the good offices
OF this Government to the end that Spain shall
be requested to accord TO the armies with
which it is engaged in war the rights of bellig-
erents, as the same recognized under the
laws OF nations.
The resolutions were accompanied by a
comprehensive report. Among other things
the committee says:
THE Congress of the United States,
deeply regretting the unhappy state of
hostilittes existing in Cuba which has
again been the result of the demand of a
large number of the native population of
that island for its tsindependence, in spirit
of respect and regard for the welfare of
both countries earnestly desire that the Sc
curity of life and property and the estab-
lshment OF permanent peace and of
government that is satisfactory to the peo-
pie of Cuba should be accomplished. And
to the extent that the people of Cuba are
seeking the rights of local self-government
for domestic purposes the Congress of the
United States expresses its earnest sym
pathy with them
The Congress would also welcome with
satisfaction the concession by Spain of
complete sovereignty to the people of that
island, and would cheerfully give to such
a voluntary concession the cordial support
of the United States.
1.-The near proximity of Cuba to the
frontier of the United States, and the fact
that it is universally regarded as part of
the continental system of America, identi-
fies that island so closely with the political
and commercial welware of our people that
Congress cannot be Indifferent TO the fact
that civil war is fagrant among the people
of Cuba. Nor can we longer overlook the
fact that the destructive character of this
war is doing serious harm to the rights
and interests of our people on the island
and to our lawful commerce, the protec-
ton and freedom OF which is safeguarded
by treat V obligations"
The committee emphasizes the fact that
the United States, in the various strug.
giles between Cuba and Spain, has always
observed in perfect faith all of its duties
toward the belligerents. Although diff
cult, the task was performed with vigor
impartiality and justice, in the hope that
Spain would so ameliorate the condition
OF the Cuban people as to give them peace.
contentment and prosperity. The COM
mittee says this result has not been accom-
pIished. The hospitality which our treat
les, the laws of nations and of Christianity
have extended to Cuban refugees. has
caused, the committee adds, distrust by
the Spanish Government as to the fidelity
of the United States Government to its
obligations of neutrality. This distrust
has become source of serious ANNOYANCE
to our people and has led to spirit of re-
IL.
Cuba, thus giving rise, the committee
says, to frequent controversies between
the two countries. Continuing, the report
says:
"The absence of responsible government
in Cuba, with powers adequate to deal
directly with questions between the people
of the United States and the people and
political authorities of the island, has been
frequently recurring cause of delay, pro-
traeted imprisonment, coniscations of
property and the detention of our people
and their ships, often upon groundless
charges, which has been serious griev-
ance.'
Further along the committee says that
the contemplation of unlawful invasion by
reckless persons when instructions have
occurred In Cuba has given the Govern
ment of the United States anxiety, trouble
and much expense in the enforcement of
our laws and treaty obligations of neu-
trality, and these occasions have been so
frequent as to make these duties unreason-
ably onerous upon the United States Gov
ernment. On the present struggle in Cuba
the report says:
The devastation of Cuba in the war
that Is now being waged, both with fire
and sword, is an anxious and disturbing
cause OF unrest among the people of the
United States, which creates strong
grounds of protest against the continuance
OF the struggle for power between Cuba
and Spain, and which is rapidly changing