Evening star., 1896-02-21
ELP FOR CUB A
Congress Uncertain as to the Most Eff
fective Action.
A Word of encouragement From the
President Would he
Valuable.

Never since hostiities first tegan have
the Administrators real inclnations in
! this Cuban business been of so much mo-
ment as at this present hour Congress Is
face to face with the question of action.
and Will take action friendly to Cuba, but
is divided in the circumstances that exist
as to what means may be made the mos:
effective.
1t is not known that the President is
not in sympathy with the insurgents, but
there is fear that ne is not, and hence
the effort of the Senate committee on for
etgn relations to go as Ear as Congress
may go to help the Cubans without the
PRESIDENTS assistance. Hence the major
lty report from that committee of a con-
current resolution according heliigerent
rights to the insurgents as an act independ-
ent of the Presidents Sanction But that
will be but little more than an expression
OF sympathy. 1t will not accomplish what
the insurgents expect, Or what Congress
really desires that they shall receive. The
question has even been raised respecting
the power of Congress to proceed in that
way.
The Thing That Should De Done.
Mr.. Cameron's minority proposition is re-
garded as being the proper capcr That
requests the President 20 :nte:pose his
friendly offices-that is. the friendly Offices
independence of Cuba. The Senate desires
that, and would pass the Cameron resolu-
tloh speedily with any assurance of CO.
operation at the White House. Eut such
nsahi nssdanee ICE =, IS lacking The President
Armenian resolutions for conspicuous in
stance-refuse to cooperate with Congress-
ana balk the designs of that body He
misht SIMPLY pocket the deliyerancc ad-
minfstering to Congress as well as 10 the
Cubans distinct snub. Mr. Cameron, for
ms own part. seems to be Indifferent on
this point. He would have Congress- act
up to the full measure of its faith ard con.
victions, leaving the President to take the
responsibility of antagonizing public SEN
tlment in the United States if lie chooses
to do SO. 49,
Presidenrs Course Regretted.
inc PRESIDENTS course-hostile in effect,
'Aoush not IN open expression-is very
fnuch regretted by some of the warmest
of his admirers. He has received some
pointed suggestions on the subject from
men who have differed from him on no
otter proposition. And these men have
Deen hoping for change on his part Is
there not the fullest Justification for n
change in the situation itselfo If, through
abundant caution. the President. at the
outset and for long time. could not see his
way clear to use friendly offices for Cuba.
6nsnt S;saarin ne t. hssitats:a moment when Spain
adopts that of extermina ton when She
recalls Campos and commissions Weyler?
Al time when the administration is con-
slderirg the question of protecting the seal
| herds of the Pacific ocean, cannot consd-
Grafton be given to the protection of hui
man beings-near neighbors and friends
on the island of Cuba :? Is the cruel and
lndiscrim1nate slaughter of swimming ami
mails so much more reprehensfble than the
indiscriminate slaughter of human beings?
Is the Canadian or the Russian poacher on
the preserves of the open sea so much
worse than the Spanish poacher on the pre-
serves of humanity?
Word of EncOuraEement.
A word of encouragement from the Pres
ide1t at this time, from somebody au-
thorized to speak for him, would serve a
very valuable purpose. But nobody seems
to feel hopeful of such help for Cuba