Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-04
CUBA AND THE MESSAGE.

CUBA AND THE MES>1dE.
Public interest at Washington. and, in
deed, throughout the entire country. is
centering more and more in the Cuban
question. and speculation as TO the con-
tents of Consul-General Lees report, and
as to what the President will have TO
say in his annual message in respect OF
Cuba. is growing apace. These two docu-
ments are almost invariably coupled; for
il seems 10 be pretty generally expected
that in his treatment Of the Cuban issue
the President will be largely guided by
the Consul-Generars report.
Many wiseacres, among both the cor
respondents and the politicians, profess
to know the presidential mind touching
Cuba: and an equal number Of both
classes has from time TO time given us
what We were assured was an insight
into General Lees report. But these
wiseacres are far from being agreed
among themselves. In a number of
papers yesterday appeared specials from
Washington. stating that Secretary Oh
ney. some time in November had given
the Spanish Government courteously, but
firmly, to understand that the Cuban re-
bellion must be crushed within three
months or the United States would be
compelled to intervene TO stop hostiities.
The New York Herald's Washington cor
respondent, however. declares that this
story is authoritatvely denied, and that
our government has given the Spanish
Government no such ultimatumi also,
that it is held by those who ought TO be
in a position to know whereof they speak
that the Presidents message will not
announce any change Of the Administra-
TONS policy in regard TO Cuba.
Yet this same correspondent, it would
appear, contradicts himself when he says
IL is believed that Mr.. Cleveland would
Ike TO devote the closing months Of his
administration to carrying out policy
that would terminate the Cuban war, If
he could receive satisfactory assurance
that Congress would support him. The
consensus of opinion in this country
seems TO be that the first step on the part
of the United States towards bringing
about a speedy termination of the war in
Cuba lies in the recognition of Cuban
belligerency. Congress. we know, at its
last session, passed a concurrent resolu-
ton, which practically gave the Presi-
dent a free hand. and the strongest Of
announcement in this matter; but
the President did not see fit 10
support Congress. II Mr.. Cleveland has
changed his mind on the belligerency
question, he need not, we think fear that
Congress will not back him. Indeed,
there Is every reason TO believe that Con-
gress is now prepared to go much fur
Their in dealing with the Cuban question
than il went last spring-is prepared even
10 force the President 10 show his hand
by passing a joint resolution recognizing
the Cuban patriots as belligerents.
However, so far as the Presidents
message and Consul-General Lees re-
port bear upon the situation, we might as
well POSSESS our souls in patience. Light
upon the recommendations of the former
and inside views Of the latter. that have
been given. to the contrary, notwith-
standing. both Mr. Cleveland and Gene
raj Leo seem TO have kept their own
counsel very effectually; and. until both
documents shall have been made public
II would be safest TO take the statements
OF the wiseacres cum grano sails. At
the same time. II Is but justice to the
Heralds correspondent TO say that the
view that the President viii not an
nounce any change in his Cuban policy
comedies with the preponderance Of indi-
cations, or rather lack OF Indications
up 20 date. SO far. we have failed TO
find any satisfactory evidence that he
contemplated a new departure in the
Cuban matter.