The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-20
Tbe CUBAN ResoIution.

The Cuban Resolution.
There is not much probability that the
United States VIII acknowledge the in
dependence Of Cuba in the very near fu-
ture. The resolution may be passed by
the Senate. but g. IS by no means certain
It VIII. There viii be a long debate over
it. and excellent reasons VIII have to be
given TO secure . majority for it. If It
should pass the Senate the House from
present indications, would defeat T. There
are two reasons Tor thinking the House
would not favor it. Ore is that the bust
ness interests Of the country are against
involving the country IN a war with Spain.
They don't want q war with any coun-
try War interrupts commerce and de-
presses almost all kinds of values. There
is, Of course, q deep sympathy among
all classes Of people with the cause of
Cuba IT is natural that the people of a
republic should sympathize with another
people striving to establish republican
institutions. Many os those, however,
who are the most active in their efforts
to induce the United States to interfere
in behalf of the Cubans either have prop
erty interests in Cuba or are interested
in Cuba's trade Their motive is selfish
rather than sympathetic.
The other reason for thinking the House
would not pass the resolution is that the
republican party doesn't want the Nc
Kinley administration to be confronted
with the prospect of war with Spain
as soon as it is inaugurated. 1t is not
known what the policy of the Mckinley
administration in respect to Cuba will
be- and it cannot be known until the Nc
Kinley cabinet has been appointed and
has had time to discuss the Cuban ques-
ton. 1t seems to US, therefore, that there
is not much prospect of the independence
resolution being passed by congress. A
different view was entertained when the
resolution was first reported from the
committee on foreign relations, but the
announcement that the committee on for
eign affairs of the House is against the
resolution and the publication of the views
of many prominent members of the
House seem to show that that view was
an incorrect one.
luton the President would not obey it.
1t is his prerogatlve to say whether or not
this government shall recognize the indie
pendence of Cuba. In his recent message
to congress he stated very clearly that
he did not think the time had come for
the United States to interfere In the war
in Cuba. He tried to impress upon Spain
her authority in the island. What he said
was intended as a friendly warning to
Spain that this country's patience was
pretty nearly exhausted, and that while
a little more time would be given her to
restore peace in Cuba, such a war as
was being waged would not be permitted
to continue indefinitely.
The President does not think Spain has
had all the time for restoring order to
which she is entitled, and, hence, much
as he respects congress, he would not ac-
knowledge Cuba's independence at the
present time. even though the majority
which the independence resolution receiv-
ed should be large. 1t can be safely as
sumed, therefore, that if there is no dam
ger OF war between the United States and
Spain before the former recognizes Cuba s
independence, there win be no war while
Mr. Cleveland is President.
What the Cuban policy of the Mckinley
administration will be cannot be predict
ed with any degree of certainty. Even
though Mr.. Mckinley has in mind the
policy he intends to adopt il NAV be
wholly changed. by changed conditions,
before he becomes President. There does
not now seem to be any strong sentiment
in favor of annexing the island but in
three months from now there may be a
strong party in favor of annexation. MIR.
Mckinley might think 1t glorious thing
to have 1t so into history that Cuba be-
came part of the United States during
his administration.