The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-23
THE CAMERON RESOLUTIONS.

1t seems to be the general impression
in Washington that there is little pros
pect that Senator Cameron's Cuban reso-
buttons will be adopted by the two houses
of Congress, but it is believed there will
be bitter fight over the matter. Secre-
tary Olney's declaration that the Presi-
dent would not be bound by the action of
Congress meets, it is said, with the full
approval of the chief executive, but has
ut the same time excited great indigna-
ton in both Houses, and has in Il measure
changed the issue from acknowledging
the independence of Cuba to Il question
of authority between the President and
Congress. Many who did not ut first
favor the Cameron resolutions are very
indignant ut Mr.. Olney's statement and
in their resentment are inclined 10 90 to
almost any extreme in vindicatng the
authority of Congress-. Even the leaders
who oppose the Cuban resolutions sake
umbragc at Mr.. Olney's assertions,on the
ground that his declarations will
strengthen the resolutions They say that
the Secretary of State should have known
that there was not even Il remote posi-
blity of the resolutions being adopted,
and that therefore he should not have
raised the question of authority to embar-
rass the situation
1t is said that he fully understood that
this declaration on his part was not rem
dered necessary by any situation existing
in Congress, and the only excuse found
for it is that there was something in the
relations between the State Department
and Spain which demanded this public
assurance rs to the friendly attitude of
the administration toward the Spanish
government.
The fact is believed to be that, as was
Indicated by information before the meet.
ing of Congress, Spain has been assured by
the administration that within certain
limit of time this Government will not in
terfere in the Cuban matter, and that
after the expiration of that time some set.
Element must he had. The action of the
Senate committee threatened the break
ing of this understanding, and the infer
Mr. Olney felt compelled to reassure
Spain. His statement intensified rather
than relieved the feeling in Congress.
The opponents to the resolutions in the
Senate do not intend that they shall pass
them. They openly threaten iilibuster
shat will consume the entire session. The
fact that there is to be an extra session
of Congress anyhow relieves the defeat of
appropriation bills ut this session of much
OF the gravity OF responsibility In addi-
ton to this the practical certainty that
the House will not act may have II ten
dcncy to weaken the efforts in behalf of
the resolutions in the senate when it is
found that the filibuster is in ernest
The situation is liable, it is said, to de-
velop sensational features, for if it is
found TO be true that Mr.. Olney has actu-
ally by direct communication assured
Spain that the resolutions of Congress
would not he obeyed if adopted IL deter
mined effort would be made to impeach
him.
General Draper, of Massachusetts, act.
ing chairman of the foreign affairs COM
mittee of the House, and who is also one
of the sub committee of three charged
with the special consideration of the Gu
ban problem, says in his Judgment no
such resolution will get Though the
House committee in this Congress, and
he believes further that there has
been such n change of feeling on the Gu