Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-02
CONGRESS AND CInA.

The session of Congress to begin on
Monday next can have no great public
interest. apart from what Congress may
say or do with reference to Cuba.
The Republicans are divided in opinion
as to the expediency of passing the Ding
ley tariff bill and. moreover, it is not
generally believed that Mr.. Cleveland
would allow it TO become q law if passed.
In the end. we suspect that the wlshe,
Of Mr.. Mckinley will be sought, and,
when obtained. followed.
We should think that he would prefer
that no action should be taken increasing
the tariff until his administration comes
into power Doubtless. he does not con-
Germ himself much about the deficit
which Mr. Cleveland will leave in the
Treasury on the 4th Of March.
Nor is II to be expected that Senator
Chandler will be able 20 stir Congress 20
action on the question of bimetallism.
The coming session will be a short one.
and the general disposition Of members
will be. we suppose, to leave the adop-
tion of new policies and the inauguration
Of plans for solving the currency ques-
ton to the Mckinley Administration.
But not so with thc Cuban question. 1t
may not be possible to postpone this.
Events are occurring rapidly upon the
ever-faithful isle. and it may be re-
ousred of this government 10 act deci-
sively soon.
When Mr. Cleveland had his hands fun
OF Venezuela and when he was urged 10
recognize Cuha's belligerency. ne is re-
ported 10 have said; zone row at a time
IS enough; wait awhile" Having sue
cessfully dealt with the Venezuelan ques-
lion. IT may be that the President would
now like to crown the foreign policy of
his administration by opening the way
for the freedom of Cuba. And. natural
ly. he will be greatly influenced by Fitz
Lees report
General Lee enjoys the Presidents con-
rdence. and the confidence of the Ameri-
can people. in the fullest; moreover his
military education and his training in
actual warfare. and his observation-disclosures,
entitle his opinion TO great weight. Al
most without exception, the papers Ct
The country are in the habit OF speaking
OF General Lee with great respect 1t IS
fortunate. perhaps. that he was out OF
fhe country during the late campaign,
because neither side Is prejudiced against
him on account OF that contest; on ,he
contrary. he has the good win Of all tie
people II would seem.
So Lees report made to the President
9 Ir,l
will probably not only be influential with
The President, but with the public We
take it, OF course, that Lees report
states what Is generally known-that
the Cubans seem TO be unconquerable
that they practically control three fourths
of the island, and that the desultory
warfare that is going on promises TO be
intermnable, so long as Spain can raise
an army or fleet. and that, mean while
American interests are suffering.
And so the question of the recognition
OF the belligerency of Cuba will come up
Congress made known its views in reso.
lutions passed at its last session. but the
President has ever been mum" More
he has so far refused to be guided by
the resolutions of Congress. But things
have changed. As we have said. tho
Venezuelan question Is now out OF IN,
way. and our government is free TO dc
or say what II will.
At any rate. the general expectation
Is that President Cleveland will take q
decided position In his forthcoming mes
sage. and that Congress Will be only toe
glad TO sustain him.
1t Is noticeable. too. that there has beer
Rn unwonted activity In and about out
nayy-yards. and at our forts and other
dcfences upon or near 20 the coast.
so far as we know. not a soul outside OF
The White House has any inkling Of
the Presidents purpose. though the
general judgment is that "he ought e
do something" On Wall street. whore
as many shrewd, far-seelng men meet
as upon any similar area OF ground N
the world. IT Is believed that decisiv,
policy is about 10 be announced and
adopted. Whether tiiis VIII begin by .hi.
countrys offering its friendly offices Z.
Spain. 10 bring the war 70 a quiet end
ing. or by some other step. Is "A mat.
ter OF conjecture. but Wall street scents
an important movement OF some sort
And 50 We say that otherwise this SEES