The record-union., 1896-04-13
NO. EXCITEMENT now
OVER CUBAN AFFAIRS.
Congress is Waiting to See What thl
President Will Do.
It Feels That It Has Done Its Duty In
the Matter.
Feeling That Joint Resolution Would
be Acting Unfriendly to the Prest-
dent-Members Give Their Opinions
as to What Action He VIII Take
Opinions That a Joint Resolution
Could be Passed Over His Veto.

Could be Passed Over His Veto.
WASHINGTON, April pa careful
canvass of the House of Representa-
tlveS on Saturday showed a complete
cessation of excitement over the Cuban
situation. The sympathy of the MEM
ters is still obviously with the insur-
gents, but some unexpected circum-
stances will be necessary to rouse them
to action again. The general express
sion Of opinion on both sides of the
chamber was that Congress had done it's
duty, by adopting by an Overwhelming
vote the resolutions declaring that the
insurgents were entitled to belligerent
rights. Having done this, and the mat
ter now being in the hands of the Presi-
dent, it is deemed better to leave 1t
there
While not openly expressed, there was
tacit understanding that the leaders
of the House would be acting unfriendly
to the President in adopting joint res
olution of belligerency which it would
be mandatory upon him to approve or
to veto.
Democrats generally, who claim to
have familiarized themselves upon the
subject, assert that the recognition is
purely an executive function, and that
the House would not be justified in go
Ing further than defining it's own posi-
ton. 1t was not doubted, however, that
II joint resolution came before the
House, it would pass through by a ma
JCrity much less than that which was
given to the Senate resolutions a week
ago. It is also believed by members
who would oppose such a measure, that
it could be carried through the House
over the Presidents veto.
There is one gentleman, however, who
does not agree with his associates as to
the Presidents probable action. This
is HIT of Illinois, the Chairman of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee,
whose prominence in the several Cuban
debates gives to his utterances an es-
pecial significance. Hit regards it as
likely that President will, within a rea-
scnable time, issue proclamation rec
ognizing the belligerency of the Cubans
He does not base this upon any informa-
ton he has received, nor did he care to
predict when the President might take
such action. The speedily approaching
rainy season, ending active campaign
ing for six months, makes that time a
fit limit, and the last one for waiting.
Hit referred to the enormous majorities
with which the first resolutions passed
the House and said that after month
when every member had had an oppor-
tunity to hear from his constituents
the resolutions again passed the House
by practically the same majority He
believes that If the President has rea-
sons and facts fatal to the spirit of the
resolutions, he would have commune
Gated them to Congress during this
month of interval while the question
has been pending.
The President, he said, in conclusion,
is wise and prudent man, and the mere
fact that the resolutions were not joint
resolutions, thus requiring his approval,
does not effect the case. They reflected
public sentiment, and the President Is
toe sensible not to appreciate that cir
cumstance.
Patterson of Tennessee, who is strong
Administration man, was satisfied
that the President and Secretary of
State, who are in communication with
our consular representatives in Cuba,
have better opportunities for knowing
the facts upon which to direct a resolu-
ton of belligerency than Congress.
Draper of Massachusetts, who is one
Of the Republican members Of the For
eign Affairs Committee, and who has
been continually deprecating any sug-
gestion Of interference in Cuban affairs,
does not believe that the President will
issue proclamation.
other Republican member Of the COM
mittee, remarked, as did every other
Representative who was spoken with
that he had no knowledge as to the
Presidents intention. Mr.. Smith be-
pass joint resolution If the President
does not act.
McCreary of Kentucky, Money Of
Mississippi and Dinsmore of Arkansas
compose a trio of Democratic members
of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and
each in turn as questioned as to what
the President might do, or what action
the House would take if the President
failed to act, replied that they had no
information upon which to base an an
swer. and that they, therefore, could
not tell what might happen in either
case
Il do not think Congress will take any
further action on this subject" said
Senator Hale Of Maine, who was one Of
the most determined opponents to the
passage of the resolutions in the Sem
ate. Congress has done all it consis-
tently can do in the matter and it now
rests with the President to act as he
may deem proper. OF course, no one
can prevent the Introduction in the
Senate of any or all sorts Of resolutions,
but they would only express the indi-
vidual opinion of the Senator who in
troduced them, and If pushed to vote
they could not possibly pass
The future action Of Congress de-
pends largely, If not entirely upon the
events that transpire in Cuba" said
Senator Gray of Delaware, one of the
recognized friends of the President upon
the floor of the Senate. And" he con-
tinued. "the action Of the President,
whatever 1t may be. will In like manner
depend upon the trend of events on that
inland. If there should be some great
success attending the efforts Of the in
surgents, or any other condition of af-
fairs demanding the attention of Con-
gress, I believe Congress would deal
| with 1t in the proper manner"
Other Senators, who declined to be
quoted. spoke freely in private upon