The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-12-23
HE WILLLOOK FOR WAR
II the Cameron Resolution Pass
es Congress.
A RATHER DELICATE SITUATION.
Opinion Of Well Informed Man on the
Cuban situation - other Views Of the
Matter-secretsry Oineys Influence Is
Against Interference.

against Interference
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 Especial. l-Ow.
ing TO the agitation in congress the Cuban
situation is becoming interesting again
IL the senate passes the Cameron resolution
after the holidays or something like IL.
there are many who believe that Spain
will resent such action In way that may
bring on trouble between that country and
the United States. Secretary Olney has
all along opposed interference in the mat
ter by congress. He has done so not be-
cause he lacks sympathy with Cuba In her
struggle for freedom or because he Is not
In favor of action when the time comes,
but because he knows how delicate the sit
uation is and how easily congress might
blunder into mischief making without in
tending TO do so.
A Grave Situation.
The Cameron resolution, which seems
most likely TO be taken up and debated
and perhaps passed in the senate. recog
nizes the independence of Cuba and ten
ders the good offices OF the United States
for the purpose of restoring peace. Mem
bers of the diplomatic corps doubt II Spain
would consent 10 our Intervention on such
a basis. 1t would be equivalent to saying
to the naughty dons: You have lost. We
pronounce your enemy the victor, and now
we are ready TO see that there is no more
lighting" This sort of peaoemaking, in
the opinion of diplomatists, would so anger
Spain that she would be likely TO turn
upon the peacemaker gentleman who
is as well informed as any man In Wash.
ington concerning the attitude of the
Spanish government said TO me today:
"If this Cameron resolution passes both
branches of congress, l shall look for war
between the United States and Spain.
do not see how it can be averted Spain is
not going to accept anything Of that sort.
She is too proud to do SO. Besides, IL her
ruling dynasty lies down before the Yam
KEGS In such way, 10 will speedily come
to an end. The present government In
Spain could not maintain itself in the face
Of an aroused and indignant public opinion
II IL failed holly to resent such interference
by Uncle Sam.
Though this gentleman's opinions are
entitled to weight think he overrates the
gravity of the situation. 1t Is a long step
between the passage of resolution recog
nizing independence and actual war be-
tween Spain and the United States. II
must be remembered that congress alone
pendence of Cuba. All writer's on inter
national law agree that the executive alone
has the power TO do that, and our supreme
court has held on several occasions that
recognition dates only from the promulga
ton of the act by the president
Work OF Congress.
After the holiday recess Cuba will oc-
cupy a large share of the attention Of CON
gress. AS l predicted several weeks ago,
the regular appropriation bills and affairs
in the unhappy little island are likely to
be our only subjects of Legislative treat
ment this winter. The debate will take
place first in the senate, where there are
two distinct parties-a Cuban party and a
conservative party. The former want to go
ahead and use the voice of congress TO help
the cause of Cuban freedom in any way
they can, irrespective Of the results. II IL
brings on war between the United States
and Spain, so much the better, think the
more extreme. Others, less radical, are
willing TO express sympathy and to throw
the moral force of the American congress
with the revoutionsts, while doing moth
ing that might involve ms in war The
peace faction say the best thing we can do is
TO mind our own business. They point out
of the recent presidential campaign. bust
ness in the United States needs chance
TO recuperate without the disturbing in
fiuence of rumors of war. They argue that,
if trouble must come between Spain and
this country, let IL he forced by events, and
that congress should not go out looking
for it,
AS rule those senators who are most
closely connected with the business inter.
ests of the country, such as those from
New England New York and the middle
states, are against action In regard TO Cuba
IL will probably be several weeks before
the matter is brought to head in the sen
ate, and it is understood to be the policy
of the house to wait and see what the sen.
ate does IL the senate passes resolution
then we shall have n debate in the house.
and 10 promises to he warm one. In the
lower branch the sentiment is very strong
for Cuba
A Conservative View.
Secretary Olney has thrown the weight
OF his influence and advice against inter
ference by congress. The admi nistration Is
consistent In this at least Ii has main.
tanned all along that the Cuban revolu-
tionists have not complied with the first
requirements which could warrant recog.
milton OF them as an independent power
They have control OF no seaport. They
have no ship on she sea- They have no
capital or organized government. They
do not administer the laws. IL this or any
other nation were to recognize them as an
independent government 10 would be diff
cult to ascertain with whom negotiations
were TO be carried on or who was respon-
sibie for injuries to American citizens
But these arguments have little weight
with the radical friends OF Cuba. They
say the time has gone by In which we
should split hairs about the gallant strug-
gle for freedom being made at our very
doors. They say it is the duty of the Unit.
ed States TO interfere and restore peace and
prosperity to Cuba. and that peace and
prosperity can only be had under free
government like our own. The develop
mept of this situation In congress will not
be interesting. but IL may be so important
I'm its bearings as tn decide whether or not
the United States IL To have war or peace
with Spain. WALTER WELLMAN.
Merely a Suggestion.
my dear, said Mrs. Younghusband.
81 saw such queer, dingy cable car this